Long-Term Pumping When Direct Breastfeeding Doesn't Work Out
http://www.bflrc.com/ljs/breastfeeding/bfnotwk.htm
Supporting the People who Support Breastfeeding
www.BFLRC.com
Long-Term Pumping When Direct Breastfeeding Doesn't Work Out
Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Mother's milk is best for babies even when direct breastfeeding doesn't work out. Perhaps the reason is persistent breast problems, perhaps the baby cannot suck correctly and effectively, or perhaps there are other reasons that make direct breastfeeding impossible or a barrier to the mother-baby relationship.
Human milk is the "Gold Standard" for babies, even when provided by a bottle or special feeding device. Manufactured products based on cow's milk or soybeans are not the same as human milk, no matter how carefully they are designed, manufactured and prepared. Human milk provides substantial protection from illness, even when all other health factors are equal. This is because:
Active white cells in the milk destroy many bacteria, viruses, and organisms.
Specific antibodies are manufactured by the mother to combat many illnesses.
Fatty acids and other components help fight illness and minimize allergic responses.
The species-specific nutrients maximize brain growth and mental development.
Many long-term and chronic illnesses are linked to artificial feeding, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, and even some cancers.
Lactation is also good for the mother, whether she is directly breastfeeding or using a pump. She still benefits from delayed fertility; reduced risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers; osteoporosis; less postpartum bleeding, and other benefits of breastfeeding.
The price of long-term feeding with human milk is the equipment for milk collection and storage. The cost of equipment rent or purchase is less than the cost of manufactured milks. For example, in 1995 in Dayton Ohio, one months' supply of a typical breastmilk substitute costs about $200. This is about the same as a 5-month rental of a high-quality electric breastpump or twice as much as a Nurture III hand-held electric breastpump. The time spent collecting milk is shorter than the time needed to purchase and prepare the substitute. Many mothers find that hand expressing is fast, effective, and free.
Changing feeding method or even the food given does not change the baby's need for his mother's presence, nor his need to be held, cuddled, comforted, and rocked. Feedings will take about the same amount of time regardless of the method used. Babies need to eat frequently because they are growing so quickly. Feeding times should always be a time for close, nurturing contact. Always, always respond to the baby's cues for when and how much she needs to eat.
Here are TEN SPECIFIC TIPS:
1. Buy or rent a good quality pump with vacuum pressure of 100-250 pounds and the ability to cycle at 40-60 times per minute. Also learn to hand-express. Many inexpensive pumps are weak, uncomfortable, or ineffective. Expect to pay $100 or more for a good electric unit.
2. A woman's breasts will release most of their stored milk in about a 10-20 minute "window." Be prepared to pump for about 20 minutes per breast every 2-3 hours, with one 4-5 hour stretch once a day (often at night), just as the baby would nurse. Do not allow milk to remain in the breast for more than 6 hours at any time, because the retained milk will signal the cells to slow down production. Double pumping cuts total time but does not speed up the rate of release of milk.
3. Each woman is different. Some women's' breasts will "dump" milk quickly, while other breasts release milk more slowly. Breast storage capacity differs, too, and may be somewhat related to size. A small-breasted woman may need to pump more often than a woman with more glandular tissue and more storage capacity. Most women usually use only a small portion of their mammary tissue to make milk for one baby. Breast surgery can affect milk supply.
4. The milk-producing cells settle into a production rate that maintains total volume about 15-20% over the baby's needs (or average amount removed) per day. To increase total volume per day, add more pumping sessions so that the breasts are "emptied" more often and more thoroughly. To decrease total volume, allow more milk retention. It takes 1-4 days for the breasts to respond to different "demands."
5. Maintain your supply about 15-20% above the baby's needs. This means you will be able store (freeze) a little bit each day over what the baby takes. If the baby takes all you are pumping and you need to use the stored milk, assume the baby is experiencing a growth spurt. The baby would have nursed VERY FREQUENTLY for a few days to boost supply, so mimic this pattern with your pumping regimen. Pump every 1 ½ to 2 hours for a few days until supply increases.
6. What you eat and drink has VERY LITTLE effect on milk volume or composition. Additional fluids affect bladder function, not milk supply. A good diet and sufficient fluids will help you feel better and stay healthy. While a few substances can affect milk volume, the single most important factor in milk supply is regular removal of milk.
7. Hormonal contraceptives may cause a sudden and possibly permanent drop in milk supply. Even progesterone-only products may affect some women. Be cautious of using these drugs.
8. Maintaining a milk supply usually becomes easier and more reliable over time. Some mothers can extend the time between pumpings. Others find that their breasts release milk faster over time and therefore can shorten the time of the pumping session.
9. Long-term milk production may suppress fertility in the same way that long-term breastfeeding does. Please read about the Lactation Amenorrhea Method of fertility awareness.
10. Maintaining a milk supply for a baby is a separate issue from how the milk is fed to the baby and the mother-baby relationship. Pay as much or more attention to the baby as the pump.
QUESTIONS? Please call a lactation consultant if you think your supply is dropping. Or you want more help getting baby back to direct breastfeeding. Or if you want to stop comfortably. Your lactation consultant is trained to handle all breastfeeding-related problems without judging you on your decision. This is what we do for a living.
© 1993, 1998 Linda J. Smith lindaj@bflrc.com
To leave a comment or just to say "hi," send e-mail to lindaj@bflrc.com
You may phone Linda in the USA at (937) 438-9458
Your visit to www.bflrc.com, the Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre Ltd web site, is important.
Please contact Linda about site content. Please contact the Webmaster about web site problems.
