Pippeta was founded by mum of three, Aimee Cestrone, after navigating her own struggles with breastfeeding. Determined to make feeding more accessible and less overwhelming, she set out to create solutions that are both practical and empowering for modern parents. Today, Pippeta is proud to be an award-winning brand, trusted by families across the UK. Their handsfree breast pumps, nipple care, and breastfeeding essentials are developed alongside independent lactation consultants, ensuring every product is backed by expert insight and real parent experience.
3
Minutes readBreastfeeding & expressing: What you need to know
Pippeta shares the facts on breastfeeding and expressing to support you through your feeding journey.
Author Pippeta
Categories
Parenting
“Thinking about how to feed your baby is a big moment and having the right information can help you feel more confident.”
That’s why we’ve teamed up with our friends at Pippeta to bring you this article. Together, we’ll explore the key facts and benefits of breastfeeding, when expressing breast milk can support your journey, and the expert and mum-led support available to guide you every step of the way.
Why breastfeeding matters: The facts you should know
Let's start by saying that your breast milk is truly unique, made specifically by you for your baby. It changes from feed to feed, morning to night, day to day, and week to week, even adapting during hot weather. How amazing is that!
Unlike formula, breast milk is a living substance rich in antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and immune-protective cells that adapt to meet your baby’s needs at every stage. This is why the World Health Organisation recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life and continuing with the accompaniment of healthy solid foods up to 2 years and beyond. Despite this, breastfeeding rates in the UK remain low and recent research has found that the average duration that mothers breastfeed their babies in England is only 6-8 weeks. This research shows that many parents stop breastfeeding earlier than they might have planned.
If you're here because you are thinking about how to feed your baby, you're not alone in finding this decision tricky. Breastfeeding does have great benefits for you and your baby, which we'll look at next. But it's not always easy. Many parents face real challenges and that's completely okay.
To get breastfeeding off to a great start, having good support makes all the difference. We'll talk about where to get help later in this article.
The benefits of breastfeeding for baby
Breastfeeding has many recognised benefits for your baby that continue well into adulthood. Some benefits are seen from any amount of breastfeeding, while others grow stronger the longer you breastfeed. Some of the key benefits of breastfeeding for baby are that it reduces the risk of:
- Infections (e.g. ear and chest infections)
- Diarrhoea & vomiting
- Asthma
- Tooth decay, misalignment of teeth or an incorrect bite
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
And going into later life:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Obesity
The benefits of breastfeeding for mum
Breastfeeding not only ensures healthy development for the baby, but it has numerous benefits for mum.
Breastfeeding can help protect you from:
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
The bond created whilst breastfeeding also encourages warm loving relationships so beyond the physical benefits, breastfeeding supports your emotional wellbeing too. When you breastfeed, your body releases oxytocin, often called the 'love hormone', which helps you feel relaxed and reduces stress. Research also shows breastfeeding can lower your risk of postpartum depression and help you feel more confident as a parent.
Together, all of these benefits result in fewer visits to hospital saving the NHS significant costs (around £48 million a year). These benefits for both you and your baby show why breastfeeding is such a valuable experience.
From boosting your baby's immune system to protecting your own long-term health, the positive effects extend far beyond those early months together.
The role of expressing in breastfeeding
Expressing milk can be a great help for many breastfeeding parents who have established a strong breastfeeding routine or those who hit that all empowering 6-month stage. For some, the ability to begin to express breast milk offers flexibility without the need to introduce formula. Whether you want to increase your milk supply or simply have a couple of feeds worth of stored milk for peace of mind, expressing allows you to continue breastfeeding on your own terms. It's particularly valuable if you're planning to return to work, before 9 months, need to be away from your baby occasionally, or want your partner to help with a feed while still maintaining your breastfeeding journey.
Considering the return to work stage, especially if your baby is less than around 9 months, the use of a breast pump to express can become a helpful tool for maintaining your milk supply and continuing to provide breast milk for your baby.
