Breastfeeding is a journey unique to each mother and baby. Something that is true for everyone? It’s hard. One of the most common questions you’ll have while breastfeeding is: Am I making enough milk? This is so common. So we sat down with mom of four and creator of Zomee, Dina Shanowitz. She knows how to use a breast pump to keep that supply strong and we wanted all the tips. Here we go!
The answer here, according to the AAP is simple: your baby is growing on her growth curve.
Even if your baby is growing and your pediatrician is satisfied, it’s so easy to question your supply. Why is that? Things are changing… like:
All of these reasons are normal and could have no or major impact on your supply. But they get in your head. So let’s talk about some things you can do to keep your supply strong.
One of the coolest things about breastfeeding is the communication that happens between your baby and your breast. You will make more milk after your baby (or pump) tells your body baby needs more. It’s like supply and demand. When you use your pump to continue that demand signal → baby wants more milk → your body makes more milk.
We moms put these pumps to work! So here are some of Zomee’s tips to get the most out of it! So what does this look like? There are two ways to get at this. First is to pump more, and we have some ideas on how to fit that in your schedule. Second, is to make some adjustments to make your pump more efficient.
Doing a quick 5-10 minute pump after you feed your baby is one way to increase your supply. Even if nothing comes out, the pump will do the simulating. Think of it as putting in an order for more milk tomorrow.
This one is hard. You’ve worked so hard to sleep through the night! But, even when your baby starts to sleep through the night, you might want to wake up once to pump. Don’t stress too much about this, perhaps you can pump after you pee. Keep everything bedside so you just have to put milk in the fridge when you’re done.
If you only pump once a day, this is a good time to do it.
Depending on how much you pump, you need to replace the parts every 1-3 months. This helps the pump operate at peak performance! We’re looking at you duck valves.
You need to have a snug yet comfortable seal between your pump and your body. Most of us don’t want to hold the flange against our breasts one at a time, so this is where the right accessories come in. We love this one at Zomee because it holds your pump in place (even wearables!) and is super soft.
Most pumps have 2 modes: massage/stimulation and expression.
We advise moms to start in the massage mode. This is a bit softer with fast sucks. Once your body has a milk letdown (after about 2-3 minutes) switch to the second mode that has a stronger, slower extraction. The second adjustment is the level of section. We advise moms to use the highest suction that is still comfortable. After milk stops flowing, you can try to get another let down by adjusting your pump back to the massage mode.
Finding the right fit here is crucial. And, be sure you check that your fit is right every couple weeks. As you and your baby find your feeding groove, your body might still change. There is a balance between not having your nipple hit the sides and not having all of your areola get sucked into the tube. Here's a step-by-step measurement guide.
You’ll have better luck pumping if you relax and not stress out about it. Try to build the time into your routine (and protect that time!). Another tip is to look at pictures of your baby.
Last, you’ve gotta enjoy it! Pumping is a mindset. Try to protect that time to do something for you, like watch a show, listen to a podcast or read a book. We promise it will make the time fly by and will even help you look forward to pumping!
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