Whether you are planning to pump from day one or just want to be ready in case, those first hours in the hospital and the whirlwind of coming home set the tone for your whole journey. A little know-how goes a long way. Here are nine practical, reassuring tips to help you pump with confidence from the very beginning, so you can spend less energy worrying and more time with your baby.
The 9 Tips at a Glance
Here is the quick roadmap before we dig into each one:
1. Start early if your baby needs it. 2. Ask for a hospital-grade pump while you are there. 3. Prioritize skin-to-skin. 4. Pump often in the early days. 5. Get your flange fit checked. 6. Save every drop of colostrum. 7. Learn to hand express. 8. Set up your pump before you need it at home. 9. Lean on your support team. Now let us walk through them.
In the Hospital: Getting Off to a Strong Start
The hospital is the perfect place to build early habits with expert help right down the hall.
Tip 1: Start early if needed. If your baby cannot latch well or is separated from you (for example, in the NICU), begin expressing milk soon after birth to get your supply going. Ask your care team when and how often to start. Tip 2: Use the hospital's pump. Hospital-grade pumps are strong and effective for establishing supply, so take advantage while you are there and ask the staff to show you how to use it. Tip 3: Prioritize skin-to-skin. Holding your baby against your bare chest supports latching and stimulates your milk-making hormones, and many parents find they express more after a skin-to-skin session. Tip 4: Pump often. In the early days, frequent removal (often around eight or more times in 24 hours, per your team's guidance) tells your body to build supply. Why it matters: these first days set your supply's foundation, and the support around you will never be more accessible than it is right now.
Fit, Colostrum, and Hand Expression
A few small skills in the hospital make everything easier later.
Tip 5: Check your flange fit. A comfortable, correctly sized flange makes pumping more effective and far less painful, so ask a lactation consultant to help you find your size. You can also review Storkpump's flange sizing guide. Tip 6: Save every drop of colostrum. Your early milk is thick, golden, and precious, produced in small amounts, so even a few drops matter. Ask about collecting it with a syringe if you are expressing tiny quantities. Tip 7: Learn hand expression. Hand expression is a wonderful skill for coaxing out colostrum, relieving fullness, and encouraging letdown, and it works anywhere, no equipment required. A nurse or lactation consultant can teach you in minutes. These simple techniques give you options and confidence for the days ahead.
Coming Home: Settling Into Your Routine
Home brings freedom and, let us be honest, a little chaos. A bit of setup keeps pumping from feeling overwhelming.
Tip 8: Set up your pump before you need it. Read your manual, assemble the parts, and do a practice run so you are not fumbling at 3 a.m. If your insurance-covered pump has not arrived yet, Storkpump can help you order one through insurance, often with little to no out-of-pocket cost. Have a clean set of parts ready and a plan for washing (a dedicated basin, not the sink, per CDC guidance). Tip 9: Lean on your support team. Cleaning parts, tracking sessions, and staying nourished are easier when you share the load, so let your partner or family help, and do not hesitate to call a lactation consultant if something feels off. A reassuring truth for these early weeks: you do not have to have it all figured out, and asking for help is part of doing this well. The Learning Center has more on building your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumping in the Hospital and Early Days
When should I start pumping in the hospital?
If your baby is latching and feeding well, you may not need to pump right away. But if your baby cannot latch, is premature, or is separated from you, begin expressing soon after birth to establish your supply. Ask your care team for timing guidance specific to your situation.
Should I use the hospital pump or bring my own?
Hospital-grade pumps are powerful and effective for getting your supply started, so it makes sense to use them while you are there. You can also familiarize yourself with your own pump, and ask staff to help you learn either one. Bringing your own flanges can help with fit.
How often should I pump in the first few days?
Frequent milk removal is key early on, often around eight or more times in 24 hours, following your care team's advice. This frequency signals your body to build supply. Your lactation consultant can help you set a schedule that fits your baby's needs.
What if I only get a tiny bit of colostrum?
That is completely normal. Colostrum is produced in small, concentrated amounts, and even a few drops are valuable for your baby. Ask about collecting it with a syringe, and know that volumes typically increase as your milk transitions in the days after birth.
Do I really need to check my flange size so early?
It helps a lot. A poorly fitting flange can make pumping painful and less effective, while the right size supports comfort and output from the start. A lactation consultant can measure you in the hospital, and you can recheck later since your size may change.
Start Strong, Feel Supported
These first days matter, and you do not have to navigate them alone. Storkpump can help you order a breast pump through insurance before your baby arrives, verify your benefits, and answer coverage questions on our FAQ page. Getting your flange fit right early makes a big difference, and you can learn more about us and our mission to support new families. Share these tips with an expecting friend who is getting ready!
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). How to clean and sanitize breast pumps. https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/about-breast-pump-hygiene.html
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Skin-to-skin contact: how kangaroo care benefits your baby. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/preemie/Pages/About-Skin-to-Skin-Care.aspx
- Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Breastfeeding. https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding
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