Breastfeeding your baby is very important and the breast pump is the best solution for every working mom! In fact, pumping breast milk makes returning to work easier and less stressful, but for pumping success there are some important things you should know:
To ensure that your baby will accept a bottle when you’ll be at work, start pumping and introduce a bottle as soon as breastfeeding is established. When your baby’s 3 or 4 weeks old, offer him/her a bottle with breast milk at least every three or four days.
Know that the more you pump the more milk you’ll produce; so try to pump for 15 minutes every few hours during the day. And if you pump both breasts simultaneously, your body will produce more prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production.
You can store breast milk in a glass bottle with a sealable top and it’s better to store it in amounts that you use every day to avoid wasting it. So if your baby eats for example 4 ounces in a feeding, put 4 ounces of breast milk in the storage container.
When you’re with your baby try to breastfeed him/her, because the more you breastfeed the better your pumping will be.
Always stay relaxed because stress lowers your body’s ability to release breast milk. It is best to pump in a quiet place which will also help you to massage your breasts or use warm compresses.
Drink plenty of water, juice and milk; this helps you to stay hydrated and promotes milk production. Also eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and avoid soda, coffee, alcoholic drinks and smoking!