Technology in Breast Pumps - Spectra Synergy Gold SG Dual Powered Breast Pump -

We were first notified of the latest innovation in breast pumping technology and have been waiting to get our hands on their incredible new breast pump, the Spectra Synergy Gold.  This pump has dual power, not to confused with just dual or double pumping.  It actually allows the breasts to be stimulated independently so you can increase the suction on the lazy breast to encourage more milk extraction.  This type of technology is what double pumps were going for when they were first invented by Einar Egnell, founder of the Ameda Egnell company back in 1942.  But not much has changed in this field other than portability and speed.  Dual electric pumps became smaller, faster, more portable and some are even wearable. As I said, not much has changed, until now!

What is different about the Spectra Synergy Gold Breast Pump is that is had dual motors that operate independently.  Why is that helpful?  Double pumping increases prolactin for increased milk production, but until now each breast had to be treated the same.  The same number of sucks per minute at the same level of suction.  But as you know, your breasts aren't twins - they are more like sisters.  Allowing for each breast to be treated individually allows you to increase suction more on one breast.  Think of this pump more like nursing twins.  Even twins have different needs when it comes to pace of feeding and different abilities when it comes to strength of suction.  

While the new Spectra Synergy Gold Breast Pump has the most advanced technology in the industry, it has retained the hallmark features for which Spectra is known.  The Synergy Gold has a true closed system with a hygienic barrier to prevent breast milk contamination, has a mild indirect light for breastfeeding at night or use as a night light, and uses the same Spectra accessory kit as other Spectra breast pumps so if you are upgrading to the Synergy Gold Breast Pump, your Spectra breast pump parts and Spectra bottles are compatible.  And Spectra offers 20mm, 24mm 28mm and 32mm genuine Spectra breast shields.  

The Spectra Synergy Gold Breast Pump offers the same 270 mmHG strength of suction as the Hospital Grade Spectra S3 Pro.  It is ultra quiet and has a timer control, 3 levels of light illumination, LCD touch screen with dual controls for each breast, timer and mute mode.

So you can see the difference between the Spectra Synergy Gold settings vs the Spectra S2 as well as other pumps, below is a chart showing the details of the strength of suction and speed of this exceptional breast pump!

And I may be a lactation nerd, but can I say this pump is sexy!  Love the name of this pump and white and gold color scheme which makes you feel like a lactation professional even if you aren't one...lol! After all the definition of synergy is a cooperative action between two in order to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Like most of you, we were happy to have 2020 in our rearview mirror for a myriad of reasons and are happy to have the Spectra Synergy Gold Breast Pump now available!

Synergy Gold breast pump parts are similar to the tried and true Spectra S1 and S2 breast pump parts with the exception of specialized SG tubing.  Spectra white duckbill valves and backflow protectors are the same in the Synergy Gold.  Replacement Synergy Gold Breast Shield Sets with SG tubing can be purchased as well.  

Here is to more effective pumping!

Tanya

www.lactationconnection.com

Breastfeeding Positions: Laid Back, Side-Lying, Cross-Cradle, Football Hold

I recently came across some great diagrams and information on breastfeeding positions from a Chinese source!  Their hospital authority breastfeeding promotion committee had these wonderful images and descriptions to offer, so I had to share! I added the American names for the transitional position as Cross-Cradle Hold and underarm position as Football Hold, but the rest is straight from ha.org. 

Happy Reading!

Tanya

www.lactationconnection.com

 Laid back position

• The mother is to lean back and be well supported on a bed or couch. When putting the baby on the mother's chest, gravity will keep him / her in position and the body molded to the mother's.
• Have the mother’s head, back and elbows well supported with cushions / pillows. Let the baby’s cheek rest somewhere near the mother's bare breast. The whole front of the baby’s body should touch the mother's whole front.
• The baby can rest in a position that the mother likes, just making sure that his / her whole front is against the mother's.
• The advantages of this method are that the baby can instinctively take the initiative to find the breast and suckle, while the mother can assist and encourage the baby in a relaxed manner.
• This method is particularly suitable when the mother is a bit tired. But if the mother is exhausted or under the influence of medication after childbirth, taking into account the safety of the baby in case if the mother falls asleep, it is preferable to have a family member to stay at the bedside to take care of and observe her.
• If the flow of the mother’s milk is too fast, this method can also slow down the rate through gravity.

