Breastfeeding and formula feeding tend to get all the spotlight when it comes to nourishing your newborn. But there's a third path that deserves recognition, too: exclusive pumping, also known as EPing. This underrated feeding method means you're committed to having your baby drink from a bottle for his/her daily dose of breast milk, instead of drinking straight from the tap.
There are so many valid reasons a mom might choose to exclusively pump. Whether it's because baby won't latch, you need some extra hands on those nighttime feeds, or nursing just isn't vibing with you, EPing is one great way to secure those liquid gold benefits for your little one.
To be candid, signing up for the EPing life is no joke. I’m talking about having to pump around the clock just to maintain that coveted milk supply. It requires serious levels of dedication, discipline, and straight-up strength to keep that grueling schedule up for months on end. Newborn sleep deprivation alone is enough to break even the toughest moms!
But with the right preparedness, exclusive pumping can actually be an incredibly rewarding experience. You get to nourish your baby with nutritional perfection while still preserving your mental health, lifestyle, and sense of bodily autonomy.
That's why I'm breaking it all down today with my top tips for successful exclusive pumping.
10 Tips for Exclusively Pumping Moms
In the beautifully messy reality of new parenthood, we know that breastfeeding your baby isn't always feasible or the right fit for every family's situation for multiple reasons. That’s where exclusive pumping comes in!
Without a doubt, it can be a challenge to pump exclusively on top of all the other tasks and responsibilities that moms have to face. However, understanding how exclusively pumping works and its benefits can help you continue pumping despite the challenges.
What To Know About Exclusively Pumping
Many pregnant women often find themselves wondering if exclusive pumping is the way to go for them. So, I’ve taken the liberty to provide evidence-based answers to some of the most asked questions on exclusive pumping.
How often should I pump when exclusively pumping?
The short answer? You kind of have to become one with that breast pump for a while there. We're talking about aiming to pump around 8–12 times a day during those first few newborn weeks. Every 2-3 hours around the clock, just like a breast-fed nursling.
Once you make it through those initial few months and babies' feeding schedules start spacing out more, you can graduate to longer stretches between pump sessions too. Maybe every 4 hours instead of every 2–3 hours.
Does exclusive pumping delay your period?
If you are strictly formula feeding, you can generally expect your flow to start knocking about 6 weeks to 3 months postpartum. But, introducing breastmilk into the equation can buy you some extra period-free time. As long as you're keeping up with frequent pumping sessions around the clock, it tricks your body into thinking it needs to hang onto that milk supply.
However, it's definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation. Some EPing moms may get their periods back just a couple of months postpartum. Others can go 6+ months with no trace of their period, especially if they're diligent about pumping on a newborn's feeding schedule.
Does exclusive pumping provide the same benefits as breastfeeding?
Whether you're nursing directly or exclusively pumping, your breast milk is pretty much the same liquid gold for your little one.
Sure, there are some small differences between the two breastfeeding methods. But at the end of the day, pumped breastmilk straight from the bottle provides your baby with similar nutritional and immune-boosting benefits.
Does breast milk change when exclusively pumping?
The beauty of breastfeeding is the delicate feedback loop between baby and boob. With every suckle, tiny saliva molecules enter the mom's nipples and send biochemical signals about exactly what that particular baby needs at that stage. It allows the breastmilk to constantly evolve and tailor its immune properties, nutrients, etc., to their changing requirements.
With pumping, you miss out on that real-time customization factor. But that doesn't make pumped milk inferior by any means! Pumped breastmilk still provides amazing overall nutritional and immune benefits. It’s just that there are some potential tradeoffs compared to nursing directly from the breast.
Benefits of Exclusive Pumping
While exclusive pumping is no easy feat, it's an incredibly empowering choice for so many reasons! Let's break down some of those major benefits:
- You get to establish your own bottle-feeding schedule and routine, free from the constraints of cluster feeding or marathon nursing sessions.
- Exclusive pumping is an amazing way for your partner, caregiver, or family members involved in the whole nourishment experience.
- Your little one gets all the nutritional perks and immunities of breast milk without any of the potential formula costs or shortages.
- You always know exactly how many ounces your baby’s getting at each feed, which can be so helpful for tracking things like weight gain.
- You get the freedom to travel, work, or just reclaim pieces of your former life without milk supply worries thanks to having a breast milk storage in hand!
