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Once your baby is born, you can begin pumping and breastfeeding right away. Sometimes it takes a few days for a mother’s milk to come in and start flowing regularly, but as soon as it does, pumping and breastfeeding are safe to do as soon as you choose to.
Can I pump once a day? You can pump once per day if that is your preference. Mothers can choose what method of feeding they feel most comfortable with.
- Some mothers will pump exclusively.
- Some will breastfeed exclusively.
- Some will do a combination of both methods.
- Some will exclusively use formula.
Being a new mother can be overwhelming at times, so try not to be too hard on yourself! Be sure to listen to your body and do what is best for YOU and your child.
Every day won’t be completely easy, but trust the process and trust that you were made for this! Read on to learn more about breastfeeding and pumping.
Can I Pump Once A Day?
To keep your milk supply flowing at a consistent rate, you must either breastfeed or pump regularly. If you are working and are not with your child throughout the day, you may need to pump at least once during the day to keep communicating to your body that you need to continue to supply breast milk.
Pumping is a fantastic method of feeding that can allow your partner to get involved in the feeding process and help you out during those long, tiring nights. Learning how to time when to pump and when to breastfeed can be somewhat of an adjustment at first. However, over time you will synchronize your pumping schedule with your baby’s needs.
Some babies will take to breastfeeding and pumping right away. Other babies may only take to one method or the other, due to nipple confusion. Each baby is different, and different methods will work best for different families. This is why it is essential to do what is best for you and try not to worry about outside judgment.
If you are thinking about weaning, it is also ok to pump once per day as long as you slowly drop feedings or pumping sessions. A quick rule of thumb to dropping feedings or pumping sessions is to drop one session every 3 days.
Why Would I Begin Pumping Right Away?
There are many different reasons why mothers begin pumping right away, such as:
- Wanting to share the feeding routine with your partner
- Medical issues that keep you from being able to breastfeed your child regularly
- Latching issues between you and your child
Feeding your child can be a huge bonding experience between the two of you, and often your partner may also want to experience this bonding. Because of this, pumping is a wonderful way to not only split up the responsibility but also to share this intimate bonding experience with your partner.
When a baby is first born, holding your bare-skinned child against your bare-skinned chest creates an enormous bonding experience between you, your partner, and your little one. Because of this, your partner may desire to continue this increasingly special bonding experience through bottle-feeding the baby regularly.
When babies are born, they usually require feedings every few hours throughout the day and night. You will most likely be exhausted after the first few days, and it can be a fantastic relief to share the task of feeding with your partner.
Pumping once per day can give your partner a small chance to help out with the constant routine of feeding, and this will hopefully allow you to rest!
If you introduce breastfeeding and bottle-feeding at the same time after your baby is born, they will have a higher chance of adjusting to both quickly.
Waiting to introduce the bottle can making bottle feeding more challenging for some children because they may be fixated on their mother’s nipple and have a hard time adjusting to the bottle’s nipple.
Why Is My Milk Supply Low?
Every woman produces different amounts of breast milk after they give birth. Some women will produce different amounts of milk in the morning than in the evening. Some women will consistently fill up an entire bottle of milk each time they pump, and others will only be able to fill several ounces of the bottle.
There are several reasons for low milk supply, such as:
- Stress
- Hereditary tendencies
- Diet
- Feeding schedule
When you are stressed out, there is a higher chance that your body may not produce as much milk because your hormones are preoccupied with coping with other things, and your body isn’t as relaxed and in tune to produce the usual supply of milk.
Milk supply production can be a hereditary issue and can run in families. If your mother produced high amounts of milk when you were an infant, there is a better chance that you will also produce high amounts of milk for your infant.
Eating habits are also crucial while breastfeeding and pumping as well because what you eat will travel straight to your breast milk. Eating oatmeal, garlic, fennel seeds, and lean meats can help to increase your milk supply.
It is vital to either breastfeed or pump regularly to keep your milk supply flowing at a regular and healthy pace. When you stop pumping or feeding altogether, your body will receive the message that you do not need milk anymore, and it will stop producing milk.
How Long Can I Go Without Pumping?
During the first couple of months after giving birth to your baby, you aren’t supposed to go over 5-6 hours without feeding or pumping. Your body will communicate to you when it needs to release milk, as this is a natural process that women were created to do.
The following are some helpful tips for pumping:
- Find a feeding rhythm that works best for YOU.
- Set a timer so you can stay on schedule.
- Listen to your body when it tells you its time to pump.
- Take it one day at a time, and don’t be too hard on yourself!
If you are exclusively pumping, you can expect to be producing around 24-28 ounces of milk, 8-11 days postpartum. You will most likely be pumping around 4-5 ounces per side during each pumping session.
This can be helpful to know so that you can have a clear understanding of whether you are producing enough milk to maintain your baby’s appetite.
Go Ahead and Pump!
Pumping once per day is acceptable, especially if you are in a position where you are away from your child, and you need to keep your milk supply high. Depending on your normal breastfeeding and pumping routine, the number of times you do both will vary from child to child.
- Listen to your body. It will communicate to you when it needs to release milk. If your milk supply dwindles at any point, there are different methods such as diet changes and relieving stress that can help increase milk production.
- Talk to your doctor. Always consult with a medical professional before changing something in your lifestyle or diet if it has the chance of affecting you and your child.
- Be patient with yourself. Take care of yourself when breastfeeding, and don’t stress when you have an off day. Relax and take time for yourself. Above all, trust yourself.
Are you feeling a little tired? Pumping is a fantastic way to allow your partner to not only help with caring for your newborn. This will also allow your partner to bond with the baby during the intimate experience of feeding.
Since your baby will need to feed every 2 to 3 hours during the first several months after birth, you might feel exhausted after the first few days, and having your partner help you feed your little one will be very helpful. Enjoy a well-deserved break!
More Pumping Tips
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NEXT, Check Out
- Exclusively Pumping Schedules (By Month)
- How to Start Pumping From Birth
- The BEST Tips and Tricks to Pump Milk for Daycare
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/how-often-should-i-pump#low-milk-supply
https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/breastfeeding/foods-that-increase-breast-milk-supply/