Now that you’ve had your baby, you can’t wait to return to your pre-baby weight! A great way to lose that weight is to breastfeed your baby. Feeding or pumping requires an extra 200 to 500 calories a day, so that weight should come off quickly. Another benefit is that your uterus will shrink back to its normal size more quickly when you’re breastfeeding or pumping. And – bonus – breastfeeding helps to delay the return of your period! Finally, since breastfeeding is the natural way for moms and babies to bond, when you pump your milk, dad can become part of the experience, too by using a breastpump.

If you have never pumped before, start with some warm compresses and a gentle breast massage. Perhaps having a photo of your baby or listening to music will help you to relax. Leaning forward while pumping lets the force of gravity aid in allowing your milk to flow more easily. Anxiety or distractions can affect your let-down so, once you’re comfortable and relaxed, you’ll pump more milk.

When using your breast pump, make sure your nipple is centered inside the breast shield/flange. If it isn’t, the nipple can become sore, bleed or lead to other problems due to uneven suction. Meticulous breast care is a must to prevent cracked, bleeding nipples. You can purchase special creams to apply on the nipples in between pumping and feedings.

No matter how wonderful your new breast pump operates, the most important factor to consider is the quality of your breast milk. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the American Dietetic Association, among other esteemed organizations, are in agreement that breast milk is the best nutrition for your baby. So make sure you’re still eating the well-balanced diet that you ate while you were pregnant. This helps your body to have the fuel it needs to meet the demands you’re making on your body, and helps your baby with their development. Plus the fact that your diet directly affects the quantity of milk you produce, more so than the quality. Although you don’t need to drink milk in order to produce milk, you do need to drink fluids throughout the day. However, you should limit your caffeine intake to two cups a day. And you should continue to refrain from alcohol while you’re breastfeeding. If you’re smoking, nicotine and harmful chemicals will be passed to your in your breast milk.

The parts of your pump that are exposed to breast milk will need to be thoroughly cleaned after each usage. Wash your hands with soap and water. Then, use a mild detergent in hot water to clean the pump’s parts. Do not use abrasives, chemicals, antibacterials or brushes, as these could damage the parts, making them unusable. Then rinse in hot water and place on a clean towel to air dry. If you can’t wash your pump’s parts right away, use hot water to rinse the parts thoroughly. Careful cleaning is important; any leftover milk becomes a great breeding ground for bacteria. Finally, wash your hands again as an extra precaution.

After cleaning, your pump may require sterilization. So be sure to read and follow the directions that came with your pump. The temperature range for sterilization is between 176 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Methods of sterilization include boiling the items exposed to breast milk between five to 10 minutes, placing those items in the dishwasher’s top rack or in the microwave. However, there are sterilizers on the market today that will make this job a whole lot easier. Besides, you have enough to do.

Breast pumps are not just for moms – well, they’re not for dads or anyone else to directly USE, of course, but if you think about it, the breastmilk pumped by a nursing mom into a bottle can be used right then or later on in a variety of situations and by a variety of people. Bonding between mother and child is usually a given when a mom breastfeeds, but how about the father? For the first 4-6 months, many dads can feel disconnected and not useful because breastfeeding moms are the only source of food for their baby and newborn babies eat so often.

Not to feel left out, dads can encourage moms to use their breastpump and fill up a couple of bottles so the dad can feed the baby and bond with them, too. I’m sure many moms would not only appreciate the short break from feeding, but they’d feel good that the dads are bonding with the new baby and taking part in feeding. Even in situations where the baby wakes up during the night, dads can now go to the fridge, warm up a bottle of breastmilk, and feed the baby, possibly even letting the mom sleep through half or all of the night! Now THAT’S a benefit most moms would jump at, don’t you think?

Now think about grandmas and grandads and other family members – brothers, sisters, etc. If one of these people are in your lives pretty frequently and on a regular basis, you’d probably want them to develop a relationship as well, and hopefully sooner rather than later. Well, if you plan ahead slightly or if you overproduce milk, as some moms tend to do, you can always rustle up a bottle and have your sister, mom, or dad or whomever’s in your life feed the baby as well. Again, the same principles of taking a break and having your baby get to know those close to you applies.

