Breastfeeding Travel Tips for The Holidays: Handling Crowds, Planes, Alcohol and More!

Holidays with family are priceless, but you want to keep a few things in mind to make it easier
when breastfeeding.  Here are a few tips that you may find to be a great help!

1.  Latch and Cover
Babies can be easily distracted from feeding properly when around the hustle and bustle of the holiday gatherings.  One way to keep them on task is to latch and cover in another room before joining the group.  Full feeding can keep baby happier and help you avoid clogged milk ducts.

2.  Protect Milk Supply
Families want to participate in caring for baby and it may be hard to tear the new grandbaby away from the new grandmother.  If you want to allow the feeding of breastmilk from a bottle, make sure to prepare bottles in advance, but take the time to double pump for a full 10-15 minutes to protect
your breast health and milk supply.

3.  Moderate Your Intake
Although not a popular thing to say, alcohol does get into your blood stream and while one or two glasses of wine immediately after nursing are ok.  If you don't wait an hour per drink or two hours for those two glasses of wine, we mentioned the alcohol is still in your blood and breastmilk.

4.  Nursing for Comfort
Soothing a baby on takeoff and landing can help acclimate their ears and suckling after feeding can help soothe the baby in strange situations.  Also, if your breasts feel full and uncomfortable, make time to nurse or pump to avoid clogged ducts and even breast infection.

5. Be Prepared
Plan your work and work your plan.  Make sure to pack extra breastmilk, a car adapter, extra batteries for your breast pump, a nursing cover, bottles with nipples and anything else you think you might need.

May your Christmas be Merry and your milk supply prosper!
Tanya

How to Use the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump

Using a Haakaa breast pump might seem intuitive, but it is not your grandmother's manual squeeze breast pump!  Here are some tips on using the Haakaa.

1.  Wash your hands and sterilize first, but not more than 5 minutes in boiling water.  Otherwise your pump may become cloudy or you go off and forget about it. #meltdown

2.  Center the nipple to engage the most milk ducts, but reposition if you want to engage other ducts as you have more in store!

3.  Flipping the lip of the Haakaa flange is a game changer!  Not to mention, the Haaka in general is a must have for nursing moms.  After all, why let all the excess milk flowing from the opposite breast go to waste in the nursing pad?  Even if you have more milk than you need (not the case for most moms), donate the extra!  A $20 investment in a genuine Haakaa can save lives!

4.  Don't forget to use the silicone stand at the bottom and the cap or Haakaa flower stopper.  Otherwise, you might be crying over spilled milk!

5.  A picture is worth a thousand words so here is an easy to use How to Guide with pictures!

Spectra Breast Shield Flange Sizes 20MM 24MM 28MM 32MM

Not only is getting the right breast pump important, but so is getting the right breast shield flange size.  If you pump regularly, using the correct breast shield size aids in adequate milk production.  With the increasing popularity of Spectra breast pump, we want moms to have the information as to what sizes are available and how you can purchase them.

Spectra Standard Breast Shield - 24mm
The 24mm breast flange was included with your Spectra breast pump including the S1 and Spectra S2 breast pump.  If you are pumping comfortably with this flange and there is room on one side of the flange shaft for freedom of movement, the standard size works for you.  The Spectra 24MM breast shield can be purchased in the following ways:

Spectra 24MM Breast Shield - Single (breast shield only)
Spectra 24MM Breast Shield Set - includes breast shield, valve, tubing and backflow protector
Spectra 24MM Premium Accessory Kit - breast shield, valve, tubing, backflow protector, bottle set
Spectra 24MM Double Pump Kit - 2 breast shields, 2 valves, 2 tubing, 2 backflow protector, 2 bottles

Spectra Small Breast Shield -20mm
The 20mm breast flange is a good choice if you are pumping with the standard 24mm flange and there is room on all side of the flange shaft.  You may experience too much of the areola being drawn into the shaft as not to receive adequate compression of the milk sinuses if your flange is too large.  Another reason you may need the small Spectra flange is too much elasticity in the nipple causing the nipple to draw too far into a standard flange.  The Spectra 20MM breast shield can be purchased in the following ways:

Spectra 20MM Breast Shield - Single (breast shield only)
Spectra 20MM Breast Shield Set - includes breast shield, valve, tubing and backflow protector
Spectra 20MM Double Pump Kit - 2 breast shields, 2 valves, 2 tubing, 2 backflow protector, 2 bottles

Spectra Large Breast Shield -28mm
The 28mm breast flange is a good choice if you are pumping with the standard 24mm flange and there is no room for freedom of movement in flange shaft.  You may experience too little compression of the milk sinuses if your flange is too small as the nipple is filling the shaft and the areola is not being engaged for compression.  The Spectra 28MM breast shield can be purchased in the following ways:

Spectra 28MM Breast Shield - Single (breast shield only)
Spectra 28MM Breast Shield Set - includes breast shield, valve, tubing and backflow protector
Spectra 28MM Premium Accessory Kit - breast shield, valve, tubing, backflow protector, bottle set
Spectra 28MM Double Pump Kit - 2 breast shields, 2 valves, 2 tubing, 2 backflow protector, 2 bottles

Spectra X-Large Breast Shield -32mm
The 32mm breast flange is a good choice if you have wider nipples.  You may experience too little compression of the milk sinuses if your standard or large flange is too small as the nipple is filling the shaft and the areola is not being engaged for compression.  Most women who use this size note that their nipples are wide such as the width of your thumb.  The Spectra 32MM breast shield can be purchased in the following ways.

Spectra 32MM Breast Shield - Single (breast shield only)
Spectra 32MM Breast Shield Set - includes breast shield, valve, tubing and backflow protector
Spectra 32MM Double Pump Kit - 2 breast shields, 2 valves, 2 tubing, 2 backflow protector, 2 bottles

Remember, breast shield flange sizing is important for milk extraction and in turn milk production so one way to be sure to get the right size is to purchase more than one size in the single flange and then once you determine your needs, purchase more in the appropriate size.  

Best wishes for the perfect flange size!
Tanya

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