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4 ways breast milk changes over time

How Breast Milk Changes When Your Exclusively Pumping

Getting Started /

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Copeland, RN, IBCLC One of the most amazing things about breast milk is that it’s always changing. From the time your baby is born to the time you wean, it’s constantly changing to meet your baby’s needs. In this post, you’ll discover the 4 incredible ways your breast milk changes.. during a pumping session throughout the day as your baby grows when your baby gets sick Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only. You can read my full disclaimer here. 1. Breast milk changes during a pumping session During a pumping session, your breast milk gets progressively fattier. You start out getting the more watery foremilk, and towards the end of your session, you’ll get the fattier hindmilk. This is why it’s so important to empty your breasts, so that you’re getting all the fat content out. But foremilk and hindmilk aren’t actually different types of milk. Breast milk is breast milk.  The reason why your milk is fattier towards the end of a session is that the fat separates inside your breasts, similar to the way it does in a bottle when stored. The longer you go between pumping sessions, the more of a difference there will be in the foremilk vs hindmilk. This is because the fat will have had more time to separate. 2. Breast milk changes throughout the day The levels of different hormones, vitamins, etc vary throughout the day. Morning and daytime milk contains certain things that help your baby stay alert and active. Evening and nighttime milk contains things that help promote sleep. Morning milk has higher levels of  cortisol, the hormone that causes alertness magnesium, zinc, potassium, and sodium  Daytime milk has higher levels of iron, which peaks at noon activity-promoting amino acids, such as tyrosine, which helps with attention and focus. antibodies, C3 and C4 proteins, and phagocytes, which are all part of the immune system  Evening milk has higher levels of  melatonin, the hormone that causes drowsiness total fat content vitamin E Nighttime milk has higher levels of  melatonin, which starts to rise in the evening and reaches the highest levels around 3 AM. leptin, which controls appetite and signals your brain to stop eating. 3. Breast milk changes as your baby grows The composition of your breast milk also changes the longer you breastfeed to meet your growing baby’s needs. First 2-4 days: Colostrum Thick, yellowish, low volume Higher in protein and antibodies  Natural laxative and can help prevent jaundice From 4 days to 2 weeks: Transitional Milk  Mix of colostrum and mature milk High levels of fat, lactose, vitamins and more calories than the colostrum. From 2 weeks on: Mature Milk Thin, white, higher volume Higher in fat and carbohydrates Contains 90% water to keep baby hydrated.  Mature milk also changes. Mature milk from the newborn stage will be different from milk at 6 months or 1 year. A recent study on prolonged lactation showed that as your baby gets older, carbohydrate levels in breast milk decrease, while fat, protein, and energy content continue to increase. 4. Breast milk changes when your baby is sick When you or your baby gets sick, your body makes antibodies that are transferred to your breast milk. This is probably my favorite thing about breastfeeding and why I decided to continue to breastfeed my kiddos past 1 year. If you get sick, your body will make antibodies to help protect your baby from getting sick. If your baby gets sick, your body will make antibodies to help your baby fight off the infection. There’s one theory that suggests that when a sick baby nurses at the breast, the baby’s saliva enters the nipple through “backwash”. This exposes the mother to the baby’s germs, so her body can make the antibodies her baby needs. But this isn’t the only way. You don’t need to be directly nursing for your baby to get the same benefit. If your baby is sick, chances are you’ve been exposed to the same germs from being in close contact with each other. So by kissing your baby, snuggling, and doing skin-to-skin, you’re exposed to your baby’s germs and your body will make the antibodies your baby needs. Breast milk is truly incredible in how it’s tailor made to fit your baby’s needs at every stage and circumstance. What an amazing gift you’re giving your baby by exclusively pumping! You are doing an amazing job! P.S. Exclusivey pumping is TOUGH. If you’d like some tips and hacks to make it easier, I’ve created a FREE cheatsheet of the Top 12 Game Changers for Exclusive Pumping. Click here to download it! Sources: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/breast-milk https://findyourmomtribe.com/foremilk-hindmilk-imbalance/ https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/foremilk-and-hindmilk/ https://www.mattoslactation.com/blog/2019/2/11/the-foremilkhindmilk-misconception   https://www.sciencealert.com/human-breast-milk-composition-may-help-babies-tell-time https://parentingscience.com/breast-pumps-and-baby-formula/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-019-0368-x?proof=t%2Btarget%253D https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/leptin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501863/ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/tyrosine   https://lacted.org/questions/0123-breastmilk-prolonged-lactation/ https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/12/1893/htm https://www.hellomotherhood.com/article/496122-colostrum-and-the-stages-of-breast-feeding/ https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/breastfeeding/magical-ways-breastmilk-changes-to-meet-your-babys-needs/ https://parentingscience.com/calories-in-breast-milk/ https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/12/2842/htm https://www.verywellfamily.com/colostrum-the-first-breast-milk-431990   https://exclusivepumping.com/exclusive-pumping-questions-lactation-consultant/ https://www.genuinelactation.com/blog-for-breastfeeding-families/should-i-rub-my-babys-spit-on-my-nipples-if-they-dont-latch

