Working & Breastfeeding: Pump up your Schedule

Planning to pump for an 8-hour workday will depend on various factors such as your work environment and breaks. However, here's a general sample pumping schedule for an 8-hour 9-5 workday and some tips to make it work for you.  Make sure to make a plan for your pumping space ahead of time so you have what you need for cleaning your parts and storing your breast milk.

7:00 AM - Nurse before you leave for work.

9:00 AM - Start of Workday:

10:00 AM - First Pumping Session: Allow at least 15 minutes for at least 10 minutes of pumping with a quality double electric breast pump and 5 minutes to set up and put up your supplies.

12:30 PM - Lunch Break: Eat before your next pumping session so that there are no more than 3 hours between emptying your breasts.  This will help ensure a healthy milk supply and offset clogged milk ducts.

1:00 PM - Second Pumping Session: 15 min (Of if you baby's child care is on your work campus, you can opt to nurse during your lunch break instead of pumping.)

4:00 PM - Third Pumping Session: 15 minutes.  If you have stored your milk in a refrigerator during the day, make sure to pack it a cooler carrier now so that it is ready to go when your work day ends.

5:00 PM - End of Workday

Remember to communicate your pumping schedule and needs with your employer and colleagues to ensure a supportive and understanding work environment. Adjust the schedule based on your individual requirements and any changes in your work day such as staff meetings. If a meeting or other work emergency prevents you from executing your plan exactly, put your next two pumping or nursing sessions closer together to protect your milk supply.  For example, if there was an emergency meeting called at 10:00 am, pump at 11 and again at 1:00.  Even if you have to put pumping sessions as close together as one hour, it is better not pump less than three times per day at work.  This should not be an every day occurrence as  you will extract less milk when pumping sessions are closer than three hours apart, but it helps to protect your breast health and your future milk supply if you keep the same number of pumping sessions even if the schedule varies.  

We don't need to remind you to prioritize your baby's well being as you have chosen to give your baby this precious part of yourself, but remember to prioritize your well-being as well.  This means you may need to purchase supplies that make it easier for you to pump at work.  The easier it is, the longer you will be able to provide this liquid gold for your baby.  For example, microwave steam sterilizer bags are a must have if you accidentally drop your pump part on the floor.  A breast pump tote bag that houses all your supplies help you consolidate for a quicker pumping session.  Buying two breast milk cooler carriers so that you can drop one at day care and have one with you is so helpful.  An breathable air-dry pump parts bag to keep your pumps clean and allows them to dry on their own after rinsing.  (Do not use a Ziplock bag which causes a greenhouse effect and can grow yeast.) And a hands-free pumping bra can allow you to work while you pump if your job is demanding.  

Best wishes for pumping up your schedule!

Tanya

Working and Breastfeeding: What Supplies Do I Need to Get Started for Working and Pumping?

Moms are always asking, what supplies do I need to get off to a good start if I will be working and pumping?  I have put together a list of things that will be helpful!

For a starter kit to pump at work, you will want:

1. Breast Pump Tote or Backpack with Cooler.  This will keep your supplies at your fingertips and make it easy for you to transport your pump and your breast milk. 
   
   
2. Six slim Hard Ice Packs (3 to use and 3 to freeze for next time) are the best to use.  Soft bags to not stay cold as long as hard ice packs and these slim ones take up less room in your cooler that the chunky ones found at most big box stores. 

   

   
   
3. Pumping Accessory Band (this goes on and off over your nursing bra so no need to change, just add this over your bra when you want to pump hands-free) Hands free pumps don't have the power that plug in pumps have. 

   

   
   
4. Extra double collection kit. Having a full set of extras saves time washing and keeps you from spending extra on expedited shipping when something gets lost or damaged.  

   

   
   
5. Extra valves and backflow protectors aka diaphragms to change every 6 weeks so your pump suction is maintained.                                    
6. Time and milk fat saving bag adapter so you can pump directly into your bag. The more often you move your milk, the more fat is lost so the least number of times you transfer milk, the better. 

