There's So Much Bad Information Out There Masquerading As Pumping Advice

In Honor of World Breast Pumping Day

(The best part is at the end, so scroll down!)

Please understand: I don't want this to be true. That's why I'm calling it out. If you're a lactation care provider or a birthworker, try this: search for "pump more milk.” See what I mean? People who are pumping are out there trying to get REAL help on how to do this new skill and they're getting ads for stuff & drinks & pills & some awesome information & some weird information & some definitely not objective information & LOTS of conflicting advice. How is that supposed to help?

Well, part of the problem is that people arrive at pumping in various ways, and most of those ways do not allow for education about pumping to happen in advance. Only someone who decides upfront that pumping will be part of their journey even has the opportunity to seek out prenatal education about it - and that's if they are resourced to access it. (Plus sometimes it's hidden inside titles like "Breastfeeding When You Return To Work" or "Working & Breastfeeding.") People whose babies are admitted to NICU are generally not able to prepare in advance for this type of pumping, and not all NICUs staff people trained in clinical lactation care (I know, right?!?!)

Pumping is NOT intuitive or instinctive. It’s not as simple to figure out as it may seem. It’s a completely separate set of skills from feeding at the chest or breast, and many people are also still trying to learn and practice that at the same time. It’s rare to talk with someone who has pumped who will tell you that it was easy, especially when they first started.

And that’s ok because IBCLCs are required to understand and be able to teach the appropriate use and technique for all products and tools, including breast pumps. We know how it works, and we can help individuals optimize pumping through assessment and evaluation, just like with all other facets of lactation. I wonder, though, if enough people in the public know this. And I wonder if people avoid bringing their pumping questions to IBCLCs and other lactation care providers because they have been “taught” that the lactation professional is biased, judgmental, and singularly focused on breastfeeding, or they have, unfortunately, personally experienced that.

Then, you may be asking, how can we make this better?

- SHARE the message that lactation care providers can help with pumping with parents AND other health care providers, and that pumping parents should be referred to a skilled lactation care provider for best results

- EDUCATE using every available method you have about how pumping works so that more & more people will see and spread accurate information

- REQUEST/INSIST ON more professional education opportunities about pumping and how to counsel pumping parents so that YOU are staying up to date on the best and latest information to help families compassionately- if you don't ask, it's not going to be on the menu

Be really clear in your marketing that you can and will help with pumping questions and concerns. Be open-minded and intentional about your own education on pumping and people’s lived experiences of pumping. Most of all, leave your personal biases about pumping (good or bad) out of it. If you’re struggling with that part, stick with me. More to come on Objective Lactation Care.