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5 ways how breast milk changes when stored fat separates color changes soapy smell high lipase

5 Ways Breast Milk Changes When Stored

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Medically reviewed by Alyssa Copeland, RN, IBCLC Ch-ch-ch-changes! Have you ever noticed that your milk looks or smells different from when you first put it in the fridge or freezer? Maybe you’re wondering if it’s still good and if you can still feed it to your baby. In this post, I’ll go over: The 5 ways breast milk changes when stored How to tell if your breast milk has gone bad What to do with spoiled milk Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only. You can read my full disclaimer here. How breast milk changes as it’s stored 1. Fat separates ((OK to feed)) As breast milk sits, the fat rises. You may see a thick, creamy layer on top and a thin, milky layer on the bottom. Just swirl or gently shake the bottle to mix the fat back in before a feeding. 2. Color ((OK to feed)) The color of breast milk can change as it’s stored, and that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gone bad. When the fat separates, the thin layer on the bottom can look a little bluish, and frozen milk can turn more yellow. 3. Soapy smell or taste ((OK to feed)) You might notice that your milk has taken on a soapy or metallic smell. This is caused by the lipase enzyme, which breaks down fat. It mainly happens with frozen milk, but it can also happen with refrigerated milk.  Even though it is still safe, some babies might refuse to drink it because of the taste. You can either combine the high-lipase milk with fresh milk, or you can scald your milk before storing it. This is done by heating the milk in a pan just to the point where bubbles start to form around the edges (be careful not to boil), then quickly cool it in an ice bath. 4. Quality decreases over time  ((OK to feed)) I hesitated to write this section because I don’t want you to think that there’s anything wrong with building a freezer stash and giving your baby frozen milk. I don’t want you to think that frozen milk loses all of its nutritional value. It doesn’t! Just like any other food, the fresher the milk, the better the quality. ((Just compare fresh food to frozen and you’ll understand what I mean!)) Frozen milk still contains everything your baby needs, and it’s still better than formula. But I wanted to give you all the facts, so you can better plan how to use your freezer stash to preserve the quality as best you can. The quality of breast milk goes down the longer it’s stored. Fresh milk has the highest quality, followed by refrigerated, and then frozen. Over time, the nutrients in breast milk break down. Different studies have shown that breast milk loses some of its Vitamin C content, fat, protein, calories, antioxidants, and anti-bacterial and protective properties. So what should you do? Make sure you’re labeling your bottles and storage bags with the date expressed. Use fresh milk when possible to give your baby the best of the best. And when using stored milk, use the oldest milk first. Breast milk is good for up to 4 days in the fridge, but if you don’t think you’ll use it within those 4 days, it’s best to freeze it as soon as possible to preserve the quality. Consider donating a portion of your freezer stash if you don’t think you’ll use it within 3-6 months. 5. Bacteria growth ((NOT ok to feed)) If breast milk is stored longer than the recommended times, bacteria can start to grow and multiply. For the recommended breast milk storage times, click here. How to tell if breast milk has gone bad There are three main ways to tell if breast milk has gone bad.  Smells/tastes bad ((Definitely spoiled)): If it smells or tastes foul, sour, or makes you want to gag, that’s an obvious sign of spoiled milk.  Has chunks in it ((Probably spoiled)): When breast milk is stored, a layer of fat rises to the top, but it should mix back in when you swirl the bottle. If it still has chunks that don’t mix back in, that could be a sign that it’s gone bad.  Stored longer than the recommended time ((Maybe spoiled)): It’s not always easy to tell just by looking at or smelling your breast milk, so it’s important to store it within the recommended guidelines. If you accidentally leave a bottle sitting at room temp longer than recommended, it might still be ok if it looks and smells fine, but use caution. I once fed my baby a bottle that had been left out for 8 hours and had no problem. But you’ll want to be extra careful with babies who are under 3 months old, born premature, or have weakened immune symptoms. Just use your best judgment, and when in doubt, dump it out. What to do with spoiled breast milk Spoiled milk should not be fed to your baby, and you should be careful about using it topically, especially on your baby. But there are some alternate uses for it so it doesn’t have to go to waste. A few examples are: Breast milk jewelry: There are a lot of companies that will turn your breast milk into jewelry. Two of my favorites are Wild Flowers & Milk and KeepsakeMom.  Breast milk paintings: Did you know you can paint with breast milk? Check out EmIsCrafty.com and @breastmilkart for inspiration. Or if you’re not the artistic type, you could have someone create a painting for you. Artist Gina Jones creates custom breast milk paintings. You just send in a photo and 5-10mL of your breast milk and she will create a gorgeous painting. Milk bath.. maybe: If you have some milk that was left out a little too long, you might still be able to use it in a milk bath if it doesn’t smell sour or have chunks

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drinking coffee while exclusively pumping breastfeeding

