MAINTAIN BREASTFEEDING MILK SUPPLY WITH PUMPING
Breastfeeding is something that naturally act as supply and demand. The milk
of mother breasts will procude more when the mother give more breastfeed for
the baby. That's why it is very important for mother to always make the milk
always supply when the baby still need your breastfeed. If you are away from
your baby, you should pump your milk.
Breast Pump
If you need to pump you milk, you shoud choose a good and save breast pump.
There are some kind of pump that you can find at the markets, some of them is
manual and electric. The electric breast pump are better than manual breast
pump, because the electric is more powerfull and also can express more milk
at not very long time. It is can not done properly if doing by hand operated
breast pump. But the electric breast pump is usually more expensive than the
manual one. If you know how to express your milk with your hands, it is not
necessary for buying or using a breast pump.
These are some suggestion for keep your milk always produce in good condition.
- Relax. Stress can hinder your body's natural ability to
release breast milk. Find a quiet place to pump. It may help to massage your
breasts or use warm compresses. Sometimes looking at a picture of the baby,
thinking about the baby or listening to a recording of the baby's cry helps
stimulate milk flow.
- Pump often. The more you pump, the more milk you'll produce
— especially if you're using a high-quality pump. If you're working
full time, try to pump for 15 minutes every few hours during the workday.
- Pump both breasts simultaneously. Pumping both breasts
at the same time will increase your body's production of prolactin, the hormone
responsible for milk production.
- When you're with your baby, breast-feed on demand. The
more you breast-feed your baby when you're together, the greater your supply
will be when you pump. Try more frequent evening, early morning or weekend
feedings. Pumping after a breast-feeding session can help boost milk supply,
too — even if you pump but no milk is produced.
- Avoid or limit formula feedings. Formula feedings will
reduce your baby's demand for breast milk — which will lower your milk
production. Remember, the more you breast-feed your baby or pump while you're
apart, the more milk you'll produce. It also helps to pump ahead — either
after or between breast-feeding sessions.
- Take care of yourself. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables
and whole grains. Get some exercise every day. Rest as much as you can —
and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Water, juice and milk can help
you stay hydrated. But limit soda, coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Too
much caffeine can reduce your milk supply.
- Don't smoke or drink alcohol. Alcohol can interfere with
milk letdown, and smoking can reduce your milk supply. If you choose to have
an occasional alcoholic drink, avoid breast-feeding for two hours afterward.
- Avoid birth control pills. Birth control pills that contain
estrogen may interfere with milk production. Ask your doctor about other birth
control options. (by MayoClinic.com)
To give the breastfeeding is commitment to yourself, the efforts to maintain
your supply of milk are commendable. You should ask you doctor or your healt
care consultant to have the best way and suggestion if you have problem for
maintain the your milk supply.
Remember to always wash you hands before doing pump and expressing your breast
milk. You should make sure the table or the area where you will pump your breast
milk is clean. If you use the pumping equipment, you also need to make that
equipment become sterilized before and after you use it. But please becaseful
to wash the electric pump, there are some area that have to avoid to wash with
water, you can read the manual instruction for make it sure.
If you are already near with your baby, you should feed your baby as soon as
posible. It is also recommended to give the breastfeeding baby at night, because
it will make your milk production become boost more at the next day.
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