If a mom chooses to breastfeed, there are breastfeeding benefits for both mom and baby.

Chrisie Rosenthal, a certified lactation consultant with The Lactation Network, shared eight breastfeeding benefits with TODAY Parents, including the benefits of pumping breastmilk.

Related: 5 breastfeeding positions for moms to try with their baby

Related: 13 breastfeeding tips for new moms from a lactation consultant

Rosenthal says yes — pumping allows a support person to help with feeds, offers options for feeding in public or while traveling, and may be a tool used to increase milk supply.

"Most parents will need to pump when they return to work," she told TODAY. "Pumping allows breastfeeding parents to maintain their milk supply, avoid health issues like plugged ducts and mastitis and provide breastmilk for their baby."

Related: How long should you breastfeed? A lactation consultant weighs in

Rosenthal said that she recommends new moms connect with a lactation consultant during pregnancy, who will be able to support families for the duration of feeding, from first latch to weaning.

"Even when breastfeeding is going well, your IBCLC will be there to answer questions as they arise and make feeding easier," she said, adding she also recommends taking a group prenatal breastfeeding class. "Whether it’s your first baby or you’re an experienced breastfeeding parent, taking those two steps sets you up for success."

Kait Hanson is a contributing writer for TODAY.com. A graduate of Penn State University, she began her career in sports and happily wakes up at 6 a.m. for games thanks to the time change at her home in Hawaii. An island transplant originally from the Northeast, she has called Oahu home for nearly 10 years with her husband and two chocolate Labs. Follow her on Instagram.