Breastfeeding Tips & Breast Pump Guide | Lactation Connection

Believe it or not, there is a wrong way and a right way to clean and store your breast pump parts. Certain practices can actually damage your parts, increase your chances of a yeast infection and make it difficult to pump comfortably. Let's start with what NOT to do. 1.  Never, ever use a bottle brush on your bottles or breast pump parts.  Bristles on bottle brushes can cause fine scratches and these micro grooves can harbor yeast spores.  And you don't want to know how many microbes of bacteria sponges have so using a bottle brush with a sponge tip is not the answer.  Your best defense is rinsing immediately after use, but if you did not get to it, use a clean paper or cloth towel and a spoon to push it around at the bottom if necessary. 2.  If using boiling water to sterilize, don't boil the breast pump parts as long as you boil the water.  The water should come to a boil first and then put the parts you are sterilizing in for just 3-5 mi...

If you have been to a lactation consultant or breastfeeding class, you will hear the importance of  maintaining your breast pump, especially if you are a working or exclusively pumping mother. So why spend a little extra on genuine breast pump parts?  Or another question we get is how can I tell if I am buying authentic Spectra parts? 1.  Buy from a reputable company and not one that has multiple sellers that they cannot control.  Companies like Lactation Connection have beens serving nursing mothers since 1993 so when you see a brand listed on their products, you can be assured that is the brand you are getting.  In addition, they work closely with the manufacturer, so if there is ever a warranty issue you are getting quick and accurate contact information and a liaison to help you get the items replaced if necessary. 2.  Examine your parts.  You will see the Spectra brand embossed on certain parts such as the Spectra breast shields and whit...

When it is time to replace a Spectra Backflow Ptotector or Valves? 1. Reduced Suction If you’re noticing a reduction in suction while pumping, this is a sign it is time to replace your Spectra Backflow protector and Spectra duckbill valves .  Valves may need replacing more often than the backflow protector, but not less often so a good rule of thumb is if your backflow protector needs to be replaced, replace your valves at the same time.  Thes two Spectra parts are the most critical when it comes to suction and worn out valves and backflow membranes are the most common reason for reduced suction.  Please note that if you are testing suction, you will need to use your Spectra Air Cap port cover in order to close off the other tubing. What about no suction when I’m pumping? A sudden loss of suction while pumping is most often because the backflow protector is not assembled correctly or duckbill valve or is not attached correctly to the breastshield, or has fal...

How do you know when you need a different breast flange size? Spectra breast pumps include the most commonly fitted flange size, 24mm breastshields . Although this is the most common size, many women will fit better in other sizes. A properly sized breast shield aka breast flange is important to ensure the best performance of your pump and the most milk output. An improperly fitted breast shield can hinder milk supply and cause discomfort. To determine the shield size you need, pump for five minutes using the standard size provided with your breast pump. Your nipple will expand while milk is being expressed, therefore it is important to measure after five minutes of pumping so that the size you select will provide adequate room. After five minutes, measure the diameter of the nipples at the base with a tape measure that uses millimeters. Click the link to access a printable tape measure . Ideally, you should select a shield size that is 2-3mm larger than this measurement, but up to...

Moms often ask - "Of the pumps that are offered free with my insurance plan, which pump is my best choice?"  This is a great question because there are several factors to consider when choosing a breast pump. Most importantly, hygiene needs to be considered when choosing a breast pump.  Is this a pump that won't contaminate my breast milk?  The answer is in whether it has an open or closed system.  Closed system pumps protect your milk from having dust or bacteria blown into the bottles while you are pumping.  The biggest offender in this area are the Medela pumps.  They do not offer a closed system and the Medela company does not comply with the codes set up by the World Health Organization so it is easy to rule this brand out. The next consideration is the function.  Is it a double electric auto-cycling breast pump with at least 250mmHG which is milligrams of mercury, a measurement commonly used in measuring strength of suction. Most commonly inf...

Moms often ask, how much water should I be drinking while breastfeeding?  What they are really asking is how much water do I need to make more milk.  The answer:  water does not make milk .  Breastmilk is made from blood and while your body does not function well at any task if dehydrated, drinking too much water can have several negative effects on breastfeeding. The first was over-hydration can negatively effect breastfeeding is actually reducing milk supply.  Not only is there no data to support the assumption that increasing water intake significantly increases milk supply, there are actually studies showing the opposite. One significant study by Illingworth and Kilpatrick tested 210 postpartum mothers.  Half of which drank an average of 69 oz daily and the other half exceeded 100 oz daily.  The mothers forced to drink beyond normal amounts produced less milk and their babies gained less weight.   Another disadvantage to too...

Are your bags packed for the hospital?  Moms tend to read extensively about what they need for labor and delivery, but let's not forget about after the birth.  Breastfeeding can be easier if you have a few essentials to help a mama out.  So what should you take to the hospital for breastfeeding? 1.  Breast Pump    It is not an uncommon occurrence for moms to want or need to pump in the hospital.  Perhaps you have an exceptionally sleepy baby, are separated from your baby for health reasons, or have noticed you have flat or inverted nipples and need a little assistance.  Taking your breast pump to the hospital is a great way to ensure you have one if you need one.  There are limited "floor pumps" and since insurance may not cover the extras, you won't be billed for a personal collection kit if you have your own pump at hand.  Make sure you choose a good quality pump such as the Spectra S2 Breast Pump or Spectra Synergy Gold Br...