So you see, breast pumps can be a wonderful thing, and a social-enabling thing at that. Who knew? Good luck, ladies, and enjoy the experience.

There are many reason you can use a Brest pump to supplement your milk. You may think that if you are planning on natural feeding then you don’t need a pump. However, for many a pump can come in handy in many ways. If your baby is premature or ill you may not have access to breastfeed in those first few days, then you can use a pump to expel your own milk and provide the nurses with it to feed your newborn. Of course as women we all want to be able to breastfeed our babies. You would think it would be easy and natural but that is not always the case.

The fact is that sometimes babies struggle to latch onto the breast and it can become a painful and difficult experience. This in turn leads to the mother becoming frustrated and the babies staying hungry. However, if you pump you can choose a bottle that will help your baby to latch on and ensure they get all the milk and nutrients they need. There are those mothers who simply can’t produce enough milk to satisfy their baby’s hunger, so a brest pump, especially a hospital grade pump, can stimulate the milk supply and raise your levels to meet your babies’ needs. Mother’s usually feel that they should do everything when it comes to their babies, however, with pumping other relatives can feed the baby too.

There is also the issue of over-producing milk. This can lead to painful engorgement and embarrassing leaks. By pumping with a comfortable pump you can ease that discomfort and lessen your milk without having to wake up your little bundle of joy for an extra feeding. Another issue that can arise is the development of thrush or other infections that can be passed from mouth to nipple. It is recommended that you pump until the infection clears up so as not to re-infect. With pumping you have the access to bottles. In this way you can freeze some of your milk for future emergencies.

Pumping can be a lifesaver especially if mom decides to go back to work. Pumping can be done at work in the washroom to be sent along with baby anywhere they go. Then breastfeeding can still be done when mom gets home in the evenings. There are certain situations where breast feeding may just be uncomfortable for you and others. If you pump your milk and take it with you to these events you will always have your milk available to your baby even if it comes from a bottle.

While successful breast pumping can be convenient it can also be confusing to some mothers. In fact, the experts tell you that if you pump and give bottles too early, before the baby is used to breastfeeding he or she could have nipple confusion issues. Your baby may end up liking the bottle and not wanting to breastfeed! However, this of course does not apply to all babies – in fact, your little bundle may be the exception to the rule. On the other hand some specialists will tell mothers that they should start pumping right away to increase the flow of their milk.

If you are a mother who wants to go back to work then you should think about practicing a few weeks beforehand with your pump. The problem is that breast pumping is a lot different than your little baby attached to your breast. It may take time to get adjusted and for your body to adjust. It could also take time to get your baby to drink from the bottle and get used to the different experience that a bottle provides vs. the breast.

Each woman’s flow is different, her breast shape, nipple size, texture, everything, and it’s not always a smooth transition to the bottle for some babies. It’s also not the easiest thing in the world to simply pick up a breast pump and have it work properly for you the first time, so practice is essential so you don’t get frustrated and give up prematurely (no pun intended).

You may find it difficult to pump because of your breasts’ natural need to “let down”, as it is termed. Letting down is the 2nd phase of pumping wherein the mother’s breasts go into their expression phase after some initial priming to get the milk to flow. Some women find it helpful to hold something that reminds you of your baby. It could be a picture, a blanket or their favourite toy. The flow will also be negatively affected if you’re frustrated, embarrassed or rushed. Try to stay calm and go into the process as relaxed as possible. Make sure you are sitting somewhere comfortable and don’t stress about the amount of milk. Just remember the fact that you can produce milk for your baby alone is wonderful, so don’t beat yourself up.

If you have to pump at work and many mothers do, then find a discreet and comfortable place away from the chaos of the office. You may be lucky enough to work somewhere that offers a pumping and nursing area for their employees. If you have to you can always pump in the washroom. Remember to adjust the shield over your whole breast and adjust the speed and suction to a comfortable level, forget the outside world, relax, and pump away.

Instructional video from Alicia Ramos on the use of the Medela Pump In Style Breast Pump.

