Expressing breast milk is a great way to keep your supply up, prepare for emergencies or time away, and include others in feeding your baby. In some cases, such as low supply or if your baby can’t breastfeed, you may have to pump several times daily – a major time commitment, taking hours of your already-busy day.
But there are plenty of methods you can use to get other things done while you pump, and to make the process more enjoyable. Here are five ideas to make your time under the pump more productive and rewarding.
Photo credit: catracalivre.com.br
Use the right pump for the job
Breast pumps come in a variety of brands, styles and configuration – you can even express by hand. However, if you’re going to express regularly, investing in the right pump can be well worth the money.
While a manual pump will do the job on an occasional basis, an automatic pump will save you a lot of effort – and wrist pain. Automatic pumps do cost more, so it’s worth adding a good pump to your baby shower registry. And some mothers buy or are given a pump, but never use it, so check your local classifieds or online auction sites for second-hand bargains.
The next step up is a double pump. A good single pump will do just as good a job, but a double pump takes half the time to express both breasts. An automatic double pump is the top-of-the-line option and worth considering if you’re expressing several times every day.
The most affordable way to get your hands on a top-notch pump is to hire one. Check the chemists in your area, or contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association – they sometimes have pumps for hire at half price. You will need to buy your own collection kit.
Go hands free
One of the big downsides to expressing is that the flanges need to be held in place while you pump. Not only does this make it impossible to do anything else with your hands, but you need to let go if you need to change the settings on the pump.
But it is possible to pump hands-free. Several companies make hands-free expressing bras and bustiers that you can buy online – do a web search to research what’s available. Or you can convert one of your own bras with some simple sewing skills.
To make an expressing bra, cut a slit in a bra from the top of the bra to just below where your nipple normally sits, keeping the thick edge at the top of the bra intact. Then sew several press-studs or some Velcro on each side of the slit. Slip the flanges into the bra over your nipples and do it up to keep the pump in place.
Voila! You’re now free to change the settings on your breast pump, or to do some of the following…
Get organised
Multi-tasking is an essential skill for mothers, and pumping is a great time to get some other things done. If you’re expressing hands-free near a computer, use the time to pay your bills, order groceries or catch up on your emails. Or keep a notepad and pen handy to write your shopping list. You could also use the phone to do your banking or make some calls. It’s a good time to take stock of what you need to do for the rest of the day and make plans.
Expressing-time is also a chance to stock up on water and calories. Keep a water bottle and a container of healthy finger-food near your pump and have a snack, or even lunch – the Healthy Mummy Smoothies are a great option. Vegetables like carrot sticks, celery, green beans and snow peas with some hummus, salsa or guacamole; or a sandwich with lean protein and vegetables are good options for fuelling up while you pump.
Enjoy some quality baby time
One of the trickier aspects of expressing is how to look after your baby while you pump. Ideally you will be able to express while baby has a nap. But if you’re short on time, you need to express after every feed or your baby doesn’t cooperate when you need to pump, it’s a great opportunity to spend some time together.
Put your baby in a bouncer near your expressing set-up where you can see each other. If you have a hands-free setup, you can then play with some toys together or just have a chat with each other while you collect some extra milk for her. Even if your baby isn’t talking yet, your baby enjoys listening to you talking or singing, so feel free to tell him about your day or your plans for later. A rocker or bouncer that you can move with your foot is especially handy for soothing a fussy baby while you express.
If you have older children, this is a good time to catch up with them, too. Grab a book or watch a favourite DVD together, or make up a story while you express. It’s important to plan ahead if your little one is easily bored or wants to play with the pumping equipment. Have plenty of distractions on hand; if all else fails, use a playpen or high chair to contain your restive toddler while you get the job done, or do your expressing during their naptime.
Or some me time!
Of course, if your baby is sleeping or being cared for by someone else, then you can enjoy some rare ‘me-time’. Relax and give yourself a manicure, read a book or magazine, surf the internet, phone a friend or watch a DVD. You could even meditate or do some breathing exercises to re-energise for the rest of the day.
This is a great way to turn expressing from a chore into a joy, and being relaxed helps ensure a good letdown and flow of milk. So grab your breast pump, a cup of tea and a trashy magazine and enjoy!
By Jillian Piza
