In Her moment

Every pump, every drop, every story.

Pumping. Nursing. Loving.

Motherhood comes in many forms, and every journey looks different.

In this campaign, we celebrate the quiet strength of mums who pump, latch, or do both, wearing our Skye Pump Bra in its beautiful new shades.

We spent the morning with three incredible mums, capturing their real moments, the pumps, the latches, and the gentle determination that fills each day.

These are not just photos. They are stories of dedication, choices, and love. And every story deserves to be seen.

This is In Her Moment.

Amanda, 2-weeks postpartum (latching & pumping)

How did you feel emotionally about pumping in the initial days vs now?

Being just over two weeks postpartum, I would say it’s still early days for me. Initially, when I first started pumping, I definitely thought it was quite troublesome, since I had to wash the pump parts when I could have been resting or watching my baby sleep.

It can also be quite discouraging when your milk supply isn’t high at the start, and you wonder if you’re providing enough for your child.

But over time, as I watch my baby grow chubbier and bigger with the milk I provide, it makes me look forward to pumping a lot more, and those tiny inconveniences gradually take a backseat.

Did you find any rituals or hacks that helped make pumping easier?

Finding a comfy place at home to pump really helped me. I like bright spaces, so pumping in the living room was something I enjoyed, even though it made me feel super exposed.

Plus side of being in confinement is that I was alone (just with my husband) and could simply close the windows and be comfy on the sofa or kitchen island to pump without feeling constricted.

Another little ritual I have is looking forward to the yummy lactation cookies I’ve been gifted, haha. It’s too early to tell if they work, but they taste so good that I motivate myself to pump by telling myself I can have some cookies after.

What advice would you give to a new mom who just started pumping?

Trust the process and trust your body.

It’s common to stress about whether your milk supply is sufficient, but as long as you keep the routine going, you can trust that your body will regulate accordingly. The human body is amazing!

Also, a mini side note to all new mums: don’t feel like a failure if you need to supplement with formula for certain feeds. The ultimate goal is your baby’s growth, and as long as he or she is healthy, that’s all that matters. All the best!

Nicole, 8-months postpartum (latching & pumping)

Have you ever wanted to give up on pumping? What kept you going?

I definitely don’t enjoy the time it takes to pump, the logistics involved and the need to be more intentional about what I consume to ensure supply does not drop.

However, I’ve never thought of quitting as thankfully supply has always been decent. I’ve never had too bad a bout of inflammation or engorgement.

Most importantly there’s clear evidence that it’s good for babies to have breast milk so if it’s something I can manage without it affecting me physically or mentally then I’m ok to continue and just countdown the days to when I can stop :)

What support made a difference during your pumping journey?

Having help around definitely makes a difference, whether it’s my husband or our helper looking after the baby while I pump or wash bottles.

Having a flexible work schedule that gives me time to pump during office hours also helps. The office provides a nice nursing room with fridges to store milk, which is really helpful.

Pumping bras / hands free bras are of course also essential because wearable pumps don’t work for me as well and who has time to hold two pumps in their hands four times a day for 20 min each time!

Did you find any rituals or hacks that helped make pumping easier?

I just use it as my “me time” or “down time,” whether that means doing work, reading a book, scrolling social media, watching Netflix, or playing on my Switch. It gives me a break from “mothering” and allows me to just be by myself.

But sometimes, it does take me away from social situations I want to be part of, which can be a bit frustrating, like when friends are around and I have to leave for a while to pump.

How did you feel emotionally about pumping in the early days vs now?

In the early days, I thought pumping was better than latching because it meant getting more uninterrupted sleep at night, as I would just pump once. I also liked being able to see how ‘productive’ my milk output was and knowing I was providing for the baby.

But over time, I realised that pumping has its own challenges too and now the excitement has worn off. It’s just become routine. I’m quite excited for the day when I can finally stop. I’m definitely looking forward to that.

What advice would you give to a new mom who just started pumping?

It is not necessarily for everyone but feel free to give it a go. I think the main thing is to not feel like you need to keep doing it if it starts affecting your emotional or mental or physical state. It is really a personal choice at the end of the day and no one should feel pressured to do it.

Similarly, no one should feel bad they are pumping and not latching the baby as again it’s personal preference and there are pros and cons to both approaches.

Bethany, 13-months postpartum (latching & pumping)

Have you ever wanted to give up on pumping? What kept you going?

Sometimes at 2 am, pumping was just too tiring and I would skip that session. Waking up later at 6 am to engorged boobs was no joke.

Yes, it was tiring, and at times I did ask myself why I was pumping. But knowing that my child would be comforted by the milk and latching kept me going.

Did you find any rituals or hacks that helped make pumping easier?

Pump whenever and wherever works for you. I always bring a shawl with me nowadays so that when it’s time to pump, I can just cover myself and pump. No matter the amount, just pump. As long as you keep a steady rhythm, your milk will keep producing.

Once, I forgot to bring my cooler bag out, so I used my tumbler instead. I placed ice in it and squeezed my milk bag inside to store my milk for about an hour.

Another hack. If your pump is too heavy to bring around, get an additional one, for example, one at work and one at home. It makes pumping so much easier. I got my pump motor from a friend, but there are many hand-me-downs on Carousell that can be used too (only the motor). As for the pump parts, I have two sets, one to bring out and one at home to wash, so I don’t have to wash the same set every time I use it.

I have a little fridge hack too. Some mums like it, some don’t, but it works well for me. When I pump at work (I’m a teacher and don’t have time to wash my pump parts right away), I either use my second set or the used set in the fridge between sessions.

This way, I can reuse the same set for my next pumping session and pump several times a day without hassle. Of course, at the end of the day, I always make sure to wash my pump thoroughly for the next day’s use.

How did you feel emotionally about pumping in the early days vs now?

It was painful at the start, especially in the first week postpartum, when I wasn’t used to the suction on the nipples. There were contraction pains too when pumping.

But after learning how to use the pump, assemble it properly, and getting used to the correct suction function, I now feel quite at ease pumping at 13-months postpartum.

I’m thankful for the milk flow that keeps my baby comforted too!

What advice would you give to a new mom who just started pumping?

Keep going, even if the amount is little.

Get help with washing and sanitising your pump parts. It’s great to have a good steriliser and a second set of pump parts to ease the frustration of constant washing.

Never let anyone’s comments like “Oh, why so little?” or “Are you sure you want to continue?” affect you.

Reach out to other mums too, or watch videos on how to use your pumps. I found the support group “Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group” very useful as they answered many of my questions on milk storage and pumping issues.