Breast Pumping Tips

Breast pumping was not part of my original aesthetic as a first-time mom.

In my head, I had this calm, magical vision of motherhood… you know, peacefully feeding my baby, soft lighting, maybe a worship song playing in the background.

Instead, I got:

Emergency C-section recovery
A machine attached to my body every few hours
And me Googling, “why is this so hard??” at 3 AM

But despite all of that—I figured it out. Not perfectly, not gracefully… but faithfully.

So if you’re in the thick of it, confused, overwhelmed, or sitting there holding your pump like I once did—hi. I see you.

Here’s how I survived… and actually thrived.

Background:

I am a full-time breast pumping mom.

I chose not to learn how to breastfeed because after my emergency C-section… yeah, no. I could barely carry or hold my son without feeling like my entire abdomen was staging a protest. The surgical pain? 10/10. Movement? Optional, but highly discouraged by my body.

To make things better (yeah right), I did not have a good lactation consultant experience. The moment I said I changed my mind about breastfeeding, they basically said, “Cool, good luck!” handed me a bag of Medela pump parts… and disappeared. No instructions. No walkthrough. Just vibes.

So everything I know about pumping?
YouTube University. Reddit threads. Nursing school friends. A little bit of trial. A lot of error.

Oh—and my milk didn’t even come in until 8 days postpartum. Love that for me.

When I finally started pumping, I didn’t know:

You had to measure your nipples (yes, measure) to get the right flange size
Pumping bras existed (life-changing information, honestly)

So for a solid 1–3 days, while waiting for the right bras to come in, I was literally sitting there… holding the flanges to myself like a human milk machine. No hands. No freedom. Just me and my thoughts.

Also, important context: we had no real support system nearby. It was just my husband and me figuring things out in real time, sleep-deprived and slightly delusional.

Which brings me to a very important shoutout:

My husband?
Elite. Top tier. 5-star service.

This man became the primary pump part washer and sanitizer—and if you know, you know. That alone deserves an award, a trophy, and probably a steak dinner.

Truly could not have done this without him.

So yeah—this is where I started.

And somehow… I thrived.

#1: I accepted early that formula might be part of the story

Almost immediately, I made peace with the fact that I might not produce enough milk to feed my son 24/7.

I had read way too many stories of moms stressing themselves out trying to increase supply, and I knew I didn’t want to add that pressure on top of being a first-time mom.

So I decided: If I don’t make enough milk, we supplement. Period.

And honestly? We were already doing that. My milk didn’t come in until day 8, so my son had already been introduced to formula. No drama. No adjustment period. He said, “Food is food. I’m good.”

We were unintentionally set up to be combo feeders from the start—and that mindset saved me.

#2: I always had a can of formula

One of the best tips I read on Reddit was:

“Buy one can of formula even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed.”

Because when you are tired, sleep-deprived, overstimulated, and one inconvenience away from crying… the last thing you want is:

Not enough breast milk
AND no formula in the house

That’s a crisis I simply refused to experience.

#3: I shut down unsolicited opinions real quick

I kindly (and sometimes not-so-kindly, depending on the day) shut down anyone who had something to say about combo feeding.

Or pumping.

Apparently, some people feel very strongly that “straight from the boobie is best.”
(insert aggressive eye roll)

Listen—unless you are waking up for my midnight pumps, washing my pump parts, or funding my sanity… your opinion is not needed here.

Respectfully.

#4: I did NOT chase the freezer stash dream

You know the ones—those deep freezer videos on social media that look like a breast milk Costco?

Yeah… I opted out.

For my sanity, I decided:
I am not pumping to feed a freezer.
I am pumping to feed my son.

If I had enough milk for the day? Amazing. We’re winning. This one decision alone cut down so much stress about “increasing supply” and constantly feeling like I wasn’t doing enough.

#5: I stayed on schedule… mostly

I was about 80% consistent with my pumping schedule. Did I miss some midnight or 4 AM pumps? Absolutely. Did I beat myself up over it? Absolutely not.

Because sometimes, the extra sleep made me a better, more functional mom—and that matters more. The only thing I really watched out for was clogs. Other than that? Rest was always A+.

#6: Pumping gave me built-in help

One of the biggest perks of pumping? I didn’t have to be the only one feeding the baby. My husband could feed him. Family or friends visiting could feed him.

And as someone who felt needed 160% of the time… having that small break? Elite. Necessary. Beautiful.

#7: I stayed off social media (unless I was learning)

If I wasn’t actively looking up pumping tips, postpartum info, or parenting advice… I stayed off social media.

Because comparison? It will get you every time.

And I was not about to spiral because someone else had a freezer stash, a perfect latch, and a full face of makeup at 2 weeks postpartum.

Couldn’t be me. Won’t be me.

#8: I drank a butt ton of water

And when I thought I drank enough… I drank more. Hydration is not optional here.

Also, I basically survived off:

Fairlife protein shakes
Oatmeal

Simple. Effective. No thoughts required.

#9: Ibuprofen + ice packs = my holy grail

If I had a clogged duct? DO NOT reach for heat.
(I know. I was shocked too.)

Instead:

Ibuprofen around the clock
Ice packs
Pump as usual

Works. Every. Time.

#11: Have shows, movies, podcasts—something—lined up

Listen… you are going to be sitting there. A lot.

So do yourself a favor and queue up your entertainment in advance.

I had Netflix shows and movies ready to go like it was my full-time job. Because once you’re hooked up to the pump, the last thing you want to do is scroll for 20 minutes trying to decide what to watch. And when I didn’t feel like watching anything?
Podcasts and audiobooks carried me through.

I listened to COUNTLESS podcasts and audiobooks during this season. It honestly made the time feel productive—like, “wow, I’m learning, growing, and also… attached to a machine.”

Multitasking queen.

If there’s one thing I hope you take from this, it’s this: You don’t have to do this the “perfect” way to do it well.

Whether you:

Pump
Breastfeed
Formula feed
Or do a mix of everything

You are feeding your baby. You are showing up. You are doing something incredibly demanding—and you’re doing it with love.

That counts. That matters. That is enough.

And if your journey looks a little unconventional, a little scrappy, a little “learned this from Reddit at 2 AM”—welcome to the club. You’re in good company.

You’ve got this, mama 🤍