Why should you keep track of the amount of milk you are pumping?

Well, sometimes in your foggy middle of the night pumping session, you realize you have lost track of how much you have pumped over the last 24 hours. Well, here is a pumping log that you can use to help you keep track. Why should you keep track? You may need to keep track of how much milk you are making if you have a preemie, or you may need to keep track of how much milk your baby is taking in over 24 hours and at each feed. This pumping log will help you keep track of how much milk you are making, to ensure you are pumping enough to keep your new precious baby fed! You can also refer to the document on helping to maintain or reach a full milk production for you baby.

http://www.motherschoiceproducts.com/pdf_documents/public/Reachingfullmilkproduction2010.pdf

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Pumping Log
	Name:				Date:
	GOAL:
	Stage 1 (Birth to milk increase, ~Day 3-4):
		8-10 pumpings/day, 10-15 min per breast, hand expression after
		Expect:  Drops, but pumping now “puts in your order” for more milk later
	Stage 2 (Day 3-4 to full milk production, 750-1050 mL per baby per day):
		8-10 pumpings/day, 20-30 min. per breast and/or hand expression after
		Expect:  More milk expressed every day
	Stage 3 (At full milk production: 750-1050 mL per baby per day)
	6-7 pumpings/day, 10-15 min. per breast to maintain milk production
		To maintain milk production, once a week total daily milk yield
		Expect:  To maintain milk production
	Time Started Pumping	Time Ended Pumping	Total Pumping Time	Minutes Hand-Expressed After Pumping	Total Milk Expression Time	Oz/mL Milk Pumped Left Breast	Oz/mL Milk Pumped Right Breast	Total Milk Expressed
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					0			0
					Total Milk Expressed per 24 hrs			0
	Minutes Spent Today in Skin-to-Skin Contact with Baby:
	Mother
	Father
	Other
	Total
	Flange size used on in mm:
	Left Breast-	21.0	22.5	25.0	28.5	30.5	32.5	36.0
	Right Breast-	21.0	22.5	25.0	28.5	30.5	32.5	36.0

Diet and Breastfeeding - Myth or Mystery!

How many foods really effect your breastmilk? That is a good question and one that doesn't have a simple answer.  If you are concerned of course you should talk to your doctor or breastfeeding professional. There is no one size fits all with breastfeeding, every breastfeeding "team" is different. Mom and baby work together to find what is best for them.

http://www.motherschoiceproducts.com/pdf_documents/public/DietandBreastfeeding2010.pdf

Are there foods I should eat or avoid while I’m breastfeeding?
ANSWER:
No. There are no foods (such as cow’s milk) that every breastfeeding mother must have. (Cows don’t "drink milk to make milk".) And there are no foods that all mothers must avoid. In most cases, there is no need to steer clear of chocolate, spicy foods, onions, garlic, broccoli, or cabbage. The key is: everything in moderation. In one study mothers had lots of garlic—more than anyone could eat with a meal. And their babies breastfed more. They liked the taste! In many countries, such as Thailand and Mexico, mothers eat spicy foods while breastfeeding with no ill effects on their babies. Enjoy!

If my diet is not perfect, will my milk still be good for my baby?
ANSWER:
Yes. Although eating well is good for you (it boosts your energy and resistance to illness), an ideal diet is not necessary to produce good quality milk. As breastfeeding expert Ruth Lawrence, MD, writes: "All over the world women produce adequate and even abundant milk on very inadequate diets." Studies have found that it takes famine conditions for several weeks before a mother’s milk is affected.

How will I know if my baby is reacting to something I’ve eaten?
ANSWER:
First, keep in mind that almost all babies have fussy periods and such reactions are unusual. Your baby’s fussiness is probably unrelated to your diet. Besides fussiness, other signs in a baby are dry skin, congestion, bloody stool, rash, and wheezing. If you suspect a food is affecting your baby, try avoiding it. (Cow’s milk takes two weeks or so to clear.) Then try eating it again. If your baby reacts, you’ll know to avoid that food for a few months. (Most babies will not react after about six to nine months of age.) The most likely culprits are protein foods such as dairy, soy, egg white, peanuts, and fish. Only changing your diet will tell you for sure.



Do I need to eat more than usual to make enough milk?
ANSWER:
No. Just "eat to hunger." Extra calories do not seem to be as important as once thought. Your fat stores at your baby’s birth provide much of the fuel needed to make milk. Research has found that your metabolism may be more efficient while breastfeeding than at other times. This may reduce your need for extra calories. More active mothers will need more calories, but they will likely also feel hungrier, too.  Listen to your body, it will tell you if you need more calories?

As a vegetarian, is there anything special I need to know?
ANSWER:
Yes. You need to either eat foods that have vitamin B12 (such as eggs or dairy), eat foods with vitamin B12 added, or take supplements. If you are on a vegan or macrobiotic diet or any other diet that does not include animal products, be sure to get enough B12.

Are there foods that will increase my milk production?
ANSWER:
Not that we know of. Again, milk production is based on how many times each day your milk is drained well from your breasts. The more times you breastfeed or express your milk and the more drained your breasts are, the more milk you will make. For information on herbal and prescribed medicines that increase milk production, talk to your lactation consultant.

