I have always encouraged new moms to breastfeed. And I was shocked to know that some people actually treat breastfeeding like it was an unwanted traditional custom. Well, it’s not; it’s nature. All mothers feed their young, and we are no different.
But, as humans, we have our own feelings, choices and lifestyle that seem to get in the way of breastfeeding. Therefore, we tend to wean our babies off sooner. But I believe that if we are willing, there are ways around it. Due to the perks of breastfeeding, we should make use of these ways so our babies get maximum nutrition from breast milk.
For example, if we have to travel, we can take our babies with us. I went to a wedding in Bombay last week and wanted to be there for the other functions, too. Going without my baby would be impossible as I am currently breastfeeding him. So, I decided to take him along and keep him with my mother at home while I attended the celebrations there.
Similarly, if you’re going to be busy or unavailable for a few hours, you can always express your milk so that your baby can be fed with breast milk in your absence. How do you do that?
With BREAST PUMPS! Breast pumps are innovative devices that help mothers pump their milk into containers. Also, there are other benefits of using a breast pump. Once you understand, perhaps you can adjust a bit and give your baby breast milk for a longer period.
Breastfeeding on demand can be strenuous, especially in the first few weeks. The main benefit of using breast pumps is that a mother can relax or get some me time while her baby is getting the required nutrition. Also, this helps when the mother is ill or on medication.
When you express milk for later, other family members (especially your husband) can also take part in baby care. This helps the baby cling less to you and bond with others, too. Of course, I know who is feeding my baby and how. That’s something we mothers have to supervise at all times. Once, I left my 1-month-old baby at home as I had to travel along with my husband outside Bangalore. I had expressed milk so my mom could easily care for and manage the feeds.
Sometimes, babies cannot latch onto the breasts due to various reasons. Cleft-lip and such being the main cause. Here, breast pumps come in handy so that the babies can get nutrition even though they are not able to nurse properly. Pumping also helps premature babies who are too weak to breastfeed.
Sometimes, when the baby is asleep and your breasts are full, you can always pump and store. WHO recommends breastfeeding your baby until he/she is 2 years old. If you’re not up for it, you can continue giving your baby the nutrients of breast milk by pumping. The more you pump, the more you produce.
Sometimes your breasts are engorged with milk and you are in pain while your baby is full or asleep. This pain can be avoided by pumping the excess milk. Some breast pump brands provide extra containers with lids that can be used for storing in a fridge or freezer until required. You can also pump and donate to a milk bank if you blessed with an oversupply of breast milk.
Mothers with flat or inverted nipples can pump their milk for some time so the nipple comes out and the baby can nurse easily. Pumping also helps when the mother has sore or cracked nipples. The breast pump came to my rescue when I was in tremendous pain and did not want to breastfeed anymore. I continuously pumped for a few days until I was ready to get bitten again.
Even if you want to wean your baby from the breast, you can add breast milk to their diet by pumping and storing your milk. This helps the baby get used to other ways of food intake while still getting the nutrients from their mother’s milk.
Our families have become nuclear, but it still takes a village to bring up a child. And with today’s lifestyle, it is almost impossible for one person to be available on demand while expected to do other chores and care for the family, too. So, if you’re keeping your child with a family member, nanny or at a daycare, a breast pump is a blessing.
Even though I give my baby top feed (infant formula) due to limited milk supply, I make sure he has breast milk as much as possible. I’ve done this for the previous two kids too, and if you ask me, I will vouch for the Avent manual breast pump because ‘No electronics on my breasts, please’!
To know more about which breast pump is right for you, click here. Hope this article helps you make an informed decision for you and your baby.
Feature photo from https://www.dreamstime.com/
18 Comments
This is a much needed blog post for those mommies who face issues in feeding babies. Breast pumps can indeed simplify the process.
With my first baby I was too young, immature and naive to use a breast pump. For my second one, I used a motorized pump from Luvlap.
Breast pumps are really handy and helpful even for the mom of a preemie . I have used breast pump and I love the way it makes my breast feeding easier.
breast pumps are really helpful for even moms of preemies and all moms trying to keep up with the supplies. This is quite a helpful post for new moms.
Breast pumps are a boon to motherhood, if we choose rightly then we sail the initial days of post pregnancy with ease. This post will be helpful to many mothers, Cindy you have crafted this post very well.
The breast pump was a saviour for me as a new Mom. I would totally recommend pregnant and new moms to check these and use to their benefit.
When I was breastfeeding no body shared these insights and it was very late around 6 months that I found about breast pumps. I read everything I could find on one or two parenting blogs and ordered with half knowledge. But your posts are adding great value to the pool. This is exactly what one should read before deciding on buying
This really looks like a great product for new moms. What a detailed post. This would definitely help out moms who are facing feedings troubles.
Such an insightful post for new moms. I do hope the new moms start understanding the concept of breast pumps and start using them. I will send this to my friends who are expecting kids or have little babies.
Breast pumps are indeed very useful for new moms. My mom used them too. Now the pumps are much advanced.
One of my friends is in the family way and I would surely ask her to check out your post. Certainly breast bumps is a life saver for moms for all the reasons you mentioned in your post. When my daughter was an infant, even my wife had used breast pump to feed milk, so I know the value of this product. I strongly endorse it as well.
I did use breastpump during my second time for a few months until the lockdown started and it was of a great help. Especially when it came to handle my elder child.
Up until now I have used a breast pump only once. That too a manual one and it was a bad experience. Never tried after that. Though I dont need it now, but I will definitely share ur link with my SIL
I’m curious what issue you had with the manual because I used it a lot… With no issues at all…
Helpful post for mothers to be and new mothers. I will share this with my friends – mothers to be are always looking for reliable information.
I have used breast pumps in my first baby. It is really good but I feel it ,little painful at times. BUt it is great when ur working mom or you have to leave baby behind it is best.
Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. And it is absolutely ok to pump your breast milk and give it to your baby in a bottle. Every mother should know above all the benefits of breast pumps.
This is something new to me. though I had heard about benefits of using breast pumps but I did not know that use of this, increase more breast milk. will share this post with my mommy friends who are breastfeeding moms, I am sure this will help them a lot in understanding detail insight about using breast pumps and their benefits.