Breastfeeding and Pumping Tips
Breastfeeding & Pumping Tips for a Smoother Journey
At Tiny Bloom, we believe every mum deserves to feel confident and supported on her feeding journey. Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, or doing a combination of both, these tips can help you feel more comfortable and get the most from every session. As a Mum of 3 girls, I didn't have a great breast feeding journey so understand the struggles. The first daughter, I ran out of milk after 10 days, Second daughter, could feed but didn't have a supportive midwife to coach me along the way and gave up after 3 weeks, and the last one, had a great midwife who helped and encouraged me to take one week at a time and we lasted for 8 months. So I can appreciate the journey you set out to ideally have, may not be the one you end up with. So here are a few of my tips to help you get through. Here for any other advice, though not a professional, if you want a chat.
Breastfeeding
-
Create a calm space – Relaxation triggers oxytocin, which helps with milk let-down.
-
Check the latch – Baby’s mouth should cover both the nipple and areola for effective milk transfer.
-
Try different positions – Side-lying, cradle, or football hold — find what works for you and your baby.
-
Give yourself grace – It’s a skill for both mum and baby, and practice makes progress.
-
Reach out for support – Lactation consultants and peer groups can offer reassurance and solutions.
Pumping
-
Choose the right pump – From compact wearable pumps to hospital-grade, pick what fits your needs. Appreciate this is easier said than done, as you can't really test any before buy but checking reviews of other mums is a good idea.
-
Get the right flange fit – The shield should fit comfortably to avoid discomfort and improve milk flow. Most pumps comes with a set size flange, but it is important to measure your nipple to make sure you have the right nipple inserts if required. We have included in our store, a measuring card and information about this on how to measure your nipple properly in the photos section. link below
-
Massage before and during – Helps stimulate let-down and increase output. You can also use a warm flannel to assist with this.
-
Mimic natural feeding – Two-phase expression technology can encourage a faster let-down.
-
Stay hands-free – A pumping bra can free you up to relax or multitask.
Extra Boosters
-
Hydrate often – Milk production relies on good fluid intake. There are a few products on the market you can add to your water to help with keeping hydrated if you don't directly like the taste of water.
-
Manage stress – Deep breathing, music, or a warm drink can help.
-
Rest when possible – Even short naps can make a difference. (I know easier said than done, when you are looking at the pile of washing, or dishes, but trust me they will still be there when you wake up)
-
Check medications – Always confirm they’re safe while breastfeeding.
-
Store milk safely – Label with date and time, and follow safe storage guidelines. We have a couple of options for milk storage in store. Also when using again, it is best to let the milk thaw from the freezer into the fridge and have the milk at room temp before placing it in your bottle warmer. It isn't recommended to microwave your milk as that can cause inconsistencies in the milk, and of course, use the wrist to test before feeding.
At every stage, remember: you’re doing an amazing job. 💛 Tiny Bloom is here with trusted products, expert-backed advice, and a community that understands.
https://tinybloom.co.nz/collections/breast-pump-parts-and-accessories
https://tinybloom.co.nz/pages/verified-reviews
