Lactation Connection Offers Spectra Corporate Lactation Workplace Program

Since the release of the new Spectra S3PRO, Lactation Connection is now able to offer companies of any size an affordable Corporate Lactation Program that can increase employee productivity.  The Spectra S3Pro is an FDA cleared multiuser breast pump with a three year warranty and full functionality for dual pumping with twelve levels and up to 70 cycles per minute.

Lactation Rooms Benefit Employees and Companies
Business site corporate lactation rooms help keep your employees working with less missed days due to frustration in finding a time and place to pump and a greatly reduced incidence of illness due to breastmilk in their children which means moms take fewer sick days to care for their babies. Companies who offer lactation support programs for new mothers found that their employee retention rate was 94%. In summary the following benefits are noteworthy.

• Reducing the risk of some health issues for women and children
• Decreasing employee absences associated with caring for a sick child by as much as 50%
• Promoting an earlier return from maternity leave
• Increasing retention of female employees. 

Some states have Breastfeeding Coalitions such as the one in Missouri that offer grants to companies who initiate lactation rooms.  For more information contact your state breastfeeding coalition.

Spectra Breast Pumps Offer Seamless Transition from Home to Office
Since most insurance companies offer the Spectra S1 or S2 breast pumps to mothers, more moms are choosing Spectra due to the closed system and high ratings given by other mothers.  Spectra breast pump parts are interchangeable from the S1, S2 and the new S3PRO so moms can use their own pump parts if they have obrained a Spectra personal pump for use at home.  Lactation Connection also offers programs where companies provide each mother with their own Spectra collection kit or companies with smaller budgets can allow moms to purchase their own collection kit.

Program Options
Lactation Connection program options include the custom pricing depending on the number of pumps required, the inclusion ore exclusion of personal collection kits with custom flange sizes and a parts replacement subscription as well as a warm-line where moms can get answers to their pumping and breastfeeding questions from experienced lactation consultants.

For more information or a custom quote, please call Lactation Connection at 800-216-8151.

Happy productivity!
Tanya Roberts
Lactation Connection
Serving Nursing Mother's Since 1993
800-216-8151

References
Cohen R, Mrtek MB, Mrtek RG. Comparison of maternal absenteeism and infant illness rates among breastfeeding and formula-feeding women in two corporations. American Journal of Health Promotion.1995;10(2),148-153.
Ortiz J, McGilligan K, Kelly P. Duration of breast milk expression among working mothers enrolled in an employer-sponsored lactation program. Pediatric Nursing. 2004;30(2):111-119.

Can you Pump Directly into Breast Milk Storage Bags with Spectra Motif Hygeia and Lansinoh Bag Adapter?

Moms who store breastmilk in the freezer know that breast milk storage bags are the most space saving efficient way to stockpile your breastmilk.  But did you know that pumping into bottles and then transferring the milk to storage bags looses some of the fat meant for your baby?

Small amounts of fat cling to the side of the bottle and never make it to the storage bags.  The more times you transfer your breast milk from one container to the other causes more and more of the healthy fat to be lost.

The solution is pumping directly into the breast milk storage bags.  But how do you pump into storage bags such as Spectra?  While there may be hacks to rig your bag to your pump, they are not worth crying over spilled milk.  The most secure way we have found is a breast milk storage bag adapter.  It works with popular wide mouth breast flanges such as Spectra, Motif Duo, Motif Luna and Ameda Mya.  It attaches very well to common breast milk storage bags like Lansinoh and Nuk and works great with our best selling breast milk storage bags such as the Hygeia Milkies, Motif Breastmilk Storage Bags and Spectra Breast Milk Storage Bags.  For the purposes of this blog, we tested the compatibility and the security of the adapter to the flanges and the bags mentioned.

Motif Breastmilk Bags go on easily.  The clasp grips right below the zipper holding your the bag in place securely as shown.

The Hygiea Milkies Breast Milk Storage Bags have a flap.  So after tearing off the perforated top, fold down the flaop and then insert the bag adapter into the bag.  The grips should be just below the zipper line for security.  Lansinoh and Nuk have a similar flap and work much the same way.

Pumping into the Spectra Breast Milk Storage Bags work much like the Motif  Breastmilk Bags.  After opening the bag, insert the adapter into the bag and make sure that the spring-hinge grips the bag firmly just below the zipper line.  You can even give it a tug before you start pumping just to make sure that you have attached it properly.

It is nice when a product makes it easier for moms to pump and store their breast milk.  Kudos to MayMom for the design of this breast pump storage bag adapter!

Here is to direct pumping!

