If you’re curious about exclusive pumping or are trying to decide if it’s right for you—we’ve got you. Let’s dig into some of those burning questions and give you the tools you need for pumping success.
What Is Exclusive Pumping?
Exclusive pumping simply means to feed your baby using a bottle filled with the liquid gold you’ve pumped. Instead of feeding your baby directly from the breast, you’ll pump periodically throughout the day (or on-demand).
It’s also possible to combine pumping with breastfeeding, which is common for moms who work or play outside of the home. You can breastfeed while you’re with your baby and pump to build milk storage for when you’re away.
Listen up, mama: It’s a #myth that babies who bottle-feed won’t bond. Any time spent with your baby is special. So put the mom guilt behind you—it takes patience and willpower to exclusively pump, too! You got this.
Why Exclusively Pump?
There are many reasons why moms choose to exclusively pump. Some simply choose this method because it fits their lifestyle or because they don’t choose to directly breastfeed. Those reasons are totally cool and valid. Some moms choose to exclusively pump due to other reasons, including:
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Delivering a premature baby who is unable to breastfeed
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Delivering a baby who has difficulty latching onto the breast
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Needing to return to work or school quickly following birth
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Worrying about low milk supply
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Finding breastfeeding extremely difficult or painful
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Having multiples such as twins, triplets or more
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Desire to closely monitor baby’s milk intake
Exclusive Pumping vs. Breastfeeding
Both breastfeeding and pumping have their benefits and challenges. Breastfeeding is cost-effective as no other supplies are required. There are also health benefits of breastfeeding for you and your baby.
Pumping enables you to increase your milk supply depending on your baby’s demand. Plus, it gives you more control over feeding times and the ability to return to work and still provide for your baby.
Both breastfeeding and pumping are challenging undertakings that require patience and time. For example, breastfeeding can be unpredictable and it leaves you with the inability to travel independently until your baby is weaned. Pumping requires additional cleaning and maintenance as well as an added expense for pumping supplies.
The Benefits of Exclusive Pumping
Although challenging at times, exclusive pumping has many benefits that make every pump worth it. Exclusive pumping does the following:
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Delivers the same health benefits your baby will receive when feeding from the breast
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Allows you to return to work or school and still provide breast milk for your baby
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Allows your spouse or partner to share in feeding
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Enables you to track how much milk your baby is taking in
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Allows you to travel and feed your baby on-the-go