If nursing baby at breast is not mother’s choice, but she still wants her baby to be fed breast milk instead of formula, then exclusive pumping is certainly an alternative. Donor expressed breast milk is another feeding supplement option, but I’ll save that topic for another blog. Yes, pumping is not baby nursing at the breast, but what IS THE SAME AND IMPORTANT is that your little one is being fed your precious, nutritious breast milk, made especially for your baby! Start of pumping needs to happen as early as possible after delivery of baby. Hand expression in the first few days after birth is also encouraged to obtain the “liquid gold” colostrum to be fed to baby. Baby’s stomach is as small as a cherry initially, and the small amount of colostrum that you hand express 8-12 times per 24 hours is enough to feed your newborn baby.
Holding baby skin to skin is always encouraged, even if you do not plan to breastfeed. Skin to skin time helps baby transition from fetal life in-utero to the outside world, encourages bonding with mom and dad, and enhances breast milk production. Feed baby by syringe, cup, or bottle, while holding baby skin to skin or even at breast if desired. While still at the hospital, ask a lactation consultant to teach you how to do paced bottle feeding, which is a technique that allows you to pace baby’s feeding at his cues and demands, similar to a breastfeeding baby. This encourages baby to consume enough milk to satiety, but not be overfed.
The earlier pumping begins, the better for stimulation and milk production, especially when baby is not providing the stimulation needed because he’s not breastfeeding. A hospital-grade double electric pump is best to stimulate the breasts to initiate milk production and establish milk supply. It is more efficient in stimulation of breasts and withdrawal of milk. Most hospitals have hospital-grade breast pumps for your use while on the postpartum unit at the hospital. You may rent a hospital-grade pump for home as well, through medical supply companies. There are numerous national companies that rent Medela Symphony hospital-grade breast pumps (the #1 Hospital breast pump) through online order and will ship the pump directly to your home. Check with your insurance provider about hospital-grade pump rental or obtaining a personal breast pump for home.
Double pump, i.e. pump both breasts at the same time every 2-3 hours for 15-20 minutes. The volume of milk you obtain from pumping in the first two weeks will vary as your milk transitions from colostrum in the first few days after birth to transitional milk (day 3-5) to mature milk (up to 2 weeks). Moreover every mother is different, and health problems may affect milk production. Talk to your doctor about any medical issues and concerns. If all is well, stimulation from pumping and draining the breast frequently (8-12 times for 15-20 minutes per 24 hours) signals your body to increase milk production. While pumping, do breast compressions periodically to help drain all areas of the breast, and to induce release of fat into the milk. The breasts never empty but take a rest between pumping sessions: at least a 1.5 hour break between sessions is encouraged to boost milk production.
Try not to go longer than 4 hours between pumping sessions at night. The hormone prolactin which boosts milk production, peaks at night. This increase in prolactin levels, along with stimulation from pumping, increases milk production. Remember that early start of pumping and frequent draining of the breasts is essential to initiating milk production and establishing a plentiful milk supply.
There are a lot of breast pumps available on the market for mothers to choose from, and while all are designed to be universally utilized, each mother may have a different pumping experience yielding varied results. In other words, one breast pump may do well for one mother, but not for another mother. Overall though, the recommended pumps to establish and maintain milk supply are hospital-grade double electric pumps due to their higher efficacy. Moreover, to learn more about the difference between breast pumps with open or closed systems, READ MORE AT: “What’s the difference between open- and closed-system breast pumps? | Medela“ From over 20 years of professional nursing experience in hospital postpartum and neonatal ICU units with mothers using Medela pumps successfully, my top recommendations remain with Medela pumps. Here are three double breast pumps and a single manual pump to consider:
Medela Pump in Style Pro+ Breast Pump, Rechargeable, Hospital Grade, Double Electric Breastpump
Medela Product Description:
-CLINICALLY PROVEN & RECHARGEABLE: Pro+ is tested to deliver hospital performance similar to Symphony, the #1 pump used in hospitals and gives you the freedom to pump wherever, whenever so you aren’t making compromises.
-COMPACT & PORTABLE: Under-2-pound and small design makes it easy to pump wherever life takes you. Whether you’re at home, at work, or on the move, enjoy the freedom to pump comfortably without being tethered to a wall.
-COMFORTABLE PUMPING, DESIGNED FOR YOU: With 16 adjustable suction levels and a clinically engineered massaging rhythm, you can personalize your pumping experience for maximum comfort. No more painful sessions—just gentle, effective expression that fits your body’s needs. In a study, moms rated Pump In Style Pro+ comfort similar to Symphony.
