Treating Breast Infection: Mastitis

When you have an infection after a plugged milk duct called mastitis, you often have, chills, fever, body aches i.e. flu-like symptoms. It feels like a truck ran over you.  Your doctor will most likely prescribe Cephalexin a.k.a. Keflex and dicloxacillin a.k.a. Dycill. The antibiotics, while often necessary for the infection can also make you feel tired. To help you get over mastitis quickly, make sure you are using heat, resting and emptying the breast.

Heat, Rest, Empty the Breast! 

Use a hot compress before nursing and/or pumping. An easy one to use is a disposable baby diaper. Put hot water in it and it can also be re-warmed in the microwave for several uses until it become too saturated which will feel like jelly. Disposable diapers keep their heat in much better than cloth because of the micro-beads which retain the heat.  These are similar to what is found in hot/cold compresses.

Rest as much as you can. You are sick and while you have a baby to take care of, try to stay off your feet and sleep when the baby sleeps.

Empty the breast. The affected area and breast needs extra attention. Nurse in a hold that points the baby's chin towards the plugged area. The baby's jaw and tongue will help draw out the plug. Pump after each feeding for an extra 5-7 minutes to fully empty the breast.

Taking an anti-inflammatory analgesic like ibuprofen a.k.a. Advil is good for reducing the swelling and pain management and is safe for breastfeeding due to the extremely low levels found in breastmilk.

Please ensure you watch for signs of vaginal yeast infection in you or oral thrush or diaper rash in the infant.  Visit our blog post on yeast infections for more information.

Best wishes for pain-free breasts!

Tanya

Breast Pump Category Comparison: Personal Breast Pump, Professional Breast Pump, Hospital Grade Breast Pump

It is hard to believe it has been 80 years since Swedish engineer, Einer Egnell invented the first auto-cycling mechanical breast pump.  Today, we have so many choices, but it is a little like having more television channels - so many choices make for hard decisions.

Let's break down the categories.

Personal Breast Pumps - This category includes the small breast pumps including the silicone pumps such as the Motif Silicone Breast Pump and the Haakaa breast pump.  There used to be more single pumping battery operated pumps in this category, but none were very effective so that has mostly faded away.  I would also put the dual battery operated pumps that are hands-free in this category because since they rely on a small battery, they are only as effective as the batteries are fresh.

Professional Breast Pumps - These are pumps like the Spectra Synergy Gold, S1 and S2, Ameda Mya, and Motif Luna.  These pumps work very well, but they are not considered hygienic as multi-user breast pumps, nor do they offer longevity of use for multiple births.

Hospital Grade Breast Pumps -Typically, these were the breast pumps found in hospitals that were big and bulky weighing 9-12 lbs.  They are approved by the FDA for multi-person use when each mother has their own hygienic double collection kit.  These pumps usually offer a three year warranty and can last much longer than that.  These are also able to be serviced through the manufacturer when necessary.  The down side is that they are also costly coming in at $2000-$2600 each.

Here the the newest category, I am excited to blog about today!

Portable Hospital Grade Breast Pumps - This is an exciting new category because it was cumbersome for moms to lug traditional hospital grade breast pumps to and from the hospital for premature babies. It was also costly and while rental programs for these used to be prevalent, rentals are now few and far between.  Now a mom with a preemie or who is planning on having multiple children can own a more affordable portable hospital grade breast pump.  These breast pumps are also easier on the budget for businesses with corporate lactation rooms where space may also be limited.

Let's compare Ameda Pearl and the Spectra S3 Pro portable hospital grade breast pumps.

Both pumps sell for under $900-$999.  Both offer a lithium ion rechargeable battery as well as AC power option, a backlit nightlight, auto off, 12 suction levels and a 3 year warranty.  

The Spectra S3 Pro Breast Pump follows more of the technical specs of the professional grade category of breast pumps which are indeed high quality pumps.  These type of pumps are marketed as fast speed 70 cycles per minute and high suction up to 270mm Hg.

The Ameda Pearl follows more of the clinical data on effective pumping as you can see from the chart below.  The expression mode tops out at only 48 CPM (cycles per minute) which is highly effective for long draws of milk extraction and offers a stunningly quick stimulation mode of 80-120 CPM.  I have always respected the Ameda company for staying true to what is best for moms and not just what sells.

Spectra includes one double pumping kit with their pump and includes the hard carrying case while these are sold separately for the Ameda Pearl Breast Pump, but what the Pearl lacks in freebies, it makes up for in a high quality true hospital grade breast pump.

Expressly yours,

Tanya

Medications and Breastfeeding

It is so hard to know what to take and what not to take when you are breastfeeding.  Of course there are common over the counter drugs that are well known to be safe, but what if you have a medical condition, anxiety or depression?  Can you rely on your doctor to know which drugs pass through to human milk and which ones are safe?  

The best advise we can offer is to ask your doctor what medications he would prefer to prescribe and if there is an alternative as well.  Then before you have your RX filled, research the medications of the following websites or apps:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/   

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is part of the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM), a branch of the National Institutes of Health. The NCBI is located in Bethesda, Maryland and was founded in 1988.  

Thomas Hale, PHD wrote Medications and Mother's Milk and updates are published frequently, but the best way to keep up to date on the information in this highly valuable resource is through an app so that you receive the most current information on medications.  You can find Hale's app for Apple and Android.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/medications-mothers-milk/id1400067173

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hltcorp.medsmilk&hl=en_US&gl=US

The Physicians Desk Reference if often used by doctors and it contains information on medications and nursing derived from package inserts from the pharmaceutical manufacturers. Almost across the board, they indicate that each medication should not be taken while pregnant or breastfeeding. The warning statements they use are designed to protect themselves from lawsuits. The information in the PDR is based on the manufacturer’s studies on the product, but not other studies that have been done. In general the manufacturers have done no studies on lactating women, and thus say that there is no information (even if studies have been done by others). Many doctors also have access to the USPDI (US Pharmacopeia Drug Information), which tends to have more accurate information about studies done on the drug and available information about transfer into milk than the PDR (Physican's Desk Reference). If your physician does not use LactMed or Thomas Hale's resources, make sure they are not just relying on the PDR.

