Q/A: Fenuboost + Exclusive Pumping Institute
What is Exclusive Pumping AND Why do People do it?
THE EXCLUSIVE PUMPING INSTITUTE
Exclusive pumping is a method to feed an infant from exclusively expressing milk via a breast pump. It is often selected to provide breast milk due to an inability to directly latch baby to breast, and an alternative to feeding an infant formula. Please note, if you are currently facing any breastfeeding difficulties, the best place to start is with the help of your local breastfeeding unit or with the assistance of an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). This article is not intended to treat any current medical or nursing difficulty you may be experiencing. It is simply provided as a source of information about exclusive pumping.
Being able to provide an infant with breastmilk is the ultimate goal of an exclusive pumping (EP) individual. Many EP individuals typically want to nurse their infants, but after working with lactation nurses or lactation consultants, sometimes it becomes necessary to exclusively pump to meet the goal to provide children with their own milk, as it is the optimal source of nutrition for infants. Choosing to exclusively pump is not one that EP individuals choose lightly. A lot of thought goes into how you are going to feed your baby when you are expecting. Sometimes, people know that they are going to formula feed. Formula is the only recommended substitute to breast milk for the first year of life. Some choose to nurse their baby. Some individuals also choose to exclusively pump prior to a baby’s birth.
Q. Dr. Ashton, why would some individuals choose to exclusively pump prior to birth?
A. Some individuals find that breasts are sexual in nature, and choose not to have their baby latch to the breast because they are uncomfortable with nursing their own children. While there is literature out there that suggests that sexual abuse survivors adapt very well to nursing, it is my personal belief that occasionally, previous sexual trauma may have the potential to avoid wanting one’s infant to latch at breast. This may lead to a want to exclusively pump for infants. Another reason to exclusively pump is the belief in equality with one’s partner in feeding the infant. Allowing the non-lactating partner an equal opportunity to bond with the baby can be important in some family settings.
Q. Dr. Ashton, why do some individuals who choose to nurse end up exclusively pumping?
A. There are a variety of reasons why people choose to exclusively pump after attempting to nurse their infants. In fact, this is often the route that is taken by most exclusive pumpers. I will mention a few main ones. A common situation is when a lactating person finds themselves working with their lactation consultants for weeks/months and they are unable to fully nurse 24/7. This could be due to low milk supply, where the baby has lost weight after discharge from the hospital, or issues that cannot be resolved due to the baby’s oral cavity. Due to these issues, it may be preventing the lactating individual and baby from having an ideal nursing situation with a bad latch and less milk transfer. Some individuals will then attempt to triple feed (nursing, followed by feeding the baby a bottle, followed by pumping), where it can become quite overwhelming when it extends over long periods. In my personal experience with triple feeding my first child, this feeding style played a significant role on my mental health for 6 months while I tried to meet the 6 months of breastmilk expectation. Some individuals that wanted to nurse their infants never had the chance. Often this is caused by cleft palate, where the baby is unable to provide a seal around the breast and transfer milk. Knowing the benefits of breastmilk, a parent might choose to exclusively pump milk for their baby.
Q. Dr. Ashton, why would individuals who choose to formula feed end up exclusively pumping?
A. Occasionally, some parents who have chosen to formula feed may have not considered exclusively pumping while expecting. Lack of knowledge on how to exclusively pump, or even knowing it is an option between formula and nursing is common. Some individuals are genuinely uncomfortable with the thought of a baby at breast and leads them to believe that formula is the only option. However, using a breast pump can act as a method to get the milk out, and can be a sigh of relief for some parents. In other situations, intolerance to formula can occur, where a parent chooses to exclusively pump as an alternative to formula.
As you can see, there are many situations that a parent may come to exclusively pump for their infants. Many people believe that exclusive pumping is an “easy way out.” I can assure you that this feeding choice can often be an isolating one. Many health providers and lactation professionals are not all trained to help exclusive pumpers with their needs to provide expressed milk for their babies 24/7. More support and training are truly needed among exclusive pumpers.
Q. Dr. Ashton, what’s the most important tip for exclusive pumpers?
A. There are many articles out there that can cover the basics of exclusively pumping if this is something you are considering as your feeding outcome for your infant. I believe the #1 most important piece is ensuring that you have the right size breast flange. The flange that comes with your breast pump is often not the right size for you. Just like clothes and shoes, there are many different sizes of nipples. Pumping with the wrong flange size could be causing you unnecessary pain and less milk removal. At the Exclusive Pumping Institute, I provide this service to help you achieve your exclusive pumping goals, as well as to any nursing parent, who finds themselves in pain when they pump while away from their baby.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out at ashton@exclusivepumpinginstitute.com
Ashton Fortin Higgins, PhD, is the Founder and Educator at the Exclusive Pumping Institute.