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 Marisa’s story.

Marisa’s daughter was born by emergency c-section and spent 12 days in the NICU. She continued to pump after going back to work and ended up pumping for over a year!

What made you decide to pump?

Necessity.  My daughter was born by emergency c-section and spent 12 days in the NICU.  I had to start pumping within about 15 hours of her birth, every two hours, to get the milk to come in.  Plus, I had a three-month maternity leave so wanted to store milk for my daughter once I went back to work, and I pumped for over a year while back at work.

What breast pump(s) did you use?

In the hospital I used a Medela Lactina or Symphony, and I rented a Symphony for home use while DD was in the NICU.  Once I returned the Symphony, I bought a Medela Pump In Style (PIS).

If you used more than one pump, what caused you to switch from pump to pump?

I rented the hospital grade and bought the PIS once I returned the Symphony.

If you used more than one pump, which pump was the most convenient, and why?

The Symphony was the best, and most quiet.  But the Pump In Style of course is most portable (though not the quietest!) and is pretty fast.

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

I would say that don’t expect to get a lot of milk out via pumping.  Some mommas have a hard time letting down to a pump (I am one of them!) and I had to pump several times a day to get enough milk for a couple bottles.

If you combined pumping and breastfeeding, did you have any experiences of nipple confusion, bottle preference, etc. If so, how did you cope with it?

No nipple confusion or anything, my DD actually just refused bottles.  Even when she went to daycare, she was bottle fed the breastmilk every day and when she was 9 months old, she just decided she wasn’t having any more of this bottle thing and refused.  We tried cups, everything.  Finally our daycare provider (who is an angel!) started making her cereal with breastmilk so she’d at least get some during the day.  DD still nursed at night, though, so I wasn’t worried about her not getting enough breastmilk.
If you pumped for a preemie, how would you describe the early days? What unique things did you encounter? Were the hospital staff supportive?

While DD wasn’t a preemie, the stay in the NICU was harrowing.  The hospital staff was very supportive and let me try breastfeeding her (as opposed to bottle feeding the breastmilk) as soon as she was able to.  The lactation consultants were awesome, too.
What issues did you run into with pumping? How did you overcome them?

Not having a good letdown.  I just  tried everything–looking at DD’s picture, using warm washcloths, massaging breasts and armpits prior, and massaging during pumping.  I think the massage prior and during worked best for me.
How would you describe your support system? (spouse, family, pediatrician, doctor, co-workers, etc.) and how did they help or discourage you from achieving your goal?  

Everyone has been great for me– my husband is very supportive of breastfeeding, and my pediatrician gave me the Way to Go! at our last appointment.  I’m lucky to have a great support system, though my mother thinks my daughter ought to be weaned at this point (DD will be 18 months old in early August).

What was your original intention for feeding your child? (wanted to formula feed, wanted to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months, 12 months, etc.)

Originally it was a year, then once I got the hang of it I said 18 months, and now at just about the 18 month mark, I have decided to let my daughter self-wean.
How did pumping influence your goals?

Pumping had often made me want to wean.  It’s such a pain in the butt– the cleaning of parts, the time it takes, etc.  Plus when I’d be engrossed in a project at work I’d have to stop to go pump.  It really irritated me, and I was thrilled when I got to the point where I didn’t have to pump anymore.
What was the most difficult thing about pumping?

Not getting as much milk as DD would have gotten if she would have nursed.
If you were to change one thing about breast pumps, what would you change?

The noise.  I was always afraid people would know what I was doing (though I guess they knew since I’d be locked in the bathroom for 20 minutes 3x a day!)

How did you store your milk? 

I stored it in bottles while at work then I froze in breastmilk storage bags once I got home.

Did you ever end up having to pump and dump? 

No, thank goodness.  I’d feel horrible if I had to do that.  I’m afraid it might be in the cards for me though if I have to travel abroad for work.

What was your pumping routine? Did you have any tricks to help the milk come down?

I always massaged my breasts prior and also massaged while pumping.  That helped.  I also tried rhythmic, yogic breathing to help me relax.

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

I took fenugreek if I felt I wasn’t getting enough out, and I think it helped.
Did you ever supplement? How would you describe the experience?

We had to in the NICU because it took several days for my milk to come in and even then I could only pump a few drops or so out.  It still bums me out that my DD didn’t get any colostrum.  Also, one of the pediatricians in the practice we go to suggested Alimentum (one bottle a day) because DD wasn’t gaining enough weight and we had figured out that she had a milk protein intolerance.  The pediatrician said that the one bottle of formula a day would help to dilute the allergens in her system.  It didn’t matter, though, because DD refused to take the formula!!  My baby knows what’s best!