Pumping Mamas are Savvy Mamas Part 3 How Many Extra Calories Do I Need to Consume When Pumping and Nursing?

No doubt you’ve been told somewhere, sometime, not to worry about the weight you gain during pregnancy, as it will magically disappear as you nurse and pump. 

Let us be clear—now is not the time for vanity. Don’t expect to fit into the extra skinny jeans at the back of your closet. And don’t be hard on yourself for whatever weight you’ve gained. If we’ve learned anything through the pregnancy experience (many successive pregnancies among us) it’s that the human body is miraculously designed and heavenly elastic. 

However, you must be careful to honor your body and not treat it as a gaping hole for every sinful craving you have. 

The extra pounds you have gained during pregnancy will be used as energy assuming you aren’t consuming too many extra calories under the validating hood of “nursing stress.”

Most women are advised to consume an extra 500 calories daily while nursing and pumping. However, this number depends on how much body fat you carry personally as well as your level of daily physical activity. 

As a savvy pumping mama, you surely realize that this recommendation goes beyond the number 500. Yes, your body needs extra fuel. But this fuel needs to be composed of vital nutrients. 

Depending on what you choose to eat, you can fuel your body with healthy snacks throughout the day, or one guilty splurge. 

Here’s an example of what we mean.

There are:

105 calories in 1 medium banana

103 calories in 1 medium pear 

95 calories in 1 medium apple

84 calories in 1 cup of blueberries

78 calories in 1 boiled egg

125 calories in 1 cup of egg whites

158 calories in 1 cup of oatmeal

100 calories in 1 cup of Greek nonfat yogurt

231 calories in 1 cup of boiled chicken breast (chopped or diced)

189 calories in 1 cup of uncooked edamame

412 calories in ½ lb filet of salmon

And then there are:

500 calories in one Belgian Waffle with a drizzle of maple syrup

550 calories in a medium sized bagel with one 3 oz. packet of plain cream cheese

550 calories in a Big Mac

500 calories in 4 slices of bacon

500 calories in 4.5 oz of cheese

500 calories in 2 Snickers bars. 

So be savvy when choosing the source of your extra calories. Intersperse additional snacks throughout your day: a cup of yogurt with blueberries; an edamame snack; an apple here and a banana there (plus a few peanut M&Ms). 

And keep in mind that every woman’s body is different and therefore her needs are also different. While nursing and pumping does require additional nutrient-rich fuel, milk synthesis does not actually require a lot of energy. Recent research shows that during lactation, a mother’s metabolism becomes more efficient with calories as well as minerals so she doesn’t deplete herself of the essentials.

Above all, remember to honor your body and health. This is truly the best thing you can do for you precious little one as you fill him with love and give her your milk.

Pumping Mamas are Savvy Mamas Part 2 Know Which Accessories Are Actually "All That" Necessary

Selection is a good thing for consumers. But too many choices can be—well—too much for an expecting mother.  In fact, as new moms, we wished the best breast-pumping solutions would magically appear, without need for careful research or personal experimentation. We hadn’t the money or the time to invest.

These days it seems there are heaps of accessories for everything “baby”— breast  pumping included. And while we like lots of them—most of them, in fact—we thought it would be helpful to offer a stream-lined recommendation for the breast pump accessories we could barely live without.

Freemie Hands Free Collection Cups

In all honesty, as the product is relatively new to market, only two of us used Freemie’s gloriously emancipating hands-free collection cups. They really do fit, concealed, under your shirt so you can pump anywhere you choose. In addition, Freemie manufactures cups that are compatible with other breast pump models so even if you already have a non-Freemie pump, or plan to use a non-Freemie pump, you can still pump hands-free and completely concealed. If these babies had been available earlier, we’d all have been converts. 

Flanges

If you aren’t using Freemie’s Collection Cups, you will use a more traditional flange. Although most pumps come with standard flanges included, these might not be your best-fit size. Make sure you read the directions on proper fit and purchase the correct size, if necessary. This will make all the difference in your milk output and breast health and comfort. 

