Breastfeeding Tips & Breast Pump Guide | Lactation Connection

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 mu...

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, ...

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: 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.  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.  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.  Extra double collection kit . Having a full set of extras saves time washing and keeps you from spending extra on expedited shi...

T o 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 yo...

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...

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 b...

Recently, several moms have contacted us regarding the smallest flange a manufacturer makes still being too big.  Moms are reporting that too much of the areola is being pulled into the tunnel of the breast flange and they are not emptying their breast well when pumping.   From what I have seen in my twenty-eight years experience in the lactation field, this problem is occurring more and more today than it did in the past.   One explanation is that there is currently a culture of over-hydrating.   How can water be bad?    Of course water is a good thing, but hyperhydration causes lower milk supply by causing the body to excrete more fluids rather than making more milk and it actually changes your skin turgor aka elasticity. This is why these recommendations can help you when the smallest breast flange is still too big. Reducing water intake to normal “drink to thirst” levels rather than over hydrating with a large number of ounces per ...