Your Ultimate Pumping Guide

Thanks to pumping, your baby can benefit from your breast milk when you're not around. Here's how to get the hang of this handy technique.

By Katie Stuhler

Kathryn Gamble

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Singing Pumping's Praises

Whether you're returning to work, have seen your milk supply kick into overdrive, or have concerns about missing the occasional feeding, a breast pump may be your saving grace. Expressing and storing milk allows your baby to reap breast milk's abundant health benefits -- and awards you much-deserved flexibility. Plus, you'll save some serious cash by opting for breast milk over formula -- approximately $124 per month, according to Consumer Reports.

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Comments (4)

thebusymombouti wrote:

There's a great new mom-invented product now that helps allow moms to pump hands-free with ANY nursing bra & breast pump. Affordable, too and worth it for those who need to pump often http://www.busymomboutique.com/Pump-A-Pair_c_31.html

8/4/2011 12:00:56 PM Report Abuse

anka1254 wrote:

My baby never latched on I had to pump from the very beginning. I even have my breast milk stored in the frizer and we had to buy an extra frizer just for the milk. It is hard for me to pump and then feed the baby (takes a lot of energy and time from me) but I got used to it and when I feel tired I just remind myself that this is not forever and the most important thing is that all these is for my baby and her health.

8/1/2011 10:18:09 PM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

I don't pump nor breastfeed, never had the desire to. Makes no sense to send me emails about it.

8/1/2011 04:37:53 PM Report Abuse

hynesjulie wrote:

Pumping really saves me. My Medela PIS is so efficient and then I just use the Mother's Milk Mate bottles and storage rack. This way I always know which is the first bottle I pumped and my husband and mom can feed Maggie. It really helps my husband bond with her (and gets me some sleep in the middle of the night!) It's kept my milk supply up and I found getting on a good pumping schedule, just like a good feeding schedule, makes life run more smoothly.

3/14/2011 10:26:12 AM Report Abuse