Disposable Nursing Pads

Once your milk comes in, you are bound to leak. The best way to stay as fresh and clean as possible is to always insert new disposable nursing pads into your bra between pumps or nursing.

Storage

Each pump offers its own specialized storage systems—some disposable and some reusable. Because of its ease, we like the Pump and Save Bags from Medela best. 

Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags 

Again, this is because of ease. These bags disinfect breast shields, accessories, breast milk bottles, nipples pacifiers in 3 minutes in the microwave. Simple. We love.

Lanolin

Any type of nipple cream you prefer will do. You will thank us and so will your nipples. 

Quick Clean Wipes

These are especially helpful to clean your pump and parts when you are pumping on the go or at work. The last thing you want to do once you arrive home after a busy day (and before you have to pump again) is take a dirty, stinky pump apart to wash. These are a serious “ease increaser” and “stress reducer”.

Brown Rice is a Whole-Grain, No-Brainer Feeding Food

Cilantro Lime Brown Rice Recipe

Brown rice is unprocessed rice and a complex carbohydrate providing you with an energy boost as well as a lactation bump.  Recent research suggests that eating brown rice increases serotonin levels, which in turn, stimulates prolactin—a key hormone in lactation.

In the spirit of Cinco de Mayo, here’s a tasty twist on brown rice to be served at any celebration. 

Cilantro Lime Brown Rice

Ingredients:

(format these into bullet points)

1 Tbsp oil

1 medium onion, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

Kosher salt

1 cup brown rice

2 cups chicken broth

2 limes

½ cup cilantro, roughly chopped

Instructions:

(format these into numbers)

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and season generously with Kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic. Cook for 1 additional minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

Reduce the heat to low and add rice. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. 

Add broth, the zest and juice of 1 lime, and a pinch of salt. Raise heat to medium-high and bring mixture to a boil. 

Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the rice is done as per the directions on your bag of rice.

Once liquid is completely evaporated and rice is cooked, fluff rice with a fork and stir in cilantro. Taste and add the juice of the second lime.

May Day is for Pumping Mamas We Say, You Are a Most Deserving May Queen

This Sunday is May 1—a significant day for two, seemingly opposite reasons.

Most likely you’re familiar with May Day, a festive and flowery invocation of a coming summer. Although we’ve only just entered the spring, this date is a deeply historical pause—breaking from the cold, dark days of winter to welcome warmth, health, and bountiful growth.

Celebrations in ancient Scotland, Ireland, and Rome anticipated and honored crop abundance and fertile livestock. In time, these ceremonies evolved into opportunities for communities to gather outside and enjoy the day with flowers, singing, and dancing. Festivities included gifting neighbors with baskets of goodies, dancing around a maypole, and sometimes even selecting a May Queen to oversee the day’s follies.[1]

At the end of the 19^th century, workers united in protest against grueling labor standards marked this same date with another significance. Taking place in Chicago and other major cities around the glove, the event became part of the Haymarket Affair and stirred notable labor reforms, most notably a designated eight-hour workday.

In 1889, May Day was labeled International Workers’ Day. In the U.S. in 1958, President Eisenhower signed a resolution to change the title to “Loyalty Day,” in an effort to avoid any connotation to socialism or communism.  The resolution detailed Loyalty’s Day’s purpose as “a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States of America and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.”[2]

So whether you opt to call Sunday May Day, Workers’ Day, or Loyalty Day—we say it’s definitely a tribute to pumping mamas. It’s a time to honor the warmth, health, and bountiful growth you provide to your precious little one with the nourishment you provide. It’s also a fitting pause to recognize and pay tribute to the endless and grueling work it takes to produce and pump all your nourishing milk.

We also say you are, most definitely, a May Queen. Allow yourself to be treated with the love, the gratitude, and the honor you deserve this weekend.

http://time.com/3836834/may-day-labor-history/

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/what-is-may-day-all-about/2014/04/29/e2d6056c-cafc-11e3-95f7-7ecdde72d2ea_story.html

[2] http://time.com/3836834/may-day-labor-history/

How Is My Breast Pump Covered Under Insurance?