Did you know? In the UK, you have the right to request regular breaks and a private space for expressing at work. Don't be afraid to have an open conversation with your employer about what you need. Planning ahead can make the transition much smoother, from practicing your expressing routine beforehand to organising safe milk storage. In the UK, employers, in line with the Health and Safety Executive, should conduct a risk assessment when you return to work, and review it regularly if required. You can read more about this here.
Finding the right support
Babies and feeding journeys can be challenging, so it's important to have the right support, whether that's from your partner, family, or your wider 'village.' Don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it.
When it comes to expert breastfeeding support, an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), is the best place to turn for professional guidance. An IBCLC is a healthcare professional who has completed extensive training and passed rigorous exams to become certified in lactation and breastfeeding support. These experts understand the complex science behind breastfeeding and can help with everything from latching difficulties and low milk supply to returning to work and weaning. What makes IBCLC support so transformative for families is their ability to provide personalised, evidence-based guidance that addresses your specific situation. They don't just offer generic advice, they work with you to understand your unique challenges and create practical solutions that fit your lifestyle and goals.
At Pippeta, they believe expert support should be accessible to everyone, which is why they provide free access to IBCLC guidance with every breast pump purchase. Beyond this, there are several excellent resources to help you find the right support for your journey. The LCGB (Lactation Consultants of Great Britain) Directory can help you locate qualified IBCLCs in your area, while your local NHS breastfeeding services offer community support and advice. Don't overlook the power of peer support either! Online breastfeeding support groups and social media communities can provide encouragement, practical tips, and the reassurance that you're not alone in facing common breastfeeding challenges.
As well as having the right support, sometimes, tools can make all the difference in supporting your breastfeeding journey. Pippeta have put together a list of helpful products to consider when planning your breastfeeding journey:
Breast pump
Breast pumps come in all shapes and sizes. Hospital-grade pumps are generally those that plug into the wall and are designed for heavy-duty use; they're perfect for those early stages when you're trying to establish and maintain your milk supply. These are often used by parents whose babies are in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Be aware, the term ‘hospital-grade’ is not protected, if you need to increase your supply or initiate breastfeeding, contact an IBCLC who can ensure that you have the right pump for the job. However, once your milk supply is established, a handsfree breast pump such as the ones Pippeta have available can give you the freedom to pump on the go, anytime, anywhere. Some people may find that they respond well to a handsfree pump from the early stages, and that’s fine too!
Nipple care
Nipple care can be a vital tool in your breastfeeding journey, especially during those early weeks when you and your baby are still learning together. While breastfeeding shouldn't hurt when you have a deep latch, it's common (although not normal) to experience some nipple soreness as you both find your groove. If you continue to feel pain or develop cracked, sore nipples, it's important to seek advice from a healthcare professional who can check your baby's latch and positioning. In the meantime, you can support healing with tools like Pippeta's silver nip cups which offer natural relief, using the antimicrobial properties of silver to promote healing and provide comfort between feeds. These can be used for a short while after feeds, just remember to not wear them 24/7 – nipples do not like to be bathed in milk!
Breast milk storage bags and bottles
Having good quality, leak-proof milk storage bags that are pre-sterilised and freezer-safe ensures your precious breast milk maintains its quality and nutritional value, while dedicated milk storage bottles allow for clean, safe handling during the expressing and storage process. These tools give you peace of mind that every drop of your liquid gold is protected and ready when your baby needs it.
There are many benefits of breastfeeding for both you and your baby, and the ability to express your breast milk and access the right support can offer flexibility and reassurance throughout your breastfeeding journey. Armed with this information, you're now better equipped to make confident, informed decisions about feeding your baby. Whatever path feels right for your family. Remember, every breastfeeding journey is unique, and with the right tools, support, and knowledge, you can create the feeding experience that works best for you and your little one.
Further reading and references
Maternity rights
Author
Pippeta