Tanya

Which Breastfeeding Supplies are FSA HSA Eligible? - FSA HSA Breastfeeding Supplies Eligible List

One of the questions we often get is, "Can I use my HSA credit card to purchase breastfeeding supplies?" or "Which nursing supplies are eligible to buy with my FSA card?".  You can use your HSA or FSA card to buy breastfeeding supplies but you do need to purchase from a DME, durable medical equipment supplier such as Lactation Connection.  Health spending accounts and savings accounts are great to use for breastfeeding accessories, but you will want to know which supplies are eligible.

Here is a list of  FSA and HSA eligible items:

Breastmilk Storage Bags

Breastmilk Storage Bottles

Breastpump Accessory Set

Breastpump Bags
Breastpump Battery Pack
Breastpump tubing

Breastmilk Cooler Set
Breastpump

Breastshields (all sizes and brands)
Hands Free Bustier (all sizes and colors)

Lactation Aid Feeding Tubes

Microwave Steam Sterilizer Bags

Nipple Cream
Nursing Pads

Portable Vehicle Lighter Adapter

Replacement Valves (all types)

Replacement Valve Membranes

Please note that LCFSA and DCFSA limited care accounts cannot be used for the above items.

Here is to healthy saving and spending!

Tanya

Haakaa Breast Pump - Breast Milk Catcher

Whether you are using a double electric breast pump for work or exclusively breastfeeding at home, having a breast milk catcher is beneficial.

In the first six to eight weeks postpartum your breast milk supply has not yet regulated.  Using a silicone breast pump as to catch milk on the opposite breast is a great way to improve milk supply and begin storing milk for upcoming work or emergencies.  Many exlusively nursing mothers have called us with questions as to how to get a stash for an unforseen trip or medical procedure.

A silicone breast pump, when used properly is a great tool.  To use the Haakaa Breast Pump, squeeze out the air.  Then make sure you are establishing a seal with the flexible flange by everting the mouth of the flange, much like you would roll a pair of socks.  Then as you place the silicone breast pump on the breast empty of air, the suction will be created and the lips of the flange will roll back into place and securely onto the breast.  Watching the How to Use the Haakaa Breast Pump video is helpful.

If you prefer to manually express milk, rather than passively collect milk while nursing, the Hygeia Manual Expression Cup is a wide mouth cup with bottle that will catch milk when hand expressing.  We recommend using a heavier glass bottle so that it will be more stable or using a bottle stand
with your bottle to keep you from crying over spilled milk!

For the best hand expression technique, the Marmet Technique for hand expression is widely used.

You will want to massage the breast first, place your hand is a C hold and then follow the instructions for manual expression as outlined by Chele Marmet, MA, IBCLC. Below is a short summary, but I would encourage you to view the full article.

Collecting breast milk passively or hand expressing breast milk is a helpful tool in using expressed breast milk to entice the baby to the breast, using manual expression or the Haakaa to evert the nipple and even later on to collect breast milk for storage or adding to baby foods.  If you have flat or inverted nipples, Haakaa also has an Inverted Nipple Corrector that works well.

Cheers to breastmilk, however you cghoose to extract it!

Tanya

How to Clean, Store and Dry Breast Pump Parts

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 minutes.
This not only helps you not to go off and forget them and end up with a melted mess, but it helps to minimize the cloudiness that comes from over-sterilization.  When breast shields are cloudy, they are more difficult to center on the nipple which could lead to painful pumping.  For your convenience, microwave steam sterilizer bags can minimize your risk of over sterilization.

3.  Don't leave the valve on the breast shield aka breast flange when sterilizing.  Failure to remove the valve from the breast shield can cause breastmilk to be caught between the two parts which can in turn spoil and later be ingested by your baby.  Remove the duckbill valve by the top and not the tip to prevent tearing.  If you pump has a two part valve head and valve membrane, you will also need to remove the membrane disc from the valve head in order to get a good cleaning.

4.  Assess the barrier.  If you are using a pump with a diaphragm or backflow protector, you will need to clean that part if you did not remove the breast shield immediately or the milk reached that part for any reason such as tipping the breast flange.  The Ameda Diaphragm is not to be sterilized, but washed in warm water and replaced every six weeks.  Three part backflow protectors such as are included with the Spectra S2, Motif and Ameda Mya breast pump will need to be disassembled and sterilized.  Make note that the membrane is seated in the part with the tip and then the cap is snapped over the top.  See image below.

While it is unnecessary to sterilize your parts with every use, rinsing with hot water and sterilizing once per day is adequate as long as you keep your parts in an air dry bag.  Never store wet breast pump parts in a sealed Ziploc bag as the wet warm environment can also grow yeast.

How should you clean, store and dry your breast pump parts?

1.  Remove your breast shield from the tubing immediately.  This prevents milk from draining into the backflow protector, diaphragm or even into the tubing if you has a non-recommended open instead of closed system.

2.  Remove the breast pump valves from the breast shield. As we mentioned before, this allows for the sterile water to reach all parts and prevent trapping bacteria.

