Common Questions and Answers for Breastfeeding and Expressing Breast Milk Using a Breast Pump

 How I store breastmilk when I am away from home?

It is important to store your freshly pumped breast milk properly.  Some models of breast pumps come with a cooler and ice pack, making it easy to store your breast milk.  If the breast pump doesn’t have a cooler and ice pack, then you should purchase one separately if you can’t store the milk properly while away from your baby or home.  Freshly expressed breast milk can safely sit out at room temperature for around 4 hours (at 66 to 72 degrees).

 Do I need to purchase additional breast pump parts and accessories?

Many mothers find it beneficial to keep extra breast pump parts and accessories on hand, such as valves, membranes, and tubing.   Also, some mothers purchase additional parts to have a spare set of parts to leave at work, swap out at home, or keep them in their breast pump bag.  Having a spare set will keep you from having to wash your breast pump parts immediately after each use for the next pump session.

 How often should I pump?

You should pump whenever your baby would eat.  Ideally, you should be pumping every 2 to 3 hours to maintain your supply.

Do I need to wear a nursing bra?

It is important to wear a bra that fits your breasts properly.  Nursing bras often allow you to continue to wear your bra while you breastfeed.  Nursing bras are designed with a flap that unsnaps so that your nipple is exposed so that you can feed your baby easily.

Do you recommend sleeping in a nursing bra?

When a mom breastfeeds her baby, she will need to wear a bra or nursing cami at night so that she can place nursing pads on the breast to prevent milk from leaking.

Are Nursing Pads Necessary?

Yes, when a mother is breastfeeding her baby it is natural for her breasts to leak.  Wearing breasts pads helps protect her clothes from being stained or from becoming wet from leaking milk.  Find out what type of breast pads are available: disposable vs reusable nursing pads.

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Originally written on July 12, 2012.

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