How to Use a Medela Breast Pump

There are a few items that will become your best friend as you journey into the world of breastfeeding.  Women around the world would agree that two of the most important things a breast feeding mom can buy are a baby sling and a breast pump.  There are many variations to these items so you’ll want to take your time and shop around before making a purchase.  For example, there are countless breast pumps on the market from the first years breast pump to the ameda breastpump and the avent naturally.  All three are great and each highlights a different aspect to breast feeding.

You want to make a wise and educated decision on any products you buy to nurse your baby because they will be used for years to come (if you’re planning on having more than one child).  Every item you purchase needs to be perceived as a lifelong investment.  You don’t want to just look at price but consider quality, guarantees and customer reviews.  These will all be very helpful for you to make a confident decision.

Baby Sling
The first time you saw a baby sling you probably asked the mom, “what do you have in there?”  To your surprise she told you it was her newborn baby.  The baby sling is one of the greatest accessories for nursing moms.  They were invented by African women who took a sheet or blanket, wrapped it around themselves to carry their baby and give their hands the freedom to work.  Although the sling has been among African women for hundreds of years, the phenomenon has only reached the US in the last ten years.

The sling basically creates a womb experience for you baby by completely wrapping and covering them with the material.  The baby ends up next to your chest and can feel and hear your heartbeat just like in the womb.  The sling also cradles and warms the baby to make a comfy and enjoyable environment.

The benefits of the sling are incredible.  You can be hands free while carrying your baby so you can clean the house, go shopping, surf the web, etc.  Another great benefit is you can nurse your baby in public and no one will ever know.  The sling also keeps unwanted people away from touching your baby in public.  Baby slings are safe for all ages from birth to about 18 months.

Breast Pumping
Purchasing a breast pump goes without saying.  Pumping is a great way for mom to store up some extra milk so dad can feed the baby during the night so mom can get some sleep.  Pumping also makes it easier to feed your baby on the go without having to worry about feeding your baby in public.  You can leave a bottle for the babysitter, pump and dump after you have a drink and use the bottle to measure exactly how much milk you’re producing and how much your baby is drinking.

There are a lot of options on the market when it comes to breast pumps.  Over the years more and more brands are showing up all across the country.  The first years breast pump, ameda breastpump and the avent naturally are just a few examples of new brands that are making their name known globally.  Each brand has its area of expertise so talk to your friends who have pumped to get an objective and honest opinion about their experiences with various brands.

Nursing your baby is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have with your baby.  The bond it creates, the nutrition it provides and convenience modern technology has created will all be of great benefit to you and your baby.

What is a breastpump? A breastpump is a machine that can extract milk from the breast of a lactating mother. The breastpump mainly imitates the baby’s method of sucking milk out of its mother’s breast. The breastpump sucks out all the milk from the breast so that the baby can then drink it from a bottle. Breastpump is used by mothers to feed their infant when they are away at work. A feeding bottle can store the extracted breast milk and can be fed to the baby when its mom is away. There are mainly three types of breast pumps- the manual breast pumps, the electric breast pumps and the foot-powered breast pumps. Let us now understand the working of each type of breast pump.
Manual breast pumps – The word itself will explain the working method of the breastpump. Such a breastpump can function when your squeeze a handle in a rhythmic style. This allows the mother to directly control its pressure. The flow of milk is also controlled due to the manual way of extraction of milk. As the mechanism used is very simple, manual breast pumps are very cost effective.
They are easily available and very simple to use. Extracting milk from a manual breastpump can however be very tiring. The mother has to continuously keep pumping milk in a periodic manner. The manual breast pump helps the mother when she has to go away from the baby for sometime.
A single feed to be extracted for the baby is reasonable when one has to use the manual breast pumps. Pumps having rubber coating should be avoided as this might cause harm to the breast. The continuous use of such cheap pumps can even damage the breast tissues and the mother may suffer allergies and rash due to bacteria.
Electric breast pumps – The functioning of an electric breast pump is with the help of a motor such as the avent breast pump or the ameda purely yours breast pump. The motor helps supply suction via plastic tube to a knob that is inserted over the nipple. As milk is extracted with the help of a motor, the quantity of milk received is very high as compared to the manual breast pumps.

