Jonnie's Herbs with Honesty

Do you desire to pump, but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you were thrust into the reality of having to pump to send milk or face the consequence of your baby having dreaded formula? If you had it your way, maybe the baby wouldn’t have to have a bottle at all; you could just breastfeed and protect your precious baby from microplastics. No matter your situation, this is my pumping journey.

My first intention with this post was to encourage women trying to pump and to provide tips; However, I myself am struggling so I want you to be encouraged by the fact that YOU ARE NOT FAILING!

Pumping is HARD! You can do this!! It is literally sucking the life out of you and it is not natural; So, of course it is going to be difficult. I now understand the difficulty of not responding to a pump. I have wearable breast pumps that used to work great and now I can only get an ounce, maybe two if I’m lucky. I spent 30 minutes pumping with the Spectra only to get less than half an ounce on one side.

All this to say, pumping is a hard journey with a lot of bumps.

Here are some things that have helped me:

1. Hydrate hydrate hydrate

You have to be taking in fluid to be putting out fluid. . . I have seen firsthand the consequences of not drinking enough water. Your supply will take a hit. There is no question about the necessity of water. There are things that may or may not boost your supply but they will at least help you stay hydrated 🙂

• Coconut water
• Homemade hydration drinks (recipe coming soon)
• Herbal lactation teas
• Sugar free fruit juice(preferably fresh to reduce microplastic)
• Lactation drink mixes
• Body armor (downsides are high amounts of sugar and microplastic)

2. Eating enough food

A single 30 minute pumping session can burn 50-200 calories! In general breastmilk contains 20 calories per ounce, of course this varies due to diet and what stage your milk is in. That is a lot of extra calories though and to be able to properly feed your baby you must feed yourself. Snacking on healthy snacks, lactation snacks and eating larger nutritious meals will support your supply and give your baby optimal nutrients. (Trust I know, finding the time to actually feed yourself seems impossible, but all things are possible through Jesus!)

3. Lubricating your pump

Babies have saliva and your breast is able to mold to their mouth; Pumps are not in any way similar. Pumps are using a vacuum to pull out milk through a silicone or plastic flange that doesn’t suck or mold at all. Adding some lubrication helped making pumping a little bit more comfortable. I recently learned this tip and now cannot pump without some sort of lubrication, whether coconut oil or a store bought lubrication.

4. Ensuring proper flange size

When I first started pumping I was using the 24mm flange because that is what came with the spectra and for quite a few months that is all I had. Every time I pumped my nipples would be swollen and sore for hours. I found smaller 18mm silicone flanges that I shoved into the 24mm and the difference was tremendous. After around 5 months of pumping I got wearable pumps that came with a size guide, little did I know I really needed a 16mm. Still haven’t actually bought it because the wearable pump came with a 17mm adjustment and I find it works well and my output has increased. A properly fitting or at least close fitting flange is essential to pumping.

5. Quality Pump

A good pump with strong vacuum is a must. WIC in America can help women get pumps through borrowing or rent. There are many crisis centers that may have pumps for free or at little cost. Spectra is a well respected brand for their S1 and S2 pumps. Medela, Lansinoh, Momcozy and Eufy are other well known brands. I have the S1, S2, Medela Harmony Manual, and Eufy breast pumps. I haven’t had much luck with the manual breast pump and now my breasts aren’t responding to the Eufy so I went back to the Spectras.

In all ensuring proper diet and quality well fitting pumps with some lubrication can make pumping easier; However it is still a difficult task and will continue to be exhausting. Good luck mommas! I hope this encourages you and maybe can help make pumping a bit easier 🙂

Matthew 19:26 – Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”