LactMed and Thomas Hale are the foremost authorities on medication and mother's milk and heavily relied on by board certified lactation consultants and the lactation community at large.

If you have taken a medication that has decreased your milk supply, here are two resources that may help with galactagogues to increase your supply and protocols to replace supplements with breastmilk once your supply is on the rise.

https://www.lactationconnection.com/Lactation-Supplements-s/1854.htm 

https://lactconnect.blogspot.com/2019/02/getting-back-to-breastfeeding-pumping.html

Best wishes for the best health for you, your baby and your milk supply!

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

Exclusive Pumping: How to Manage Pumping

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.   

Having you pump and parts all in one place even if you work from home, is essential.  Getting an easy to carry bag, like a breast pump backpack with built in cooler carrier, means all you have to do is grab some ice packs and go out the door!

In addition to a quality double 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.

Treat yourself to extra double pumping collection kits!  You don't have to sterilize your parts every time you use the, but having extras to be drying while you use another set will be a life saver.  Also, to maintain your milk supply, maintain your breast pump which means changing your valves and diaphragm or backflow protector every 6-8 weeks regularly.  This will keep you pump functioning at it's optimal level so your supply does not wain from parts that are not functioning at full suction potential.

Another accessory that might make life easier are these Breastmilk Bandit Tubing Tamers to keep your tubes from hanging down within reach of a toddler or pet and easier to travel with.

And finally, take stock of your storage options.  Many moms prefer to store in breastmilk bottles so they can also use them to feed, but other moms like the convenience and compactness of breast milk storage bags.  If you are choosing bags, a breastmilk storage bag that has a pour spout is handy.  If you are using bottles such as Spectra bottles, Motif Luna Bottles or Avent Classic bottles, make sure to have extra sealing discs.  These tend to get lost down the disposal so having extra bottle sealing discs is a lifesaver!  

Here is to your tenacity in providing your baby this previous gift!

You've got this, mama!

Tanya

Breastfeeding Tips and Techniques

Hi Mamas!

I entitled this blog post tips and techniques instead of tips and tricks or breastfeeding hacks because this information was born from 30 years experience in breastfeeding, lactation education and lactation consulting.

So let's get started!

Alternate Breast Massage

This technique is the practice of massaging the breast from the chest wall towards the infant's mouth every time there is a pause in swallowing.  Benefits include keeping the baby alert to allow for faster and more efficient milk transfer as well as more fat content in the milk promoting health weight gain.

Breast Support

Breast support refers to the practice of holding the breast during the feeding.  Typical holds include the C-hold in which the mother cups the breast with her hands in the shape of a C.  It is important that her fingers both above and below the breast are well off the areola so that the infant can achieve a deep latch.  Supporting the breast during the entire feeding helps keeps the infant on task and reduces slipping down into an improper painful latch position.  The infant can feed more efficiently without the burden of supporting the breast which is especially important for younger infants that cannot  yet support the weight of their own head.

Proper Latch

A proper latch also know as a deep latch as opposed to a shallow one is one in which the infant is able to grasp at least 1" of the areola.  The infant's tongue should be down= with lips in a rosebud shape and not tucked under.  A clicking sound should not be heard which may indicate tongue is up.  Mothers should take care to check the underside and can help the infant flare the lips by pulling down gently on the infant's chin.  The benefits of a proper latch include efficient milk transfer and elimination of pain for the mother, as well as reduction of gas in infant as a proper latch reduces swallowing air while feeding.

More tips to come!

Tanya

Insurance Pump Comparison: Choosing the Right Breast Pump

Whether you are choosing a breast pump through your insurance company or to purchase on your own, information is always welcome!  Choosing the right breast pump is so important because it can make the difference in how long you are able to or even choose to pump milk for your breastfed baby.  

Below is a comparison chart to help you with your selection.

As someone who has been in this industry since 1993, we have seen breast pumps and even breast pump companies come and go, but Spectra and Motif seem to be taking the lead.  Both companies have easy access to replacement parts including multiple breast flange sizes.  Both companies also offer compatible breast pump bottles and high quality breast milk storage bags as well.  Spectra also offers a multi-user breast pump for corporate lactation and birthing centers called the Spectra S3 Pro for under $900 which is much better than over a thousand for what was the previously only option in hospital grade breast pumps from Ameda and Medela.  Spectra also offer the only dual control breast pump (not compared above) called the Spectra Synergy Gold Breast Pump which has all the benefits of the Spectra S2 plus independent controls for each breast so you can help coax the lazy breast to increase output more easily. Now Spectra also offer the Spectra Synergy Gold Portable Breast Pump with rechargeable battery for extra convenience!

Due to the difficulty in getting breast pump parts, we do not currently recommend Evenflo, Hygeia or ARDO as your first choice. Due to the inferior motor and systems, we also do not recommend most Medela pumps. For a high quality breast pump with the strength of a good motor and easily obtainable parts, our top recommendations are the Motif Luna, Spectra S1, S2 and SG (Synergy Gold) for professional grade breast pumps and Spectra S3 Pro for Hospital Grade multi-user needs.  Check with your insurance company to get more information on how to obtain your breast pump and bookmark Lactation Connection for your breast pump parts needs as essential parts such as valves and backflow protectors as essential in the suction of your breast pump and must be replaced every 6-8 weeks for optimal performance.

Here's to making good choices!

Tanya