Breast Pumping & Breastfeeding are NOT the same
The Breast Pumping Association’s mission is to carry out evidence-based research to improve the knowledge and technological advancement of the breast-pumping industry. To educate professionals & individuals with an interest in lactation where breast pumping and flange sizing are concerned, on best practices for achieving success in breast pumping.
The lactation industry and the nation’s leading health organizations have historically focused on breastfeeding for the delivery of breastmilk to infants. We want to bring the same attention, education & support to breast pumping as an equally viable option for feeding mothers milk to our babies.
82.5%
*The % of moms who pumped or tried to pump within the first 2 months
51.9%
*The % of moms feeding breastmilk who were pumping at 7 months.
83%
**The % of infants who reported being fed any breast milk in their lifetime.
35.9%
**The % of infants who were still being fed some breast milk at the age of 12 months
24.9%
**The % of infants who were still exclusively fed breast milk at the age of 6 months.
*Among mothers surveyed who breastfed
~Infant Feeding Practices Study II (IFPS II), conducted by FDA & CDC in 2005-2007
**Among infants surveyed who were born in 2019
~2021 CDC’s National Immunization Survey of infants born in 2019
The American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk states that “Breastfeeding and human milk are the normative standards for infant feeding and nutrition. The short- and long-term medical and neurodevelopmental advantages of breastfeeding make breastfeeding, or the provision of human milk, a public health imperative. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months after birth.”
These and other large health organizations advocate for breastmilk as the primary source of nutrition for babies, yet they have very few, if any, resources for breast pumping. Even the language they use predominantly uses the term “Breastfeeding” when what they’re referring to is “consumption of breast milk”.
The feeding method is not necessarily a part of the recommendation, yet we are not providing enough resources and/or support for women who can’t or won’t breastfeed to still have the option to provide breast milk to their child.
Many new moms are unable to breastfeed for one reason or another. Yet, they have little support & education on other alternatives. Breast pumping research is sorely lacking, and what research has been done is outdated and in many ways incorrect.
The Breast Pumping Association aims to see evidence-based breast pumping education & support as a normal part of pre-natal & post-partum care.
We have successfully served and supported thousands of moms on their pumping journeys for 5+ years, and we have seen the disparity between the education and support of breastfeeding vs breast pumping. Many of our moms come to us after receiving outdated and incorrect advice from online sources and/or lactation professionals. The training for lactational professionals alone is severely lacking in education on breast pumping. This needs to change.