Managing Working and Pumping: Hands-Free Accessories and Other Helpful Items

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

Troubleshooting: When to Replace Breast Pump Parts & Accessories

If your breast pump is not suctioning the way it used to, the problem often lies in one of two breast pump parts.  Most breast pumps have a valve plus a diaphragm, filter or backflow protector.  The number one cause of low suction is a dirty, torn or worn out valve.  If you valve is the type that has a valve head and membrane shown here, it is imperative that you remove these parts when cleaning.  The valve membrane will retain a build up that decreases the suction.  Taking the membrane apart from the head is essential to remove this build-up.  If you see that the membrane will no longer close completely with the head or if it has a tear, replace it as soon as possible.

If your breast pump has a duckbill valve (shown below) which in most cases is a clear or white valve, the tip of the duckbill must be able to close completely.  If it remains open, the amount of pressure your pump can provide is decreased.  As a rule, if you are pumping three times per day or more, replace duckbill valves every six to eight weeks at minimum.  This is a small maintenance expense that will reward you in the dividend of a healthier milk supply.

One example of essential breast pump parts that need replacement are the Spectra S2 parts that include the white duckbill valve and the backflow protector.  These two parts are the most commonly replaced parts for Spectra breast pumps and if either of these parts is used for longer that eight weeks, the amount of pressure your breast pump has can be decreased.  The longer you use a breast pump with parts that are not functioning at capacity, the greater the chance of decreasing milk supply.

The most commonly replaced parts for each brand are listed below:

Spectra - duckbill valve, backflow protector
Ameda - duckbill valve, diaphragms

Motif - duckbill valve, diaphragms 
Hygiea - duckbill valve, bacteriostatic filter
ARDO - duckbill valve, membrane pot
PJ's Limerick - micron filter, silicone gasket
Bailey Nurture III - filter

Breast pumps that do not have closed systems such as Medela do not need parts replaced as often, but open system can lead to exposure of bacteria to breast milk so we do not recommend these pumps.

Lactation Connection offers subscription services for replacement parts on our most popular brands so that you don't forget to replace them on a regular basis.  We only sell authentic manufacturers parts for Spectra, Ameda, Hygeia, ARDO, Limerick, Bailey, Rumble Tuff and BelleMa to ensure quality of performance in your breast pump.

Salud! Here is to a healthy milk supply!
Tanya

Getting a Free Breastpump from an Insurance Company: It's Harder Than You Thought

I get this statement all the time as a lactation store owner, " Getting a free breast pump from my insurance company is harder than I thought."  I hear it from moms every day.  Many insurance companies  representatives tell moms to find out who takes my insurance instead of giving them an accurate list.  Or if they do offer a list, the insurance company does not have the pump they wanted in stock or offer that model at all.  Another issue is that when the mom does get her pump, it doesn't come with any extras.  No cooler carrier to take back and forth to work or breast pump replacement parts are provided.   In other words, the insurance companies pare down the pumps to keep costs down leaving moms unprepared when their valves go down the disposal.

Lactation Connection offers the largest selection of breast pump replacement parts around including brands like Ameda, Hygeia, Spectra, Bailey, ARDO to name a few of the more popular brands.  You may want to bookmark these links so you have access once you finally get your insurance pump. You are going to need it!  As for the pump itself, below is a list of the most popular health insurance companies:

UnitedHealth Group

Kaiser Foundation Group 

Anthem Inc. (Formerly Wellpoint Inc. Group)

Aetna Group 

Humana Group 

HCSC Group 

Cigna Health Group 

Highmark Group 

Blue Shield of California Group 

Independence Blue Cross Group 

Centene Corp Group 

HIP Insurance Group 

BCBS of New Jersey Group 

BCBS of Michigan Group 

Guidewell Mutual Holdings Group 

California Physicians’ Service  

Wellcare Group 

Carefirst Inc. Group

Health Net of California, Inc. 

Molina Healthcare Inc. Group 

UHC of California 

Lifetime Healthcare Group 

BCBS of Massachusetts Group 

Metropolitan Group 

Cambia Health Solutions Inc. 

In order to secure a pump through these insurance companies some require a pregnancy notification form to be filled out such as Anthem.  The company you contact below will know whether or not this is necessary.  To reduce your time and headache in getting your pump, go to these companies first and then call your insurance company so you know what forms you need or what questions to ask. The following companies bill all or most of the insurance companies listed above, but remember to bookmark Lactation Connection so you can order an extra double pump kit, valves, diaphragms, filters or tubing as needed.  If your pump uses a duckbill shaped valve, plan on replacing it every 6 weeks.  If your pump uses a filter, plan on replacing it every 8-12 weeks.  Other breast pump parts are replaced as needed for convenience or if they get lost or destroyed; but it is best to have at least one or two of every pump kit part in reserve if you rely on your pump for working or are exclusively pumping.  The companies below offer quality brands like Ameda, Hygeia, Spectra, and ARDO, but may also offer Medela whose insurance pump quality has been called into question as of late and the do not settle for brands like Tomy and Nuk. 

Acelleron Medical Products
Phone Number: 877-932-6327

Aeroflow Healthcare Breast Pumps
Phone Number: 844-867-9890

Byram
Phone Number: 877-773-1972

Edgepark® Medical Supplies 
Phone Number: 800-321-0591

EHCS
Phone Number:  888-344-3434

National Rehab 
Phone Number: 800-451-6510 option 9

Shield Healthcare
Phone Number: 800-765-8775

Sterling Medical
Phone Number: 800-216-5500

If your insurance company allows you to purchase a breast pump and then file for reimbursement, and you can wait 30-60 days for your money; it is always best to pay for your pump instead of getting a "free". Breast pumps like the Hygeia EnJoye LBI are going to include a lithium ion rechargeable battery, a premium cooler bag, universal bottle adapters and other extra parts that the insurance company Hygeia Q will not include. And sometimes you can even get an allotment towards purchasing a higher quality DME pump such as the Hygeia EnDeare,  Ameda Elite or even an Ameda Platinum which is the best pump on the market today, including the Medela Symphony which is inferior in cycles per minute and suction to the Ameda Platinum.  It pays to do what you are doing right now, getting information and getting your ducks in a row.  Lactation Connection is a private pay DME and therefore provides appropriate insurance codes on your receipt for ease in filing for reimbursement, but always check with your insurance company to see if this type of reimbursement is available before purchasing.

And if the brand or model you want is harder to find, call or email the manufacturer for information on DME's they recommend.

Happy Nurturing!

Tanya