When shopping for your breast pump, it’s important to know the difference between “free” and “covered” and to educate yourself on the actual coverage of your insurance policy under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Under the ACA a breast pump is fully covered under most health insurance plans. The new legislation makes special allowances for the unique costs of female healthcare, with maternity care receiving much emphasis and breastfeeding needs finding address with the CDC’s pronouncement of breastfeeding among the top preventative efforts a mother can do for herself and her child. 

Here’s the word of caution: “most.” The Affordable Care Act doesn’t say that all breast pumps are now free for everyone. Rather, the legislation has pushed insurance companies to cover breast pumps under their offered policies so now “a breast pump is fully covered under most health insurance plans.” With your policy number in hand, call your insurance company and have them walk you through the exact coverage terms of your policy and the specific procedure you follow to acquire your “covered” breast pump. Usually, this procedure simply involves you ordering your breast pump through the carrier’s approved distributor: https://www.byramhealthcare.com.

That’s great news.

Here’s more good news: If your policy is one of the few that doesn’t fully cover your breast pump, there may be another way. The Affordable Care Act emphasizes that it’s up to you and your doctor to decide what's right for you and your breastfeeding needs. As such, some insurance plans may require pre-authorization from your doctor to ensure the proper services and equipment is provided.  

To support the women taking secondary steps to access their entitled equipment and services, the National Women’s Law Center created a toolkit that includes letter templates and reimbursement forms. You can access those resources through their site http://www.nwlc.org/resource/new-benefits-breastfeeding-moms-facts-and-tools-understand-your-coverage-under-health-care- .

Once you’re ready to start shopping for your covered breast pump, visit the Byram Healthcare site, select your insurance provider, and select from the variety of popular models we offer.

Find Your Breast Pumping Groove: A Review of Inspirational Posts

We’ve been there. We’ve done this. We know that breast pumping—whether exclusively or supplementally—is hard work.

On Facebook we seek to support and inspire you, now and again, with quick tips and supportive words.

In case you’ve missed them, here’s a handful of inspirations from last year to help you “Find Your Breast Pumping Groove.”

Find your pumping groove! At first, new mama, pumping might feel like another obligation among a million but eventually it will free you up and ensure a supply of breast milk for your baby.

How Can I Increase My Milk Supply?

The simplest answer is: empty your breasts of breast milk and you will produce more milk.

The central tenant of milk production is that milk production slows as the breast fills. In other words, milk production has everything to do with the frequency and efficiency with which your breasts are emptied, and less to do with a set period of time.

Newborns naturally feed very frequently for short periods. Remember when you’re tired and sore,

What Can I Do To Produce More Milk?

The simplest answer is, empty your breasts of breast milk and you will produce more milk.

The central tenant of milk production is that milk production slows as the breast fills. In other words, milk production has everything to do with the frequency and efficiency with which your breasts are emptied, and less to do with a set period of time.

Savvy Pumping Mama Part 1: What Does the Food Label “Natural” Actually Mean?

As a breast-pumping mom you do everything in your power to help your little one grow strong and healthy. That also means keeping yourself strong and healthy.

But with rampant advice, sometimes sneaky marketing, complicated legislation, and confusing labeling—knowing what to know, what is true, and what all this information actually means takes more energy and thought than any sane mom has in reserve.

So in order to keep you sane and savvy, we have compiled a series of posts covering issues related to your best health and nutrition. This way you have the information you need to make your best, personal decisions.

First topic: What does the word “natural” actually mean as a food label?

Hydration Fixation in Review

In an effort to take one little—yet crucial—concern off your mind, we compiled a series of posts addressing all things hydration.

Here’s a review of the knowledge and tips you’ll want to keep top of mind to keep your strength, health, and hydration in check.

How much water do you need to consume daily while breast pumping?

What Are the Key Features and Reviews for Hygeia’s Q Model

As a premium medical supplier, Byram Healthcare only offers market-preferred breast pumps to our clients. And due to the Affordable Care Act, Byram Healthcare offers this variety of highly rated breast pumps - through most insurance plans - at no cost to you.