-FAST CLEANUP & LESS STRESS: Only 4 parts to clean and assemble with the convenience of pumping directly into bottles for easy storage. Dishwasher safe, so you spend less time cleaning and more time with your baby.
-EASY TO USE: Simple 4 buttons and lights to show you what suction level and pumping mode you are on.
-MASSAGE TECHNOLOGY: Designed to trigger the hormones responsible for milk production.
Spectra-S1 Plus Premier Rechargeable Double Electric Breast Pump
Spectra Product Description:
-The Spectra® S1 Plus Premier Rechargeable double electric breast pump provides all the features of the S2 Plus, but with a built-in battery. This means that you are now able to benefit from the efficiency, power, and performance of a hospital-strength breast pump without compromising on portability.
-Like all Spectra® pumps, the S1 Plus is a closed system – a physical barrier between the milk and the pump ensures hygiene and motor performance.
-With a maximum suction strength of 270mmHg and the ability to be used as a single or double pump, the S1 Plus is the ultimate breastfeeding solution with everything you need to get started.
-The S1’s completely flexible, one-touch button and digital controls allow you to set the pumping program to the speed and rhythm most effective for your body. The suction is adjustable in both let-down and expression modes. This quiet pump also includes a timer and night light.
Spectra-S2 Plus Premier Double Electric Breast Pump
Spectra Product Description:
A favorite of moms and lactation consultants, the Spectra® S2 Plus double electric breast pump is designed to bring confidence and comfort to every moment of your breastfeeding journey. Weighing only 3lbs, the S2 Plus is ultra-quiet for optimum privacy. Additionally, the S2 Plus is hospital strength (270 mmHg), ensuring productive single or double pumping sessions. Like all Spectra® pumps, the S2 Plus is a true closed system, creating a hygienic barrier between outside contaminants and mother’s milk.
-Hospital strength suction
-Advanced massage mode settings
-Advanced expression mode settings
-Single or double pump capability
-Vacuum suction up to L12
-Simulates the natural suckling of baby
-270 mmHg
-Weighs only 2.5 pounds
-LCD screen
-90-day Limited Manufacturer’s Parts Warranty
-2-year Limited Manufacturer’s Pump Warranty
Medela Pump in Style Pro+ Hands-Free Breast Pump, Rechargeable, Wearable, Hospital Grade Breastpump
Medela Product Description:
-CLINICALLY PROVEN & RECHARGEABLE: Pro+ double electric breast pump is tested to deliver hospital performance similar to Symphony, the #1 pump used in hospitals and gives you the freedom to pump wherever, whenever so you aren’t making compromises.
-HANDS-FREE, COMPACT & PORTABLE: With wearable in-bra collection cups & a small light-weight design, you can free up your hands for what matters most.
-COMFORTABLE PUMPING & MASSAGE: With 16 adjustable suction levels and a clinically engineered massaging rhythm, you can personalize your pumping experience for maximum comfort. No more painful sessions—just gentle, effective expression that fits your body’s needs. In a study, moms rated Pump In Style Pro+ comfort similar to Symphony.
-FAST CLEANUP & LESS STRESS: Only 3 parts to clean and assemble. Dishwasher safe, so you spend less time cleaning and more time with your baby.
-EASY TO USE: Simple 4 buttons and lights to show you what suction level and pumping mode you are on.
-SPILL PROOF AND EASY TRANSFER: Upright cups with easy-pour spouts make milk transfers clean and mess-free. No more wasted drops or awkward spills—just smooth, confident pouring every time.
Momcozy M5 Smart APP Controlled Wearable Breast Pump, Hands-Free Wireless Electric Pump, 3 Modes 9 Suction Levels, BPA-Free, Portable Lightweight, 24mm Flange, 2-Pack Cozy Red
Momcozy Product Description:
-Smart App Control: Remotely adjust modes, switch sides, and track milk volume seamlessly via your phone.
-Ultra-Light & Discreet: At 232g, its tubeless design fits invisibly in your bra for true cordless pumping anywhere.
-SPA-like “Baby Mouth” Comfort: Mimics a baby’s natural latch for gentle, painless suction and efficient milk flow.
-Enhanced Milk Efficiency: Micro-vibration tech and 3 modes with 9 levels personalize each session for optimal results.