Is it okay to diet while I’m breastfeeding?
ANSWER:
Yes. In fact, this may be the best time, as breastfeeding helps burn fat stores. But it’s best to go slowly and lose weight gradually. Any diet should include at least 1800 calories per day. Talk to your doctor about what a healthy weight should be for frame. Any diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables and lean protein.
As with other food products, artificial sweeteners are all right in moderation, one to two servings per day.

What about caffeine?
ANSWER:
As with all parts of your diet, think moderation. One or two cups of coffee (or other caffeinated drinks such as teas or colas) are not likely to cause a reaction. Unless a baby is unusually sensitive, there is no need to abstain.

How much should I drink while I’m breastfeeding?
ANSWER:
"Drink to thirst" is the simple guideline. Research has not yet found a link between the fluids a mother drinks and her milk production. (Milk production is based on the number of times per day your milk is drained well from your breasts.) If your urine is dark yellow, this is a sign that you need more fluids. To make it easy to get a drink when thirsty, keep a container of water or juice at your usual nursing spot.

Can I have an occasional glass of beer or wine while I’m breastfeeding?
ANSWER:
Yes. Moderate to heavy drinking is risky for your baby, but a little alcohol in the milk now and then has not been found to be harmful.

Mothers who want to avoid any alcohol in their milk can have their drink right after nursing. Research shows that alcohol passes quickly into a mother’s milk, peaking within 30 to 60 minutes (60 to 90 minutes when taken with food). But it also passes out of milk quickly. For a 120-pound woman, it takes 2 to 3 hours for the alcohol in one glass of beer or wine to leave her milk. And there is no need to pump to make your milk alcohol-free. As blood alcohol levels drop, alcohol leaves the milk. If a breastfeeding mother has a stronger drink or more than one glass of beer or wine, it will take much longer for the alcohol to leave her milk.






Adapted from
　

Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA, Lactation Consultant Co - Author of Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers

This is general information and does not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. If you have a problem you cannot solve quickly, seek help right away.

Every baby is different, if in doubt, contact your physician or other healthcare provider.

How important is the fit of the flange when you are pumping?

Every mother needs a good flange fit for greater comfort and better milk flow. What determines a flange’s size—and your fit—is the width of its opening. To get an idea of your flange size, compare your nipple to a  nickel. If your nipple is wider than a nickel, you will likely need a larger-than-standard size breast flange. But because the breast changes as you pump, measuring tools alone are not the most reliable gauge.

The best way to check your fit is to watch your nipple during pumping. With a good fit, you should see space around your nipple as it moves freely in the flange’s tunnel (see below Photo A). With a tight fit, your nipple may rub along the tunnel’s sides or move very little (see below Photo B). A tight fit squeezes the nipple and slows milk flow. The rubbing can also cause discomfort, skin irritation, and skin breakdown.

PHOTO A: GOOD FIT

PHOTO B: TIGHT FIT

A pump flange can also be too large. In this case, more than about ¼ to 1/8 of an inch (3-6 mm) of the area around your nipple will be pulled in as you pump or your nipple may appear to bounce in and out of the nipple tunnel.
If your flange is too large or too small, you may feel discomfort even on low suction settings. You may also pump less milk than expected.
But once you find a good flange fit, this isn’t the end of the story. Flange fit can change with birth, breastfeeding, and pumping. The flange that fits you well when you start pumping may need to change as you pump longer. For this reason, it makes sense from time to time to recheck your flange fit.
Ameda offers seven flange sizes. Some Ameda pumps and kits include multiple flange sizes like the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra.    Check with your Lactation consultant or Public Health nurse any time you have discomfort or pain with pumping.  Pumping should not hurt!

Some of this information is adapted from:

Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA, Lactation Consultant,
Coauthor of Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers

Congratulations you're pregnant. Now you need a breastpump?

Well, not really! Buying a breastpump is something many pregnant women think about. When should you buy a pump? There are a few factors to consider when you are ready to buy. The first is are you planning to breastfeed, or are you planning to feed your baby breast milk? If you are going to exclusively breastfeed with the occasional bottle given by dad, or grandma or whomever then a manual pump will likely do the trick.



If you are planning to go back to work early then sure, a double electric pump is a no brainer! But what about if you are in between those stages? A double electric pump can be a good purchase especially if this is your first child and you are planning (hoping!) for more. You will get quite a bit of use out of it. If you can afford it then it will be a useful tool in your parenting arsenal!


Personal Breast Pump selection

Should you buy a pump while pregnant? Our advice is no, you should wait. What if you have breastfeeding challenges and need a hospital grade pump for an extended time? What if your baby refuses the bottle no matter what you try?  There are many factors in an individual breastfeeding experience and you won't actually have the anwsers until you hold that precious bundle in your arms. Breastpumps don't really go on sale, so waiting until you have your baby won't change that. Plus they are readily available at most pharmacies, check behind the counter with your pharmacist!  Breastfeeding is a unique and rewarding experience for most families, and some will struggle and some will have an easy time. Just remember a pump cannot replace skin to skin contact and the benefits to mom and baby that come with that! Enjoy your pregnancy, and start thinking about breastfeeding.   Do your research, think about which pump you would purchase, but wait until the time is right!
Good luck and happy feeding.