10 Questions You Might Have About Drinking Coffee While Exclusively Pumping

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Medically reviewed by Alyssa Copeland, RN, IBCLC You may have been told to cut back on your coffee intake while you were pregnant. Now that your baby is here and you’re breastfeeding, you might be wondering if it’s ok to drink coffee and still be able to pump and feed that milk to your baby. Here are the answers to 10 of the most common questions moms have about drinking coffee while exclusively pumping. Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You can read my full disclaimer here. 1. How much coffee can I drink per day while exclusively pumping? When you’re breastfeeding, it’s usually recommended to limit your caffeine intake to 200-300 mg per day, or about 2-3 8 oz cups. Consider limiting it even further if your baby is premature, is less than 3 months old, has iron deficiency anemia, or if you have Raynaud’s, as it can make symptoms worse. 2. How much caffeine is in my coffee? An 8 oz cup typically has 96 mg of caffeine, so up to 3 cups a day is fine for most women. Light roast coffee has more caffeine in it than dark roast. A tall (12 oz) Starbucks Blonde Roast coffee has 270 mg of caffeine, versus 195 mg in a tall Dark Roast. If you use the Starbucks app, you can find the caffeine content in the nutrition info! A grande Pumpkin Spice Latte has 150 mg of caffeine, and the Pink Drink has 45-55 mg. 3. How does drinking coffee affect breast milk? There are 2 main ways that coffee can affect your breast milk: A little caffeine ends up in it. Caffeine does pass through to breast milk, but only 0.06-1.5% of your total intake. It can decrease the iron content. Drinking 3 or more cups of coffee a day can decrease the iron levels in breast milk, which could cause mild iron deficiency anemia in some babies. A few signs of this are: Pale skin Fatigue  Slow weight gain Poor appetite Breast milk doesn’t contain very much iron in general. Most of your baby’s iron needs come from you during your last trimester. Healthy, full term babies usually have enough iron stored up to last them at least 6 months. So this might not be a concern until your baby is a little older. Your baby might also be more likely to develop anemia if he or she was born prematurely, or if you had anemia during pregnancy. It’s also important to know that anemia is not very common in breastfed babies. Even though breast milk doesn’t contain much, the iron in breast milk has a very high bioavailability. This means that it’s much more easily absorbed than iron found in other sources. 4. How long does it take for caffeine to get into breast milk, and how long does it stay there? Caffeine can be found in breast milk in as soon as 15 minutes. The level of caffeine in breast milk peaks at around an hour. Caffeine affects everyone differently, and there’s a pretty big range in the time it stays in your system. The half-life of caffeine for adults is anywhere between 1.5 to 14.5 hours, with the average being about 5 hours. 5. When is the best time to pump? If you’re limiting your coffee intake to 2-3 cups, you probably don’t have to worry about when to pump. If you notice that caffeine is affecting your baby, the best time to pump would be right before drinking your coffee. And then wait 3 hours or more before pumping again. 6. How do I know if caffeine will affect my baby? You won’t know for sure until you try it, but if you’re only drinking 2-3 cups a day, your baby will probably be fine. Most babies don’t show any signs of stimulation. Your baby might be more likely to be sensitive to caffeine if you didn’t drink any while you were pregnant. Babies who are sensitive to caffeine may be.. Fussy or irritable Jittery Hyperactive Having trouble sleeping   7. How long does caffeine stay in my baby’s body? Even though only 1% of your caffeine intake gets passed along to your baby, caffeine affects all babies differently and some are more sensitive than others. If your baby is a newborn, it can take them as much as 20x longer than an adult to process caffeine. Half-life of caffeine: This is the time it takes for the caffeine in your body to reduce to half the original amount. The approximate half-life of caffeine in a.. newborn is 97.5 hours 3-5 month old is 14 hours 6+ month old is 2.6 hours adult is 4.9 hours Remember, you may not notice a difference, but if caffeine is affecting your baby, don’t be surprised if the fussiness or sleeplessness lasts for a few days after you stop drinking coffee. 8. How does my coffee intake affect my baby?    Drinking up to 2 cups a day: Limiting your coffee to 1 or 2 cups probably won’t have any effect on your baby. Drinking 3-5 cups a day: There have been studies of breastfeeding moms drinking 5 cups of coffee a day that found no stimulation in babies over 3 weeks old. Drinking 3 or more cups of coffee per day can lower the iron content in your breast milk, which may or may not affect your baby. Some babies could develop mild iron deficiency anemia. A few of the signs of this are: Pale skin Fatigue  Slow weight gain Poor appetite Drinking up to 5-9 cups a day: You might start to notice some of the signs of too much caffeine and possibly signs of anemia. Drinking 10 or more cups a day: Your baby will most likely show signs of too much caffeine and possibly show signs of anemia.

