Top Tips – Pump Momma Pump

TIME was the biggest complaint mommas had about pumping in a recent survey I ran titled “Why Pumping Sucks.” It’s true… especially for exclusively pumping mommas, pumping can take A LOT of time out of your day. Even though you are literally MAKING MILK (which is hella productive if you ask me) it can seem like wasted or lost time. Have you felt that way?

So I asked: What’s your favorite way to multitask when you pump?
You gave me SO MANY GREAT ANSWERS!
Below you’ll find multitasking ideas for EVERY pumping momma, no matter whether you have a wearable, hands-free pump or have to remain hands-on the entire time!

Think multitasking is overrated? Scroll alllll the way down to see a message just for you. (And a good reminder for everyone!)

When you’re plugged in:

Some pumps need to remain plugged in, or are large and cumbersome to move around while pumping. Don’t despair! There are still tons of ways to double-dip during pumping time. Since I worked from home during the majority of my maternity leave, I was often working on my computer while pumping. That’s an easy one! Let’s see what else you came up with for pumping while being plugged in:

EAT! Eating and drinking were popular answers for each of these categories. It may be the only time you get to actually sit down, so take advantage of that and nourish your body! Your milk supply will thank you!
Catch up on paperwork! Sort mail, clip coupons, pay bills, write cards or letters, meal-plan, create to-do lists… those things can pile up for new moms!
Take some time for YOU! Meditate or pray, journal, knit/craft, draw/paint… whatever feeds your soul
Do your hair or makeup if you’re feeling up to a pump sesh glow-up
Sit on the floor and play with your baby! What a great time for tummy time!
RELAX! Watch Tv, listen to podcasts, read a book, or scroll instagram, (I hear @pump_momma_pump has a great page!)
In desperate need of a recharge? Set a timer and sleep sitting up at the table, leaning forward and resting your head on your folded arms. It works!

Going Mobile:

If your pump is smaller and can be carried around or worn on a clip or lanyard, your pump life just gained A LOT of freedom! Many of these might seem impossible at first, but for many mommas, things get easier with practice. For example, I learned that squatting straight down instead of bending over helped me not spill any milk as I picked up my baby or do simple household chores. I also got really good at sitting on the floor and feeding my baby while pumping. Burping baby while pumping also got easier with practice!
Mommas wearing portable pumps also found that they were able to:

All the kitchen chores! Dishes, unloading the dishwasher, cooking…
Laundry. Have slightly older kids? Fold laundry as a family, it’s a great learning opportunity and toddlers love to be helpful (even if you might have to refold it later!)
Change diapers and care for baby if you have become a multitasking master
Catch up on self-care. Hair, make-up, nails… it can all be done while pumping!
Go for a walk with your stroller, a light scarf should help you feel a bit more comfortable. Try it and see how you feel!
Speaking of covers… there’s no need to hide at events! Throw on a nursing cover or light scarf and enjoy the party. People may be more accepting than you assume, it feels good to be a part of the action!

Using wearables:

Wearable pumps (which I like to call “coconut style” where the motor is located on top of each collection cup) can provide the greatest freedom and multitasking abilities. Some brands are quieter than others, so if your pump motor is a noisy one, all of these might not work for you. I had a very quiet one and enjoyed going to the movies, eating in restaurants, and shopping while pumping… it’s like I had a secret! I felt invincible! (Though I did look a little bit… enhanced… in the chest area, hehe… hello dolly parton!)

Work without leaving to pump (This can work well for nurses with 12-hour shifts who pump while charting)
Feed, change, and care for baby, Playing with older children
Get out and about! Go to restaurants, concerts, go shopping, etc
Household chores and tasks
Go on a walk
Virtually anything and everything!

Image from MomCozy– Save with code: pumpmama

But what if I have to stay hands-on the entire time?

You’re not alone in that. Some mothers need to massage and compress their breasts in order to fully empty. (This could be a flange or pump issue- I recommend setting up a consultation or flange sizing appointment!) Other mothers might be using a hand pump which requires you to manually pump the handle the entire time. (I love them, but I wouldn’t want to use one full-time!) So how can those mommas multitask without being hands-free?

Listen to music, an audiobook, or a podcast
Watch tv or a movie, or youtube/tiktok if that’s more your thing
Talk on the phone using bluetooth/airpods
Pray, meditate, or rest your eyes and breathe
Talk to your parter or kids. use that time to connect!
Watch nature out the window, or watch your children playing

Pump pictured: Medela Harmony Manual Pump SHOP HERE

Why is everyone always trying to make moms multitask?

It really seems that way, doesn’t it?

You don’t have to multitask if you don’t want to- RESTING is essential at times, too! 😊 Your worth is not measured in ounces OR productivity.

Pump pictured: Pumpables: Use code PMP10 to save

Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)

Chances are, you’ve heard some conflicting answers regarding clogged ducts lately…

Why all the different answers?

