Mom-to-be looking for advice

Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN · Apr 18, 2021

I used to pump at my breaks and at lunch. Your breasts will likely be very leaky, so have some good breast pads to put in your bras to keep you from flooding out through your clothes. If you always keep them empty and don't teach your breasts to increase their holding capacity, you will find that very inconvenient.

Interestingly, I had zero leaking after my first began taking some other calories at around 6-7 months, because my breasts were already used to holding a lot and now I was beginning to ask them to make less. I had zero leaking at all ever with my second, though he was a much bigger baby and I made a lot more milk for him (when he was 6 months I was pumping 10 oz q 4h for him!) I attributed that to the fact that my breasts already had had the experience of a bigger holding capacity.

If you haven't already connected with a certified nurse lactation consultant or the local La Leche League folks, do it now before your baby arrives. They are TERRIFIC. They will help you understand the pros and cons of the different gadgets and workarounds so you won't have to be figuring it out while you and your baby are still getting to know each other in the first few months. I had four classes on breastfeeding at my midwifery practice's center in my 7-8th month, and they were a godsend.

Rachel McCarty, BSN, RN · May 1, 2021

I worked in mother/baby for years alongside lactation consultants, as well as the first year after having my baby. The LCs were big fans of Medela brand pumps. I don't have any experience with the wearable pumps, but my guess is they aren't as powerful/efficient at removing milk from breasts.

Producing breast milk has to do with hormones your body produces along with the frequency your nipples are stimulated with breastfeeding/latch. I would take breaks at work to go sit in a relaxing/quiet room to help empty my breast milk fully. It was challenging to find the time working on the floor but it had to be done.

The less you empty your breasts the less milk you will produce, so it will slowly decrease your supply. Feed on demand with your baby whenever you can at home to help your supply. When at work, try to pump every 3 hours but it may end up being every 4 depending on how busy you are. The milk let-down will more easily happen if you go take a break instead of moving around stressed. You certainly don't want to cause clogged milk ducts that can lead to mastitis (I've been there!)

Hope that helps, and congratulations!

Rachel McCarty, BSN, RN · May 1, 2021

Also, I would like to add, if you haven't already done so, call your insurance because they should cover the cost of certain breast pumps.