Is pumped milk as nutritious as direct breastfeeding for your baby?

Times have certainly evolved when it comes to raising children. While our parents may have raised us with simpler methods (and did a wonderful job), today’s parents are more informed of what their newborns need and are careful about the choices they make.

From selecting toxin-free products to keeping little ones away from added sugars, and even starting their education early, parenting practices have seen significant upgrades.

Breastfeeding has also adapted to modern life. Many moms now use breast pumps to store milk, so their babies can still receive good nutrition even when they aren’t around. This has been especially helpful for working moms and those who travel often, allowing them to balance work and parenting while still meeting their babies’ needs.

But is pumped milk just as good?

Pumped milk vs breastfed milk
Dr Sandhya Rani, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Aster Women and Children Hospital, Bengaluru, tells India Today that while both pumped and breastfed milk have the same basic nutritional value, there are some subtle differences.

Direct breastfeeding makes it easier for the milk to adapt to the baby’s needs, as several hormones are released during the process and this helps enhance the milk’s nutrients and immune properties in real time.
Additionally, breastfed milk has been found to be optimally distributed with fats at each phase of the feeding session, a feature that may be harder to recreate with pumped milk.
Bottled breast milk, or pumped milk, retains all the important nutrients, fats, and immune factors and can be a good substitute where breastfeeding isn’t possible.
However, some nutrients may degrade slightly due to storage, especially if the milk is stored in the freezer for longer than the recommended period.

Dr Nirmala Chandrashekar, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru, also mentions that the key to preserving the nutritional value of pumped milk is ensuring it is stored correctly in clean containers and kept at the appropriate temperatures in the fridge.

“As long as these guidelines are followed, pumped milk retains the same nutrients—including proteins, fats, vitamins, and antibodies—as fresh breast milk,” she adds.

Meanwhile, Dr Apurva Gupta, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Daffodils by Artemis, Delhi, shares that direct feeding is often considered ideal because it allows for skin-to-skin contact, which can enhance bonding and regulate a baby’s temperature. Additionally, the baby’s sucking reflex can stimulate milk production.

However, pumped milk is a viable alternative that offers flexibility and allows others to help feed the baby, which can be especially beneficial for working mothers or mothers with specific medical conditions.

Understanding the pros and cons
Pumped milk

Pumped milk provides flexibility, allowing others to feed the baby and enabling mothers to return to work or have time for themselves.

This method ensures that a measured amount of milk is given to the baby.

It is convenient for storing milk for future use, ensuring milk is available when direct feeding isn’t possible.

Expressing milk can help relieve breast engorgement and enable the body to keep producing milk even when the baby isn’t breastfeeding directly.

However, certain nutrients and immune components may lose effectiveness over time, especially when stored frozen.

Pumping, cleaning, and storing milk requires additional time and specialised equipment, which can be challenging and costly for some parents.

Pumping doesn’t completely mimic a baby’s feeding pattern, which can sometimes lead to lower nutritional content over time.

Direct feeding offers several nutritional benefits. The composition of breast milk changes naturally to meet the baby’s needs, whether they are healthy or unwell.

Nursing directly at the breast strengthens the bonding between mother and baby.

Breastfeeding is readily available, requires no preparation, and incurs no additional cost.

Exclusively breastfed infants are often less prone to conditions such as allergies, asthma, obesity, and infections.

However, breastfeeding can be demanding, as it relies solely on the mother, limiting mobility.

The mother may also need to be mindful of her diet to avoid foods that could irritate the baby.

Some mothers may experience discomfort, such as sore nipples or breast engorgement.
The right way to pump

Dr Sandhya Rani advises that to pump and store breast milk safely, it’s essential to cleanse your hands properly and use clean, sterilised parts and containers. Using the pump in a calm, relaxed environment can help facilitate milk letdown. Additionally, storing milk in small amounts can also help reduce waste.

Dr Nirmala Chandrashekar explains that the correct method for pumping breast milk involves using a mechanical or electric pump that creates a vacuum, applying intermittent suction and release.

It’s important to label milk with the date and time it was expressed and bring it to room temperature before feeding.

Room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C): Freshly expressed milk can be stored for up to 4 hours.
Refrigeration (at 40°F or 4°C): Milk can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Freezer (0°F or -18°C or lower): Frozen breast milk can be stored for 6–12 months, although it’s best used within 6 months to retain nutrients.

What about frozen milk?

Experts suggest defrosting frozen milk in the fridge overnight or placing the sealed container in a bowl of warm water until the milk is warmed up. Avoid heating breast milk, especially in a microwave, as it can ruin some nutrients. After warming, gently swirl the milk to mix the fat that may have risen to the surface.

How to choose?
Dr Apurva Gupta notes that in India, there is a cultural taboo around pumped milk, but it’s important to educate people about the benefits of both breastfeeding and pumping.

Further, Dr Sandhya Rani adds, “Some believe breastfeeding is the only natural way to feed a child and consider bottle-fed breast milk less healthy. Dispelling this stigma can help support mothers.”

For many, direct breastfeeding is often the first choice due to its natural benefits, including bonding and ease of nutrient transfer. However, pumping can be a valuable option if direct breastfeeding isn’t possible.

Choosing to pump or breastfeed depends on a mother’s lifestyle, health, and personal goals. For working mothers or those with busy schedules, pumping can be a practical way to provide breast milk when they aren’t available. It also allows other caregivers to share in feeding, creating additional bonding opportunities.

Mothers should prioritise their own comfort and their baby’s needs, choosing a method that best suits their situation. While pumping requires time and equipment, making the choice between pumping and direct breastfeeding is a personal decision based on each mother’s comfort and preferences.