Expert advice on breastfeeding and pumping

Becoming a parent comes with plenty of surprises, and feeding is often one of the biggest. Even if you’ve read the books, hand expressed your colostrum and packed your homemade lactation snacks, the reality of breastfeeding or pumping can feel very different at 3am when you’re shattered with a hungry baby struggling to attach to your sore nipple. 

Plenty of Mumsnet users come to our boards in search of advice as they navigate breastfeeding with their baby. Our infant feeding board is full of threads like this one from expectant mums in search of advice: “I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant and planning to breastfeed. It's our first child and whilst we have done antenatal classes it's all a lot to process and remember.” 

So we spoke to Dr Sharon Silberstein, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, to talk through the questions parents ask most often. From getting started to working out how to pump in the car on the way to work, here’s what she shared. 

What should you prepare before birth if you want to breastfeed?

Understandably, many parents feel a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of breastfeeding advice that comes their way. For some, early support is reassuring. For others, it can feel like one more thing to juggle. As one Mumsnet user puts it: “I have reached out to [a] lactation specialist and they helped but as soon [as] I come home he just does the same and it's really affecting me mentally.”

There’s no single right way to prepare, but thinking about what kind of help you might want before the baby arrives can make the early days a bit less frantic. Dr Silberstein explains how working with a lactation consultant can be useful for those who choose to go down that route:

“I suggest finding an IBCLC ahead of time, who you like and you get on with, and scheduling an antenatal consultation around 36 weeks of pregnancy.

“You can go through positioning and attachment, red flags, what to expect in the early days, when to reach out. If you have established a relationship before birth, you will find it much easier to reach out after your baby is born, instead of scrambling on the internet to find an available IBCLC,” she shares.

“We spend so much time learning about the birth, and writing birth plans, most of which don’t become reality anyway. But many mums don’t give much thought on how they would like to feed their baby and how to best implement this. Having an experienced Lactation Consultant by your side is invaluable to establish feeding,” Dr Silberstein advises, adding: “The more and high quality support you receive in the early days, the better you will be able to establish feeding.”

It’s important to remember that every journey is different, as Dr Silberstein explains: “Many mums will not need to pump from early on and it is impossible to predict how your feeding journey will be. Luckily breastpumps such as the Fraupow Viva Pro are available to buy in many shops and online, so you can choose your breastpump once [the] baby has arrived.”

Of course, not everyone has access to an IBCLC and plenty of parents rely instead on midwives, health visitors, local NHS feeding clinics, peer support groups or simply trial and error. The key message is the same across the board: whatever support you can get, whether formal or informal, can make the early days feel a little less like guesswork.

The more support your receive in the early days, the better

When is the right time to start pumping?

There isn’t one “ideal” moment for everyone. According to Dr Silberstein, it depends entirely on the situation you’re in:

“If there is an issue such as severe pain or nipple injuries (for example due to poor positioning or tongue tie), we sometimes suggest using a pump in order to give the nipples a chance to heal, so pumping might be required early on. Also if your baby has not been removing milk at the breast well (for example due to prematurity, jaundice, tongue tie) and there is a need for supplementation, it is crucial to pump in order to send the right signals to your body to produce more milk. 

“In the first few days before the milk comes in, hand expressing might be better, but as soon as your milk comes in, an electric pump can be used.

“It is also extremely important not to overdo pumping, and to stay in line with [your] baby’s needs. If a baby needs to be supplemented with 30ml per feed, it is advisable to pump this same amount, so your body understands what your baby needs. If you consistently pump 60ml, this might cause your body to over produce, which can come with its own set of issues (more prone to develop blockages and mastitis, baby will be struggling to keep up with the flow etc).

“Some mums like their partner to give [their] baby a bottle of expressed milk. I would suggest to pump around the time when [the] baby will need this bottle and also to remove the amount that your baby needs, so your breast doesn't overfill until the next feed. Skipping feeds is not a good idea in the first few weeks (it can cause over-filling, engorgement, mastitis and following this possibly low supply).”