   

   
   
7. Breast milk storage bags or extra bottles. If you are feeding directly out of the bottles, it is better to use today's milk tomorrow and leave them in the breast milk storage bottles than to freeze everything as living white blood cells are lost in the freezer. So a good rule of thumb is to use what you pumped today for tomorrow, freeze the milk from the last work day of the week and use frozen milk from the first work day. 

   
   

   
   
   
   
   

        8.  Another must have is a way to sterilize any essential parts at work.  Sometimes you forget to get your parts ready for the next day and of course you never know when something is going drop on the floor and you need a quick way to clean.  The best solution if you have a  microwave handy are microwave sterilizer bags.  

        9.  Our final item on this essential list is a quality air dry bag.  Do not put your parts in a ziplock bag that doesn't breathe.  You are just asking for yeast to grow on your warm moist parts if you do that. Some company make a "dry bag" but that is not the same as an air dry bag that allows air to circulate.

Best wishes for a great start to expressing liquid gold for your precious baby!

Tanya

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

Breast Milk Intake Chart: Infant Weight - How Much Breast Milk

One of the top questions we get, is how much do I leave for my baby in a bottle when I am away at work?  After all, your breasts don't come with ounce markers because your baby feeds on demand.  But for moms who are working or away from their baby short term, it is important to know how to determine how much milk is appropriate to leave.  For infants up to six months old, the quickest way to determine this is to take your baby's current weight rounding up to the nearest half pound and multiply by 2.5.  For example, a baby who is 10 lbs will need 25 ounces per day.  Then divide by the number of feedings per day, normally 8 for an infant under six months of age.  Therefore 25 ounces divided by 8 feedings is 3.12 ounces per bottle which we will round up to the nearest quarter ounce.  In other words, leave 31/4 ounces for a 10 lb baby for every 3 hours that you will be away.  Also leaving an extra frozen bottle is a good idea for emergencies.  Here is a link to a breast milk intake chart for those of you who are like me and have a mental block when it comes to math.

If you are trying to determine breast milk intake in those early days for your peace of mind or if your baby doctor is indicating that your baby is slow to gain weight, an affordable accurate baby scale with memory is a great tool.

Remember, diapers are a great indicator that your baby is getting enough.  Infants from day 6 through 6 weeks should have 6-8 wet diapers per day and 3-4 dirty diapers larger than a silver dollar.  Also note that older babies who are on solid food do not use this chart.  At that age, they take an average of 24-32 oz per day in addition to three solid meals per day.  When feeding solid foods, breastfeed first as breastmilk is still the main source of nutrition.  

If you still have concerns, having an affordable accurate digital baby scale is a plus.  Choose a digital baby scale that is accurate within 5 grams and has memory for before and after feeds to give you an idea of your baby's breast milk intake.

Best wishes!

Tanya

Pump Up Your Production: Milk Supply and the Pumping Mama

With today's easy to use breast pumps, moms sometimes think they just need to pump at work at lunch and break and then just go about their business.  Pumping, just like breastfeeding should be intentional.  We don't choose to breastfeed because someone said it is better for your baby.  We breastfeed because we educate ourselves to want the best for our child.  Pumping should also not be so haphazard.

First choose a quality hygienic breast pump.
There are many breast pump out there that while commonplace, are not the best choice.  You need an auto-cycling breast pump that does at least 60 cycles and has a closed system like Hygeia, Ameda and Spectra offer.  Double pumping increases the prolactin levels as well as save you time. Prolactin is the milk producing hormone.

Next determine your pumping schedule.
A mother of an infant under six months should pump at least every 3 hours that she is away from her baby.  That time frame is from the beginning of one pumping or nursing session to the beginning of the next.  If your schedule is erratic, you should still pump 3 times per day on an 8 hour work day. Just put some of them closer together if needed to get this time in.