We hope to make your selection process streamlined and easy by offering this series of blog posts, highlighting the key features and user reviews for specific pumps. Today we’re focusing on Hygeia’s Q Model breast pump.

(To learn how easy it is to order your no-cost breast pump through Byram visit our earlier blog post entitled: How Do I Order My Covered PumpThrough Byram Healthcare?) 

Product Overview

 Hygeia Q Breast Pump [1]

 La Leche League, the international breastfeeding non-profit and advocacy group endorse Hygeia.     

 This model is categorized as Hospital Grade, designed for long-term and features a vacuum rhythm 

 that mimics your baby’s unique patterns.

How Do I Determine Which Breast Pumps Are Covered Under My Insurance?

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, breast pumps are now covered for expectant mothers—at no cost—under most health insurance policies.

This is a fabulous advance in healthcare, standards of living, and convenience for every new mother—whether you plan to pump exclusively or supplementally.

And the process of receiving your covered breast pump is actually simple!

As a medical supplier, Byram Healthcare’s role is to get you your breast pump quickly and easily so you can direct your time and energy towards preparing for your new baby’s arrival.

Because we partner with hundreds of insurance providers nationally, odds are we got you covered. The following steps will help you to determine which breast pumps are covered under your insurance plan and then place your order.

Apricots Are A Delicious Feeding Food

Juicy, delicious apricots are full of beta-carotene and fiber. One of the first signs of summer, this happy orange fruit is a fabulous addition to the balanced diet of a breast-pumping mama.

The University of Wisconsin’s School of Health and Public Medicine recommends apricots as a natural galactagogue. Apricots (especially dried apricots) contain phytoestrogens, which help to balance the hormones involved in lactation.[1]

But wait. If you’ve been following our blog closely, you’re likely confused. The last post included apricots on a list of foods that may cause dehydration and should be avoided for breast-pumping mamas. So what’s the real deal with apricots?

Balance is the key.

Freemie’s Freedom Hands Free Breast Pump

As a premium medical supplier, Byram Healthcare only offers market-preferred breast pumps to our clients. And due to the Affordable Care Act, Byram Healthcare offers this variety of highly rated breast pumps - through most insurance plans - at no cost to you.

We hope to make your selection process streamlined and easy by offering this series of blog posts, highlighting the key features and user reviews for specific pumps. Today we’re focusing on Freemie’s Freedom Hands Free breast pump.

(To learn how easy it is to order your no-cost breast pump through Byram visit our earlier blog post entitled: How Do I Order My Covered Pump Through Byram Healthcare?) 

Hydration Fixation Part 4: What Dehydrating Foods and Drinks Should I Avoid?

In our series, Hydration Fixation, we’ve addressed the issues we’ve been asked by all you pumping mamas about staying hydrated.

In Part 1, we suggested how much water you should be drinking in order to maintain a healthy daily hydration. In Part 2, we shared some helpful tips on how to ensure you’re actually consuming 64 ounces of water daily. Our most recent post in this series, Part 3, offered a variety of hydrating food and drink options to supplement your water intake. Now, in our final post of the series, we thought it prudent to remind you which food and drinks are dehydrating and should therefore be avoided, especially while you’re nursing and pumping.

St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

There’s more to Irish food than bangers and mash.

If you’re bringing a dish to a St. Patrick’s Day party, or celebrating quietly at home, why not make something festive while incorporating milk-enhancing ingredients?

Remember from earlier posts that:

• Wild salmon is a lactogenic rock star. Because of its rich Omega-3 content, research suggests nursing and breast pumping benefit from two servings weekly in order to consume the appropriate amount of the essential fatty acid to promote a healthy baby’s brain development. [1]
• Spinach is a “super food” as well as a fabulous dietary element during pregnancy and lactation due to its rich content of folic acid. It’s even suggested to improve the quality and taste of your breast milk. [2]
• Asparagus is a “powerhouse” food for nursing and pumping mothers. It is chock full of Vitamins A, C, and K. Asparagus is also high in fiber and folic acid, both of which aid in maintaining a healthy milk supply. Additionally, this jolly green contains two power elements: phytoestrogens and tryptophan. Phytoestrogens assist in the milk production process. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which has proven to stimulate which has proven to stimulate prolactin production; prolactin is a major hormone involved in the lactation cycle. [3]
• Apricots (especially dried apricots) contain phytoestrogens, which help to balance the hormones involved in lactation. Apricots are high in fiber, Vitamin A, C, potassium and calcium.

