Oh boy, this really is a tough conversation, especially if baby isn’t earth side yet. So let’s talk about several pieces of criteria to consider that may help navigate how you’ll choose to breastfeed and potentially which choice of breast pump you may or may not require!
I’m going to say it, don’t hate me for it, here I go…
Everyone will likely use a breast pump at some point, even if you’re passionate about putting baby to breast.
Are you still with me? Or did you already flip me the bird and tap out? I understand and support that breastfeeding can and will look different from mom to mom. That’s the beauty of choices and flexibility. I also understand that breastfeeding is personal, not only as a choice but also as a badge of pride. I’m not going to be all PR here, some moms hate pumping, say they’ll never have to do it and pride themselves in putting baby to the boob- hey I get it and I support you, I really do! But there might just be that one time you choose to take a weekend trip or drive into the city for brunch without baby and you may need to pump. On the flip side, maybe you’re thinking putting baby directly to breast isn’t for you and you want to know all of your breast pump options because you’re still passionate about providing your breast milk to baby by bottle. I can respect and support that, too. Listen, different strokes for different folks. So let’s all get along, do what’s best for YOU! Here I'll break down the different paths to breastfeeding, and toss in some pump suggestions while we are at it.
We’ve basically got three ways to address this:
- The Exclusive Breastfeeder
- The Exclusive Pumper
-
The Best of Both Worlds, Fed at breast and by bottle. aka, The Combination Feeder.
The Exclusive Breastfeeder
As Mama #1, the Exclusive Breastfeeder, you are your baby's breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not, if you ask me, it’s pretty damn impressive and takes some real commitment. I’ve never been an EBF mom, but I know many who have! Being someone who doesn’t feed by bottle or expect to pump, you’ll basically be on call for baby to feed and snack when they desire. This, for some, is too much "on demand"; but ultimately if you know you’ll be headed back to work or may be planning for an extended time away from baby, even for a day, there’s a real likelihood that you’ll still need to pump. Even though I wouldn’t classify this as combo feeding, I would still recommend that your choice of pump may still be critical depending on your application. What do I mean by this?
- Back to work
If you’re planning on headed back to work you’ll likely want to invest in a primary based pump. In other words stay away from the Elvie and Momcozy type, in-your-bra, pumps of the world. You’ll want to rely on a flange and pump combination for best most adequate removal. What if in your bra pumps are the best you can make work? Then as I say, it is what it is, but I would verify your flange sizing is perfect, extend the mobile pump sessions to confirm the most efficient empyting, and pump an extra session or two, if possible, to help encourage production.
- Social Mama
You’re an EBF mama by day and social butterfly by night. Maybe you just want to step away from time to time. With this kind of approach to breastfeeding, it is likely you’ll be able to use a mobile set up and sustain your milk supply with no issues. Remember, fluctuation won’t kill your supply. Even if you’re not emptying the very best with your mobiles but you’re headed home to feed baby at the breast, you’ll likely recover that milk left behind with no issues!
The Exclusive Pumper
Okay, Mama #2 you’re up! A lady after my own heart, the exclusive pumper! As a fellow multiples mama and proud exclusive pumper for eighteen months, let’s just say exclusive pumping can be quite the feat. Often times, moms who exclusively pump find themselves pumping for reasons such as: hospitalization for either mom or baby, poor latch and milk removal by baby, slow weight gain and pediatrician recommended bottle feeding to measure volume, oral restrictions or medical complications that could inhibit baby from effective removal. Another reason that could lead mom to want to exclusively pump can be simply because they want to! Yes, pumping your breast milk is a choice and YES, this method of removal and feeding can and will sustain your milk supply. It’s not uncommon to receive negative feedback or doubt that a pump is adequate enough to sustain your milk supply, but it absolutely can be when the best pump for the job is picked. This is when things get serious, we want to set you up for success, right out of the gate, with the best pump for the job! Let’s start here, get all of those TikTok overflowing mobile pumps out of your mind. First of all, that’s not the goal; and secondly, mobiles are not going to be your first pick for the most reliable breast pump. I want you thinking Spectra S1, S2, BabyBuddha, Pumpables Genie Advanced, Motif Luna. All of these pumps have built a stellar reputation at moving milk from day one while paired with your best fitted flange. Yes, you want an external motor with tubs tied into the backflow protectors that are plugged into the back of your flange connector, the whole kit and caboodle!
As time passes, approximately eight weeks, you'll really understand your body’s ability to produce milk. Now if you want to mobilize yourself, it is a great time to do so! By now you’ll know if those mobiles are leaving milk behind, and if they are you’ll be able to come back with a more reliable pump to move what those other pumps may have left behind. The only time this really becomes an issue is when it’s done session, after session, after session. My rule of thumb is to only use mobile, in-your-bra pumps, no more than half of your sessions in a 24 hour period. Now you ask, what about those fancy cups that go in your bra, paired with a primary pump. As soon as you pair cups with your primary it is now considered secondary. I know it’s annoying, you have a primary which you’ve grown to love, thinking you can pair with cups and expect the same output. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for most. At the end of the day, a properly fitted flange empties the best!
Co Sleeping, nursing at night
The Combination Feeder
Last but certainly not least, if you ask me, I’d say it’s the best of both worlds. Yep Mama #3, the combo feeder! What does this mean exactly? I’m glad you asked, but I don’t have a definitive answer to slap on this one because it’s truly what you make of it! After my eighteen months of EP’ing for my multiples I went on to have three more singletons, all of whom I feed bottles during the day and fed at the breast during the night. In my opinion, this was the happiest balance I could ask for. I was able to go about my day and rely on help to feed baby while away at work or off grocery shopping. During the late hours of the night I was able to feed baby right at the breast, this helped eliminate any middle of the night pumping since baby was doing the job. This proved to be a huge help with singleton number one, as I was three months postpartum, she was hungry and I needed to pump. This was the moment that defined the remainder of my feeding experiences. I figured I’d have nothing to lose, so I put her to the breast because I was too tired to pump and after several attempts she finally got the hang of it and it became our norm until she was one year old. I’d go on to pump an additional four months exclusively. Now you may ask, well, which pump fits the bill here. Considering milk removal is still being primarily demanded by the pump over baby nursing, consider your pump choice as an exclusive pumper would. As for scheduling, milk removal and sessions would still align closely with an exclusive pumping routine.
There is no one right away to feed your baby! Even cooler, your plans can shift through your breastfeeding journey too! Give yourself and your baby grace as you learn together. The best advice I can give at the end of all this ranting is milk removal is key. Whether you only want to nurse baby at the breast or you’re not sure which method is for you, removing your milk (whether by baby or pump) is the one sure way to keep milk production flowing while you navigate which approach is best for you and baby.
Interested in learning more about the pumps mentioned? Check out the links below for all my reviews and comparisons!
Secondary and Mobile Pump Reviews
