Breast feeding
I’m currently 29 weeks pregnant with a little girl due 24th December.
I’m just trying to make sure I have everything and we’ve got the majority of stuff (I think) but the one thing that baffles me is breast milk! I just can’t seem to understand how a breast pump works (are there different sizes) and do I start it before I give birth? Just wondering anyone who has breastfed before if they can give any advice.
Kindness only please, I know I seem a bit clueless 🤰🏻❣️
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Hi! I guess breast pumps are physically different sizes and may store different amounts of milk in one go, but it’s flange size that’s most important and depends on your nipple size.
The main differences between pumps are whether they’re electric or manual, whether they have to stay plugged into the wall during use or can be charged up, and whether they are hands free. All these have pros and cons.
You don’t need to start before giving birth (in fact probably shouldn’t?). Some people like to hand express/freeze colostrum near due date for a back up in case of any feeding challenges in the early days.
You also don’t NEED a pump to breastfeed at all btw, this is just for if you want to sometimes leave your baby for a bit - you’ll need to leave them some milk (or give formula), and even if you give formula, you may get engorged if you’re away longer than a few hours and need to pump for your own comfort.
There’s loads of great breastfeeding accounts on Insta eg Olivia Hinge. Good luck!
When searching make sure they offer different size flanges so you can change them according to your nipple size. My midwife said you can start after 36 weeks. I started after I gave birth, but will try after 36 weeks and see what happens. I only used a pump. I enjoyed it as I didn't do it for long with my first
Breast pumps are the same but the sizes that change within every breast pump are the flanges which is what goes into where you put the nipple. So just check what flange size comes with any breast pump you want to get and you may need to get an extra from Amazon. You can measure your nipple with the nipple size guides you can buy.
I had a pretirm birth last year so ended up getting like 4/5 pumps within a short space of time and pumped for a number of months.
Main thing is get one that’s manual and also and electric, this can be a hospital grade but you may also want to invest in the wearable ones also downing on preference!
Also, You are only advised to hand express milk from like 36 weeks, at most a manual pump, actual pumping isn’t recommended before birth.
Hope that helps! xx
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