Surviving a Year of Pumping
New mothers are often described as being a whirlwind, full of emotions and challenges. It’s natural to want to protect, care for, and nurture your baby. But sometimes reality does not match expectations. While we may imagine idyllic moments bonding with newborns, many mothers are surprised by the obstacles they face on the way. Breastfeeding can be a major challenge for new mothers, especially when it doesn’t go as planned.
I remember vividly the first few days after my baby’s birth. Despite my determination to breastfeed, the situation didn’t turn out as I had planned. My newborn was unable to latch properly despite my efforts. I tried different techniques and visited lactation consultants. As the days went by, my supply of milk began to diminish, and my child’s weight gain wasn’t what it should have been. I was left feeling frustrated and desperate.
I was left with very few options for feeding my baby after he developed an allergy to the formula. In my arms was a baby who was very hungry, and I had no idea how to feed him. At that moment, it became clear that I would have to express breastmilk for my baby. The most exhausting year in my life began with me exclusively pumping breastmilk.
When I started pumping, the idea of pumping an entire year seemed impossible. But I managed to make it. It was a long year, sometimes impossible to endure, but also very rewarding. There were struggles – clogged ducts, washing bottles endlessly, and having to pump day after day. I managed to do it. You can do it too.
It’s important that you understand the difficulties of exclusive pumping if you are considering it or have already started. The journey is emotionally and physically exhausting but it’s possible with the right mindset, perseverance and strategies. How I managed to pump breastmilk for a whole year and how you can do it too.
1. Routine! Routine! Routine!
In the early years of motherhood, I didn’t think much about routine. How could I possibly plan my day when it all seemed so unpredictable? When I began pumping, it was then that I realized routine would be my lifeline.
It takes a lot of time to pump. Pumping is a time-consuming process. It involves more than just squeezing milk out of your breasts. You also have to clean your equipment, set up your pump, prepare bottles and make sure that everything is ready for your next feed. Things can quickly become chaotic without a routine.
This is why it’s important to stick to a routine for pumping. This routine should include the times to pump, clean your pump and store milk. It is not only a great way to stay organized but also helps you maintain your milk supply. Consistency is important to your body, so following a schedule will ensure that you are producing milk at the appropriate times.
Routine meant that I had to schedule my pumping sessions, organize bottles and pump parts in advance, and stick to a consistent baby feeding schedule. Even though it wasn’t always easy, particularly during sleepless nights and the early days, sticking to a schedule became second nature with time. It helped me to manage my day better and reduce the feeling of being lost in the chaos.
Tip: Set an alarm or a timer to help you keep track of your pumping sessions and avoid getting distracted.
2. Double up on your money
At the beginning of my pumping journey, I relied heavily on hand-expressing. While this was effective for a while, it wasn’t sustainable. I realized that there were not enough hours in the day to efficiently pump by hand. It was then that I decided to buy a double-breast pump.
Double breast pumps allow you to pump two breasts simultaneously, allowing you to do the work in half the time. It’s not only time-saving but has also been proven to increase milk output. In a study published in the Journal of Human Lactation, it was found that double pumping results in a higher yield of milk and better milk extraction. This also results in a higher number of milk ejections.
Double pumping made a huge difference to my milk production and pumping speed. It was a real game-changer for me. I felt much more confident about pumping for a whole year.
A double breast pump is expensive but it is an investment for your breastfeeding journey. It’s worth it if you are pumping several times per day. Double breast pumps can be a great way to make your experience more enjoyable and less stressful.
Tip If you are concerned about cost, check to see if your health insurance will cover the price of a pump. Or if any local programs provide them for free or reduced cost.
3. Prepare Feeds Ahead
Nothing is more stressful than trying a pump while your baby is screaming, hungry and requiring your attention. It’s easy to get caught up in a frenzy when your baby is crying, hungry and demanding your attention. Preparing feeds in advance was one way I did this.