Allow enough time for pumping.
You should allow a full 10-15 minutes for double pumping and then an extra few minutes to rinse your parts and put them away.  Do not stop pumping if milk stops flowing unless the time on the clock has passed.  Otherwise your body will think you don't need as much milk.  A good rule of thumb is that if milk is flowing for less than 10 minutes, pump for 10. If it is flowing past the 10 minute mark, pump for 15.  These extra few minutes simulate the non-nutritive sucking your baby does when nursing and is imperative for milk supply.

Don't forget about growth spurts.
Infants nurse more frequently during growth spurts.  At 10 days to 3 weeks, the first growth spurt is evident with the baby asking to be fed more frequently.  Breast pumps don't cry to be used so we have to intentionally pump more often during this 5 day period.  Pumping every 2 hours is best during the baby's third week, sixth week and three month milestone.  If this is not possible at work, pump at home after feeding the baby at least three extra times per day.  Don't worry about the amount of milk you are extracting.  This is more for stimulation than extraction, indicating to your body that your baby is about to grow and will need more milk.

Maintain your breast pump.
Professional grade breast pumps like the Hygeia EnJoye, Spectra S2 have systems that are dependent on maintaining suction.  Replacing breast pump valves and filters every six to eight weeks is essential for keeping your breast pump working at it's optimal level.  Keep breast pump parts on hand and replace on schedule or more often if you notice evidence of decreased suction or damage to your parts.

With good information prior to embarking on full time pumping or working and breastfeeding it is entirely possible for you to maintain a healthy milk supply.

Happy Pumping!
Tanya

Pumping Schedule: Working and Breastfeeding

We get this question often as to how to ensure a healthy breast milk supply while working and breastfeeding.  Just as in raising kids, consistency is essential.  Most moms return to work when the baby is 4-8 weeks old so we will give you a typical schedule to keep you on track as well as a schedule for the early growth spurts.

This schedule is for a 24 hour period on any given 9-5 workday and can be modified to your changing schedule.  The imperative is to nurse or pump every 2-3 hours for a total of 8 times per 24 hour period when your baby is under 6 months old.  If you choose to delay solids past 6 months, then continue this schedule until solids are introduced.

Please note that we are not advocating scheduling a baby's every feeding.  Feeding on demand is best for milk supply so if your baby asks to be fed earlier that your normal "schedule" by all means, feed your baby.  We do however find that working mothers benefit from a routine when it comes to pumping to ensure that they do not miss feedings and therefore do not adequately stimulate the breast which lowers milk supply.

Sample Feeding - Pumping Schedule for Infants who Night Feed

6:00 am feeding

8:30 am feeding

11:30 am pumping

2:30 pm pumping

5:30 pm feeding

8:00 pm feeding

10:00 pm feeding

3:00 am feeding

Once the baby begins sleeping through the night, put daytime feedings/pumping closer together so that you still meet the 8 times per day minimum feedings.  

Sample Feeding - Pumping Schedule for Infants who Sleep Through the Night

5:00 am feeding

8:00 am feeding

11:00 am pumping

1:00 pm pumping

4:00 pm pumping

5:30 pm feeding

8:00 pm feeding

10:00 pm feeding


This schedule will vary when your baby is going through growth spurts.  PLAN on feeding or pumping every 2 hours for a total number of 11-12 times per day during the week that your baby is 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and the week that your baby turns 3 months old.  This will help ensure that your milk supply grows with your infant's needs.  For at least 5 days during that period, you will want your feeding and pumping schedule to look something like the one below:

Sample Feeding - Pumping Schedule for Infants During a Growth Spurt*

3:30 am feeding

5:30 am feeding

7:30 am feeding

9:30 am pumping

11:30 am pumping

1:30 pm pumping

3:30 pm pumping

5:30 pm feeding

7:30 pm feeding

9:30 pm feeding

11:30pm feeding

As a working mother, you should choose a quality closed system double breast pump such as Spectra, Hygeia or Ameda make.   The convenience of a hands-free pumping bra is nice.   Make sure that you are changing your breast pump valves and filters or backflow protector to keep your breast pump working at it's optimal suction levels.  Do not risk low milk supply by not replacing your breast pump parts.  Use a phone app timer or equivalent to make sure you pump for a full 10-15 minutes of double pumping whether milk is coming out or not.  The law of supply and demand when it comes to breastfeeding is more like DEMAND and then the SUPPLY will come!  