Here are a few recipes to festively feast this St. Patrick’s Day while promoting milk production.

St. Patrick’s Day

Happy almost St. Patrick’s Day, all you breast-pumping mamas.

Whether or not you live in a Celtic-crazy city like New York, Boston, Chicago, or Savannah it’s quite likely you feel the urge to join in the festivities this year. We know you deserve some time to let loose.

For the occasion we thought it appropriate to give you a few refresher tips on how to enjoy alcoholic beverages while you’re nursing and pumping.

Spectra’s 9 Plus Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump

As a premium medical supplier, Byram Healthcare only offers market-preferred breastpumps to our clients. And due to the Affordable Care Act, Byram Healthcare offers this variety of highly rated breast pumps - through most insurance plans - at no cost to you.

This third post in our series to help you decide which specific breast pump is best for you features Spectra’s 9 Plus Advanced Breast Pump.

(If you’re curious how simple the ordering process actually is, visit our earlier blog post entitled: How Do I Order My Covered Pump Through Byram Healthcare?) 

Hydration Fixation Part 3: Can I Drink (or Eat) Anything Besides Water for Hydration?

In our continuing series, Hydration Fixation, we’re addressing the issues we’ve been asked by all you pumping mamas about staying hydrated.

Staying hydrated is a seemingly simple, yet absolutely crucial, piece of your personal well-being. In the first post of this series, How Much Water Do I Really Need As a Breast-Pumping Mom?, we determined that the general rule is to drink enough water to meet the needs of your thirst (approximately eight 8 oz. glasses of water, depending of factors of weight and overall health).

Obviously, water is the thing. It’s the best drink around for a healthy lifestyle and the even better, best drink when you’re nursing and pumping. But after dutifully consuming 8 oz. glass after 8 oz. glass, it’s natural to get a little “watered out.” Which brings us to the third post of this series: suggestions for alternative hydrating sources when you’re just plain sick of plain water.

Byram Healthcare and Breast Pump Accessories

You probably know that Byram Healthcare is a leading supplier of premium breast pumps. And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, breast pumps are covered under most insurance plans.

We carry five of the market’s most popular and user-friendly breast pumps: Medela’s PIS Advanced, the Ameda Purely Yours Ultra, Spectra’s 9 Plus Advanced, Freemie’s Freedom Hands Free, and Hygeia’s Q Model.

Ordering your breast pump through Byram is simple. Start here.

But you might not know that Byram Healthcare also offers a variety of accessories used and loved by throngs of breast pumping moms.

Hummus is Delicious and Nutritious for Breast Pumping Mamas

A food promoting or increasing the flow of a mother's milk is known as a galactagogue. While the term isn’t exactly appetizing, many of these lactogenic foods are. Rich legumes like chickpeas, lentils, lima beans or green beans all fall into this category.

Hummus, which is simply made by combining chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic (another galactagogue) serves up a complete protein, dense in nutrition. It’s a fabulously smart and delicious choice for nursing and pumping mamas.

Here are a few recipes: one to create your own homemade hummus and another in which to incorporate the delectable spread.

Pumping On an Airplane

Much attention—pushback and advice—has been poured over breast pumping in airports recently. And it’s true. Pumping in an airport is difficult. But it’s nothing compared to pumping on the actual plane.

If it can, pump before you take off. Find tips and information about pumping in the airport in our earlier post here. 

However, If may be unavoidable. If that’s the case, here are some tips to help you pump happily in the friendly skies.

Hydration Fixation Part 2: What Are Tips For Easily Meeting My Water Goals?

In our continuing series, Hydration Fixation, we’re addressing the issues we’ve been asked by all you pumping mamas about staying hydrated.