I pumped extra milk whenever possible and stored it in the refrigerator for later use. If my baby needed to be fed immediately, I could grab a pre-pumped bottle and avoid the chaos that comes with pumping milk while my baby is crying.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association suggests that you can safely store breastmilk in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours. This gives you a little time to store it without having to worry about it spoiling. Planning was the key for me to manage the stress of pumping. I pumped extra milk when I was at peace to ensure that my baby would always have enough food.
Tip Label your milk bottles with the date and hour they were pumped to easily track how long you’ve stored them. This will allow you to rotate the milk so that the oldest milk is used first.
4. Take Care of Yourself
It’s easy as a mother to put yourself at the bottom of your priority list. It’s easy to put yourself last when you are a mom. Between caring for your baby, pumping and managing all the other things, it is easy to forget your own needs. Taking care of yourself can be just as important to your baby as it is for you. Neglecting yourself could have an impact on your milk production.
It takes a lot of effort to pump, so if you don’t eat enough or get enough sleep, your body will not be able to produce milk efficiently. I found out the hard way how skipping meals and staying up late made it difficult to pump. I would often see a decrease in my milk output as a result.
You can also bottle-feed your baby if you exclusively pump. This was a great opportunity for me to ask for help when I needed it. I prioritized my health, whether it was by asking my partner for help with feeding while I napped or by calling family members to watch my baby while I caught up on sleep. When I cared for myself, I could better care for my child.
Tip: Do not be afraid to ask others for help. It’s okay for you to ask others for help, whether it’s your partner helping with a baby feeding or a friend taking the child on a walk while you rest.
5. Do not look too far ahead
In the beginning, I focused too much on the future. I was overwhelmed by the idea of pumping continuously for an entire calendar year. Over time, I realized that the fear of the big picture can paralyze you. Instead, I began setting short-term and realistic goals.
Instead of thinking about pumping a year at a stretch, I concentrated on pumping a week or month at a stretch. I divided it into manageable, smaller chunks. Every time I achieved a short-term objective, I felt a sense of accomplishment, which motivated me to continue. I found it overwhelming to look at the whole year ahead, but taking each day one by one helped me remain focused.
Tip: Celebrate small achievements. Recognise your achievements, whether it is a certain number of pumped milk or a successful week.
6. Take the support of those around you.
Exclusive pumping can be isolating. You may feel like you are the only person going through this. But I soon realized how powerful support can be. Reaching out to my partner, family members, friends or online communities for support and encouragement was a huge help.
Joining online forums and groups on Facebook where other moms are in the same situation gave me comfort. These groups were a great source of support and advice. My partner and my family were also an important source of support. They would take over a feed, or simply listen to me when I was in need.
Tip: Talk to other mothers who have similar experiences. You’ll get comfort, advice and a group of people who are going through the same thing as you.
Conclusion
Exclusive pumping may not be for everyone. This journey can be mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting. You can make it with the right attitude and routine. And you will have support. I’ve done it and I know you can, too.
Each day, every pumping session and each bottle of breastmilk that you express is an act of love and devotion to your baby. You may feel like you are struggling at times, and you might even wonder if it is worth it. But I assure you, the effort that you put in will be more than worthwhile. Each drop of milk that you give your baby strengthens your bond with your child. Even on days when it seems impossible, you are doing an amazing thing.
The constant schedule of pumping, the endless cleaning bottles and the feeling that you are tethered by your pump can make it easy to feel overwhelmed. You may have moments when you doubt your decision, or think you aren’t doing enough. These moments of doubt, however normal they may be, do not define your journey. Your commitment to doing the best you can for your child speaks volumes about how strong and determined you are.
One step at a time. No need to rush. There’s no set schedule. And there is no guidebook on how to get through this. You can take breaks whenever you need to, and ask for help when needed. Never hesitate to rely on the support of your network, whether it is a partner or family member. Asking for help is a sign of strength. You are not alone.
Celebrate your small victories. Take time to celebrate your achievements, whether it is a successful milking session, a milestone reached in your supply or simply getting through a tough day. These moments will keep you motivated and remind you that you are doing a great job.
