Breastfeeding Tips & Breast Pump Guide | Lactation Connection

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS aka Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the past, it is now been renamed to PMOS to encompass the endocrine and metabolic system.  As you may have experienced maintaining milk supply requires intensive milk extraction due to risks of delayed milk "coming in" and potential hormonal interference from insulin resistance and/or high androgens. To endeavor to get milk to come in and keep your milk supply, below are some protocols that may help. Immediate Postpartum Protocols Colostrum Collection: With the permission of your doctor or midwife, collect colostrum after 36-37 weeks.  Especially in high risk pregnancies, it is essential to be cleared prior to expression. Early Initiation: Start nursing or hand expression within the first hour of birth. Frequent Removal: Breastfeed on demand or use a hospital-grade pump at least 8–12 times every 24 hours (roughly every 2–3 hours). Night Feedings:  Pitocin levels are the highest between 12pm-5am, so don...

Lansinoh glass bottles are a great option when needing a larger than 5-6 oz wide mouth bottle in glass for your infant.  There was some question about three years ago as to whether the paint on the logo was lead-free.  This type of information stays on the internet forever, so we wanted to clear things up.   Lansinoh changed their logo in 2023 and sources from Lansinoh recently stated to Lactation Connection in writing that the bottles contain no lead so you can be assured that they are now lead-free aka Pb-free if you are purchasing the Lansinoh 8oz Glass Bottles with the new logo. We would not recommend buying older bottles with the older oval logo shown above out of an abundance of caution.  Above is an image of the older logos along with the dates of use by Lansinoh.  Below are images of the new glass bottles and where you can purchase to be assured you are receiving only the new style.  Lactation Connection as a company prides itself on sending ...

At Lactation Connection, we are frequently asked which setting mom should use on the popular Spectra S1 and S2 breast pump  to get the most milk.  While settings are important, flange size is equally important. Your goal with your Spectra flange size is to engage the milk sinuses which are located an inch behind the nipple.  So it is really important that the flange allows the nipple to move freely without drawing in too much tissue.  You can use the guide below or a silicone nipple measuring tool . What about the settings?  Cycle pumping is recommended by Spectra when using the S1 or S2. Below is the procedure to start using the Spectra pump effectively.         Cycle 70 (Massage Mode) for 5 minutes        Cycle 54 (Expression Mode) for 5 minutes        Cycle 70 (Massage Mode) for 5 minutes        Cycle 38 (Expression Mode) for 5 minutes  Some moms leave their pump on hig...

While I did not dissuade the use of pacifiers for breastfed babies in the past, I had never found one that I could fully endorse.  Now, after 32 years serving nursing mothers, I feel confident in giving  the Ninni Co pacifier my  full endorsement.  As a retired International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, I love the graduated shape, the breast-like soft feel, the breathable shield and the view into the baby’s mouth for suck assessment.  This pacifier is not only recommended by lactation consultants for nursing babies to transition between breast and bottle more easily, but it has also been recommended for use in suck training and oral motor development in pediatric feeding therapy.   Why is the Ninni pacifier so highly recommended? 1. This breast-like super soft medical grade silicone pacifier mimics the tissue of the breast which encourages baby to create strong suction and a vacuum effect similar to breastfeeding. 2. For proper use, baby’s mouth ...

Below are the top 5 questions I get from moms about their breast pump parts so I thought I would share the answers with you. 1.  How often do I replace my breast pump parts? While most parts are replaced as needed when they age or if you need a new size flange, some parts are essential to replace on a regular basis.  For example, if you are pumping for work three times a day, replace your valves every 4-6 weeks and diaphragms or backflow protectors every 8-12 weeks to prevent your aging breast pump parts to reduce your suction and your milk supply. Valves should be checked to make sure that they close properly.  This is not just a visual check when they are at rest since new valves can have a slight openin. To check them properly, squeeze the sides of the tip between your thumb and index finger and the end should close for a moment when you release it.   2.  Is it ok to buy off-brand breast pump parts?  Absolutely not.  Each pump manufacturer test...

  There are some roadblocks to breastfeeding than come up often when moms are in the hospital or at their first pediatrician visits.   Depending on a mom's personality some are good advocates for themselves, but a lot of moms just go along with what they are told without questioning.   Often even if the pediatrician is pro-breastfeeding, a staff member will give you a biased opinion of what needs to be done in a certain situation.   While there are times supplementing with formula is helpful, often it is not necessary and depending on how the supplementation is done can hinder breastfeeding success.    Common scenarios that present barriers to breastfeeding are listed here including science-based evidence for this information in case you need to pass it along to any health professionals who may disagree so that  you be your baby’s advocate.  1. The baby has low blood sugar. The high protein content of colostrum helps with glucose stabilization...

Spectra is an industry leader in breast pumps and if you have the option to getting a Spectra breast pump, whether it is through insurance or private pay, it is a great investment.  These pumps are high quality, offer high output, exceptional warranty service and offer a wide variety of accessories to make your pumping life easier. One of the best things you can do when you get your breast pump is to familliarize yourself with the control panel.  The one pictured below is for the Spectra S1, but the only difference between the control panel on the blue   Spectra S1 and the pink  Spectra S2 is that on the S2 you will not see the battery life indicator in the top right section of the LED display since the S1 offers a rechargeable battery whereas the S2 is powered only by electricity. The green S3 Pro intented for hospitals, clinics or corporate lactation offers the same control panel as well.    Of course, you will want to start with the on button loc...