Our knowledge of breast anatomy/”clogged ducts” is continuously expanding, helping lactation professionals find ways to help their clients feel better, faster.

AMB Protocol #36

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine put forth the following protocol regarding Mastitis Spectrum in 2022. LactApp covers it pretty succinctly in their post HERE and HERE. Don’t want to dig into it yourself? I’ll give you the quick’n’dirty version here:

The ABM changed the verbiage from “clogged duct” to “ductile narrowing” to describe the way milk ducts can become inflamed and swell/narrow, not allowing the milk to fully evacuate that area of the breast.

They are NO LONGER recommending:

Vigorous and deep massage to the affected area
Use of massage tools/vibration directly to the affected area
Extra pumping or nursing
Applying heat to the area
Using castor oil or Epsom salts

They ARE recommending:

Nursing on demand
Reducing any extra pumping
Using anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain/inflammation (like Advil)
Icing the area to decrease inflammation
Supplemementing with subflower lecithin
Adding a probiotic into your diet
Light, gentle massage
Lymphatic drainage techniques

Taking an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen can reduce swelling and allow milk to flow

(Disclaimer- The updated 2022 clinical guidelines from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) published in May 2022 now assert that mastitis should be considered “a spectrum of conditions”, ranging from oversupply (hyperlactation) to inflammation, bacterial infection and abscess. The new clinical protocol from ABM outlines several key changes that significantly shift what we thought we knew about the condition, namely that plugged ducts are more accurately described as “ductal narrowing,” that ice and other anti-inflammatory treatments should be used to manage mastitis instead of heat, and that extra pumping and other measures used to increase drain the breast will only hurt, not help.
⚠️*****This advice seems directed at nursing mothers experiencing mastitis, NOT exclusively pumping mothers with incorrectly emptied breasts, and does not account for the additional reasons pumping mothers get clogs. (actually, they advise against pumping- obviously not going to work for exclusively pumping mommas, right?)⚠️Though they changed the verbiage and don’t use “clogged ducts” anymore, I believe that clogs are real and my advice has been proven to work to relieve clogs in my clinical practice.)

Pump Momma Pump’s advice for treating clogged ducts

*My advice is for pumping mothers who have discovered, after a pumping session, that part of the breast has not emptied and has remained hard and full of milk.* This often occurs due to incorrectly sized or off-centered flanges. If this happens frequently, please look into getting sized for a correctly fitting flange and use a quality pump that you respond well to.

So what if you discover a clog?
😖Try to clear it ASAP, as it can develop into mastitis if left untreated
😖I find that a slow squeeze of a manual pump works extremely well, especially if you purposefully off-center the flange toward the clogged area
😖Take an anti-inflammatory medication Like advil
😖Soak the affected breast into a bowl of warm epsom salt water before pumping
😖Pump on all fours, called “dangle pumping”
😖Use vibration between your nipple and the hardened area of the breast before pumping
😖Gently massage the breast away from the nipple toward the chest wall- look up “therapeutic breast massage” on youtube to see examples of this
😖You can try latching baby (or your partner, honestly) to clear the clog

Let’s sum this up with some DOs and DONTs:

👍DO– Apply ice and take an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication.
DO– Soak the breast in warm epsom salt or a warm shower before pumping.
DO PUMP! (Obviously!) I suggest using my advice for unclogging using a manual pump, found in my Manual Pump highlight.

OPTIONAL– Apply gently vibration between the nipple and the clog, but this wouldn’t be my first suggestion. Look up “therapeutic breast massage” and gently do that. Dangle-pump. Latch if you can/want to (baby or partner, honestly)

👎DON’T– Apply heat, vibration, and harsh massage directly to the clogged area of the breast.

💡 MOST IMPORTANTLY– Work with a lactation professional to figure out why you keep getting clogged ducts- could be as easy as a flange-sizing issue!

When to see a doctor

You are free to contact your healthcare provider at any point- open communication about your body and your health is encouraged. PLEASE call your doctor if:

You develop a fever (could be Mastitis and your doctor may prescribe antibiotics)
Abscess forms and needs care (Symptoms can include pain to the touch, warmth in the affected area, a breast lump, nipple discharge, and fever and flu-like symptoms.)
You need help removing a bleb on the tip of your nipple
The clog remains unressolved for multiple days (The doctor may be able to relieve it with therapeutic ultrasound)

Prevention is so important!

I have found, in my own clinical practice, that exclusive pumping mommas usually develop clogs for the following reasons (some of which may be unique to pumping mommas as opposed to nursing mommas)

Flanges that are too large
Flanges that become off-centered while pumping
Pump that inadequately empties the breast
Not replacing your valves regularly, which reduces suction power of pump
Skipped pumping sessions (milk left in the breast for much longer than you are used to)
Prolonged pressure on the breast (sleeping on your side/stomach, extra tight underwire bras)

Category: Top Tips

Multitasking While Pumping