In honor of 2008’s World Breastfeeding Week, we have interviewed a variety of moms that have gone the extra mile of pumping for their children. This is Christina’s story.

Christina had always planned on pumping because she was going to return to work eventually, but the hospital threw her a curve ball by talking her into using formula and bottles for the first few days until her milk came in. She has battled with latch issues as a result and uses nipple shields to encourage her daughter to nurse. Despite her early troubles she’s doing great and has a very supportive husband and workplace that are helping her succeed.

What made you decide to pump?

In the beginning, latch problems… then daddy insisted I get some sleep so we did one bottle at night. then I went back to work so it wasn’t an option not to!

What breast pump(s) did you use?

I rented the Ameda hospital-grade pump, and then purchased the Lansinoh double electric to use at work when I had to go back when my daughter was 9 weeks old.

What caused you to switch from pump to pump?

I kept the hospital-grade rental pump at home and schlepped the smaller personal one to and from work

Which pump was the most convenient, and why?

The smaller Lansinoh was more convenient because of its size and portability, and the Ameda was (ONLY SLIGHTLY) more efficient, so they were convenient for different reasons.

If you were to have a conversation with a mom today that was about to pump what advice would you have for her?

Don’t get discouraged, in the beginning you hardly get anything! but it gets much much better with practice

Did you have any experiences of nipple confusion, bottle preferance, etc. while combining bottle and breastfeeding? How did you cope with it?

I had every issue imaginable, beginning at 2 days old with bottle preference largely due to the hospital staff. I ended up using nipple shields to make my breast seem more like bottles for my daughter (heartbreaking, right?) and then I stopped beating myself up about it and surrendered to the fact that this is what works for us and the most important thing is that she is getting breastmilk. It’s not about me or my feelings that she is rejecting me. she’s too little to plot something like that!

What issues did you run into with pumping? How did you overcome them?

None, actually!

How would you describe your support system, and how did they help or discourage you from achieving your goal?

Everyone has been very very supportive and that helps. My hubby even washes all the pump parts (and nipple shields) several times a day for me! At work I am lucky enough to work as a manager for a chain of all women’s health clubs. my supervisor nursed all of her kids and affectionately refers to me as “Moo”. Not only that, but there are a lot of members at the club that give me thumbs-up and encouragement when I am washing pump parts after pumping! My workplace is wonderfully supportive and allowed me to change positions to accommodate a better schedule. I stay home with my daughter once a week and work some non-traditional hours so that we don’t have to put her in daycare.

What was your original intention for feeding your child?

Exactly what we’re doing but I never had any intention of using a nipple shields.

How did pumping influence your goals?

It was always part of the plan, as my husband wanted to be involved and I was going to return to work eventually.

What was the most difficult thing about pumping?

Making myself sit down to do it is always difficult. It’s easy to come up with excuses.

If you were to change one thing about breast pumps, what would you change?

Noise. Pumps are noisy!

How did you store your milk?

I keep my milk at room temp if she’ll be taking a bottle within a few hours, otherwise at home it goes straight to the fridge or freezer (depending on how soon she’ll need it) and at work I pack a little cooler to keep it in.

Did you ever end up having to pump and dump?

Not yet but it’s “girls night out” in a few weeks so I will be!

What ‘extras’ did you find helpful to your pumping experience?

Something to do while pumping - a picture of her to initiate letdown then a crossword puzzle or my laptop to keep me busy without stressing me out.
What is your pumping routine?

I just a picture of my precious to help me letdown, and then distract myself until it’s over.

Did you ever battle with low supply? How did you overcome it?

Yes - during her 8 week growth spurt I felt like I wasn’t making enough and she was starving! oatmeal cookies, mothers milk tea and extra liquids/rest helped me. Also I found that pumping between feedings not right after and pumping during the middle of the night helped me maximize my output.

Did you ever supplement? How would you describe the experience?

For the first week we used some formula - it killed me! we had so many issues and I didn’t know better when hospital staff said I had to on day one. I see why women give up and am horrified that health professionals push formula like they do. The hospital almost sabotaged my breastfeeding relationship.