Breastfeeding Tips & Breast Pump Guide | Lactation Connection

If you are pregnant and have a health cost sharing plan like the ones from the companies listed below, you are working on your budget for child birth.  Moms who have traditional insurance are using their plans for securing a breast pump but since you have to pay up front for yours, here is some information you will want.  Lactation Connection offers options for moms using health cost-sharing plans like the ones listed below. Medi-Share (Christian Care Ministry) Zion HealthShare Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) Sedera Samaritan Ministries Liberty HealthShare Impact Health Sharing Solidarity HealthShare Altrua HealthShare OneShare Health Breast pump discounts are available to members of Christian healthcare ministries and other cost-sharing plans.  If you are a member, you will receive a discount the breast pump of your choice.   To receive the discount, you will need to follow these easy steps: 1.  Provide the name of Health Sharing Company and member ...

With the Eufy pump cost at a premium, which pump can rival it without spending $300?   We tested the Perifit breast pump and really like what we saw.  First it actually does 300mmHg on it's highest level of suction which most wearable just do not reach.  Next we liked that it was high quality designed in France as you can note on the flanges as they are high quality silicone and you can choose your flange size on the double pump from 18mm, 21mm or 24mm instead of using an insert which can interfere with suction and also is another part to clean.  I also really like the suction and speed levels.  You can choose up to 12 levels of suction and the speed can be used at a fast pace, slow pace, massage pace and a unique intermittent pace that alternates 8 stimulation cycles and one expression cycle that helps milk to flow more quickly. Below is a chart with features that may help you decide on the pump for me.  Some models of the Eufy do offer heat, but if ...

We get this question a lot.  Are Pumpin' Pal flanges worth it? Moms tend to either love or hate their Pumpin' Pals.  While there can be a variety of reasons, the most common reason is fit that can cause irritation. loss of suction and less milk output rather than a higher milk yield enjoyed by the moms who love them.  If you want to try Pumpin' Pals you will need to pack a little patience and expect that there is a learning curve because unlike any others I have seen they are angled like the baby's mouth which when used correctly does often result in more comfort and higher breast milk yield.  Let's compare to Spectra which is a top choice with mothers today. Difference in Sizing Spectra OEM Size OEM Inner Diameter Pumpin’ Pals Size Angled Inner Diameter Practical Fit/Feel 16 mm ~16 mm 2XS ~17–18 mm Slightly looser than Spectra 16mm — good fit if 16mm OEM is snug 20 mm ~20 mm XS ~21–22 mm Looser than Spectra 20mm — size may feel loose on many moms who use 20mm 24...

As a retired IBCLC with 30+ years experience in breastfeeding support, I am not sure that power pumping is the best method for increasing milk supply for every mom.  The method has limited scientific research and can cause moms quite a bit of frustration with such ridged and lengthy pumping sessions. Not to mention friction when dry pumping . While nipple stimulation does sustain hormone signals, research supports that regular extraction is the source of increasing milk supply.  Apart from moms who are relactating or inducing lactation, cluster pumping is a better method than power pumping because there is more milk to extract every 2 hours than there is when pumping again in 10 minutes. For clarity, I have outlined the power pumping method and cluster pumping methods below for moms with babies under six months below. While we are listing these times as pumping, nursing sessions can and should be used in place of these when possible. Power Pumping  60 minutes session once...

Hospital grade breast pumps also know as multi-user breast pumps are often used for corporate lactation and clinical settings. There are three we most often recommend.   Ameda Pearl Ameda Platinum Spectra S3 Pro Pump Type Hospital-grade, multi-user Hospital-grade, multi-user Hospital-grade, multi-user Power Source AC + rechargeable battery AC only (plug-in) AC + rechargeable battery Suction Range Up to ~250 mmHg Up to ~250 mmHg Up to ~270 mmHg Cycle Speed Stimulation: ~80–120 CPM Expression: ~30–48 CPM Adjustable speed, ~30–80 CPM Adjustable, up to ~70 CPM Modes/ Adjustability Stimulation & expression; customizable settings  Fully adjustable vacuum & speed Adjustable suction & cycles Closed System Yes Yes Yes Portability Portable due to internal battery Least portable; plug in Portable due to internal battery Noise Level Moderate Moderate Relatively quiet Durability/Use Intensity For frequent clinical and rental use Heavy-duty clinical workhorse For hospital a...

If you are considering relactation, your foundation for success is frequent, effective milk removal.  And the good news is that your breasts have made milk previously and mammary tissue and prolactin (milk producing hormone) receptors are established. It can take time to re-establish milk supply so be ready to put the effort in for the length of time that it has been since you last nursed.  For example if it has been two weeks, you may be able to relactate in as little as two weeks.  If it has been two months, it may take that long.  However, the protocols below may help expedite this process. Protocols Frequent pumping or nursing (8–12x/day, including overnight when prolactin levels are highest) Latch your baby on if possible.  Feeding tubes allow you to supplement your baby at breast until milk comes in. Get skin to skin with your baby often as it increases oxytocin (milk ejection hormone) Lactation Aids A high quality electric breast pump such as a S...

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS aka Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the past, it is now been renamed to PMOS to encompass the endocrine and metabolic system.  As you may have experienced maintaining milk supply requires intensive milk extraction due to risks of delayed milk "coming in" and potential hormonal interference from insulin resistance and/or high androgens. To endeavor to get milk to come in and keep your milk supply, below are some protocols that may help. Immediate Postpartum Protocols Colostrum Collection: With the permission of your doctor or midwife, collect colostrum after 36-37 weeks.  Especially in high risk pregnancies, it is essential to be cleared prior to expression. Early Initiation: Start nursing or hand expression within the first hour of birth. Frequent Removal: Breastfeed on demand or use a hospital-grade pump at least 8–12 times every 24 hours (roughly every 2–3 hours). Night Feedings:  Pitocin levels are the highest between 12pm-5am, so don...