Happy Pumping,
Tanya

*Growth spurts typically occur either at 10 days or 3 weeks, and then recur at 6 weeks, and 3 months and last for 5-7 days.

Pumping: Increasing Volume of Breastmilk

Our previous post gave information on how to increase your milk supply while pumping,  In addition, there are ways to increase the milk output from the supply mothers already have. 

1.  Massage While Pumping.  Using a hands-free pumping bra or using the pledge of allegiance hold pictured here can give you the freedom to massage your breast while pumping.  This can assist your milk output provided that you are doing it in a relaxed manor and not watching the bottles anxiously.

Mother using pledge of allegiance hold with Ameda Elite Breast Pump.



2. Reposition Breast Flanges.  Instead of just sitting and double pumping for 10-15 minutes, take advantage of the anatomy of your body.  You can engage more milk ducts if you re-position your breast flanges a.k.a. breast shields every 3-5 minutes during your pumping session.

3.  Pump Up the Volume.  Studies on mothers of premature babies show that listening therapy increases their output by 2-3 times. The most effective form of listening therapy includes verbal encouragement plus music.  One way to accomplish this is to have hubby record encouraging words and/or relaxing music.  It doesn't have to be elevator music, just music that is relaxing to you.

Study published in Advances in Neonatal Care, Douglas Keith, April 2012. 



4. Visualize the Prize.  Have a picture of your baby taped to your breast pump bag, on your desk or table by where you are pumping.  This will help milk output much more than staring at the bottles.

5.  Sense of Smell.  Another way to aide with let-down is to have a receiving blanket that has been on the baby or nursing scarf to drape around your neck or even to cover the bottles while you are pumping.

Remember, your expressed milk is liquid love.  You are leaving a part of yourself when you can't be with your baby and you are doing a great job, mama!

Happy Nurturing,
Tanya

Breast Pumps: Pumping Mama Tips

     Many of you are "pumping mamas" that is to say you pump when you are away from your baby for work or you exclusively pump and give breast milk in a bottle.  If so, there is some planning involved to maintain your breast pump and milk supply.  Here are some valuable tips to keep the milk flowing: 
     1.  Use a quality double electric breast pump.
The Hygeia EnJoye Breast Pump , the Spectra S2 or Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump are professional double breast pumps that offer a closed system with the proper suction and speed settings to maintain your milk supply.
     2.   Make sure your breast flanges are the right size.
The easiest way to get started finding the right fit is to look down at your nipple and your fingers at the same time.  If your nipple shaft (not including the areola) is the size of your ring finger, start with the standard size flange which is usually 24-27 mm depending on the brand of pump.  If it is smaller like your pinky finger, use an insert like the Flexishield in the standard flange.  If you nipple is wider like your thumb, go up to a custom-sized flange.
     3.   Pump every 3 hours that you are away from your baby.
If you miss or delay a pumping, make sure to put the next ones closer together so that you don't end up skipping a session.
     4.  Double pump for a full 10-15 minutes. 
Double pumping increases prolactin levels for a healthier milk supply than does single pumping.  You need to pump longer than the milk is flowing so if milk stops, don't stop your pumping session until you have pumped for 15 minutes.  Breast pumps like the Ameda Platinum are available for rental and offer a timer to ensure you are pumping for the optimal time period.  You can also use your phone timer to help you stick to the plan.
     5.  If you miss a pumping session, make it up!
If there was an emergency and you had to miss a pumping, make it up with two more pump sessions at home.  One after your baby's evening nursing and one right before you go to bed.
     6.  Maintain your breast pump by replacing valves once a month.
White duckbill valves like the ones used with Ameda and Hygeia pumps should be replaced frequently to maintain optimum suction.  Examine the end for tears or warping if you find suction to be lessening.  
     7.  If your pump has a filter or diaphragm, replace once every 2 months.
Hygeia filters should be replaced every 2 months and Ameda diaphragms every 2-4 depending on how they are cleaned.  Diaphragms should not be sterilized.  Use soap and water only on this Ameda part.
     8.  Simulate growth spurts by pumping every 2 hours.
Babies typically go through growth spurts at 3 weeks, 6  weeks, 3 months and 6 months.
Add three pumping sessions per day for five days in a row to effectively simulate growth spurts.  If you were a stay-at-home mom, your baby would be nursing more frequently so you need to do the same with your pump.  Note that the first growth spurt can show up as early as 10 days of age.
    9.  Use freshly expressed milk whenever possible.
Use the milk you pumped the day before for the next day instead of freezing it.  Fresh milk has the most antibodies.  Frozen milk is second best, but still far superior to any infant formula.  A rule of thumb to use the most fresh milk is to freeze Friday's milk, but use the fresh milk Monday through Thursday.  Your frozen stockpile can be used for low milk supply times like when your period returns, emergencies, and for mixing with solids after your baby is sitting alone and developmentally ready for them.  If you need help organizing your milk in the fridge, Breastmilk Bandit is a great labeling solution.
     10.  Your baby is the best motivation.
Sight, smell and sound can help trigger the milk ejection reflex aka let-down.  Look at a picture of your baby.  Drape a nursing scarf or receiving blanket around your neck that smells like your little nursling.  Play back a recording of your baby's coos or cries.  After all, you are doing this for your baby! 