Staying hydrated is a seemingly simple, yet absolutely crucial, piece of your personal well-being. In the first post of this series, How Much Water Do I Really Need As a Breast-pumping Mom?, we determined that the general rule is to drink enough water to meet the needs of your thirst (approximately eight 8 oz. glasses of water, depending of factors of weight and overall health).

Which brings us to the second post of this series in which we’re suggesting the best tips we know to help you easily meet your daily hydration goal.

Medela’s Pump In Style Advanced

As a premium medical supplier, Byram Healthcare only offers market-preferred breast pumps to our clients. And due to the Affordable Care Act, Byram Healthcare offers this variety of highly rated breast pumps - through most insurance plans - at no cost to you.

The most difficult part of the whole process is researching the various pumps and deciding which specific pump is right for you. Over the next few months we will individually feature each pump supplied through Byram Healthcare to help you with this research and your decision.

(If you’re curious how simple the ordering process actually is, visit our earlier blog post entitled: How Do I Order My Covered Pump Through Byram Healthcare?)

The first pump we are featuring is the Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump [1]

Asparagus is an Awesome Feeding Food

Yes. Asparagus is a “powerhouse” food for nursing and pumping mothers. Like many of the other feeding foods we’ve included in this series, asparagus in chock full of Vitamins A, C, and K. Asparagus is also high in fiber and folic acid, both of which aid in maintaining a healthy milk supply.

Asparagus contains two additional power elements: phytoestrogens and tryptophan. Phytoestrogens assist in the milk production process. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which has proven to stimulate prolactin production; prolactin is a major hormone involved in the lactation cycle. [1]

Here are a few recipes to help you incorporate asparagus into a balanced diet and improve your lactation for breast pumping:

Pump Accessory Gifts for Valentine’s Day

Dads, husbands, partners: this one’s for you. We told her to forward this to you.

Because here’s the thing—breast pumping is really hard work. It might not look like it’s that difficult from your vantage point. No doubt the rockstar-mama-of-your-babe has gotten the hang of this. She probably has a routine and makes it look easy. You rarely hear her complain…anymore…or only when she’s really tired after a super long day.

But we’re here to tell it like it is so that you can best understand and support the lady of your life. And the simple truth is that breast pumping is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. Her body is the main source of nutrition for your little one and that often leads to exhaustion. Motivated to do everything in her power for the well-being of your child, it’s also very common for breast pumping moms to feel disconnected from themselves and their sensual natures.

It’s your job to remind your partner how naturally beautiful she on a daily basis. It’s your responsibility to cheerlead her every effort in nurturing your child. And on Valentine’s Day, it’s your pleasure to let her know that you’re along for the journey and eager to make—at least—one day in February all about her.

Hydration Fixation Part 1: How Much Water Do I Really Need As a Breast-Pumping Mom?

As a breast-pumping mom you do everything in your power to help your little one grow strong and healthy. That also means keeping yourself strong and healthy. Staying hydrated is a seemingly simple, yet absolutely crucial, piece of your personal well-being. But we don’t need to tell you that, right? You probably obsess about this—and a million other things—every day. So in order to take one thing off your mind, we have compiled a series of posts that cover all things hydration. We’ve titled it: Hydration Fixation.

Breast Pumps Covered by Your Insurance

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, breast pumps are now covered under most health insurance policies for expectant mothers at no cost.

Byram Healthcare is a medical supplier. We partner with insurance providers to simplify your process of acquiring the medical supplies within your benefits—like breast pumps. We are pleased to offer a selection of customer-preferred and marketing-leading pumps from major brands including Medela, Ameda, Spectra, Hygeia, and Freemie.

Ordering your covered breast pump through Byram is truly simple.

Pumping At the Airport

You’re headed on vacation to escape the winter blahs. Yes! That might mean you’re headed to the airport. And while not quite as dramatic as some of the stories shared in our last post, breast pumping in an airport is definitely awkward.

Over the past years, many airports have improved the conditions for breast pumping mamas by defining specific mother’s lounges. However, these conditions vary drastically by city.

