You’ve always had the choice of exclusively pumping breast milk for your baby. Exclusive pumping is considered breastfeeding, as you are giving your infant human milk straight from your breast instead of formula.
Although breastfeeding and nursing are often used interchangeably, they are two different things. Nursing involves feeding your baby from your breast, and they latch on to your nipple. Breastfeeding can involve directly feeding your baby from your breast or indirectly using a bottle, cup, etc.
What is Exclusive Pumping?
What is the difference between exclusive pumping and breastfeeding (nursing)?Exclusive pumping means you do not nurse your baby for their feedings; you feed them pumped breast milk from a bottle. However, exclusive pumping still allows you to provide breast milk with its highly nutritious properties even though you are not nursing. The exclusive pumping method doesn’t make the process less meaningful to you or your infant. Breast milk is always beneficial to your baby.
Although exclusive pumping may not involve direct physical contact with your baby during their feedings, there are still many ways you can bond with them:
- Skin-to-skin contact- Holding your baby close and touching their skin to yours is always a great bonding experience.
- Talk to your baby- Let them hear your voice during feedings. Talk with them and interact.
- Gaze into their eyes- Maintain eye contact as you speak and cuddle with them.
- Sing to them- Lullabies or other songs can soothe them and relax you both.
Why Would You Choose Exclusive Pumping from Birth?
Choosing to exclusively pump breast milk and feed your baby using a bottle can be a personal decision or be selected due to reasons like these:
- Your baby was in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) after birth and did not establish nursing due to treatment.
- Your baby needs an NG (nasogastric) tube to get nutrients, and only liquids can be given through the tube going into its nose.
- Your baby refuses to nurse.
- Your baby is not gaining weight, so you need a way to measure their intake.
- Your baby doesn’t transfer milk well in his mouth due to physical oral issues like cleft palate or lip.
- Your baby is getting their teeth and biting your nipple.
- Your baby does not latch on well to get enough breast milk.
- You want to provide breast milk to your baby, but you have an aversion to nursing.
There are many benefits to the exclusive pumping feeding method.
- You always know how much your baby is eating and never need to worry if they are getting enough milk.
- You know how much milk you produce and can keep track of your supply. If it starts to drop, you can take action quickly to restore it.
- No worries about biting. They don’t make breast pumps with teeth!
- You have better control when deciding to wean your baby, as you are in charge of the pump.
Tools for Exclusive Pumping
The breast pump is the most critical tool for exclusively pumping breast milk.
Because of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, your insurance must provide you with a breast pump. Check with your insurance company to see what models they offer. If they don't cover a model you desire, you may be able to pay the difference to find one.
Most pumps come with warranties, so ordering in the last month allows you to take advantage of them fully.
The breast pumps need to fit your breasts, so ordering in the last month increases your chances of finding the best flange fit.
Manual Breast Pump
These pumps are the least expensive option for pumping breast milk. They are portable and easily carried in a handbag. Moms mainly use them to express breast milk while on the go.
Electric Breast Pump
Electric breast pumps are the most comfortable and convenient way to express breast milk and are the best choice for new mothers who choose to pump exclusively. Electric pump options allow breastfeeding mothers to express breast milk for their infants without manually applying the pumping action.
There are many types of electric pumps for powered pumping. Let’s talk about a few:
- Hospital-grade pumps are more powerful and effective than many personal breast pumps. They are best when wanting to empty your breasts completely.
- Powered breast pumps are either plug-in, rechargeable, or battery-pack mechanized.
- Double electric pumps are two flanges attached to a pump for more breast milk in less time.
- Hands-free pumps are two separate pumps worn on each breast that pump by being charged. They allow you to do other tasks using your hands while pumping.
Electric pumps are time savers and make it easier for moms to do the job without physically wearing themselves out. Electric pumps are hands-down favorites, whether you are pumping for your baby to have a bottle ready immediately or you want to store your breast milk for later.
Hands-free pumps like Momcozy S12 Pro allow moms to go about their daily lives without taking time away from their other tasks while they pump.
Breast Milk Storage Bags
Breast milk storage bags make it easy to collect milk from your pumping session and store it for later use. You can freeze these flat and then stand them up chronologically to give your baby the oldest milk first.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can keep breast milk in a deep freezer at zero degrees Fahrenheit or colder and use it for up to 12 months after it is first frozen. However, feeding it to your baby within six months is best.
Pumping Bra
A wearable breast pump bra is essential when using a hands-free pump exclusively. The pumps need support and slight compression from the flexible bra to do their job.
Bottles
You will need bottles to give your breast milk to your baby. Moms can choose traditional plastic bottles or bags that can be stored, warmed, and placed in a rigid bottle-shaped holder.
Bottle Warmer
Exclusively expressing breastmilk allows you to store a milk supply so that other family members or friends can share in bottle-feeding your baby directly. Having a bottle warmer for just these occasions is so convenient. You can heat frozen breastmilk quickly for them to feed your baby.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Exclusive Pumping?
When you choose to exclusively pump your breastmilk, the choice can be easy, but the process can be overwhelming at first. These are a few of the pros and cons that may arise:
Pros of Exclusive Pumping
- Your baby will get all the benefits of breast milk versus formula. They’ll get all the vitamins and minerals packed with immune substances that protect them from illness. You will reap health benefits from it, too!