-Personalized Fit & Easy Care: Four BPA-free flange sizes ensure comfort; minimal parts are quick to assemble and clean.
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump with Flex Shields: https://amzn.to/4cDPAPN
Medela Product Description:
-Light and discreet: our new Medela harmony manual pump can easily fit into your handbag so you can take it almost anywhere and pump
-Flex Technology: unique 105-degree angle, oval shape, and soft rim offer a better fitting breast shield for optimal comfort while pumping and more milk per session
-Research-based technology: our manual breast pump uses 2 phase technology to mimic natural baby sucking behavior at the mother’s breast
Critical in pumping so as to obtain breast milk as efficiently as possible, is to make sure that you have the proper sized breast pump flanges/shields or inserts. There are a lot of pumps on the market, and equally a wide variety of breast pump flanges/shields or inserts, sizes 11-36, and made of different materials, such as plastic or silicone. Silicone inserts are placed in larger plastic breast pump flanges to reduce the flange size to smaller nipple measurements. Getting the proper sized breast pump flange could make a tremendous difference in your comfort while pumping and increase the amount of milk volume you obtain each pump session. Pumping should not hurt: mom should not feel anything but a gentle tug or pull. Your nipples should glide smoothly through the barrels of the breast flanges without friction or discomfort, and no additional breast tissue should be suctioned into the breast flanges. If pumping feels like more than a gentle tug, that is not normal, so ask for help! A lactation consultant can help you find the right flange for comfort and make sure you have adjusted pump settings appropriately for stimulation and expression phases. In doing so, you will be able to pump plenty of milk for baby, and feel like your breasts are soft after about 15-20 minutes pumping. It’s best for you to try out different flange and insert sizes while you are pumping. While you may come across standard pump company instructions for choosing your breast shield size, or nipple measurement tools to determine best flange fit, an IBCLC colleague, Jeanette Mesite Frem, MHS, IBCLC, RLC, CCE with Babies in Common, instructs moms to measure the diameter of your nipple “TIP” and try multiple sizes that are near that measurement. She reiterates that this requires trying several flange and insert sizes while pumping. Moreover, she encourages flange fitting trials with hard plastic flanges, silicone flanges, and silicone inserts because they are not all the same. The flange fit on each breast may require different sizes. She stated,“Your breasts are sisters, not twins!” You may get Jeanette Mesite Frem’s free “Flange FITS Guide” at link: Flange FITS Guide
Just as mothers who are breastfeeding need to eat a healthy, varied diet and drink plenty of water and fluids, so must a mother who is exclusively pumping. No special diet or foods are required to pump breast milk for baby. During lactation, mother’s body increases efficiency in its use of energy and the uptake of nutrients. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), moms burn about 500-600 calories a day while producing breast milk. General recommendations for a lactating mom include as mentioned, a healthy, varied diet (2000-2700 kcal per day) with iron, calcium, vitamin D, and if vegetarian, vitamin B12, drink water or fluids to thirst, and reduce the amount of trans fatty acids (solid fats). A diet restricting calories (<1500 kcal per day) is not recommended while exclusively breastfeeding or pumping, but rather gradual weight loss of not more than 1.0 lb. per week. A diet of <1500 kcal per day has been shown to decrease milk volumes. Moreover, when caloric intake is severely restricted and body fat is lost rapidly, fat-soluble environmental contaminants and toxins stored in body fat can be released in breastmilk. Exclusively breast pumping, healthy food choices, and gentle exercise can assist with gradual weight loss. Talk to your doctor if you plan to diet for weight loss while pumping breast milk.
For current recommendations and instructions regarding STORAGE and HANDLING of BREAST MILK, check out information from CDC- U.S. Centers of Disease Control & Prevention link: Breast Milk Storage and Preparation | Breastfeeding | CDC
Lastly I wanted to mention that if you are blessed with a surplus of expressed breast milk, and are interested in sharing your milk supply with other babies, whose moms may not be able to produce breast milk, consider donating your breast milk to a human milk bank. Locally for many years, BSW-Hillcrest in Waco has been a drop-off depot for Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin (link: Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin – Breast Milk Donation). Wherever you may be across the country, there is hopefully a human milk bank that you may contact for further information. There will be requirements that you must fulfill to be accepted as an expressed breast milk donor, so check with your nearest human milk bank if interested. Breast milk is one of the BEST LIFETIME GIFTs a mother may give to her baby, so THANK YOU for sharing your precious breast milk with other mothers and babies!