Four Things to Know About Pumping in the Early Postpartum Period

This blog was written in paid partnership with Dr. Brown's.

While pumping is not often discussed in the early postpartum period (the first days to the early weeks after giving birth), you may want to consider using a breast pump during this time, if:

• You and your baby are separated for a prolonged period of time (greater than six hours)
• You have a history of breast surgery with a nipple and/or areolar incision
• You have risk factors for low milk supply
• You are supplementing with formula but desire to breastfeed
• Baby is not feeding well at the breast
• You have plans to exclusively pump

Having to think about breast pumping immediately after the labor and delivery process can feel confusing and intimidating, but here are four things to consider during this time.

1) Learn to Hand Express

While a pump may be offered, hand expression may work best at milk removal in the early postpartum period. The quantity and volume of colostrum that each person produces is different, so pumping may not work for everyone right away. If a breast pump does not seem to yield milk efficiently, ask your registered nurse or lactation consultant for education and demonstration of hand expression. When using hand expression, you can release the milk into a medicine cup that will be pulled with a syringe to feed your baby. You can also hand express directly into a bottle for bottle feeding.

Hand expression can be a helpful tool for your entire breastfeeding journey. For example, you can use hand expression to get a little colostrum out prior to feedings to motivate your baby to latch. It can also be used to help relieve engorgement in an emergency situation when milk removal is necessary, but you don't have access to a pump.

2) Touch Can Work Wonders

Igniting your senses with skin-to-skin contact, or kangaroo care, before and during pumping sessions, or adding a little warmth to your breast can help stimulate milk release.

Another way that touch can help is by using your hands during pumping sessions to incorporate gentle breast compressions. Breast compressions are a technique where you use your hands to softly squeeze your breasts. This can result in a slight increase of milk removal. After pumping, either with the flanges still intact or over an open bottle, hand express directly into the bottle to get out a few more drops. Adding these techniques to your pumping session can help yield more milk! For most bodies, the more milk removed during each session, the more milk your body can produce!

3) Don't Stress About Milk Volume

It's important to discuss that it is very normal for milk volumes to start off small! This is especially helpful to know in the early postpartum period. On average, most babies' stomachs are very, very small. Colostrum is very nutrient dense and thick. The amount of colostrum your body produces on day one is very small, however most bodies produce enough colostrum for their babies. Each day that amount will increase as your colostrum transitions into mature milk. With each pumping session, you may notice the change in color and consistency. If you choose to nurse directly, you may not fully notice the change in color and consistency, but it can be observed in physical changes in the breasts.

4) You Can Still Work on Direct Feedings

A lot of parents get into a mindset that once they start a specific feeding journey, that it must continue that way. Fortunately, feedings can be flexible. If you started on a pumping journey but want to transition into direct feedings at the breast, it can be possible. Because the process can be different for everyone, it is recommended to utilize any type of lactation support that is accessible to you! Whether it be a local La Leche League group or a local IBCLC, getting someone to help guide you through the transition can be helpful.

If you're in the early postpartum period and need to incorporate pumping sessions into your feeding journey, these four tips will help guide you. As you continue along your journey, don't forget to reach out to your health care professional to help support you throughout your feeding journey.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.