A Guide To Help a New Mom Have A Few Me-Minutes A Day
Breastfeeding was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. While everyone talks about the beauty of it and the strong bond it creates with your baby, a few people prepare you for the battle that comes with it. That is why I preferred to combine breastfeeding with formula, and pumping.
As a new mom, you find yourself not just caring for a newborn but also becoming their sole provider of nourishment.
In this post, I will leave you my own experience on how to breastfeed and pump effectively, and how to introduce formula at key moments to help you feel at ease, and in the end, happier. How to get your baby to achieve a feeding schedule, and, in the long run, how to get him to sleep all night.
Always remember that a happy mommy has happy strong healthy kids.
Once I understood this, I realized that to preserve my emotional well-being, I had to get a little help, and yes, Dad has a very important role in this (or whoever is helping), but I’m talking about pumping, and if needed formula.
First, you must know that each body and each baby is unique. Perhaps you produce (or will produce) an amazing amount of milk for your baby, but if you’re like me, every drop of breast milk will become an accomplishment.
Maybe you want to exclusively breastfeed your baby since everyone tells you that this is the right way and it’s best for your baby, and yes, it is excellent and has thousands of benefits, but that doesn’t mean that formula reverses all those benefits.
In the end, combining breastfeeding, pumping, and formula will help you to be less stressed, which means happier and more organized. At the end of this post, I’m giving you a sample schedule that you can use as a reference.
When To Start Pumping?
This answer depends on several factors, in my case, each of my children was different. With my son, who went to the NICU, I had to start pumping right away. I used the medela breast pump, which I found excellent, and continued to use it for months.
At first, the colostrum, or so-called liquid gold, will come out, and if you want to give it to your baby you can use a little syringe (without the needle obviously) to give it to her.
With my daughter, who is my second baby, I started pumping on day 3 and the milk began to come in on day 4.
So, when to start pumping may depend on your situation, in my case starting early was the best I could do, why? Whatever comes out of the pump session is gold for your baby and you can make sure she’s getting some milk. However, you can wait for your milk to come in and then start your sessions.
How To Start Pumping Breast Milk?
First, you need to define your goal. When it comes to pumping, you need to answer this question to yourself: why do I want to pump breast milk? Here are some of the goals (or reasons):
- Start a milk storage for when you return to work.
- Help yourself with day-to-day feeding.
- Being a mom that only pumps, no breastfeeding (which is OK)
- To relieve pressure, since your body produces a lot of milk.
- To donate it
- Any other reason
As you can see, you may have a few reasons why you want to pump, and each of them will make your schedule change a bit.
In my case, my goal was to help myself with day-to-day feeding. Breastfeeding exclusively, is a full-time job and commitment, however, some moms do it more easily, especially because they manage to produce a fair amount of milk… and that was so not my case.
Also, I think that a schedule for your baby from day 1 is essential. This will help you and your baby to relax and you will be more focused.
Starting with a schedule and commitment is vital. I am going to explain how I did it so you can take it as an example. It’s important you understand that this schedule must be something that suits your needs. Each family, each mom, and each baby are a whole different world. And to help you a bit, I’m going to leave you my schedule as a freebie at the end of this post.
Now, your breast pump should be the first item on your checklist. Consider having one (or maybe 2 or 3) that suits your needs (for example working mom, mom of more than one, SAHM, etc.). And the second item should be a super bottle of water, this will be your best friend (after your baby of course).
I suggest that, if possible, you have more than one pump, for example, a manual pump that you can take with you. You can also have a pump like The Elvie or Elvie Stride which is more discreet and hands-free. In my case, I use the electric and manual medela pumps and the Elvie stride.
Once you have chosen your breast pump and your super bottle of water, you can start these ways:
- Just after finishing a breastfeeding session. After your baby is finished, pump for about 10 to 15 minutes maximum (remember that you just breastfed). In any case, time is relative, because your body will let you know, and if you see that the milk is no longer coming out, it’s time to stop.
- After you have enough milk storage for a full feeding, then you can substitute breastfeeding for pumping. It’s very important that you do this because your body must understand the need for milk production that goes along with the need to feed your baby. It is at this moment when maybe Dad can help you feed the baby, and you can sit down for 20 to 30 minutes to pump.
If you have a pump like the Elvie Stride, imagine all you can do with this time!!! maybe grab something to eat, read, or just sit tight and watch Gilmore Girls. Because yes, it’s good that you have a little while to rest and clear your mind a bit. That’s why I loved mixing breastfeeding with pumping and formula.
I will talk about formula in a bit.
It’s critical that you stay consistent and committed to your pump schedule, along with your baby’s. Sometimes it will be difficult, sometimes you won’t want to do it, and sometimes you will think you don’t have the time, but just do it. Thinking of your baby and the benefit of doing it will pay you. Believe me!
On the other hand, if you are wondering if pumping decreases milk production, what I can tell you is that your baby’s suction is much stronger, however, the breast pump also generates a suction that makes your body understand the need to feed, therefore the need for production.
Ok, now it’s time to talk about formula.
In addition to breastfeeding and pumping, you can also supplement with formula. Many babies simply need more milk than our bodies produce, or you have to work, or just want to rest, or anything that you need, because everything that this new mom-life changes can be very overwhelming.
Supplementing with formula is not a crime and is not a reason to feel guilty. There will be those who look down on you, but no one really knows what you are going through as a new mom. Each mom has her own style, her own energy, her routine, and lifestyle, which is why formula may help to achieve the lifestyle you want, so you have nothing to worry about or be ashamed of.
