Prematurity Awareness

No doubt you’re well aware that today is Black Friday. Whether you’re planning to rush the malls in pursuit of perfect holiday gifts or sit this frantic day out, we encourage you to reflect a bit today on the luxuries we enjoy with first world medical and preventative care.

Throughout November, Medela has promoted support for Prematurity Awareness through its Facebook page. Before the end of this month, we encourage you to take a peek and post a pic, as Medela plans to generously donate $5 to the March of Dimes for each uploaded photo. We thought this was an awesome idea as well as an easy way to help. 

Thankful for Breast Pumps

Yes, we know breast pumping is hard work. We’ve done it. We are doing it. Likely, we will do it again in the future. It takes time, dedication, and perseverance. We know.

And we are thankful to have our breast pumps, to best nurture and feed our precious little ones.

So in the spirit of this Thanksgiving holiday, we’ve compiled a list of ten reasons we most love our breast pumps (in no particular order).

Breast Shells

Breast shells are soft, plastic, cup-shaped devices worn to protect irritated nipples or pull out inverted nipples.

Breast shells are worn inside your bra, just against the breast, between or before nursing or pumping sessions.

This device is quite simple. It’s comprised of two parts: a back with a small, circle opening and a rounded front case.

Breast shells that protect irritated nipples have a (comparatively) larger circle opening. The purpose of these shells is to safeguard nipples so sore it’s painful to have them in contact with even the softest of bras.

12-Week Benchmark

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: every woman’s nursing experience differs—whether it’s your first child or your fifth, if you’re exclusively pumping or just supplementing with expressed milk, regardless if you’ve read every book on the subject or rely solely on first-hand experiential learning. Your experience and your timeline will be unique.

But just as a guideline, here’s an overview of the first three months—what you might expect, how to prepare, and how to augment your breast pumping routine as you reach the 12-week mark.

Breast Pumping Rights

If you are a new mother you’re consumed with the well-being of your precious little one. You’re trying to figure out his sleep while desperately scrounging together the hours for your own shut-eye. You’re entranced by her every move, coo, wiggle, and smile. And yes, you’re challenged with the often heart-wrenching and nipple-crushing efforts of nursing. You barely have time to figure it all out, shower, remember your own name and eat your own few bites of food.

Who has time to research (and then remember) your breast pumping rights?

Who knows? But what we do know is that it is important to have the knowledge to advocate for yourself and your child (and your plump and pump-able breasts) when and if it becomes necessary to pump in a public/work setting. So here is a brief overview to get your started and some links for further reference (if needed and time-willing).

Nipple Shields

Nipples shields—in their current form—are artificial nipples made of rubber, latex, or silicone. They fit over a nursing mother’s natural nipples to assist in the feeding process.

Nipple shields are introduced for a variety of reasons. The most common of these reasons include:

·      Facilitating latching when a mother presents flat or inverted nipples.

·      Supporting the nursing process for premature infants or infants with suck challenges.

·      Overcoming breast refusal.

·      Assisting in latch challenges due to engorgement.

·      Protecting and/or preventing sore and damaged nipples.

Essentially, a nipple shield negotiates an infant’s approach to the breast, making the nipple more accessible or attractive when the bare nipple has been unsuccessful.

Two Phases of Breastfeeding

According to researchers, babies’ instinctual sucking switches between a first and second phase to optimize the milk output from a mother’s breast.[1]

The first phase is termed the Stimulation Phase, with the purpose of “stimulating” the breast for output. When a baby first attaches to his mother’s breast he will suck with a faster pace and quicker intensity to pull the nipple out and commence the milk flow.

Once this stimulation is rewarded with milk flow, a baby switches to the second phase, termed the Expression Phase. During this phase, the “letdown” has occurred, milk is flowing to her (or more precisely, being “expressed” by her) and she sucks with a slower but deeper rhythm.

Hints for Personal Hygiene

Nothing smells sweeter than a cuddly, lovable baby—especially when it’s your tender little one. Poopy diapers, stenchful gas, milk stained bibs, and dribble-doused onesies are no matter. Somehow these seeming culprits of stink might even smell sweet (when—and only when—they come from your gentle, perfect one).

But when the odor migrates onto you, the effect is none so benign. Even if no one in your company detects or complains about a lasting breast milk pungency, odds are you will sense it and smell it and begin to hate it.