3.  Rinse with hot water after each use. The CDC does not recommend storing parts in the refrigerator between uses so using an air dry bag that dries while allowing air to circulate is best.

4.  Air dry your breast pump parts.  If you are doing this at home, you can put your parts on a clean towel and cover with another clean towel or use an air dry bag.  The two most common air dry bags on the market are the Pumpin' Pal Air Dry Bag and Breastmilk Bandit Store & Dry Bag.  Both work well to air dry, but the Breastmilk Bandit air dry bag is machine washable making it easy to throw in the wash and have a freshly cleaned bag to start your work week. In addition, the Breastmilk Bandit Store & Dry Bag has a hang hook making it easy to hang in your pantry or cabinet.

Here is to clean breast pump parts for pumping!
Tanya

Authentic Spectra Breast Pump Parts: How to Spot Genuine or Fake

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 white duckbill Spectra valves.   The Spectra backflow protectors have the Spectra name embossed on them and Spectra tubing do not have a logo, but they are secured with a gold-tone twist tie .

3.  Replace your bottles with genuine Spectra bottles for the best fit with your flange.  Spectra bottles will carry the Spectra brand logo. Spectra Bottle Nipples do not have a logo.

Replacing your breast pump parts frequently, helps your Spectra breast pump function at optimal suction levels for peak performance in maintaining your milk supply.  For working mothers who pump three times per day, valves should be replaced every 6-8 weeks or any time they won't close or obtain a tear.  Backflow protectors should be routinely replaced every 8-12 weeks.  Your breast flange AKA Spectra breast shield should be replaced any time it gets scratches which can harbor yeast or anytime new valves are no longer tight.  Heat from sterilization can change the shape of the flange creating a loose fit with a new Spectra valve.  And as always, genuine Spectra breast pump parts will help  maintain the life of your breast pump without compromising the suction and performance.

Happy Pumping!

Tanya

Troubleshooting your Spectra Breast Pump: Backflow Protector & Duckbill Valve

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 fallen off.

What if the backflow protectors still moving when your pump is on?

If the backflow protectors are still moving back and forth with the sucking motion of the pump or if the backflow protectors fall off, then chances are the suction issue is because of the membranes. When they lose suction or fall off, it’s usually because they have worn down and it’s time to replace them. Check to make sure your membranes are still properly assembled to your kit, and remember that to properly maintain the pump. 

How often does Spectra recommend replacing Backflow Protectors?

Backflow protectors should be replaced regularly, as often as every two to three months.  Any time your breast pump has been stored, duckbill valves and backflow protectors should be replaced as well as any brittle or crimped tubing.

2. Backflow Protectors are Flopping Around

If your backflow protectors are moving erratically or hitting the casing, this usually means the duckbill valves need to be replaced.

3. Moisture in the Backflow Protector

While condensation is common on the breast shield side of your backflow protector, moisture on the side where the tubing is attached is a problem that can then create moisture in the tubing. If your parts are completely dry prior to assembly, but you notice moisture in the tubing during and after pumping, it’s most likely an issue with the backflow protector. Improper assembly of the backflow protector or a broken or worn out backflow protector will allow condensation to built up while pumping. Once moisture enters the tubing, there’s no way to safely clean, dry, and sterilize it. You also risk getting moisture into the pump motor itself, which can cause damage to your pump motor and grow mold. This is why backflow protectors need to be replaced regularly.  Working mothers or moms who pump exclusively shoud always have extra Spectra valves and Spectra backflow protectors on-hand for for when you need them.  Your milk supply will thank you!

4. Valves Don't Snap Back into Place

Spectra breast pump valves and backflow protector membranes for that matter are made of a flexible silicone material which stretches and releases each time your breast pump cycles. This creates the suction you feel and that draws out your breastmilk. After regular use, the elasticity of these parts break down. When the valve wears down, it makes your breast pump less efficient because the motor has to work harder to create the same amount of suction.

5. Valves Fall Off

If your valves fall off, the most common cause is that the elasticity has been compromised and it is time to change your valves.  If you purchased new valves, but they fall off your breast shield anyway, this may be because of the changes heat has made to the breast shield during sterilization.  If this happens, you will need to replace the breast shield as well.

6. Torn Valves

If you notice a decrease in suction or if you’ve noticed your pump doesn't feel as strong as before and you’re getting less milk, take a good look at your valves.  If it has been more than a month since you have replaced them or if there is a tear in your valve, it’s time to replace it.  Tears most often occur at the tip of the valve.  

How often does Spectra recommend replacing breast pump valves?

How often Spectra recommends replacing valves depends on how frequently you pump.   If you pump once daily, you may only need to replace valves every two to three months.  If you pump frequently such as for working or exclusive pumping, every four weeks is recommended.  

Keeping a Spectra Spare Parts Kit on hand is always a good idea!

Here is to trouble-free pumping!
Tanya