The time take to extract milk is also much greater as compared to the manual breast pump. The instrument used allows extraction of milk from both the breasts at the same time. Electric breast pumps are user friendly and can be used daily. Electric breast pumps, such as the avent breast pump or the ameda purely yours breast pump, compared to the manual breast pump is very large and not portable. Proper cleaning of the knobs and instruments is necessary as they are prone to fungal growth and this might cause the mother allergies and rash.

Foot-powered breast pumps- The foot-powered breast pumps works like a manual breast pump and also an electric breast pump. The foot powered breast pump has no motor attached to it which is run by electricity. The mechanism is used by foot. The foot powered breast pump has a pedal and hence hands are not involved while pumping milk out. The advantage of this type of pump, the mother gets her privacy and can handle the baby with her hands. The milk can be extracted when the mother uses her foot to pump the milk out.

Proper research is crucial in choosing the right breastpump for you. Talk to your friends who have pumped with either a manual breast pump or an electric breast pump to gather their feedback on both. Taking the time to research will pay off in the end.

Until I found out about renting a breast pump, I wouldn’t have believed it was possible. Breast pumps are highly personal devices, and I wouldn’t normally think that anyone would consider using one that had been used by other women. Well, I didn’t realize that when you compare breast pump rentals with rentals of any other item, maybe the idea isn’t so crazy or icky to think about.

In researching about whether it’s safe to use a breast milk pump that others have used before, I found out about the sterilization techniques that businesses use to ensure that the devices are free of bacteria, viruses, dirt, and any other contaminants that could harm another mother, her breast milk, or her baby’s health. Because the use of a rented breast pump means that bodily fluids have the potential to come into contact with someone else, the sterilization methods used are similar to the way hospitals sterilize their medical supplies.

Breast feeding pumps are also typically rented for a period of one to six months, depending on your needs. Research from several different companies tells me that the average cost of renting a hospital grade breast pump (which are the kinds typically used for a breast pump rental because they’re the most robust) is anywhere from $35 to $70 a month, with price breaks for multi-month rentals.

So if you’re not squeamish about a used breast pump or you need to save money, perhaps a breast feeding pump rental is the way to go. If you compare the price of buying new Medela pumps or Ameda pumps, you may save some money, depending on how long you breast feed. Another benefit of breast pump rentals is the fact that you’ll be using a hospital grade breast pump, so if you don’t mind being hooked up to an industrial-strength pumping monster that will suck you dry in 5 minutes (just kidding) this may work best for you.

Breastfeeding is a natural process and regarded as the best nutrient for your baby. Breast milk is highly recommended for at least first six months of life.  The longer you choose to breastfeed your baby the more beneficial it is.  When you chose to breastfeed your baby there are many aspects that remain open for question and discussion; one of those is breastfeeding in public.

Breastfeeding in public places is a major issue for many mothers because they feel uncomfortable and unsure of what onlookers are thinking. The reactions from different people might restrict mothers from doing so but the law permits moms to breastfeed in public without restriction. The laws may vary depending on culture and country, but nursing your baby in public is accepted as a good prospect.  Some women chose to pump with either a hands free breast pump, hospital pump, or whisper wear breast pump to avoid feeding in public off the breast.

Mothers in the United States are gaining more breastfeeding rights in the recent years. Many laws clearly state that a woman has every right to feed her baby in public. It is a real shame that many women are harassed while feeding their baby in public which demonstrates it is time to change our mindset. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics have recommended breast milk as the best option to improve immunity of your newborn baby so why would anyone have an issue with it?

There are many advantages of breastfeeding and hence any woman must not be restricted while nursing her child. Whether it is a public place, park, restaurant, or cinema halls, as a mother you have every right to feed your hungry child. No laws can restrict you; still you have to take few precautions in order to make you feel comfortable. For example, you can use a blanket or wear different clothes that are meant for breastfeeding in public. This is not a law but covering your breasts while feeding can help you to tackle embarrassing situations.

