Pumping doesn’t have to suck, but it’s still hard work! And if things aren't going as you planned, things can be pretty tough. Here are a few tips to take the edge off.
Be nice to yourself
There's a lot of pressure (and no small dose of judgment and conflicting advice) that comes with new motherhood.
Try to be gentle with yourself and mindful of your inner dialogue. How would you speak with a friend who was going through the same thing? Would you be gentler on them than you would yourself?
Keep in touch
With the demands of being a pumping mother, it can be easy to forget to keep in touch with friends. Sometimes your friends aren't going through similar things, and you find yourself need very specific support! Joining and participating in supportive online groups with people going through similar things can help you feel a bit less isolated.
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Ask for help
Whether it’s a trusted friend, a lactation consultant, your doctor, or someone else; there are support networks you can lean on.
If you want to talk with a real person (not necessarily a facebook group) here’s a handy list of the support groups available to you depending on where you live:
→ Australia
👩⚕️Find an IBCLC near you
🤝Find in-person support with your local breastfeeding group run by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
📞For general breastfeeding help, try the trained breastfeeding counsellors from the Australian Breastfeeding Association at 1800mum2mum (1800-686-268) or the maternal child health nurses on the Pregnancy, Birth & Baby hotline on 1800-882-436.
📞For drug advice, call the Monash Health, Medicines Information Centre on Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 03 9594 2361 or the Infant Risk Center on +1 (806) 352-2519
📞For mental health support, call PANDA helpline on 1300-726-306
→ Canada
👩⚕️Find an IBCLC near you
🤝Find in-person with LaLeche League
📞For general breastfeeding help, try La Leche League hotlines on 1-800-665-4324
📞For drug advice, call the Infant Risk Center on 1 (806) 352-2519
📞For mental health support, call
→ New Zealand
👩⚕️Find an IBCLC near you
🤝Find in-person local support with Women’s Health NZ, LaLeche League or your local Parents Centre.
📞For general breastfeeding help, call PlunketLine on 0800-933-922
📞For drug advice, call the Infant Risk Center on +1 (806) 352-2519
📞For mental health support, call Mothers Helpers on 0800 002 717 or 022 093 1822, or call or text 1737 anytime.
→ United Kingdom
👩⚕️Find an IBCLC near you
🤝Find in-person support with LaLeche League.
📞For general breastfeeding help, call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300-100-0212, the Breastfeeding Network on 0300-100-0210, the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers on 0300-330-5453, La Leche League on 0345-120-2918 or National Childbirth Trust (NCT) on 0300-330-0700.
📞For drug advice, call the Infant Risk Center on +1 (806) 352-2519
📞For mental health support, call APNI on 0207-386-0868 or PANDAS on 0808-1961-776
→ USA
👩⚕️Find an IBCLC near you
🤝Find in-person support in your local area with Baby Cafe who run free, drop-in, informal breastfeeding support groups, LaLeche League local meet ups, or Breastfeeding USA counsellors.
📞For general breastfeeding help, call the National Breastfeeding Hotline on 1-800-994-9662
📞For drug advice, call the Infant Risk Center on 1 (806) 352-2519
📞For mental health support, call Postpartum Support International on 1-800-944-4773
→ Global
🤝Find in-person support in your local area with LaLeche League local meet ups.
📞For drug advice, call the Infant Risk Center on +1 (806) 352-2519
📞For mental health support, call Postpartum Support International on +1-800-944-4773
Remember, in your clinical care, on top of your lactation care provider, there are many others who will be eager to help you with breastfeeding. They could include everyone from your doctors, physiotherapist, midwife, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, dietician, pediatrician, massage therapist, occupational therapist, speech language therapist.
🤔If you don’t see your country on this list, we’d love to hear from you. Where do you get your support where you live? If you do see your country on this list, and think we’ve missed someone, please get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you too!
What’s your best tip for looking after your mental health during your pumping journey? Let us know at hello@milkdroppumps.com