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3 ways to repurpose your nursing bra for pumping. exclusively pumping diy hands free bra

3 Easy Ways to Repurpose Your Nursing Bra For Pumping

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This post is all about how to repurpose your nursing bra for pumping. A hands-free bra is an absolute MUST when you’re exclusively pumping because it makes it possible to multitask. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck holding onto your pump for 20-30 minutes, 10 times a day, and you won’t have your hands free to do anything else. Why Make Your Own Pumping Bra You can either buy one or make one yourself. There’s a few reasons why I prefer DIY hands-free bras to store-bought ones. First, they tend to be more comfortable. You can choose the comfiest bra you can find and convert it into a pumping bra. Then, you can wear it all the time and even sleep in it, which makes nighttime pumping sessions even easier. If you’re already wearing your pumping bra, that’s one less step and one less thing to think about. Another reason is that sometimes a DIY bra will work even better than a store-bought one because you can completely customize it to fit your unique chest.  And my favorite reason is that when you make a hands-free bra yourself, you can save money (and reduce waste!) by using what you already have. You may have bought or received a nursing bra before you gave birth and you’re wondering what to do with it now that you’re exclusively pumping. 3 Easy Ways to DIY a Hands-Free Bra Here are 3 different ways you can repurpose your nursing bra and turn it into a hands-free pumping bra. Each of them are super easy with only 3 steps. You might find that one way works better for you. I’ve listed them in order with the simplest way first, so I recommend trying them in order. If that way doesn’t work for you, then move on to the next one. 1. The Stretch This is the simplest method because all you need is your nursing bra. This way works best with an unpadded bra that’s made with stretchy material. Instructions:1. Unclip your nursing bra and pull the strap over your breast to the opposite side. You may need to loosen the strap a little. 2. Place the flange on your breast and center it on your nipple. 3. Pull up the top part of the bra, wrapping it around the flange, and clip it to the strap. Repeat on the other side. 2. The Hair Tie Hack Here is another simple method. For this hack, you will also need:-4 hair elastics Loop 2 of the elastics into a figure 8. To do this, fold one elastic over the other. Then tuck the top part of the folded elastic underneath the bottom part. Pull the tucked part while holding onto the other elastic until it’s secure. Unhook your nursing bra and hook one elastic onto the clip. Place the flange through the other elastic and center it on your nipple.  Repeat with the other 2 elastics on the other side.  3. The Cut This is the way that worked best for me, but the reason I listed it last is because once you cut your bra, you can’t go back. It’s a pumping bra for life! I made a few of these out of unpadded, wireless nursing bras that I bought before I had my baby. For me, it had the most secure hold, and it was easy and quick to hook up to pump. When I was done pumping, I’d put breast pads in and just continue wearing it day and night. You don’t need a nursing bra for this method. You can use any sports bra or other wireless bra. (You want to use a wireless bra because the pressure and irritation from underwire can cause clogged ducts!) You will also need:-marker-scissors-needle & thread, optional  Put the bra on and use the marker to make a dot where the center of your nipples are. Depending on the type of fabric, you’ll either cut a line or a circle. In either case, it’s better to go small first, then cut a little more if you can’t get the flange in. You want it to be a tight fit so the flange stays in place while you’re pumping. Also make sure the center of the line or circle is the same as the dot, so that the flange will be perfectly aligned with your nipple.If the material is stiff, cut a circle just wide enough to fit flanges. Again, make the circle slightly smaller at first, then cut a little more if the flange won’t fit.If the material is stretchy, cut a straight line a little shorter than the diameter of the flange. Do this instead of cutting a circle because the fabric will stretch and you don’t want it to be loose. Depending on the type of fabric, you might want to stitch around the hole to prevent the fabric from fraying.  And there you have it! Three ways to make your own pumping bra. Which of these ways worked best for you? Or do you know another way? Let me know in the comments! A hands-free bra is just one of the essentials for exclusive pumping. Click here to find out what the others are! You are doing an amazing job!

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guidelines for storing breast milk at room temperature, in the refrigerator, and in the freezer.