Here are a few tips to make your airport breast pumping experience as manageable and pleasant as possible.

You Pumped Where?

Country star, Carrie Underwood, knows a thing or two about pumping. In an interview last fall she simply said, “You learn that awkwardness is part of being a mom.” Nonchalantly, she shared a few stories of how she survived as a new mom, despite her touring responsibilities and the normal desire to—you know, leave the house once in a while.

“I’ve literally turned my chair around into a corner over on like a side room [at a restaurant] and pumped there,” she shared. “I pumped at a concert once, I was attending somebody else’s concert. Awkwardness is just a part of being a mom.”[1]

While most of us aren’t bothered by the likes of paparazzi, constant crowd recognition, or the other discomfitures of celebrity—as a pumping mama, we all know a lot about awkward moments.

Here are a few of the most awkward and dramatic pumping stories we’ve heard recently from our friends and readers.

Salmon is Delicious and Nutritious for Breast Feeding Mamas

Fish, in general, is a fabulous food source. Many fish varieties are high-quality protein measuring low in saturated fat and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. [1] Wild salmon is always at the top of the list of foods rich in Omega-3.

Omega-3s are considered essential fatty acids crucial for human health. However, the human body is incapable of producing this nutritive gold and we must get it from our food sources. [2] Research suggests that nursing and breastpumping mothers need two servings weekly in order to consume the appropriate amount of Omega-3 to promote their baby’s healthy brain development. [3]

Here are a few recipes to help you incorporate salmon into your diet as a part of the suggested weekly servings.  

Packing for a Winter Get Away?

You deserve a vacation!

You have earned the right to sit on a Caribbean beach in the deliciously warm sun and just be. You merit every second at an amazing spa with a butler and a personal masseur and a private (5 star) chef. You should be on a yacht headed for the Riviera with the rest of this world’s most beautiful people.

Okay, maybe we overshot that one a bit. But a girl can dream, can’t she?! At the very least, you deserve a vacation. You’re a breast-pumping mama, after all.

After you book this most deserved vacation, it’s time to consider packing. So you have one less thing for your concern and coordination, we offer you a list of items you will need as a sun-bathing, spa-going, yachting-lounging, breast-pumping vacationer. 

Storing, Preserving and Using Breast Milk

Storage

• It is safe to store breast milk in either plastic or glass bottles, with sealable tops, or in sterile sealable bags. If you prefer plastic look to ensure they are BPA free.
• In order to prevent any waste, store breast milk in amounts equal to your baby’s feedings. If your baby east 4 ounces at a time, store 4 ounces per container.

Storage Location

• In order to be saved, breast milk must be stored in a cool place – a cooler or refrigerator for short durations or a freezer for longer periods of time. 

Carrots are an Awesome Feeding Food

Much like super food spinach, carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which promotes lactation and increases the quality of your breast milk. In fact, one cup of 8 oz. carrot juice provides 686% of your body’s Vitamin A requirements.[1] As with all elements of your diet, it’s best to eat everything in balance and moderation. Carrots are no exception.

Here are a few recipes to help you incorporate carrots into your balanced diet and improve your lactation for breast pumping:

2016 Changes to the Affordable Care Act

Although insurance talk isn’t exactly engrossing to most of us, it sure ain’t cheap. In other words, it’s important to be familiar with the Affordable Care Act legislation and the evolution of its impact on you—yes you—the new mother.

Under this landmark legislation women are granted progressive benefits with regard to maternity and postnatal care and supplies. Specifically, breastfeeding care and support are considered.

Affordable Care Act Recap

In case you missed it, it’s now 2016. Six years ago, in 2010, President Obama enacted the Affordable Care Act.

And if, by chance, you’re still not sure what that means and how this legislation impacts your life as a new mother here’s a recap of the items specifically affecting maternity care and breastfeeding.

The Affordable Care Act provides unique coverage allowances to women in the form of prenatal, delivery, and preventative child illness considerations.[1]

Under this canopy breastfeeding gets commensurate attention as the practice has been documented as a highly effective preventative measure for child development and overall health.[2]