How To Exclusive Pump
I know how challenging yet rewarding this exclusive pumping journey can be for you. While it demands incredible time and energy, you're giving your little one such an amazing gift through your breastmilk.
Below are some tips to make the process smoother and less stressful:
Create a Special Place for Pumping
Dedicate a cozy pumping station at home just for you. Carve out a peaceful, quiet nook with a comfy chair, within easy reach of your pump accessories like electric pumps, pumping pillow, or hands-free pumping bra. You can even listen to music that soothes your mind. Having a zen zone to pump undisturbed allows you to fully relax during those sessions.
Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is also key to keeping your breast milk flowing. Aim for around 16 cups of water daily to support your body's milk production and your overall health. Dehydration is the last thing an around-the-clock pumping mom needs!
Pumping Consistently
Consistency is so important for maintaining supply and preventing nasty clogs or mastitis. Stick to your pumping schedule like clockwork, even as your baby gets older and needs less milk. We'll slowly wean you off that routine when the time comes to avoid any painful back-ups.
Wash the Pump Parts
After each pumping session, give those pump parts a thorough washing with hot, soapy water or run the dishwasher-safe pieces through a heated drying cycle. Using that sanitizing setting will ensure no lingering germs make their way into your liquid gold stash. A squeaky-clean pump equals peace of mind!
Use the Appropriate Flange Size
Having an optimized pump flange size is a total game-changer. Those funnel-shaped breast shields need to create the perfect seal around your nipple and areola for maximum pumping comfort and output. Too big or too small can lead to pain, clogs, you name it. If you're not sure what size you need, start with my Free Flange Ruler here.
Schedule Pumping
It’s also important to lock in a consistent pumping schedule. Shooting for around 8–10 sessions every 24 hours, spaced 1-3 hours apart, will help you establish a solid milk supply. Plan for at least 20 minutes of continuous pumping per session to either use immediately at room temperature or safely store for future use.
Use a Pumping App Tracker
Tracking all those pumping sessions is a full-time job in itself! I'm a huge fan of using apps to stay organized and avoid any unnecessary stress around scheduling. I'd definitely recommend using the Huckleberry app to centralize all your pumping details. You’ll get to log pump times and output amounts, and set reminders at a glance that’ll help you stay consistent without driving yourself crazy.
Create a Support System
Speaking of saving your sanity, don't even try to go this alone! Pumping may be an amazing gift for your little one, but it can also be extremely isolating without a solid support system in place.
One of the upsides is that pumping allows others to jump in on feedings with those bottles of breast milk. If family or friends offer a hand, take them up on it! And if you're looking for a virtual village of moms who just get it, check out The Pump Squad.
Get Backup Tools for Emergencies
Having backup plans for your pumping setup is an absolute must! As an exclusive pumper, you're relying on that pump way more than most moms, so extra parts and an emergency stash are essential. I always recommend having at least 1-2 full sets of pump parts on hand as spares. Pieces can break or get lost so easily in the newborn chaos. The last thing you want is to be stuck without a working pump!
Read the Instruction Manual
One of the simplest tips is to go back to the source—your pump's instruction manual! Nobody expects you to be a pumping pro right out of the gate. Reading through the specifics of your model can prevent a lot of pain, frustration, and lost breast milk down the line.
You’re doing a great job already, but you can do better with effective and efficient pumping.
Exclusively pumping to nourish your little one is no easy feat, and any guilt you might be feeling about not breastfeeding directly is totally understandable but unnecessary. You're nourishing your little one in the way that works for your journey right now, and that's something to be celebrated.
At the end of the day, the way you feed your baby looks different for every mom-and-baby duo. What matters most is the love, bond, and breast milk nourishment you're providing through that pumped breast milk. You're already a heroine for powering through the practical demands and emotional rollercoaster of exclusive pumping!
If you're seeking more support as you navigate this pumping road, I've got you covered with a ton of resources. My Ultimate Pumping Course is a comprehensive deep-dive into all things pumping, while my 1-on-1 consultations provide personalized guidance just for you. You can also get all your gears and supplies here.
No matter where you're at, I'm here with a caring ear, professional lactation consultant expertise, and loads of motivating mom-to-mom real talk. Pumping may be hard, but you've got this! Let's walk through it together.