Breast Milk Storage Times

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Medically reviewed by Alyssa Copeland, RN, IBCLC Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only. You can read my full disclaimer here. These guidelines are for: For healthy, full-term babies. If your baby is premature, immune-compromised, etc, talk to your doctor about how to store breast milk. Milk expressed using best cleaning practices  Storage Times for Freshly Pumped Milk Room temp (77°F or colder) – up to 4 hours  When you’ve finished a pumping session, you can leave the milk sitting out at room temperature if your baby’s next feed will be within 4 hours.  For example, most babies eat every 2-3 hours, so for pumping sessions during the day, it’s fine to leave it out. But some babies sleep longer at night, so for nighttime pumping sessions, you might want to refrigerate it as soon as you’re done pumping, so you don’t have to wake up again to put the milk away if your baby is still sleeping. If you plan on using older milk from the fridge or freezer for the next feeding, it’s best to refrigerate the fresh milk right away. If you accidentally leave a bottle of milk out longer than 4 hours, it may be ok for up to 8 hours if the room isn’t too hot, and if it was expressed under very clean conditions (handled with clean hands, using clean pump parts, etc). Fridge (40°F or colder) – up to 4 days If you don’t plan on using the milk right away, or if it will be longer than 4 hours before your baby’s next feeding, you can store the milk in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you know you won’t be using it up within 4 days, it’s best to freeze it as soon as possible. If you forget about a bottle of milk in the fridge, it may still be good for up to 8 days if it was expressed under very clean conditions (handled with clean hands, using properly cleaned pump parts, etc) and stored properly (in the back of the fridge, not on the door, away from meat and eggs, etc). Freezer (0°F or colder) – depends on type There are 3 different types of freezers, and storage times depend on the type of freezer you’re storing the milk in.  Freezer compartment of a refrigerator – 2 weeks Older styles or hotel mini fridges have a freezer compartment inside the main fridge. These tend to be opened more frequently and are warmer than other freezers, so it’s best to use the milk within 2 weeks. Freezer – 3-6 months For the typical, self-contained freezer, breast milk can be stored for 3-6 months for best quality. Milk should be stored towards the back of the freezer, not on the door. Deep freezer – 6-12 monthsDeep, chest freezers tend to be colder and are not opened as frequently as the one in your kitchen, so breast milk stored in there will keep longer and should be used within 6-12 months for best quality. Cooler with Ice Pack – up to 24 hours  If you’re on-the-go and pumping away from home, you can store your breast milk for up to 24 hours in an insulated cooler with an ice pack. Try to avoid opening and closing the cooler too much, and only open it when you really need to. Leftover from a Feeding – 1-2 hours  Occasionally, your baby might not finish the whole bottle at a feeding. In that case, you can offer it again within 1-2 hours. To avoid wasting milk, you can put 2-3oz in the bottle to start, then add another 1 oz at a time if your baby is still hungry.  Storage Times for Thawed Milk The following are storage times for breast milk that has been fully thawed. Breast milk should be thawed slowly in the refrigerator for best quality, but it can also be safely thawed in a bottle warmer, in a bowl of warm water, or under warm, running water. Do not thaw breast milk at room temperature, in the microwave, or in boiling water. Room temp – 1-2 hours Once thawed, breast milk can be kept at room temperature and used within 1-2 hours. It’s not recommended to put thawed milk back in the fridge after 1-2 hours, once it has been at room temperature. Refrigerator – up to 24 hours  Once thawed, you can keep breast milk in the refrigerator for 24 hours. That is, 24 hours from the time it has fully thawed (has no more ice crystals), not from the time you took it out of the freezer. Freezer – Never refreeze It’s not safe to refreeze breast milk once it’s been thawed. There haven’t been many studies done on refreezing breast milk specifically, but what we know about food in general is that freezing, thawing, and refreezing really destroys the quality of the food and makes it much more susceptible to the growth of harmful bacteria. Power outages and accidentally leaving the freezer door open Partially thawed milk can be refrozen if it still has ice crystals in it. Temperature fluctuations can affect the quality, so it’s probably best to use up that milk first. If the power ever goes out, avoid opening the freezer. Once the power comes back on, check on your milk. If it’s only partially thawed and it still has ice crystals in it, it’s fine to refreeze it. Cooler – not recommended  It’s hard to keep a cooler at a consistent temperature, and there aren’t many studies on storing breast milk in coolers. Until more research is done, it’s not recommended to store thawed milk in a cooler for very long. If you do need to keep thawed milk in a cooler for some reason, it’s safe to use it within 2 hours. It may be good for longer if your cooler is cold enough and you don’t open the cooler until you’re ready to use the

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exclusive pumping station must-haves essentials breast pump spectra medela lactation cookies baby bottles

5 Must-Haves for Your Pumping Station

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Medically reviewed by Alyssa Copeland, RN, IBCLC Setting Up Your Pumping Station When you’re exclusively pumping, you spend at least 120 minutes a day pumping. Since it takes up so much time, it’s nice to have a place where you’ve got everything you need in one spot and ready to go, so you don’t have to think about it.  You can set up your pumping station anywhere you want to pump— the nursery, your bedroom, the living room, your car, outside on the patio, etc. Your station can be portable, like a tray or a tote, or stationary, like on a table or a window sill. If you pump in different places throughout the day, you could set up multiple pumping stations in different rooms. Or you could have a caddy or a rolling cart that you take with you so everything stays together and you don’t forget anything. 5 Must-Haves for your Pumping Station There are a lot of things you might want to consider having at your pumping station. Here are the 5 things you absolutely must have, and they might not be what you’d expect! 1. The pump, obviously  Most exclusively pumping moms use a double electric breast pump. But some moms find they respond better to a manual pump or hand expressing. 2. Something beautiful Let’s be honest, pumping sucks. (Betcha haven’t heard that pun before..) So try to do absolutely everything you can to make it as enjoyable as possible. Having something beautiful at your pumping station can help to lift your spirits. This can be.. Something that looks beautiful: a vase of flowers, a cute little plant, a photo of your baby Something that smells beautiful: an essential oil diffuser (just be careful when choosing oils and when using them around your baby) Something that makes you feel beautiful: a framed quote or affirmation cards 3. Something entertaining You gotta have something fun to do while you’re pumping. You could read a book, write in a journal, feed or play with your baby, paint your nails, do your makeup, scroll your phone.. and if your pumping station is by the tv, make sure you have the remote! 4. Something to eat and drink Water – It’s no secret that breastfeeding makes you thirsty. Drinking a glass of water each time you pump is a great way to stay hydrated. Coffee – You can check with your doctor, but for most women, drinking a couple cups of coffee a day is fine.  Tea – Drinking a cup of tea is so calming and relaxing. Just be careful when choosing your tea. Some herbal teas can decrease milk supply and others can be harmful to your baby. Galactogogues – While there is no food that will magically increase milk supply (You gotta remove more milk to make more milk), some women have noticed a boost in supply when they eat certain foods like oatmeal or lactation cookies. Something sweet– Treat yourself. You deserve it! I used to keep a little bowl of chocolate at my station and ate one each time I went to pump.  5. Backup Bottles or a Pair of Clean Socks Backup bottles for an oversupply – If you have an oversupply, there may be times when you fill up the bottles and need to switch them out mid-session. A pair of clean socks for an undersupply – If you have an undersupply, it can be discouraging to look down and not see much milk coming out. But stress can affect the release of oxytocin, a hormone which is necessary in breastfeeding. To help you stop stressing, you can try the “sock hack”. Put socks over the bottles as you’re pumping so you can’t see how much milk is coming out, and then try to focus on something positive. Bonus Items Now that you’ve got the essential items, here are some other things you might want to consider having at your pumping station. A few just-in-case items: Towel – to wipe up any spills Pump log – so you don’t forget to record everything  Breast pads – a reminder to change them often  Phone charger – in case your phone dies A few nice-to-have items: Hands-free pumping bra – if you’re not already wearing one Coconut oil – to lube the flanges if you’re having pain while pumping Nipple cream – to soothe sore nipples ((breast milk can also help!)) Support pillow – to save your back A few feed-the-baby items: Boppy or infant seat – to hold the baby Bottle – to feed the baby Extra milk – in case baby is still hungry  Burp cloth – for puke, duh Baby toys or books – in case baby finishes eating before your done pumping A few middle-of-the-night items: Clean bottles and pump parts – have a set of clean pump parts and extra bottles ready to go Mini fridge – so you don’t have to walk all the way to the kitchen to store the milk  Cooler & ice pack – you can use this if you don’t have a mini fridge. Put the ice pack and bottles for feeding in the cooler before you go to bed. Then put the expressed milk in there once you’re done pumping. Breast milk stays safe in a cooler with an ice pack for 24 hours. Night light – so you don’t have to turn on any bright lights Was this helpful? Let me know in the comments and tell me one thing you always keep at your pumping station!

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exclusive pumping quick start guide routine for exclusive pumping

