What Is Breast Pumping And What Are Its Effective Benefits? Expert Weighs In

Breast Pumping Benefits: Mothers can extract breast milk for their newborns by using a method called breast pumping. To extract milk from the breasts, a breast pump is used, which simulates the sucking motion of a nursing infant. Mothers can gather milk using this method, which gives them flexibility and convenience—especially for working or busy mothers—for later feeding and storage. Breastfeeding helps to keep the supply of milk going, ease engorgement, and make it possible for other caregivers to feed the child.

Gaining knowledge about proper pumping methods and cleanliness standards is crucial to guaranteeing that the milk stays wholesome and safe for the infant to consume.

Do you know that breast pumping has so many benefits for the mother and the child too? (Image Credit: Canva) 

In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr. Manisha Khalane, who is a lactation consultant at Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital in Pune, discussed what breast pumping is and what its effective benefits are.

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According to Dr. Manisha, "Breast pumping is a lactation process for women using a breast pump, a mechanical tool specifically developed to express milk to further necessitate breastfeeding. Often paired with breastfeeding, breast pumping is particularly helpful with premature babies if the baby is unable to latch to the breast, when feeding is uncomfortable for the mother, or if the mother is away from the baby for extended periods during the day. There are several kinds of breast pumps available on the market, and mothers can choose one as per their requirements."

Breast pumping often facilitates breast feeding, and while it does not replace breastfeeding, it offers an array of benefits to both the mother and the infant. 

Benefits Of Breast Pumping

1. Breastmilk contains all the vital antibodies and nutrients necessary for a baby’s holistic development, while also strengthening immunity. 

2. It offers mothers control over feeding schedules, enabling them to schedule their days accordingly.

3. Breast pumping is also beneficial for sharing duties among family members, further encouraging support and flexibility for working mothers.

4. Breast pumping could also assist in increasing milk production.

Breastfeeding helps to keep the supply of milk going, ease engorgement, and make it possible for other caregivers to feed the child. (Image Credit: Canva)

5. Breast pumping, similar to breastfeeding, can also reduce the mother’s chances of developing ovarian or breast cancer.

6. Lactating mothers often suffer from swollen and painful breasts as they tend to get overfilled with milk, resulting in engorged breasts. In such a case, a breast pump is a vital tool in expressing milk to provide relief to the mother.

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At last, Dr. Manisha said, "It is crucial to note that breast pumping is not an alternative to breastfeeding, and breastfeeding needs to be encouraged, but working moms, in particular, find breast pumping valuable in balancing their professional and maternal responsibilities, allowing them to provide breast milk to their infants even when physically separated. This underscores the importance of supporting mothers in their individual choices while promoting the overall well-being of both mother and child.