For many mums, combining breastfeeding and pumping can be a game changer, giving them flexibility when they need it most.

Let’s look at some practical ways to combine the two so you can still get breast milk when you’re not with your baby.

By sharing these practical tips, we hope to help you create a pumping schedule that fits your life, choose the best breast pump for your needs, and store your breast milk safely.

Is Combining Breastfeeding and Pumping Possible?

Of course, you can totally mix breastfeeding and pumping, which is a great way to feed! This way, your baby will be guaranteed to have breast milk even when you’re not around. This is a great way to go if you’re going back to work or just need some time to yourself.

Pumping keeps your breasts full and allows other family members to get involved in feeding time. Plus, it gives you more time to plan your days, knowing your little one will get the benefits of breast milk.

Why Do Mothers Choose to Combine Breastfeeding and Pumping?

There are many reasons why mothers choose to combine breastfeeding and pumping, as they can provide several benefits in their daily lives:

Flexibility and Convenience: Pumping allows other caregivers to feed the baby when the mom returns to work or takes care of other chores. This flexibility not only allows the mother to change her schedule but also allows the baby to stay on track with her feeding schedule.

Maintaining Milk Supply: If the baby is not feeding adequately, pumping can not only maintain milk supply but can even increase the mother's milk supply. Regular pumping prevents the breasts from becoming overly full and can signal the body to produce more milk.

Relieve Breast Engorgement: Breast engorgement can make the breasts uncomfortable and can also lead to complications such as mastitis. Therefore, pumping provides an easy solution to relieve this discomfort and keep the milk flowing smoothly.

Storing Milk for Future Use: Pumping allows mothers to use breast milk storage bags to store breast milk for future use, providing a practical breastfeeding solution when they are away from their baby for a period of time or in an emergency.

Feeding Challenges: Some babies face sucking difficulties due to problems such as premature birth or tongue tie. However, by pumping, these babies can benefit from breast milk.

What Are the Best Techniques for Combining Breastfeeding and Pumping?

Combining breastfeeding and pumping requires a balance of techniques so that the baby gets adequate nutrition and the mother maintains a healthy milk supply.

Daily Routine

Build your milk supply from the start of exclusive breastfeeding. Once you’ve established a good rhythm, start integrating pumping. Try to pump at a consistent time each day to help your body adjust to a regular milk production schedule.

Express Immediately After Breastfeeding

To increase your milk supply, especially in the first few weeks, it’s recommended that you express immediately after breastfeeding. This will clear out any remaining milk and signal your body to produce more milk.

Choose a Quality Breast Pump

You can use a high-quality double electric breast pump, silicone breast pump, and wearable breast pump to express milk, which can save you time and increase your milk extraction efficiency. In addition, these breast pumps mimic a baby’s natural sucking pattern, which can maintain your milk more effectively than manual breast pumps.

Store Your Milk Correctly

Keep your expressed milk safe and nutritious. Use containers such as milk storage bags designed for breast milk and store them in the back of the refrigerator or freezer where the temperature is most stable.

Balance Your Time

Find the right combination of breastfeeding and expressing. Be careful not to pump too much, as this can cause discomfort and lead to problems such as engorgement or mastitis.

Stay Hydrated and Eat a Healthy Diet

You need to make sure your body is well hydrated and well nourished, and you can add a rich diet to your milk production. Remember, you need a balanced diet to support your milk supply and overall health.

How to Determine the Right Frequency and Duration of Pumping Sessions？

Finding the right pumping schedule requires understanding your needs and your baby’s. If you’re only pumping, you can expect to pump every 2-3 hours, about 8-10 times a day. This includes at least once at night, similar to how often your newborn feeds.

If you’re breastfeeding and pumping, it’s recommended that you add about 15-20 minutes of pumping time after or between breastfeeds to keep your milk production steady. However, it’s important to keep an eye on how much milk you’re pumping and adjust how often and for how long you pump based on what you see.

You’ll also want to pay attention to how your body responds when you’re pumping. If you feel pain or discomfort, this may be a cue to adjust your pump settings or how you use it. Once you’ve made the adjustments, you can always ask a lactation specialist for help if you’re unsure.

As your baby grows and starts eating solids, your pumping needs may change. To stay flexible, you need to be ready to adjust your schedule as needed.

Finally, if you’re unsure about how to balance breastfeeding and pumping, it’s recommended that you speak to a lactation consultant. They can provide tailored advice to help you find the right balance for you and your baby.

Establishing a Breastfeeding and Pumping Schedule

Here are some common templates for combining breastfeeding and pumping. You can use them as a reference and adjust the timing and frequency according to your needs and your baby's feeding habits: