Ask a Baby Blogger: Will It Be Easier to Pump the Second Time Around?

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

19 Mar 2008 03:03 AM

Question: With baby #2 do most women who weren't able to pump much the first time around have better luck with the 2nd one?

This question actually comes from the forums, and I promised I'd answer. I wish that I could shout a resounding yes on this, but honestly I can't. Success in pumping has everything to do with how the relationship is managed but it also has to do with other factors that mom simply cannot control.

Why Pumps Are Ineffective

So why is it exactly that you can breastfeed a fat, chunky baby--yet only produce a few ounces of milk? To put it simply, your body is designed to respond to your baby. Many women talk about being able to pump more when they are near their babies or if they have a picture of them nearby. Sometimes, even thinking of your baby is enough to do the trick. But hormones that encourage let down are triggered by your baby.

Secondly, a plentiful milk supply is dependent on how effectively your baby removes milk. Babies, in general, are very efficient at removing milk and pumps just don't do quite as good of a job. So when you're pumping, you're essentially telling your body that it has to produce less milk.

Getting More Out of Pumping

So are you doomed to only pump 2 oz. forever and ever despite how much your child is getting? No--not necessarily. Pumping can be easier the second time around simply because not everything is new to you. You're a little bit more confident in breastfeeding and a little bit more 'together' on the mom front. While it is true that your baby will always get more milk through breastfeeding (assuming a 'normal' breastfeeding relationship), it doesn't mean necessarily that you will not be able to pump more next time.

Check out my next blog for some tips on how to manage a pumping relationship.

Other Articles on Expressing Milk:

Is Pumping the Right Answer?

Storing and Using Frozen Breastmilk

Choosing a Breast Pump

The Breast Milk Haves and Have Nots

Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.

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Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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