Some women feel very strong about their right to feed their baby in public so they purposely will not cover up to make a statement.  It is natural and it is in no way indecent exposure therefore society needs to accept the natural and organic way women are made to feed their baby.

Other women have had horrible experiences in public and have used pumping with either a hands free breast pump or hospital breast pump in order to use a bottle when in public.  These women choose to not ruffle any feathers and keep critics at bay.

Our society is full of different people with different mindsets. Many people will keep staring at you, while few may not mind because they understand and support the situation. As a mother, you must be able to handle such problems in the best possible way.

It is true that it might take time while getting your baby on breast, but proper training and procedures can help you to solve many difficulties. Do not be afraid and never give up breastfeeding in public, instead try to find a perfect solution that will allow you to feed your child.

Many books and videos will allow you to understand correct positioning and techniques to make feeding you baby in public quick and easy. Breastfeeding in public is legal and beautiful and there is no need to make it into a larger issue than it is.  Every women is different so if you chose to not breast feed in public but pump using either a hands free breast pump or hospital pump, the choice is yours.  As long as you’re choosing to bottle feed because it’s your preference and not the pressures from society.

Breast feeding is the best and most important sacrifice you can make for your baby but sadly many well intended moms give up in the first six weeks due to complications.  These complications can vary from engorged milk ducts, clogged nipples, little milk (drying up) or a cold or the flu.  No one wishes any of these difficulties on anyone but unfortunately they happen more often than we would like.  

Some of the most common issues moms experience is chapped or cracked nipples (ouch), leaking breast milk through their shirt and not producing enough or drying up.  Each of these situations can be painful and discouraging for the mom who desperately wants to breast feed.  The good news is there are solutions to these common problems that are easy and affordable.  Most breast pumps, including the first years breast pump and the ameda electric breast pump, can help with these issues. The greatest advice is never give up; there is always a way to solve any issue when it comes to breast feeding.

Chapped/Cracked Nipples
Most chapped or cracked nipples occur within the first week of breastfeeding although it can happen at any time during your time breast feeding.  Chapped nipples are common within the first week because they’ve never been used in such a way.  The body takes some time to adjust to its new use.  As your baby sucks on your nipples they are being stretched to new levels and therefore have the potential to dry out and crack.  This can be very painful and can be avoided by using nipple cream, available anywhere breast pump accessories are sold.

Leaking Through Your Clothes
Another common problem women experience is their milk leaking through their clothing.  This can especially be an issue when it happens in public.  Although it’s a blessing to have an abundance of milk, you don’t want it to leak through for the world to see.  There’s a simple and cheap solution for this issue; breast shields, also called breast pads.  These are disposable pads that easily insert into your bra to absorb any leakage.  You can find these shields anywhere, even at the grocery store carries them.

There’s another product on the market called lily pads.  These are non-disposable breast shields that suction to the breast to keep the milk from expelling.  Some women love this option and say they don’t even feel they’re there while others say they’re annoying and difficult to maintain.  Which ever is appealing to you both products stop your excess milk from leaking through your clothing.

Low Milk (Drying Up)
This is the most common reason women become discouraged while attempting to breast feed.  If their milk begins to dry up they think they’re doomed but there are natural solutions to bring your milk levels up to speed.  The first is pumping.  When you use a breast pump, like the first years breast pump or the ameda electric breast pump, the nipple is stimulated like with a baby causing your body to demand more milk production.

Using a breast pump coupled with the herb, fenugreek, can save a woman’s milk supply.  Fenugreek seed can be found in any herbal/vitamin store in capsule form.  Take two 610mg capsules a day and watch your body respond.  This herb has been used for thousands of years, dating back to the Bible era as a stimulant to produce milk in woman.  As with any herb, talk to your midwife or doctor before taking it.

These issues and many others have simple and affordable solutions.  If all else fails contact a lactation consultant in your area.  A lactation consultant is a professional at helping women with breast feeding.  There are clinics and non-profits that both offer free services in this area.  You can also hire a one on one consultant for a fee.  Just remember to persevere and not to give up.  Time and dedication will pay off and you will have a very satisfied baby.