Best wishes for a healthy milk supply and a happy baby!

Exclusive Pumping: Keeping Up Breast Milk Production While Pumping

I often get moms who want to exclusively pump instead of breast feed directly.  If you choose to pump exclusively, it is very important that stimulation starts in the hospital within 1 hour of the baby's birth.  Moms should double pump with a hospital or professional quality pump like the Ameda, Medela or Hygeia hospital grade rental pumps or a brand new (not used) professional quality pump like the Ameda Purely Yours,  Hygeia EnJoye Breast Pump or Spectra S2 Breast Pump. 



To initiate milk supply, pump every 2-3 hours with a 5 hour stretch at night for a total of at least 8 times per day of 10-15 minute double pumping sessions.  Many pumping moms get discouraged during the first 3-5 days as it is hard to see much going into the bottles as colostrum comes in teaspoons, not ounces.  Do not let this dissuade you, but draw this liquid gold up in a syringe and give it to the baby as it is chalked full of antibodies.  This schedule goes on for the first six months for the most part, but there are times when normal babies go through growth spurts that you will have to simulate with a pump.  When the baby is 2-3 weeks old and again when the baby is 3 months old, set aside a 5 day period that you will step up the pumping schedule to every 2 hours for a total of at least 11-12 times per day.  This must be 5 days in a row.  If your schedule gets interrupted, start over.   As you can see, this is a lot of pumping and cleaning of pump parts.  You will want at least 2-3 sets of breast flanges to use.  Some moms start this because it only takes 10-15 minutes to pump and a newborn baby takes 45 minutes to nurse, but as the baby gets older breastfeeding directly is much easier.  No bottles or pump parts to clean and most 2-6 month old babies will nurse in 20 minutes so you may want to reconsider your decision.  Pumping is great for the working mother, but if you choose to exclusively pump, experience shows me that these moms do not nurse as long as their direct breastfeeding counterparts.  If you breastfeed directly, it gets much easier by 6 weeks and by 3 months you feel sorry for moms who mix formula.   After all, have milk will travel!

If you do choose to exclusively pump, in addition to a quality breast pump a few key accessories will make your life easier.  These include a hands-free pumping bra so that you can multi-task while you are pumping, a breast pump cooler bag for transporting your pump and breast milk, an air dry bag to store and dry your breast pump parts on-the-go, and re-usable sterilizer bags to keep your parts sanitary anywhere you pump that you have access to a microwave.

Happy Traveling,
Tanya
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