Are silicone milk collectors useful in the early weeks?

Collectors can be handy if you’re keen to build a small stash without major effort. Dr Silberstein explains how to use them without affecting feeds:

“We usually recommend to always offer the second breast at every feed (some mums with a very copious supply might not need to). 

“The occasional use of the silicone pump, using this on the breast that baby already has drank from, might be a good idea for those looking to build a little stash or who need some expressed milk for top ups.”

How can you breastfeed comfortably when you’re out and about?

Many new parents worry about feeding in public until they’ve done it a few times. Dr Silberstein says confidence builds quickly:

“I think that this is a matter of building your confidence as you get more used to feeding out and about. You might look into feeding aprons, these come in handy if you prefer a cover (look for the ones with a piece of plastic built in, so you can see baby).”

What’s the easiest way to pump and bottle-feed when you’re away from home?

If you prefer to pack a bottle for a trip, Dr Silberstein suggests keeping it simple:

“You can establish one pump a day, which might be your ‘going out bottle’. A lot of mums have a full breast in the morning, so it might work well to pump straight after the first full feed and to use this milk for going out. 

It is however important not to leave the breast to over fill, I would avoid any longer stretches than four and a half to five hours (if you have an abundant supply, this might be too long! Your breast will tell you how long you can go without milk removal).

“I usually suggest [using] an insulated bag with an ice pack, such as Fraupow’s Cooler Bag and Wearable Pump Storage Case. Your breastmilk is safe for 24 hours. If you don’t use an insulated bag with ice, you can safely use your milk for three to six hours in a warm room (26 degrees).”

How do you know if stored milk needs to be thrown away?

Stored milk is surprisingly robust. Dr Silberstein explains what to look out for:

“Generally breastmilk is really resilient. Due to the antibacterial properties, breastmilk is much less likely to spoil than formula. If it tastes or smells sour, it might be time to discard it. If your baby has drank from a bottle, you will have to discard the milk after 3 hours.

“When breastmilk is frozen and defrosted, it can smell weird, metallic, soapy or rancid. We don’t know exactly why this is. One theory might be that lipases, which are enzymes in breastmilk, continue to work while frozen, [breaking] down fats, releasing fatty acids that later smell soapy or metallic. 

“However, there is no scientific evidence to support the concept of high lipase breastmilk from the freezer. Milk may smell bad after thawing, but it is from general breakdown of fatty acids rather than an abnormally high content of lipase. Also milk that is expressed and exposed to air can lead to oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the milk. 

“We have no evidence that milk that smells off is unsafe to consume but some babies might refuse it as it tastes very different then milk from the breast or freshly expressed milk.”

Remember, there isn't one ideal moment to start pumping breast milk

What are the benefits of a wearable, hands-free pump?

Wearable pumps can be a lifeline when you’re juggling household chaos or older children:

“There are a lot of benefits to wearable pumps, being able to move around, to do other stuff in the household or tend to older children,” Dr Silberstein explains, adding: “A lot of mums are not able to pump using a stationary pump all the time, especially with older babies that need more holding or entertaining.”

Should you ever express on one side while feeding on the other?

There’s a time and a place for it, explains Dr Silberstein: “I would be careful not to pump on the second breast before [your] baby [has] had a chance to [feed from] the second side. Depending on the situation I might recommend [putting] the wearable pump on the first breast, while the baby takes the second side.”

How can you combine breastfeeding and bottle-feeding without nipple confusion?

Parents often worry about switching between breast and bottle. Dr Silberstein says consistency is key:

“In exclusively breastfed babies, I find there is often a window after which the baby might refuse the bottle. If there is a need/wish to introduce a bottle, I would recommend doing so regularly, once a day, even just a small amount (20 to 30ml) and to be very consistent with it. 

