Exclusive pumping made easier: Tips for fitting it around real life

If you've found yourself exclusively pumping, first and foremost you are doing an incredible job!

 It's a lot of work. Between the pump sessions, the washing, the storing and everything else a baby needs (and maybe other little people to look after too) it can feel like the pump runs your whole day.

Exclusive pumping isn't the 'easy option', whatever anyone says. It takes planning, time and a lot of energy.

I talk to mums every day who are in exactly this spot so I thought I would pop some things down that may help you on this feeding journey. This guide pulls together the tips that make the biggest difference, so pumping fits around your life instead of the other way around.

1. Set up a pumping station. There is nothing more annoying than having to get up halfway through a session because you forgot something. Make one spot with everything in reach. e.g a big water bottle and snacks, phone charger or remote and maybe some spare pump parts and milk storage bags or bottles.
2. Go hands free and pump while you do other things. A handsfree pumping bra lets you do something while you pump e.g eat, scroll (what did we do before phones!), answer emails, play with the toddler or fold          some washing. Try to pair some of your pumping sessions around things you enjoy. Like a netflix show you love or a hot drink so it can feel like a break instead of a chore. 
3. Making cleaning easier. Washing pump parts is the part nobody warns you about! A few things can help. Get a second set of parts- so you always have a clean set ready to go. Use the fridge hack! Put all your pumping parts in a zip lock bag or dedicated container in the fridge after each pumping session and then just give them a good wash and sterilise each night. (This is ok for full term healthy babies-  not if you have a premmie or immune compromised baby). Use a UV Steriliser which takes the thinking out of it. I have written a whole guide on sterilising pump parts here.
4.  Check your flange fit. If pumping is uncomfortable, painful or leaves your nipples sore, a poorly fitting flange can be part of the problem. It's one of the easiest things to fix and one of the most overlooked. Pumping shouldn't hurt. You can measure at home with my flange sizing guide.  If you're still sore, a lactation consultant can check your fit and technique in person.
5. Build a routine that works for your life. Many lactation consultants suggest pumping about as often as a baby would feed, which in the early weeks is often every few hours, including overnight. Every mum and baby is different, so ask your lactation consultant or midwife what's right for you.

Things that make a schedule easier to live with:

• Anchor sessions to things you already do, like after baby's feed or while the kids have breakfast.
• Set alarms (at night, too) so you're not clock-watching
• Ask for help with one job you can hand off, such as washing parts, labelling bags or doing a night feed
• Be kind to yourself when a session gets pushed back. A busy day doesn't mean you've failed

6. Pumping out and about. You don't have to stay home. A small "pumping kit" in your bag makes it much easier to leave the house:

• Your pump (charged) and a spare set of parts
• Bottles or bags, plus a small cooler bag with an ice pack
• Wipes and a clean cloth
• A hands-free bra or cover-up, if you like one

If you're returning to work, talk to your employer early about a private space and break times for pumping. In NZ, employers have obligations around breastfeeding and expressing at work, so it's worth knowing your rights. We have a info here all about returning to work.

7. Look after yourself too.

It's easy to put yourself last when you're tied to a pump. These are the basics that help you keep going:

• Drink water and eat regularly. Keep snacks at your pumping station.
• Rest when you can. Sleep is hard to come by, but even a short rest helps.
• Talk to someone. Other mums who are pumping will understand in a way many people don't. Find your people.

8. Pump choice. This is last in the list but in no means the least important.

If you're pumping most or all of your feeds, you're asking a lot from it, and the pump matters. A pump built for frequent use can make sessions more efficient and less of a drain on your day.

That's one reason I'm so excited about our Euphoria Plus Hospital Grade pump. Shes a work horse and made for frequent pumping. If you're not sure what you need, message me and I'm more than happy to help!

9. It's ok to change your plan.

Some mums pump exclusively for a few weeks, some for years. Some move to a mix of breastfeeding, pumping and formula, and some wean from pumping when it's time. The right plan is the one that works for you and your family right now.