Lansinoh glass bottles are a great option when needing a larger than 5-6 oz wide mouth bottle in glass for your infant.  There was some question about three years ago as to whether the paint on the logo was lead-free.  This type of information stays on the internet forever, so we wanted to clear things up.   Lansinoh changed their logo in 2023 and sources from Lansinoh recently stated to Lactation Connection in writing that the bottles contain no lead so you can be assured that they are now lead-free aka Pb-free if you are purchasing the Lansinoh 8oz Glass Bottles with the new logo. We would not recommend buying older bottles with the older oval logo shown above out of an abundance of caution.  Above is an image of the older logos along with the dates of use by Lansinoh.  Below are images of the new glass bottles and where you can purchase to be assured you are receiving only the new style.  Lactation Connection as a company prides itself on sending ...

At Lactation Connection, we are frequently asked which setting mom should use on the popular Spectra S1 and S2 breast pump  to get the most milk.  While settings are important, flange size is equally important. Your goal with your Spectra flange size is to engage the milk sinuses which are located an inch behind the nipple.  So it is really important that the flange allows the nipple to move freely without drawing in too much tissue.  You can use the guide below or a silicone nipple measuring tool . What about the settings?  Cycle pumping is recommended by Spectra when using the S1 or S2. Below is the procedure to start using the Spectra pump effectively.         Cycle 70 (Massage Mode) for 5 minutes        Cycle 54 (Expression Mode) for 5 minutes        Cycle 70 (Massage Mode) for 5 minutes        Cycle 38 (Expression Mode) for 5 minutes  Some moms leave their pump on hig...

While I did not dissuade the use of pacifiers for breastfed babies in the past, I had never found one that I could fully endorse.  Now, after 32 years serving nursing mothers, I feel confident in giving  the Ninni Co pacifier my  full endorsement.  As a retired International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, I love the graduated shape, the breast-like soft feel, the breathable shield and the view into the baby’s mouth for suck assessment.  This pacifier is not only recommended by lactation consultants for nursing babies to transition between breast and bottle more easily, but it has also been recommended for use in suck training and oral motor development in pediatric feeding therapy.   Why is the Ninni pacifier so highly recommended? 1. This breast-like super soft medical grade silicone pacifier mimics the tissue of the breast which encourages baby to create strong suction and a vacuum effect similar to breastfeeding. 2. For proper use, baby’s mouth ...

Below are the top 5 questions I get from moms about their breast pump parts so I thought I would share the answers with you. 1.  How often do I replace my breast pump parts? While most parts are replaced as needed when they age or if you need a new size flange, some parts are essential to replace on a regular basis.  For example, if you are pumping for work three times a day, replace your valves every 4-6 weeks and diaphragms or backflow protectors every 8-12 weeks to prevent your aging breast pump parts to reduce your suction and your milk supply. Valves should be checked to make sure that they close properly.  This is not just a visual check when they are at rest since new valves can have a slight openin. To check them properly, squeeze the sides of the tip between your thumb and index finger and the end should close for a moment when you release it.   2.  Is it ok to buy off-brand breast pump parts?  Absolutely not.  Each pump manufacturer test...

  There are some roadblocks to breastfeeding than come up often when moms are in the hospital or at their first pediatrician visits.   Depending on a mom's personality some are good advocates for themselves, but a lot of moms just go along with what they are told without questioning.   Often even if the pediatrician is pro-breastfeeding, a staff member will give you a biased opinion of what needs to be done in a certain situation.   While there are times supplementing with formula is helpful, often it is not necessary and depending on how the supplementation is done can hinder breastfeeding success.    Common scenarios that present barriers to breastfeeding are listed here including science-based evidence for this information in case you need to pass it along to any health professionals who may disagree so that  you be your baby’s advocate.  1. The baby has low blood sugar. The high protein content of colostrum helps with glucose stabilization...

Spectra is an industry leader in breast pumps and if you have the option to getting a Spectra breast pump, whether it is through insurance or private pay, it is a great investment.  These pumps are high quality, offer high output, exceptional warranty service and offer a wide variety of accessories to make your pumping life easier. One of the best things you can do when you get your breast pump is to familliarize yourself with the control panel.  The one pictured below is for the Spectra S1, but the only difference between the control panel on the blue   Spectra S1 and the pink  Spectra S2 is that on the S2 you will not see the battery life indicator in the top right section of the LED display since the S1 offers a rechargeable battery whereas the S2 is powered only by electricity. The green S3 Pro intented for hospitals, clinics or corporate lactation offers the same control panel as well.    Of course, you will want to start with the on button loc...

One of the questions we are often asked is how do I find a lactation consultant near me ?  And does insurance cover the consultation? Those are two great questions and we have answers for you as well as tips on how to hire your IBCLC and what questions you should ask in the process. 1.   Use an up-to-date lactation consultant locator .  The ones on the international board of lactation consultant examiners is often outdated as many lactation consultants aren't in private practice and don't do home visits.  Lactation Connection hosts a free locator on their website and it is up to date for 2024 with lactation consulants who have personally provided their current contact information and service areas. 2 .  Speaking of information, that should be your first question when you speak to a lactation consultant. Below are some examples of what to ask.     What are your credentials?   There is a vast difference between an IBCLC (International Board Certi...