“Use the paced (or responsive) bottle feeding method, use a slow flow bottle and give [your] baby plenty of breaks, usually every 30ml. Also consider feeding in the elevated side lying position, which is a more similar position to breastfeeding.”

How can you maintain milk supply when you go back to work?

Returning to work throws a new routine into the mix. To help, Dr Silberstein advises planning for regular milk removal:

“A wearable pump such as the Fraupow Viva Pro is ideal for this, as they are easy to transport and use at work. It is essential to keep removing milk at work, in an eight hour work day, I would ideally pump at least once.”

How can a discreet wearable pump help during work breaks?

A quiet, portable pump can make things much easier, as Dr Silberstein confirms: “It can be the ideal tool for extra milk removal as it is non-intrusive, quiet and easy to operate.”

What if breastfeeding or pumping feels emotionally heavy or physically exhausting?

Feeding isn’t just physical. Many parents feel pressure to do everything “right”. Dr Silberstein says support matters:

“Supporting mums with combination feeding or stopping breastfeeding is one of the roles of an IBCLC. 

“Lactation consultants are not here to pressurise mums or make them feel guilty but to support them to achieve their own personal goals. Each mum is different, each situation is different, each family situation is unique. 

“Having the support of an experienced IBCLC allows Mum to explore her feelings around feeding and to come to the best solution for her unique scenario.”

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What can partners and family do to actually help?

Turns out it’s the practical jobs that matter most. Dr Silberstein lists the things that make a real difference:

“The best things family members can do to support a breastfeeding Mum:

• Cook meals, do the laundry, tidy up, fill the freezer with nutritious foods, do all the food shopping, keep the fridge stored with fresh fruit and veg (precut fruit and veg for easy snacks, serve with hummus or cottage cheese, avocado or tuna dip).

• Make smoothies - a great snack as you can pack it with oats, greek yoghurt, greens, fruit, dates, dry fruit, chia seeds etc, and keep the drinks coming, hydration is key for good supply!

• Clean pump parts and bottles.

• Hire an IBCLC, hire a massage therapist for sore shoulders. 

• Help with positioning, breast compressions, lymphatic drainage for engorgement

• Skin to skin time can be done by anyone

• Learn how to use a sling wrap, baby wearing can be done by anyone

• Remind mum to take a daily nap!” 

Feeding a baby often looks straightforward from the outside, but most parents discover it comes with its own learning curve. Dr Silberstein’s advice makes one thing clear: the right support, a bit of preparation and tools that fit your life can make feeding less stressful and more flexible.

Many parents turn to wearable pumps once they’re juggling older children, heading back to work or simply want an easier way to fit expressing around the day. Fraupow’s Viva Pro pump and storage options are designed with that real-life flexibility in mind, without getting in the way of your feeding choices. As always, your routine should be shaped by what works for you and your baby, with support from a qualified lactation consultant when you need it.

If you’re currently in the thick of it, you’re not on your own. A little help can make a big difference. As one Mumsnet user reminds us: “You are both learning a new skill, and it is difficult, especially with hormones and exhaustion. Please try not to beat yourself up about it.” 

About Fraupow

Fraupow creates innovative, supportive products for breastfeeding mums – from hospital-grade wearable pumps to silver healing cups that actually work. Their mission? To make feeding less faffy, more freeing, and better supported from day one.

About the author

Our resident Leeds lass, Rebecca Roberts is a Senior Content Editor here at Mumsnet. On a daily basis, she commissions, writes and edits content designed to help parents navigate real life - from product reviews to practical features on everything from sex and relationships to fashion to skincare.Rebecca - aka Beccy - brings unique personal insight to breastfeeding content at Mumsnet, having breastfed two babies herself. She knows all too well the hurdles that can arise while breastfeeding and hopes to help other parents navigate this journey. 

Beyond her role as an editor, she can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a PTA meeting, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking her two dogs up and down country lanes.