With that said, let’s dig into more detail.
Supplementing Your Baby With Formula. How And When Should I Do It?
I think the benefits of breastfeeding are clear to us, but I am one of many moms who didn’t manage to produce enough breast milk, maybe because my baby eats a lot or is too hungry, or maybe we are simply extremely tired.
Being a new mom is something that changes our lives. Now we have much more to deal with, we are responsible for a whole new little human life!! You should find your comfort zone and a schedule that works for you and your family.
According to experts, it’s recommended to wait for 2 to 6 weeks to introduce formula, as your baby could get more used to the bottle and prefer the faster flow of milk. However, in my own experience, this was not the case. I was able to breastfeed and give my baby the bottle without any preferences.
So, to start supplementing your baby with formula you can do it in a few different ways.
For example, with my first son, every time we finished a session of breastfeeding, I immediately offered him 1oz of formula. Usually, he ate it, but sometimes he ate just a little.
You will ask yourself: Why not offer him 1oz of breast milk that you have storage? Answer: Your baby isn’t necessarily going to eat it, so throwing out breast milk? (Whaaaaat?) I don’t think so, unlike formula. Remember that once your baby touches the milk it will not be useful after 2 hours.
One of the big questions you’ll ask yourself from day 1 is how much did she/he eat? Did she/he eat enough? Is she/he all right? This is why offering 1oz after each breastfeeding is efficient. You will know if she wants more or not and be sure your baby is satisfied.
On the other hand, when they are in the first 2 to 3 months, they have middle-night feeding which is always around 3 a.m. I always did that with formula, well my husband did because at that time was when I could really rest. So, no breastfeeding nor pumping, just try to sleep. I let my body and mind rest.
Around that time, you should know that pumping is recommended because your prolactin levels are highest at night, so you’ll be taking advantage of the milk-making hormone. If you want to pump, do it. I decided to rest because for me the day was very exhausting. But later, around 5 to 6 a.m., my breast was so full of milk that, at that time, was the best breastfeeding session of the day, which was a very satisfying feeling. It was the only feeding I did not offer her 1oz since I was sure that he had enough.
If you’re a mom with always full breasts, then you won’t feel the need to give formula, that’s perfect.
In conclusion, you can start supplementing your baby in these ways:
- Offer 1oz after each breastfeeding session.
- Offer formula at middle-night feeding (around 3 am)
- Both
Why Did I Prefer To Give Formula At Middle-Night Feeding (Around 3 a.m.)?
According to my pediatrician, formula will fill your baby’s tummy a bit more, which may result in longer periods of sleep, play, and smiles.
This will help you little by little to achieve that much-needed routine for you and your baby. And when your baby is a little over two months old, you can consider eliminating that 3 a.m. feeding so that you both can sleep between 12 and 6 a.m…. victory!! I made it with my two children, I don’t see why you don’t. But remember, always consult this with your doctor.
Which Is The Best Formula For Babies?
The best formula will always be the one that your baby accepts best. For example, with my first baby, we realized that he is lactose intolerant, so I had to change his formula on day 5 to soy.
Formulas are always worth trying for at least 10 days, and if your baby feels fine, sleeps well, and has no symptoms of their poopy, then that formula is OK. As time goes by, you can continue observing, and if you think you should change it, you can always do so. Please always consult with your pediatrician about it.
Now, if you want a recommendation, the best formula for me is the Gerber SoothePro. Since it contains a probiotic that helps to digest better and therefore your baby will have less gas. (Although a baby will always have the possibility of colic and gas so, please remember to have a gas relief on hand).
This is the formula I’m giving to my baby daughter (9 months) and since day 1 she has been accepting it really well. The times that she has suffered from colic/gas I think it may be due to something I have eaten, so it was my breast milk, not the formula.
My son (yes, the lactose intolerant one) did not suffer from gas either because I think the soy formula was very smooth for his tummy.
Benefits Of Combining Breastfeeding, Pumping, And Formula
To me, the benefit of combining breastfeeding and pumping with formula boils down to:
- Peace of mind knowing my baby is eating what she needs.
- Achieve a schedule where you can feed her every 3 hours and not necessarily on demand. Which helps a lot with your day and your mind.
- Rest a little more and manage to have a few me-minutes a day.
- Start breast milk storage.
- Other people can feed my baby.
- Allowing my baby to learn how to drink from a bottle (yes, some babies never accept the bottle, and starting early help).
And To Finish…
- Yes you can start pumping as soon as you have your baby, but if you want, you can wait for your milk to come in.
- Yes you can supplement with formula early. It will help you have a few me-minutes a day, and please don’t feel guilty about it.
- It’s very helpful if you have a schedule. Here’s an example (this was mine, you can do whatever is best for you and your family).
- Remember this always: a happy mommy has happy and strong healthy kids.
Remember I said that I’m giving my baby’s feeding schedule as an example? Here it is.
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Hello, I'm Ana Cristina
This blog is meant to help new moms and dads start a more successful parenting life and answer most of the questions I’m sure you’ll have. You’re not alone. Hi, I’m Ana Cristina, mom of two: Maurizio & Isabella. We live in el calorcito de Miami and I’m sharing my great experience of being a SAHM to help you get through this wonderful (and sometimes chaotic, messy, and tired) journey.