Breastfeeding vs breast pumps: Doctors explain when pumping is necessary and when it isn’t

It’s World Breastfeeding Week. Expert says breast pumps are valuable tools in specific situations but should not replace direct breastfeeding for healthy mothers and babies

5 min readAug 5, 2026 10:00 AM IST

The authors argue that the growing tendency to equate breast pumping with breastfeeding and increasingly replace the term “breastfeeding” with “human milk feeding” risks overlooking the unique biological relationship between mother and baby. (Source: Pexels)

Six months after giving birth, 34-year-old Monica (name changed) returned to the demands of a full-time job. Every morning was a race against the clock, but before leaving for work she made time for one ritual she refused to compromise on. Remembering her doctor’s advice, she breastfed her baby before heading to the office, using a breast pump only on days when work made direct feeding impossible.

Her paediatrician had explained that breastfeeding is about much more than nutrition. The baby’s latch stimulates milk production while the close physical contact strengthens the bond between mother and child. Whenever Monica expressed milk, she stored it safely and fed it to her baby with a spoon rather than a bottle, following medical advice.

As breast pumps become increasingly common among working mothers, paediatricians and lactation experts are reminding families that they are valuable aids in specific situations — not substitutes for breastfeeding. Speaking during the World Breastfeeding Week (August 1–7), Dr Umesh Vaidya, vice-president of the National Neonatology Forum of India and head of the Human Milk Bank at KEM Hospital, said healthy mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed directly whenever possible. “If a baby is able to latch and suckle well, direct breastfeeding remains the best option,” he said.

Why experts are concerned

The debate has gained fresh attention following a paper published in the International Breastfeeding Journal by researchers led by Melissa Bartick of Harvard Medical School.

The researchers contend that women need better support to breastfeed rather than greater dependence on technology. With adequate workplace policies, maternity support and skilled lactation care, they argue, routine pumping would become far less necessary.

Breastfeeding offers benefits beyond nutrition

Dr Vaidya said breast milk does much more than nourish a baby. “It provides antibodies and immune protection, helps establish a healthy gut microbiota and supports the development of the infant’s microbiome during the first two years of life.” Studies have also associated breastfeeding with improved cognitive development, healthier metabolic outcomes and a lower risk of childhood obesity.

Story continues below this ad

The act of breastfeeding itself also matters. When a baby suckles effectively, the hormones prolactin and oxytocin are released, helping establish and maintain an adequate milk supply. Direct feeding, therefore, supports both the baby’s development and the mother’s ability to continue breastfeeding.

When pumping is the right choice

That does not mean breast pumps should be avoided. On the contrary, Dr Vaidya said they are indispensable in several medical and practical situations.

They can help mothers with cracked, painful or retracted nipples continue providing breast milk. They are useful in relieving severe breast engorgement and are often essential when babies admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are too ill or premature to breastfeed directly. Expressing milk in these situations helps maintain the mother’s milk supply while ensuring the baby continues to receive breast milk.

Working mothers who are temporarily separated from their infants may also need to express milk. The decision, however, should be guided by medical advice and the needs of the mother-baby pair rather than convenience alone.

Story continues below this ad

Safe use is essential

When pumping is necessary, proper hygiene is critical. Mothers should be taught how to clean and sterilise pump equipment correctly and store expressed milk safely.

Dr Vaidya also advises caution in how expressed milk is offered. “Where feasible, spoon or cup feeding may be preferable to bottles, as bottle feeding can contribute to nipple confusion in some babies and make breastfeeding more difficult.”

The message to families

Dr Vaidya believes breast pumps are increasingly being marketed as essential baby-care products, creating the impression that every new mother needs one. “The message should not be that every mother requires a breast pump,” he said. “They are extremely valuable when there is a medical or practical indication. But for a healthy mother and baby who are breastfeeding successfully, nothing replaces feeding directly at the breast.”

For experts, the distinction is important. Breast pumps are tools that help mothers continue breastfeeding when circumstances demand it. They are most effective when they support breastfeeding — not when they replace it.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

Tags:
breast feeding

Loading Recommendations...

Aug 11: Latest News

Live Blog