Did you know that more than 1,800 people around the United States work in the infant formula manufacturing industry? Every year, people around the country spend about $2 billion on this market.
That is a strong indicator of how much value people get out of the convenience that infant formula can provide. On the other hand, many people want to enjoy convenience while also providing their infants with the best nutrition possible. Getting a hospital grade breast pump is one of the most effective ways to provide your infant with breast milk without the process being more laborious than it needs to be.
At the same time, there is a lot of breastfeeding wisdom that can make the breastfeeding process simpler and more enjoyable. When you think about how long you may end up breastfeeding, it is worth learning as much about the process as early as possible.
Read on to learn all about the top breastfeeding tips for working mothers!
1. Learn How to Choose a Breast Pump
Some mothers make mistakes when it comes time for them to choose a breast pump. When they end up using a breast pump that is not suitable for them, it can make the process seem harder than it is. That can turn them off from using breast pumps and enjoying the convenience that they can provide.
One of the most common problems with choosing a breast pump is ordering one at the wrong time. Your breasts will tend to change size throughout the duration of your pregnancy.
If you get a breast pump too early, you might misjudge the right flange size for your needs. At the same time, if you wait until too late to get a breast pump, you might not have one on hand when your baby arrives.
It is often a good idea to choose a breast pump around the beginning of your third trimester. That way, you will have a good idea of the size you will need. You will also have enough time for your breast pump to arrive even if your infant arrives earlier than expected.
2. Invest in the Best Breast Pump You Can
With so many things to do when you are expecting a baby, it is easy to rush through choosing a breast pump. However, it is worth giving extra attention to the details that will have the largest impact on your experience.
You will end up using your breast pump hundreds or thousands of times. Making your pumping experience as positive as possible will pay off over and over again.
This goes double because using a breast pump can become tedious with repetition. Some mothers find it difficult to maintain a habit of using their breast pumps as the weeks and months go by. Then, they find themselves needing to breastfeed their babies without having other options on hand.
You will find it easier to establish a consistent habit of using your breast pump if you make sure to choose the best breast pump you can.
3. Test Your Plans for Breastfeeding While Working
Once you have a breast pump on hand, you may have an idea of how you will manage your work schedule. However, plans often need to change after making contact with reality.
Changing your plans can be costly if you have to figure things out on the fly when you have work responsibilities to attend to. It is often wiser to test your plans in advance to make sure that you can smooth out any wrinkles in them.
If you are still going to work, try acting out your plans for a few days to see if anything gets in the way. Make sure you have spoken with anyone you need to about how you will manage your breast pumping schedule. Make sure that you know what you will do if you have an urgent work responsibility at the same time you are planning to use your breast pump.
You can also test out how you will store your breast milk until you get home.
These are only a few of the details you may need to pay attention to as you prepare for your breast pump use plans. However, if you act out your plans, you will often encounter other details you will need to take care of.
4. Make Breastfeeding as a Working Mom Easier
As we have discussed, some mothers struggle to maintain a consistent habit of using their breast pumps. The easier you can make using your breast pump, the better it will be for you in the long run.
You might want to get any tools that can make using your breast pump more convenient. For example, there are undergarments that can hold your breast pump for you. They can make using your breast pump much more relaxing and less tiresome.
You may also want to make sure that you have more than enough bags to hold your breast milk anywhere where you might need them. Along with keeping some breast milk bags at home and at work, you might want to keep some in your car or at the homes of family members you frequently visit.
5. Have Others Practice Feeding Your Baby
When you store breast milk for your baby, there is a good chance you will also plan for others to feed it to your baby at some point. Again, it is helpful to simulate this experience in advance. That way, you can discover any unforeseen obstacles.
You might find that your baby is slow to accept milk from another caregiver at first. If that happens, you will want to help ease them into the process as soon as possible.
6. Build up a Supply of Breast Milk
Some mothers make a plan to always have exactly as much breast milk as they need at any given time. However, life can be complicated, so having a little extra on hand is often safer.
You might find that an emergency keeps you from using your breast pump when you intend to. In other cases, you might find that your infant is hungrier than you expect. There is also the chance that you or someone else will spill a little breast milk sooner or later.
Try to create a schedule that will provide you with a little bit more breast milk on hand than you need at any point.
7. Be Careful With Sanitation
There is an important balance to strike when it comes to sanitizing everything. You want to make sure that everything is clean for your baby. You will also want your breast pump to be sanitized for your own health.
At the same time, a certain amount of natural bacteria can help your baby develop a strong immune system. Try sticking with ordinary sanitization processes and don't worry about going above and beyond.
8. Focus On Staying Hydrated
If you don't pay attention to hydration, you might find that you cannot express breast milk when you plan to. You may need to create a schedule that helps you get plenty of fluids in your body throughout the day. Of course, that will also help you manage your health!
9. Spend Time With Your Baby
Part of the positive benefits of breastfeeding comes from the time the mother and baby spend together. If you are using your breast pump, there is a good chance you'll end up spending less time breastfeeding. You might want to compensate for that by spending a little extra time with your baby to help facilitate the bonding process.
10. Be Prepared for Unexpected Obstacles
On occasion, you might end up without the breast milk you need despite all of your preparations. Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with using formula as well. You might want to get some formula in advance so that you are prepared if your usual plans happen to fail.
11. Know How to Alleviate Discomfort
It is worth learning a little bit about how to take care of sore breasts as you enter this period of your life. Sometimes, resting a hot towel on your breasts or massaging them with olive oil can help alleviate soreness. Making sure to stay hydrated can also combat soreness while also helping you produce the milk you need when you need it.
Use the Best Tips for Your Hospital Grade Breast Pump
We hope that these tips about breastfeeding will make your experience as smooth and positive as possible. Finding a hospital grade breast pump to help you can pay off every day as you enjoy greater comfort and efficiency. Considering how long you will be breastfeeding, it is more than worth taking the time to make sure that the experience is as convenient as possible for you.To learn more about how you can find the best breast pump for you, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!