Transitional (Cross Cradle Hold)

• The mother should sit straight, with her back resting on a chair. Her body should slightly lean forward without bending too much of the back and neck. A foot pedal or beveled stool can be placed under her feet for support.
• The mother is to cradle or hold the baby across her lap, with the baby lying on his / her side. He / she should be resting on his / her shoulder and hip, with the mouth levels with the nipple of the mother.
• Pillows / cushions are to be used to lift the baby and support the mother’s elbows to bring the baby up to the nipple height especially during the first few weeks.
• The mother can support her breast using either a "U" or "C" hold, using the hand on the same side of her breast.
• The baby's head will be on the mother’s opposite forearm and his / her back will be along mother’s inner arm and palm.
• When the mother looks down, she should see her baby's side.
• She can put the baby's head on the breast when he / she widely opens the mouth instead of placing the nipple into it. In good attachment, the baby’s lower lip should turn outward and cover the areola below. The chin is indenting the breast. More areola will be seen above the top lip than the bottom lip if the areola is seen.
• Be sure that the baby's ear, shoulder and hips should be in a straight line. As a newborn, the baby's head and bottom should be at the same level.

Side-lying position

• Lying down is a comfortable position for many nursing mothers, especially at night.
• When using this method, both the mother and baby are to lie on their sides facing each other.
• The mother's head is to be supported. To help her getting comfortable, she can use pillows behind her back and bottom or between her knees.
• During the positioning, the mother can use her hand to keep the baby's back in position. In helping the baby in getting milk more easily, the mother can keep the baby's hips flexed and his ear, shoulder and hip in one line.
• The breast can be supported with a "C" hold, using her hand on the opposite side of the breast.
• Same as in transitional hold, instead of placing the nipple into the baby’s mouth, the mother can put the baby's head on the breast when he / she widely opens it. In good attachment, the baby’s lower lip should turn outward and cover the areola below. The chin is indenting the breast. More areola will be seen above the top lip than the bottom lip if the areola is visible.
• After the baby is well positioned and attached to the breast, the mother should remove her supporting hand from the baby’s back and rest it beside her own head.
• To prevent the baby from rolling away from the mother, a pillow or rolled blanket can be placed behind the baby's back to support his / her position.
• If this method is used when the mother is very tired or under the influence of medication, it is advisable to have the companion of a family member to stay at the bedside to take care of and observe her. This will avoid jeopardizing the safety of the baby if the mother falls asleep during feeding.
• This position is also useful during daytime.

Underarm Position (Football Hold)

• Keeping the baby away from the incision, this is a good position for a mother who has had a Caesarean birth
• Most newborns feel comfortable in this position. It also helps when a mother has a forceful milk ejection reflex (let down) because the baby can handle the flow more easily.
• When adopting this position, the mother’s body should slightly lean forward without too much bending of her back and neck. A foot pedal or beveled stool can be placed under her feet for support.
• To facilitate a good control on the baby’s position, the mother is to support the baby's head in her hand and the baby’s back along her arm beside her. The baby's legs and feet are tucked under the mother’s arm, with his hips flexed and his legs resting alongside the mother’s back rest. The baby’s chest should now be facing the mother’s breast, with his mouth at nipple height.
• The breast can be supported with a "C" hold, using her hand on the opposite side of the breast.
• The mother can put the baby's head on the breast when he / she widely opens the mouth. Do not try to place the nipple into the baby's mouth. In good attachment, the baby's lower lip should turn outward and cover the areola below. The chin is indenting the breast. More areola will be seen above the top lip than the bottom lip if the areola is visible.
• If needed, pillows could be used to bring up the baby to the correct height and to reduce the pressure on the mother’s arm and wrist. However, to avoid the mother leaning forward excessively, the pillow support should not be placed at too low a level.

Source of above diagrams: Hospital Authority Breastfeeding Promotion Subcommittee