5 Things I Didn’t Know Before Breast Pumping. 🤱

1. The first 12 weeks you’re supposed to be pumping around the clock. ⏰ This was the hardest part in the beginning. Waking up up every 3 hours on the dot was not something I looked forward to. For me the process of pumping took about 45 minutes. (30 to pump, 15 for setting and cleaning up) So I could maybe get 2 hours of sleep at a time. 😴

2. “It’s not supposed to hurt” WRONG! It’s uncomfortable and sometimes it hurts. 🥴 It is true that if you’re not sized correctly for flanges it can cause pain. Or you’re not using the suction on your pump properly. But it can still hurt if you are sized correctly. After about 12 weeks my body adjusted and it’s no longer painful.

3. Armpit knots. When I was pregnant I started noticing some bumps under my arm. Freaked out! 😱 It’s just your body preparing to feed your baby. They’re normal and for me they went away a few weeks after my baby was born.

4. You might want more than one pump. I got the Elvie Stride through my insurance and I thought I was set. While in the hospital, I tried putting that pump on and the lactation consultant told me you want to use a dual electric pump to help establish my supply. (Pumps like the Spectra S1 & S2) Thankfully my sister in law loaned me a Spectra and that’s what I used for the first few weeks. I only used my Elvie while we were out of the house. Now that my milk supply is established I used my electric one 1st thing in the morning and my last pump at night. During the day I use my Elvie. If the wearable pumps work for you they are so convenient. 😌

5. The mental and physical load feeding your baby with your body takes. I was so ready to no longer be pregnant and start feeling like myself again. As I started my breastfeeding journey I realized that feeling like my pre pregnancy self was still a ways out. Just know it does come back and you’ll be so proud of yourself! 🥹

Let me know your experience or any questions and follow if you need some mom friends! 💞

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