Breastfeeding is something all mothers desire. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for newborns, and no other type of milk can replace it. However, not all mothers have enough milk for their babies, or for some reason, the amount of milk gradually decreases, leaving the baby without enough milk.
How to Effectively Increase Milk Supply with a Breast Pump
A millennial mom, Ngoc Lan (from Xuan Phuong, Hanoi), shared that many mothers fear using a breast pump will decrease their milk supply, but for her, pumping helped her produce enough milk for her baby. She also shared the method she used successfully to increase her milk supply.
Ngoc Lan experienced a stressful period after being sick and hospitalized for a week. After being discharged, her milk supply gradually decreased, and she didn’t have enough milk for her baby. After researching online, she learned about increasing milk supply with a breast pump and succeeded, making her very happy and wanting to share her experience with other mothers. Below is Ngoc Lan’s method for increasing milk supply.
➜ Pump every 2-3 hours. Don’t wait longer than 3 hours, as this isn’t good.
➜ If the baby wants to feed during pumping time, pump the other breast. Otherwise, pump as usual.
➜ If the baby wants to feed right after pumping, you can give the baby the freshly pumped milk.
➜ Before pumping, drink a cup of warm milk or warm water.
➜ Gently massage the breasts to stimulate milk production.
➜ Apply a warm, wet washcloth to the breasts for a warm compress to help milk flow.
➜ Turn on the breast pump. First, use the massage mode for about 2 minutes, then switch to the pumping mode.
➜ If you don’t see milk coming out, switch back to the massage mode, then back to the pumping mode. Repeat this for a few minutes to stimulate milk flow.
➜ For a single pump, pump for about 40 minutes, 20 minutes on each side. For convenience, use a double pump for about 20 minutes to save half the time.
☘ Be persistent and pump according to the schedule, 8-10 times a day, every 2-3 hours. This is very important; if you don’t follow it, the chance of success is very low. If you are too tired at night, you can skip the nighttime pumping to maintain your health. After successfully increasing your milk supply, you can extend the pumping intervals to about 4-5 hours to maintain it.
➜ After pumping, wipe the nipples clean to prevent milk residue from drying.
☕ While pumping, you can listen to music, eat, play with your baby, or talk on the phone. Consider buying a hands-free pumping bra, which is very convenient; you can do everything from using the computer to doing housework while pumping.
✤ In addition to using a breast pump, you should also breastfeed your baby as much as possible.
Things to Keep in Mind When Increasing Milk Supply
Mental Preparation
This is extremely important, a key factor. It requires the mother to have a relaxed mindset, as stress can decrease milk supply. Increasing milk supply will take a long time; you need to be persistent and determined not to give up.
You must truly believe that you can do it and avoid depression or stress. Try to relax and let your body loose. Many mothers have succeeded, but many have also failed.
Diet
– Eat regularly, and if possible, consume foods that promote lactation. Don’t be afraid of gaining weight or dieting; you need to eat enough nutrients for both the quality and quantity of your milk supply.
– Drink plenty of water daily, 3-4 liters if possible. Lactation-boosting drinks include che vang tea, ngũ cốc (multi-grain drink), brown rice water, etc.
See also: Lactation-boosting drinks for mothers
Choosing a Breast Pump
Choosing the right breast pump plays a crucial role in successfully increasing milk supply. To stimulate milk production, you should choose an electric breast pump, not a manual one, as the suction of a manual pump isn’t strong enough.
Currently, there are single and double electric breast pumps on the market. Prices vary; brands like Unimom, Spectra, Mamago, and Avent range from 1.5 to 3 million VND, while Medela is the most expensive, from 4 to 9 million VND. Choose a pump that suits your budget and circumstances. If you have a limited budget, you can choose affordable models; if you have more resources, choose high-end products like Medela.
Top 4 Breast Pumps for Increasing Milk Supply
Below are 4 good breast pumps with strong suction power, categorized into different price segments. Choose a gentle pump that mimics a baby’s sucking rhythm to make increasing milk supply easier.
Unimom Forte Breast Pump
The Unimom double breast pump, a well-known Korean brand, is reasonably priced. It’s a relatively good pump chosen by many mothers.
– Powerful motor for faster and deeper suction without causing breast pain.
– Simultaneous pumping and massage mode stimulates milk ducts for greater milk production.
– Multiple suction modes to suit different bodies
– Mimics the natural sucking rhythm of a newborn
– Double pumping saves time
– Quiet motor operation, no milk backflow into the pump
>> See more: Unimom pump models here: https://www.kidsplaza.vn/may-hut-sua-unimom.html
Spectra S9 Breast Pump
The Spectra breast pump has an extremely compact design, like a cell phone. It provides gentle suction even at the highest setting.
– This pump has 5 massage modes and 10 suction modes that are easily adjustable.
– The LED screen displays technical parameters for an overview.
– Two-phase expression technology closely mimics a baby’s natural sucking process, including “massage stimulation” and “milk expression” modes.
– The motor is very quiet during operation, providing a peaceful environment for both mother and baby.
Medela Freestyle Breast Pump
The Medela Freestyle is Medela’s most advanced pump. With strong, fast, and durable suction, it also comes with a cooling ice pack for convenience. It uses 2-Phase Expression technology with a massage function to stimulate milk production. This is followed by a regular suck-release-rest cycle that mimics a baby’s sucking pattern.
Advantages:
– Compact and portable design, convenient for mothers who travel frequently
– The motor has an LED screen that displays parameters like suction strength and pumping time, and it has a memory function.
– Double electric pumping saves time and is faster.
– The Freestyle’s valve system is more secure and prevents milk choking, unlike the Swing.
– The motor can be worn on the hip, and the collection bottles are lightweight and easy to use. You can attach the breast shields directly to your breasts, and they won’t fall off even if you let go while pumping.
Disadvantages: Relatively high price. The loudest motor.
Medela Swing Maxi Breast Pump
The Medela Swing Maxi is an upgraded version of the Swing, designed for double pumping to save time and increase milk production quickly and efficiently. You can use it for daily pumping, frequent pumping, and to increase milk supply. It also effectively helps with clogged milk ducts.
Advantages:
– Two collection bottles allow for simultaneous double pumping, saving time and increasing convenience.
– Unique design allows for pumping in any position, such as reclining, sitting upright, or leaning, without needing to lean forward like other pumps.
– You can pump one side or both sides simultaneously without affecting milk volume.
– Easily switch between stimulation and expression phases with a single button.
– Simple, compact design, easy to travel with.
Disadvantages:
– Slightly higher price compared to other models.