9-Step Quick Start Guide for Exclusive Pumping

Getting Started /

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Copeland, RN, IBCLC Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, and should not be taken as a substitute for professional medical advice. You can read my full disclaimer here. So by now you know you want to exclusively pump, but you’re not really sure where to start and you need a clear action plan.  Here is a simple guide to the basic routine in 9 easy-to-follow steps, so that you can start exclusively pumping right now. Note: If this is your first time using a breast pump, you may want to read through the manual for your specific pump. 1. Wash your hands You are preparing your baby’s food, so before you start, make sure you wash your hands.  2. Grab a glass of water When you’re breastfeeding, it’s important to stay hydrated. I always got SUPER thirsty as soon as I started pumping. So before you sit down to pump, pour yourself a glass of water. Also, double check to make sure you have everything you need before you sit down to pump because, unless you’re using a cordless pump, you won’t be able to move from the one spot. 3. Pump for at least 15-30 minutes* Put on your hands-free bra, find your favorite show on Netflix, and start pumping! Pump on the highest comfortable setting for a minimum of 15-30 minutes. Completely empty your breasts, and keep pumping the full amount of time, even if no milk is coming out. Sucking is a signal that tells your body to make more milk. If you stop pumping too soon, you’re telling your body “That’s enough milk, thanks!” and your supply could suffer. Continuing to pump past the point when milk stops flowing tells your body, “This isn’t enough milk! We need more!” The standard advice given on most websites and by many lactation consultants is to pump for no longer than 15-20 minutes, but this is usually meant for moms who are also nursing and are only pumping part time. Because breast pumps aren’t as efficient as babies at removing milk, exclusively pumping moms may need to pump for a longer time. The average among most exclusively pumping moms seems to be around 20-30 minutes per session (according to several polls I’ve taken of women in exclusively pumping support groups), though there is a pretty big range. Some women may be successful only pumping 10 minutes, and some women may need to pump up to 45 minutes or more. Pumping for 15 minutes might be ok for the first few days, but once your milk comes in, you may need to pump for a longer time to completely empty your breasts. Keep in mind that the first few weeks postpartum are crucial in establishing a good milk supply, and it is much easier to maintain or decrease milk supply than it is to increase it. *Note: That is 15-30 minutes per side, so if you have a single pump, you’ll need to pump 15-30 minutes on each side for a minimum of 30-60 minutes.  4. Wash in basin or dishwasher The CDC recommends washing bottles and pump parts as soon as possible after each session. Start off by separating all the pieces to make sure everything gets thoroughly cleaned. Then, either wash them in the dishwasher using hot water and the sanitize setting OR hand wash them in a clean basin, using a clean brush, and air dry on a clean towel. The kitchen sink, kitchen sponges, and dish towels are 3 of the dirtiest things in the home, so the easiest way to avoid contamination is to have a basin, bottle brush, and towels used ONLY for baby bottles and pump parts. 5. Store expressed milk When you’ve finished a pumping session, you can leave the milk sitting out at room temperature (77°F or cooler) for up to 4 hours. If you don’t plan on using the milk right away, or if it will be longer than 4 hours before your baby’s next feeding, you can store the milk in the fridge for up to 4 days. For more details on storing expressed milk, check out this post. 6. Warm the bottle, or don’t You don’t have to warm the bottle, but if your baby refuses to drink lukewarm or cool milk, there are 3 safe ways to warm up a bottle of breast milk:  in bottle warmer by placing the bottle in a bowl of warm water  or under warm, running water If you’re warming the bottle in a bowl or under the faucet, make sure the water you use is warm, not boiling (It should be cool enough to put your hand in it). The temperature of the milk should be around the same as your body temperature, so you shouldn’t feel much when you test it on the inside of your wrist. If it feels cool, warm it a little longer. If it feels warm, it could be too hot. And never warm a bottle in the microwave or on the stove. These ways can heat the bottle unevenly and create hot spots in the milk that can burn your baby’s mouth. 7. Feed your baby You can feed your baby either before or after pumping, or you can feed your baby while you’re pumping to save even more time. ((Check out this post – How to Pump and Bottle-Feed Your Baby at the Same Time)). The average feeding is about 2-3 ounces every 2-3 hours. Some babies need more, some less. There is a very wide range of normal, anywhere between 14-28 ounces per day for newborns and 19-35 ounces per day for babies older than 1 month. Try not to stress over the numbers. Just pay attention to your baby’s cues, feed on demand, and check with your pediatrician to make sure your baby’s weight gain is on track. If your baby doesn’t finish the bottle within 1-2 hours from the time

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exclusive pumping essentials for getting started pump bottles hands-free bra dish soap wash basin bottle brush breast pads vitamins extra pump parts

9 Essentials for Getting Started with Exclusive Pumping

Getting Started /

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase through these links. Congratulations on starting your exclusive pumping journey! Here’s a list of 9 things that are essential for getting started. The 9 Essentials for Exclusive Pumping: 1. A double electric breast pump – Most insurance companies cover the cost of a standard pump, and some cover the cost to rent a hospital-grade pump. Check with your insurance to see which models they cover and how to order. Now this is important :: The standard size flanges that come with your pump may not be the right fit for you. Using the wrong size flange can affect your output and cause pain. So make sure you check your size and see a lactation consultant if you need help. 2. Bottles – for pumping and storing breast milk, plus bottles for feeding your baby. You’ll want to have at least 5-9 4- or 5-oz bottles. That’s 1 to feed the baby, 2 to pump (these should be included with your pump), plus 2-4 extra for backup and for storing milk. 3. A hands-free bra – Some people may not call this one an essential, and technically you don’t need a hands-free bra, but for me it was a must because it makes it possible to multitask. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck holding onto your pump for 20-30 minutes, 8 times a day, and you won’t have your hands free to do anything else.  4. Dish soap – For all the dishes you’re gonna be doing! Yayyyyy….. Try to choose a free and clear kind, like seventh generation, or one that is specifically made for washing baby items. A lot of conventional soaps can contain fragrances, harsh chemicals, and toxins that could be harmful to babies. 5. Bottle brush – Kitchen sponges can have more bacteria than a toilet, so it’s important to have a separate bottle brush that is used only for washing baby bottles and pump parts. 6. Wash basin – The kitchen sink is another one of the dirtiest things in the home, so you’ll also need a separate container for hand-washing bottles and pump parts to avoid contamination. You could use a plastic basin, a large bowl, or even a large stock pot. 7. Breast pads – During the first few weeks postpartum, it’s common to leak breast milk at random times, like in the shower, while you’re sleeping, when your baby cries, looking at a picture of your baby, or even just thinking about him or her. Breast pads will help keep your clothes dry in between pumping sessions.  8. Vitamins – Most doctors recommend that you take a multivitamin while you’re breastfeeding. Depending on your diet and nutritional needs, you may need a prenatal, postnatal, or other multivitamin. Check with your doctor to see which is right for you. 9. Extra parts – It’s nice to have at least one extra set, so you’re not constantly washing the one set. You’ll also need to replace your parts every couple months or so, sooner if they’re damaged or losing efficiency, so it’s good to have these on hand. Again, check with your insurance company, as some will cover the cost of replacement parts.  

