The working pumping mama has more to consider than the mother who is able to put her baby to breast for each feeding. After all, have milk will travel is a great lifestyle. But for those who must or choose to work outside the home, managing their breast milk expression and storage is something that must be considered. Here are some helpful tips and accessories to make this journey a little easier.
1. Obtain an effective breast pump. The first consideration is an effective breast pump. Don't settle for a manual, single breast pump or a used breast pump. These types of pumps can actually sabotage your results before you start. Double pumping increases prolactin levels and since working mothers do not get as much non-nutritive suckling to assist milk supply, this feature is a must. What about a used pump. Non-hospital grade pumps meaning professional pumps that are under $800 are meant to last a certain number of pumping hours which for one working mother is about a year. Their efficacy is reduced by using them too long and not replacing parts frequently. You want a pump that works at full strength. Not to mention some open system pumps like Medela's can actually cause your to transfer a yeast infection even when you buy new pump parts.
2. Replacing breast pump parts is a must. Certain parts affect suction and therefore milk supply. If you are a pumping three days a week or more, you should replace duckbill valves or valve membranes every 6-8 weeks and diaphragms or filters every 8-12 weeks so a good rule of thumb is to replace the two parts that most effect your breast pump function every 2 months like clockwork.
3. Size matters. You may be reducing your milk supply if your breast flange AKA breast shield is not the right size. If the size of your breast flange is too big, too much of the areola is being drawn in and not compressing the milk sinuses correctly. The same goes for if your flange is too small. Then not enough tissue is being drawn in to compress the milk sinuses correctly. If the correct compression does not occur, milk is left in the breasts and your body responds by reducing the amount of milk produced. A good rule of thum is that if your nipple is the size of your pinky, then 24-25 mm should work. If your nipple is larger such as the diameter of your ring finger, then try a 28-29 mm flange. If even larger such as your thumb, then choose a 31-32 mm. These are just rules of thumb (pun intented), but a great place to start. Even smaller sizes such as 20 mm breast shield are available in Spectra.
4. Relax! Just as a watch pot doesn't want to boil. Milk doesn't want to let down when you are stressing out and watching the bottle fill or not fill. Put a used receiving blanket around your neck to mask the bottles and to smell which will aid in let-down. A hands-free pumping bra is also very helpful because you can read, breathe and relax your shoulders and wrists while pumping.
Here is to all our mamas!
Tanya
1. Obtain an effective breast pump. The first consideration is an effective breast pump. Don't settle for a manual, single breast pump or a used breast pump. These types of pumps can actually sabotage your results before you start. Double pumping increases prolactin levels and since working mothers do not get as much non-nutritive suckling to assist milk supply, this feature is a must. What about a used pump. Non-hospital grade pumps meaning professional pumps that are under $800 are meant to last a certain number of pumping hours which for one working mother is about a year. Their efficacy is reduced by using them too long and not replacing parts frequently. You want a pump that works at full strength. Not to mention some open system pumps like Medela's can actually cause your to transfer a yeast infection even when you buy new pump parts.
2. Replacing breast pump parts is a must. Certain parts affect suction and therefore milk supply. If you are a pumping three days a week or more, you should replace duckbill valves or valve membranes every 6-8 weeks and diaphragms or filters every 8-12 weeks so a good rule of thumb is to replace the two parts that most effect your breast pump function every 2 months like clockwork.
4. Relax! Just as a watch pot doesn't want to boil. Milk doesn't want to let down when you are stressing out and watching the bottle fill or not fill. Put a used receiving blanket around your neck to mask the bottles and to smell which will aid in let-down. A hands-free pumping bra is also very helpful because you can read, breathe and relax your shoulders and wrists while pumping.
Here is to all our mamas!
Tanya
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