Does Pumping Ever Get Easier? (Tips from 10 Moms)

If you are a new mom and pumping for your newborn, you may be wondering if pumping will every get any easier. It can feel exhausting as a new mom balancing all of your new responsibilities. One of my followers asked this question and I can completely relate to it.

“Does pumping ever get any easier? I produce enough and sometimes a teeny bit more, so it’s not really that…but I’m EXHAUSTED like absolutely dragging every day. I have to go back to work soon and my baby doesn’t sleep the greatest so I’m nervous how that is going to go. I plan to pump for a year, but I think about quitting every single day. I’m torn because I want to do what is best for my baby. She is 2 months old. So does it get easier or am I going to be a zombie for 8 more months?”

Here is some feedback I have for this mom. I also have some advice I’ve gathered from 10 other moms who are all exclusively pumping for their newborns.

A Few Helpful Tips

It is completely normal to feel this way, and I definitely felt like this especially after my first was born. It was a big shift to go from worrying about only my needs to then also be in charge of an infant.

There are so many things to learn and I didn’t feel fully prepared. Being in the middle of the newborn stage felt overwhelming. 

Plus, add the complexity of lack of sleep, learning to pump, learning about milk supply, and it was all very overwhelming.

After your supply has regulated (around 8 – 10 weeks), you can try experimenting with dropping pumping sessions. This will give you a bit of free time back in your day.

Another thing that is very useful is to look into making your pumping sessions portable. There are a few different ways that you can do this depending on your budget. 

1. You can look into the Willow or Elvie pump
2. Try using milk collection cups instead of flanges. 
3. A battery-powered pump is so amazing compared to one where you need to be plugged into a wall. You can get a battery powered pump, or use this hack for a Spectra S2.

One tip I heard over and over which was helpful to keep me going was to never quit on a bad day. Set mini goals for yourself.

For example, I’d say, I am going to make it pumping until my baby is 12 weeks old and then I will re-evaluate. Then at 12 weeks, I would make another mini goal to make it 4 more weeks.

The first few months postpartum are the most difficult and eventually I made it a full year exclusively pumping with my firstborn.

Other Helpful Feedback From Real Moms

Here is the advice this mom received from 10 other pumping moms. There are a lot of good tips and encouragement for this new mom.

Mom 1: Look for your Magic Number

Once my supply was regulated, I was able to cut down to 4 pumps per day and cut out the MOTN (middle of the night) pump completely. I do have an oversupply though.

Find your magic number and that will tell you how many pumps per day you can withstand to maintain your supply.

Mom 2: Figure Out Your Pumping System

It gets easier. You eventually find a system that works for you, your supply regulates so you can go for longer without pumping. I’m 5 months post partum and at 5 to 6 pumps per day, without a middle of the night pump.

A huge game changer for me was getting a Zomee Z2, and now a Baby Buddha, and pairing it with collection cups instead of traditional flanges and shields.

This helped me to be able to move around and actually do things including taking care of my baby while still getting the strength of a primary pump.

Some people get less with collection cups, but for me I actually produce more because i’m not sitting around stressing. Like i said, you will find a system that works for you and that makes pumping a bit more bearable.

Mom 3: It Won’t Always Feel This Tough

It absolutely gets easier! 2 months old is still completely in the trenches with sleep, newborn needs, postpartum healing, etc.

I was pumping 10 times per day until 4 months postpartum, running on 2 to 3 hours of sleep a night. It was brutal.

I’m 8 months postpartum now, pumping 6 times per day with an established over supply, and I’m about to drop another pump. Baby sleeps through the night and can play independently now which also makes pumping MUCH easier.

I’m also further away from birth and feel more like myself. I’d also say it is 80% easier than it was at 2 months postpartum and I think I will be able to make it to my 12 month goal. 

Mom 4: Don’t Quit Pumping On A Bad Day

So honestly i won’t say it gets easier but i feel like I’ve figured out my schedule and routine. I’m currently 9 months postpartum.

I feel like at 4 months I figured out my flow of it all washing, bagging, freezer organization, packing pump things to go. Is it annoying and exhausting at times? Yes!

But one thing i learned was don’t quit on a bad day. Give yourself some grace and a wearable pump is a game changer after you regulate.

Mom 5: Make Sure You Are Eating Enough

Make sure you get enough calories! I wasn’t eating enough and was exhausted all the time. I’m still not exactly regulated but i’m not “fall asleep while pumping” tired for the most part.

You can also read more about how many calories you need to maintain your milk supply in this article.

Mom 6: Pumping Was Worth It Because My Baby Didn’t Get Sick

I don’t feel like it gets easier but I did get used to it. You will find your routine and then it just kind of becomes like you are on autopilot.

One magical day after you regulate, you will be able to experiment with dropping pumps and then it will get even better. For me I lost a little (5 ounces) dropping that middle of the night pump but for me I can still produce enough for baby, so the sleep was worth it.

Also maybe it is placebo effect or hindsight but my first kid was formula fed and he was sick every other week from day care. This pumpling hasn’t been home sick once since starting in January so that is keeping me going.

Mom 7: A Schedule Makes Life Easier

I will say it, pumping is a chore no matter how you slice it. However, once you get a schedule down and figure out what works best for you, your baby, and schedule it does become easier.

You can read more all about exclusive pumping schedules here.

Mom 8: Pumping Accessories Will Make Your Life Easier

I promise you, it gets easier! The beginning stages where you are figuring it out is the hardest. You’ll get into a routine and you will regulate.

A few things that helped me were portable battery pumps. They were the reason I pumped for 13 months. Also the Ceres chill was a life saver.

Pumping is tiring but it definitely gets easier as it goes on!!! Sending you hugs!  You are valid in your feelings, you’re doing all the right things, and you aren’t alone!

Mom 9: It Gets Easier At 6 Pumps Per Day

3 months postpartum was when I really hit my stride, and also when I dropped down to 6 pumps per day which felt more manageable.

I had a rough time in the beginning but it has been going pretty well since then.

Mom 10: Supplementing With Formula Helped Me Build A Stash

I’m the same as you, 2 months in and talk about quitting every day. I’ve found doing smaller bottles and topping up with a bit of formula has helped me build up a stash. It has taken the pressure off.

Also I have 3 sets of pumps so I can leave them to dry by themselves after I was. I also reuse the same pump flanges 3 times by storing them in the fridge between pumps…small wins to make it all less draining.

Read Next

What Is The Fastest Way to Clean Breast Pump Parts?

When Can I Stop Pumping Every 3 Hours (What Happened to My Milk Supply)

Resources

https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/breastfeeding/pumping-breast-milk.html

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