- Breastfeeding in public or even with some of your family members in the room may not be comfortable. Leaving the room for direct breastfeeding may also draw your attention away from your other family members. Having a milk supply for your next feeding will allow you to give your baby breast milk by bottle feeding them in the presence of everyone.
- Other family members can help. Infant feeding is not something you alone can do. New moms need to rest or do other things.
- Working: Many women can return to work after collecting milk to maintain a full milk supply for their baby. They can do their pumping sessions on breaks at their office to keep their exclusive pumping schedule and not worry if they have enough milk.
- Pumping exclusively can help maintain your milk output if you cannot nurse for other reasons.
Cons of Exclusive Pumping
- Expense: Breast pumps can be expensive and are essential for a new mom wanting to exclusively pump. You also need bottles, storage bags, and a cooler for your pumped breast milk.
- The tools you need for pumping milk with a manual or electric pump will need regular cleaning, e.g., pump parts, including pump flanges and milk collection cups, bottle warmers, bottle cleaners and brushes, and sterilizers.
- It’s time-consuming. You won’t just be pulling out your breast to feed your baby. You’ll use a breast pump and prepare a bottle from your expressed milk or thawing frozen milk to heat and feed your baby.
- It’s a lifestyle change. You’ll have to get up during the night for pumping sessions to maintain your milk production or increase your milk supply.
- Breast discomfort from exclusive pumping frequency and high-efficiency suction. Olive oil or other lubricants may be needed to keep your nipples from becoming painful and cracking.
Exclusive Pumping Schedule
Creating an exclusive pumping schedule is essential to help you manage your milk supply effectively. In addition, a well-planned pumping schedule is essential for working mothers, ensuring successful exclusive pumping and breastfeeding while maintaining a productive work-life balance.
Hand-expressing your breasts immediately after birth has been shown to produce more colostrum, which is full of protein and antibodies. Massage your breasts while doing this for the maximum output.
Pump eight to ten times in 24 hours, even at night. When starting, pump both breasts for about 10 to 15 minutes. Most babies take 24-30 ounces daily after the first few weeks. Your pediatrician will tell you the recommended amount per feeding.
Then, 20-30 minutes per pumping session is preferred. Longer may make your nipples sore.
You’ll produce the amount of milk your baby needs if you pay attention to their hunger cues and the fullness of your breasts.
Do’s and Don’ts of Exclusive Pumping
DO:
- Get a high-efficiency electric pump that collects milk from both breasts to save time and energy. A double electric pump, especially a hands-free device, can help you get better results with additional letdown during a pumping session, more milk, and your human milk has a higher fat content.
- Store your breast milk in the amount your baby usually drinks at one feeding.
- Make sure your breast pump parts come with pump flanges that fit your breasts. You want your nipple only to easily slide into the flange opening, not your areola.
- Do have a lubricant or nipple cream available so that your breasts do not become dry or cracked.
- Keep hot/cold gel packs available to encourage letdown and provide comfort if breasts are swollen or painful.
- If you have trouble getting your milk to flow, use hand or electronic massage. Applying warm compresses and taking a warm shower can also help. Warming up your pump flanges can also help your letdown.
- Stay well hydrated and make great meal choices. Eat healthy snacks and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
DON’T:
- Don’t set your pump too high to begin your session. Start on a low setting and slowly increase the suction. You do not want to be uncomfortable.
- Don't overfeed your baby. Like direct breastfeeding, hold the bottle horizontally when you feed the baby so the breast milk flows as they suck. Pause during feeding and stop when they show signs that they are full.
- Don’t rely on exclusive pumping for birth control.
- Don’t start birth control without telling your doctor that you are exclusively pumping, as some birth control methods have estrogen in them and may affect your milk supply.
- Don’t get overwhelmed. If you have questions about your exclusive pumping schedule, milk supply, or milk production, or just need some exclusive pumping tips, contact your physician or lactation consultant.
FAQ’s About Exclusive Pumping
Q: Is it OK to exclusively pump without nursing?
A: Yes. Exclusively pumping still provides nutritious human breast milk for your baby, with all its health and immune properties.
Q: Does exclusive pumping delay your period?
A: Yes. It can delay your period but do not rely on it for birth control. The effects can vary from person to person, especially if you aren’t direct breastfeeding.
Q: Can exclusive pumping prevent pregnancy?
A: No. You are only protected against pregnancy if you are exclusively breastfeeding.
Q: Can exclusively pumping cause depression?
A: Yes. There is something called dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER). It’s a condition that can contribute to depression in women who breastfeed or pump exclusively. It’s a hormonal response to the letdown while pumping milk or breastfeeding.
Q: Can I exclusively pump for a year?
A: Yes. But remember that your baby may be ready to start eating other foods around six months, and you may need to pump less as they advance toward solid foods.
Q: Can you lose weight exclusively pumping?
A: Yes. You may lose some weight while exclusively pumping, but there may be other mothers who do not, as the amount of calories you burn pumping depends on age, activity level, and body mass index (BMI).
Conclusion
Using a breast pump exclusively for pumping is a big decision. Whatever the reason for choosing this feeding method, most women can be assured that their baby will still get all the benefits of breast milk as if they were nursing.
We’ve discussed some of the tools needed to start the process and shown exclusive pumping tips, pros and cons, and do’s and don’ts associated with it.
An exclusive pumping schedule is essential.
Only you know what feels comfortable and works most effectively for you and your baby. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, find support system groups, and discuss any concerns with your doctor or lactation consultant.
