Being a mother is never easy, especially when you have to take care of a newborn and a hyperactive toddler at the same time. Having to feed the baby while chasing the older child will make the mother “explode” in exhaustion. In that situation, a breast pump is a lifesaver that helps mothers ensure a milk supply for their baby, be flexible in caring for the older child, and manage other tasks.
So, how to pump milk effectively when you don’t have a single moment of peace because the older child is still playing around? Below are practical tips to help mothers cope with the “double storm” in their small family.
How Do You Pump With a Toddler? Useful Tips
For mothers who must care for two children simultaneously, pumping milk can become an even more challenging task than ever. So, save the following tips to be able to manage pumping milk easily even when your toddler is “stirring up” at home.
Create a Realistic Combined Feeding Schedule
The first tip is to create a pumping and feeding schedule that fits the rhythm of both the baby and the older child. Combi feeding schedule will be the ideal suggestion. If you can breastfeed directly, pump and freeze milk, and let someone else help you feed with a bottle, breastfeeding will be much easier.
For example:
Morning: Breastfeed the newborn directly after waking up.
Noon: Pump while the older child naps or plays independently.
Evening: Use milk stored in a bottle for a relative to feed the baby, so you can take the time to rest or play with the older child.
The important thing is to be flexible and listen to your body. Every family will have a different rhythm of life, and every mother will have a different ability to pump milk. Therefore, do not be too rigid, you can flexibly adjust the combi feeding schedule to suit your own small family.
Choose the Right Breast Pump for Flexibility
A versatile, compact, and easy-to-use breast pump will help you pump milk anytime, anywhere, even when you are chasing your older baby. You can refer to the top recommended breast pumps in the UK to choose the right breast pump.
The advice is that you should choose a high-quality electric breast pump that is compact and easy to use. The breast pump should have a variety of suction speeds and the ability to gently massage to stimulate the milk glands better. You should also choose a hands-free pump so that you can take advantage of the time to play with your older baby or do other things. Cordless breast pumps also typically have longer battery life, making them suitable for longer and more frequent pumping sessions.
Master Pumping While Multitasking
The next survival tip you need to know is to learn how to pump while you are doing other things. You can combine pumping with feeding your older child, reading a story, or sitting next to your baby while he or she is playing. Take advantage of any free time to pump, even if it is only for a short time. Because a short pumping session is better than no pumping at all.
Taking advantage of the time to pump will help you be more flexible while still ensuring adequate nutrition for your baby. You should use a hands-free pumping bra to move freely or do light work while pumping. In addition, you can also prepare a safe “pumping corner” where you can observe your older child and still ensure effective pumping.
Store Milk Efficiently with the Right Milk Bags
Besides breast pumps, you also have to prepare proper milk bags. Milk storage bags will allow you to store breast milk safely and utilize freezer space effectively. You should choose the best-quality milk storage bags that can be dated with the date of milk storage and that can be stacked together in the freezer. Remember to label the date of pumping to use the correct order of “first in, first out”.
Find the Best Bottles for Bottle Feeding Your Baby
Last but not least, choose the best bottles for bottle feeding. You will need the best bottles to let your baby’s family feed while you are busy with your older child.
If you are looking for a bottle to feed your baby outside of breastfeeding hours, you can refer to the UK’s top baby bottles for breastfeeding. These high-quality bottles usually have soft, gum-friendly nipples that closely resemble the mother’s nipple to make sipping for your baby very easy. Best bottles usually also feature an anti-colic system inside and are designed ergonomically to be comfortable in both the mother’s and baby’s hands.
Don’t forget to consider the ease of cleaning and sterilization when choosing a bottle for your baby! Choosing the right bottle will make it easier for your baby to accept and create conditions for your family to replace you when needed.
Self-Care Tips for Pumping Moms with Toddlers
Caring for a newborn and a toddler can be overwhelming. In all the hustle and bustle, don’t forget to take care of yourself. This is the stage where your body is gradually recovering from giving birth, so focus on proper nutrition and rest.
Stay hydrated and nourished
Drink lots of water and eat enough nutrients to have an abundant milk supply for your baby. Eating well also helps you avoid the “exhaustion” of having to handle two “storms” at the same time in the house.
Ask for help
Do not hesitate to ask your relative or partner for help when you are in need. It is difficult taking care of two children on your own, so you may ask your relative to take care of the older one, do the cleaning, cook, or bottle feed.
Be kind to yourself
Finally, be kind to yourself. It’s okay to miss a pumping session or let your older baby play an extra 10 minutes on the iPad. You’re doing great, so listen to your body and adjust your pace.
Final Words
Being a mother of two babies of different ages is a challenging “marathon”. You will have to compete with pumping milk for the younger baby and playing with the older baby. But don’t worry too much, with the right preparation, flexible schedule, and suitable support tools such as a breast pump or milk storage bags, you can win this race. Remember that you are not alone, and every drop of milk you pump is a testament to a mother’s resilience. Wishing you a smooth and joyful parenting journey!
