Can a breast pump maintain milk supply? Why is it not recommended to use a breast pump to maintain milk supply?

We all know that breast pumps are a common maternal and infant product. Many postpartum mothers often use breast pumps. They can suck out the milk in the breasts and help the milk to be discharged. They are very popular among mothers. So can you maintain your milk supply by using a breast pump alone? Let's take a closer look!

Can I maintain my milk supply by just pumping?

Although a breast pump can maintain the mother's milk supply to a certain extent, if used improperly it may cause milk blockage and milk engorgement. Therefore, the best way is to breast pump and breastfeed at the same time.

It is recommended that if conditions permit, if you want to maintain milk supply, you should let your baby suck as much as possible. Although a breast pump can suck out milk, it cannot completely replace the baby's sucking to maintain the milk supply of pregnant women. Therefore, we believe that the best way to maintain milk supply is to use a breast pump and baby sucking together.

Why is it not recommended to use a breast pump to maintain milk supply?

First of all, it is clear that as mentioned above, a breast pump can help mothers to unclog the mammary glands. So a breast pump actually does play a certain role in maintaining milk supply, but it is not recommended to rely solely on a breast pump to maintain milk supply.

When mothers use a breast pump, it is very easy for the milk to not be completely emptied from the breasts. Over time, this will cause the milk ducts to be blocked, and slowly milk engorgement and blockage will occur. If it lasts for a long time, it may also lead to mastitis.

How to maintain milk supply in a healthy way

If you want to simply use a breast pump to maintain milk supply, then we also need to use a "magic weapon" - our baby. Although sometimes the baby may bite the nipple or hurt it, the baby is really the absolute nemesis of milk blockage and milk swelling.

When the baby is breastfeeding, you can let the baby suck the areola together. This will better unblock the blood flow in the mother's mammary glands and can also effectively relieve the pain caused to the mother when the baby is sucking milk.

What are the advantages of a breast pump?

It can prevent mothers from suffering pain from their nipples being sucked and bitten by their babies.

Some mothers may have their nipples cracked and inflamed and infected due to the baby's strong suction force when breastfeeding. The advantage of a breast pump is that it can avoid the pain and cracking caused by the baby sucking on the mother's nipples.

Allows baby to drink hind milk

As we all know, newborn babies usually have a small appetite. They may feel full after drinking only a few sips of milk. Most of what they drink is the less nutritious foremilk, and they basically cannot drink the nutritious hindmilk. Breast pumps are different. Mothers can use breast pumps to store the more nutritious hindmilk and give it to their babies next time.

Help mothers to dredge breasts and produce milk as soon as possible

A breast pump can also help mothers to clear their mammary glands and produce milk as soon as possible without having to worry about not being able to produce milk and having to feed their babies with formula.