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Exclusive Pumping Doesn’t Have To Be So Hard

Getting Started /

Welcome to Exclusively Expressing, your stress-free guide to breastfeeding your baby by the bottle. I am so glad you’re here and I’m excited to support you on your exclusive pumping journey. What is Exclusive Pumping? A simple definition is this: Exclusive Pumping is breastfeeding by the bottle, rather than at the breast. It’s when you do not nurse, but breastfeed your baby by expressing milk and then bottle-feeding. And it doesn’t necessarily mean your baby is only getting breast milk. You might also need to supplement with formula before your milk comes in, while you are trying to establish a sufficient milk supply, or if you have a low supply in general. Why Exclusively Pump? Exclusive pumping is for you if you are unable to or don’t want to nurse, but still want to breastfeed. You might be planning on exclusively pumping from the start, or you might switch later on.Here are 3 of the most common reasons for exclusively pumping: 1. Problems with nursing Even though it’s often described as the most natural thing in the world, it doesn’t always come very naturally, and many problems can come up. Getting your baby to latch and latch properly is a common pain point for new moms. Your baby might have.. A poor latch: Your baby might be having a hard time getting a good latch for various reasons, such as a lip or tongue tie, flat or inverted nipples, nipple confusion, or other medical condition that prevents them from latching the right way. A poor latch usually translates to poor transfer, meaning your baby isn’t getting enough milk, which can lead to weight gain issues and low milk supply. A painful latch: You might be experiencing a lot of pain if your baby has a poor latch or if he or she has started teething and biting. Not all babies bite, but some do when they start teething. There are ways to prevent your baby from biting, but if you’ve tried and nothing is working, you might be thinking about switching to pumping. Some moms have said this gives them a better bond with their baby because they’re not anxious about getting bit again. No latch: Your baby could be refusing to nurse, maybe because of a strong or overactive letdown, not enough skin-to-skin, he or she wasn’t able to nurse soon enough after birth, or he or she was bottle-fed too soon and got used to the instant flow of milk and doesn’t want to have to work for it. 2. Separation from baby You might be spending a large portion of time away from your baby, for instance if your baby is in the NICU, or if you have a job that requires you to be away for an extended period of time (ex. long business trips, flight attendant, military). You may still want to be able to breastfeed while you’re separated from your baby, and exclusive pumping may be your only option. Or if you are going back to work, it may be easier for you to make a full switch from nursing to exclusive pumping. 3. Personal preference You might just have a personal preference towards exclusive pumping. For example, You’d like to have more control over your milk supply and to be able to see your output and know exactly how much milk your baby is getting. Pumping might be easier for you, especially if you have twins or multiples, or if you have been triple feeding (nurse, pump, bottle-feed). Pumping might be better for your mental or emotional health if you find nursing too stressful, or if you have a past experience of abuse and nursing is a trigger for PTSD.   The Biggest Challenges of Exclusive Pumping  Exclusive pumping can be very overwhelming and draining, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The 3 biggest challenges that you might be facing are.. 1. Not enough time/energy Caring for a newborn is already time-consuming, with all the feeding, bathing, diaper changing, going to doctor’s appointments, and getting him or her to go to sleep. Then on top of that, you’re adding pumping, washing bottles and pump parts, and trying to just catch a break and maybe even get some sleep yourself. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you have zero time to do anything else. 2. Not enough support/resources If raising a child takes a village, then raising a child while exclusively pumping takes a village and a half, and you might be feeling a lack of support. For example, In the US, paid paternity leave is either short or nonexistent, so it’s hard to get enough help at home. There are still many doctors and even lactation consultants who aren’t well-educated on exclusive pumping, so you might end up having to do your own research. Then, when you go to look for answers, a lot of the information out there is incomplete, seems contradictory, or is intended for mothers who are only pumping part time. Or it’s scattered throughout random blog posts, forums, and support groups, so it’s very time-consuming to find what you’re looking for.  3. Not enough joy There’s this global hatred towards pumping. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the phrase “sucking the life out of you”. If you’re like most pumping moms, myself included, you’ve probably described pumping as being like a “ball and chain”, like you’re “stuck” or “tethered”. There are so many negative emotions surrounding pumping and a lot of them go much deeper than just being a “prisoner of the robot baby”. You might feel a sense of isolation, especially when you’re around moms who are nursing their babies. You might feel a sense of guilt, like you quit or gave up too soon. You might feel a sense of grief if this is not how you envisioned feeding your baby. You might feel a sense of dread whenever it’s time to pump because it’s yet another reminder that you weren’t able

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