Web site design is © 1999, Dennis L. Smith - Additional copyrights may apply to page content.
Supporting the People who Support Breastfeeding
www.BFLRC.com
Long-Term Pumping When Direct Breastfeeding Doesn't Work Out
Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Mother's milk is best for babies even when direct breastfeeding doesn't work out. Perhaps the reason is persistent breast problems, perhaps the baby cannot suck correctly and effectively, or perhaps there are other reasons that make direct breastfeeding impossible or a barrier to the mother-baby relationship.
Human milk is the "Gold Standard" for babies, even when provided by a bottle or special feeding device. Manufactured products based on cow's milk or soybeans are not the same as human milk, no matter how carefully they are designed, manufactured and prepared. Human milk provides substantial protection from illness, even when all other health factors are equal. This is because:
Active white cells in the milk destroy many bacteria, viruses, and organisms.
Specific antibodies are manufactured by the mother to combat many illnesses.
Fatty acids and other components help fight illness and minimize allergic responses.
The species-specific nutrients maximize brain growth and mental development.
Many long-term and chronic illnesses are linked to artificial feeding, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, and even some cancers.
Lactation is also good for the mother, whether she is directly breastfeeding or using a pump. She still benefits from delayed fertility; reduced risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers; osteoporosis; less postpartum bleeding, and other benefits of breastfeeding.
The price of long-term feeding with human milk is the equipment for milk collection and storage. The cost of equipment rent or purchase is less than the cost of manufactured milks. For example, in 1995 in Dayton Ohio, one months' supply of a typical breastmilk substitute costs about $200. This is about the same as a 5-month rental of a high-quality electric breastpump or twice as much as a Nurture III hand-held electric breastpump. The time spent collecting milk is shorter than the time needed to purchase and prepare the substitute. Many mothers find that hand expressing is fast, effective, and free.
Changing feeding method or even the food given does not change the baby's need for his mother's presence, nor his need to be held, cuddled, comforted, and rocked. Feedings will take about the same amount of time regardless of the method used. Babies need to eat frequently because they are growing so quickly. Feeding times should always be a time for close, nurturing contact. Always, always respond to the baby's cues for when and how much she needs to eat.
Here are TEN SPECIFIC TIPS:
1. Buy or rent a good quality pump with vacuum pressure of 100-250 pounds and the ability to cycle at 40-60 times per minute. Also learn to hand-express. Many inexpensive pumps are weak, uncomfortable, or ineffective. Expect to pay $100 or more for a good electric unit.
2. A woman's breasts will release most of their stored milk in about a 10-20 minute "window." Be prepared to pump for about 20 minutes per breast every 2-3 hours, with one 4-5 hour stretch once a day (often at night), just as the baby would nurse. Do not allow milk to remain in the breast for more than 6 hours at any time, because the retained milk will signal the cells to slow down production. Double pumping cuts total time but does not speed up the rate of release of milk.
3. Each woman is different. Some women's' breasts will "dump" milk quickly, while other breasts release milk more slowly. Breast storage capacity differs, too, and may be somewhat related to size. A small-breasted woman may need to pump more often than a woman with more glandular tissue and more storage capacity. Most women usually use only a small portion of their mammary tissue to make milk for one baby. Breast surgery can affect milk supply.
4. The milk-producing cells settle into a production rate that maintains total volume about 15-20% over the baby's needs (or average amount removed) per day. To increase total volume per day, add more pumping sessions so that the breasts are "emptied" more often and more thoroughly. To decrease total volume, allow more milk retention. It takes 1-4 days for the breasts to respond to different "demands."
5. Maintain your supply about 15-20% above the baby's needs. This means you will be able store (freeze) a little bit each day over what the baby takes. If the baby takes all you are pumping and you need to use the stored milk, assume the baby is experiencing a growth spurt. The baby would have nursed VERY FREQUENTLY for a few days to boost supply, so mimic this pattern with your pumping regimen. Pump every 1 ½ to 2 hours for a few days until supply increases.
6. What you eat and drink has VERY LITTLE effect on milk volume or composition. Additional fluids affect bladder function, not milk supply. A good diet and sufficient fluids will help you feel better and stay healthy. While a few substances can affect milk volume, the single most important factor in milk supply is regular removal of milk.
7. Hormonal contraceptives may cause a sudden and possibly permanent drop in milk supply. Even progesterone-only products may affect some women. Be cautious of using these drugs.
8. Maintaining a milk supply usually becomes easier and more reliable over time. Some mothers can extend the time between pumpings. Others find that their breasts release milk faster over time and therefore can shorten the time of the pumping session.
9. Long-term milk production may suppress fertility in the same way that long-term breastfeeding does. Please read about the Lactation Amenorrhea Method of fertility awareness.
10. Maintaining a milk supply for a baby is a separate issue from how the milk is fed to the baby and the mother-baby relationship. Pay as much or more attention to the baby as the pump.
QUESTIONS? Please call a lactation consultant if you think your supply is dropping. Or you want more help getting baby back to direct breastfeeding. Or if you want to stop comfortably. Your lactation consultant is trained to handle all breastfeeding-related problems without judging you on your decision. This is what we do for a living.
© 1993, 1998 Linda J. Smith lindaj@bflrc.com
To leave a comment or just to say "hi," send e-mail to lindaj@bflrc.com
You may phone Linda in the USA at (937) 438-9458
Your visit to www.bflrc.com, the Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre Ltd web site, is important.
Please contact Linda about site content. Please contact the Webmaster about web site problems.
Web site design is © 1999, Dennis L. Smith - Additional copyrights may apply to page content.