you’ve probably seen the pitcher method floating around your social media feed — probably with a perfect put-together fridge restock and a caption like “omg so amazing for pumping moms!” aaaand that’s the point where i cringe inside because do you KNOW what is growing in the back of my fridge? (yeah, me neither)
and listen: i love anything that makes pumping even a little easier. especially if you’re exclusively pumping. especially if you’re dealing with oversupply.
but i also know that what works great for one body or baby can be a hot freaking mess for someone else. so let’s talk about what the pitcher method is, how it works, how to use it safely if you’re working with a little too much milk, and if it’s the right choice for you!
THE PITCHER METHOD
WHAT IS IT?
the pitcher method combines multiple pump sessions into one single container! this can be a full 24 hours of milk, or for example, only while you’re at work. this is very customizable for your lifestyle, to make the amount of dishes easier for you to handle, and in general, making pumping simpler!
it doesn’t matter the size of the pitcher container, but my recommendation? choose one that fits your full volume, as close to the top of the container as possible. there is something very satisfying and giving us that good good rush of seeing your milk fill up a bottle all the way to the top!!! it doesn’t matter if this is 50mls, 6oz, or 70 oz — your supply is unique to you, this is your story.
WHY USE THIS METHOD?
this works really well to decrease the amount of tiny, individual collection bottles that you’re washing + using during the day! for exclusive pumpers, this can be seriously GOLD for making pumping more accessible + simpler!!! it’s the time it takes, babes — like if we can decrease the amount of time you are washing bottles, pump parts, and increase the time you can sleep and spend snuggling your babies? instant win!!!
if you’re exclusively pumping and already dividing the majority of your daily milk supply among bottles for your baby — it makes a lot of sense to not use storage bags (or milk collection bottles) for each individual pump session. to only throw them out, like you’re literally throwing money down the drain. i mean me? i like a good deal, mama literally raised me on thrifting and cutting costs where i can!!!
MILK SAFETY WHEN POOLING
something that we have to consider is milk safety. the research on pooling cool and warmly expressed milk together says something along the lines of “it will warm up the temperature of the pooled milk”. yes, anddd?? currently (from my knowledge) there is very little to explain what happens when our milk warms up after being cooled.
is there more bacteria added?
does this mean breast milk needs to be drank or frozen quicker?
i personally love this article from one of my favs, Ceres Chill (the OG of storing breast milk safely on the go). more about what the research, updated breast milk safety protocols + CDC does (or doesn’t) tell us.
MAKING BREAST MILK ACCESSIBLE
but here’s the thing —
breast milk is ALIVE. it is constantly adapting and changing, shifting in water and fat content, and dynamic in how it changes to what your baby needs. we have to keep this at the forefront of our decisions. a lot of the time there is this massive amount of pressure to follow all the rules. and if you don’t, then just don’t even bother pumping or feeding breast milk, because you can’t do it perfectly.
OKAY FULL FUCKING STOP 🛑
we have to make feeding breast milk accessible. i say “feeding” because this could be pumping, nursing, g-tube, or receiving donor milk — ALL of these to me are breastfeeding!!! the more we can add any amount of breast milk to our baby’s diet, i’m telling you, the power of what our bodies create is still being studied. immune support, microbiota bacteria, anti-diarrheal — like these attributes only touch the surface of what we know about breast milk.
- you’re allowed to still pump even if you use the pitcher method.
- you’re allowed to combine breast milk and formula to meet your child and where they are at.
- you’re allowed to use the fridge hack if it means you can be more mentally well + rested.
- you’re allowed to put some things on the backburner of “perfection” if you understand the risks, the benefits, and still choose this for your family. i fully believe that mental and physical wellness during the postpartum period (and beyond) absolutely needs to be discussed inside these sacred conversations!!!
IS THIS METHOD FOR YOU?
some things to consider before adapting the pitcher method into your lifestyle —
- does your baby have medical concerns? were they born early? if yes, i do recommend talking about this with your medical doctor on if this is right for your family. babies have a limited immune system, so these things can be more impactful to our little ones.
- how old is your baby now? you are ultimately the gatekeeper of your home and i fully believe your intuition speaks so much in these decisions! i typically don’t recommend using the pitcher method and combining warmly expressed milk with already cooled breast milk if your baby is younger than 12 weeks of age.
- do you have the capacity to either measure out your bottles for your baby, or prep storage bags with your excess milk (within the 4 day mark that breast milk is safe in the fridge)? this can be a lot, especially if you are working with an oversupply and a significant amount of milk! if you are dreading the evening where you have to bag up milk, or it is taking longer than you have the capacity for — it may be better to bag your milk as you go, instead of using the pitcher method!
ANOTHER RESOURCE THAT MIIIIIIGHT BE HELPFUL FOR YA —
$9 instant download: milk stash magic — your guide to storing breast milk like a damned pro! this is geared towards oversuppliers, but we still talk more in depth about the pitcher method, the fridge hack, how much breast milk your baby will need if you’re prepping to be away from them, and freezing your milk!
related blog posts that i think you’ll seriously love —
do you use the pitcher method? what made you choose this “hack”?
xoxo, Bethany | Certified Lactation Counselor | Your Overproducing Exclusively Pumping Mama
