A Working Mom's Guide on Thawing and Serving Breast Milk

Most of the thawing and the bottle feeding is actually done by my MIL, my trusted caregiver. I'm away for about 8 hours daily for work, so i make it a point that i personally thaw and prepare his breast milk for the day.

How to thaw breastmilk

• Heat in warm (not boiling) water in pan. To speed up thawing put milk container in pan with warm water, gradually add hot water to speed up melting.


• To slowly defrost milk transfer it to the ref the night before you need it. Milk usually thaws in the refrigerator for 12 hours.


• When thawing don’t  submerge the container in water. This prevents water from seeping into the container


• Never leave frozen milk to thaw at room temperature because this will promote rapid growth of bacteria


• The US FDA warns against using the microwave to thaw milk. The agency says microwaves can cause dangerous hot spots that could burn you or baby.


• Don't boil breast milk. This will destroy the antibodies and other nutrients present in human milk.

Note: You can also serve breast milk cold. I have given baby cold breast milk on several occasions.

Time limits of thawed breast milk

• La Leche League says breast milk at room temperature stays good  for 4 to 6 hours.  During summer in a tropical country like the Philippines, this period is should be shortened. High temperature increases risk of spoilage.  I follow a three hour-rule for breast milk at room temp. The key here is to follow a lower limit, especially for preemies and newborn.


• Thawed breast milk  should be as consumed within 24 hours.


• Breast milk that has completely melted should not be refrozen.

Reusing breast milk

• There are times when baby doesn't  finish the entire contents of the bottle. So moms ask, can i reuse  breastmilk? Actually there are conflicting recommendations on reusing breast milk. Read Kellymom's discussion here.


• As for me, i reuse leftover breast milk. It will be a total waste if i don't! I refrigerate it as soon as baby refuses the milk. Then i just warm it for the next feeding. If he does not finish this, then that's when i throw out the milk.

Preparing baby bottles

• Number your child's breast milk bottles. This is useful if you serve both thawed and cold milk. If you're serving thawed and frozen breast milk during the day, you have to serve the thawed milk first.  Thawed fresh milk has shorter shelf life than refrigerated milk.

• Double wrap the milk in the refrigerator so it won't absorb odors from other stuff in your ref.

[caption id="attachment_3263" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Here's how i put labels on my ebm containers. This is a must so your helper knows which bottles to serve first.[/caption]

 

On BM containers

• Choose breast milk storage that can double as feeding bottles.

• To lessen milk wastage, store in containers that double as feeding bottles. Transferring milk from one container to another encourage milk wastage. I use Avent storage bottles, when serving i just snap off the sealing disc then replace with nipples.

Serving breast milk

• More often, your caretaker will be the one serving the BM so you should leave clear instructions. Let them know about the proper handling milk. Examine EBM before serving.Breast milk could sometimes smell slightly sweet or soapy, depending on mom's diet. Discard milk that smells foul or sour.

[caption id="attachment_3264" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My breast milk: the creamy stuff rises to the bottle's edge. Color and consistency of breast milk varies depending on your diet.[/caption]

 

• Breast milk is not processed like cow's milk. Some cream can separate from the rest of the milk after days of refrigeration. The cream rises near the rim of the container. Just swirl the container to mix the cream and the rest of the milk.


• Always check the milk's temperature. It should not be too hot for risk of burning.

So,  that's how i'm thawing and serving expressed milk to our baby! Hope you find the tips useful!!

***

Walker for Baby, Anyone?

Would you buy an infant walker for baby? Do you know someone who was not "trained" to walk on a walker?

It's a contraption to support baby while he's practicing his strides and steps. It has wheels and a seat made of fabric to suppport baby while he's standing on his toes.  Some walkers also have toys and a table in front.

[caption id="attachment_1077" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The baby walker: Is it a friend or a foe?[/caption]

I really felt coerced into buying an infant walker for P. Before buying I did some research and found that most baby care websites in the US  do not recommend using walker. As a  matter of fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend banning the sale and use of infant walkers. Based on their study, 8,800 infants aged less than 15 months were rushed to hospitals in the US due to injuries related to using walkers in 1990. Walker injuries may be caused by falling down stairs or poisoning, since babies have access to cleaning products tucked around the house.

While banning and using baby walkers in virtually impossible, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission imposed stricter rules to improve walker safety.

Walkers may not encourage development – baby might be forced to walk before he's ready. According to Baby Center, babies learn to walk by understanding how their feet and legs move.  There's actually a time frame for babies start and learn to walk - 9 to 18 months.

But in the Philippines the infant walker has been a staple in training babies to walk. I was put on a walker. My siblings were put on it too.  My husband and all his siblings were, too. Actually, I really don't know anyone who was not trained on a walker.

Come to think of it, the infant walker was the only gear my MIL insisted on buying.  She said it will encourage baby to walker. Ganito pa ang banat niya. “Tingnan mo ung apo ng kumare ko, 7 months pa lang ang bilis nang maglakad!".  My husband also wanted to buy one, despite the facts i presented based on my research. He said, "Eh sa US kasi hindi naman natututukan ang mga babies, pagkalagay sa walker, pinababayaan na. Si baby naman andami nagbababantay." 

I consulted our pedia about my walker dilemma, she said it's fine so long as baby can sit on his own na.

So i gave in. Mukha naman hindi ko sila makukumbinse otherwise. So off we go to the mall to buy one. To be extra careful I researched on what type of infant walker to buy.

Here are some walker safety features you might want to look for, based on US standard for walkers (ASTM F977-96)

• must be wider than a 36-in doorway


• must have a braking mechanism so walker will stop during a change in surface, say when approaching a stairway

Here are some more cool safety features to look for:

• the more wheels, the better. Wheels will add stability to the walker to avoid tipping over when the babies use it.


• adjustable height so baby's feet can touch the floor

Baby was about 7 months when we bought that Ashworthy Walker from Trinoma. It cost us a whopping Php 3200.  We opted for a high-end walker since it has most of the safety features we were looking for.

If you’re like me who’s hesitant to put baby on walker here are some safety tips:

• Never ever leave baby on walker alone. Guard him closely and make sure he doesn’t stray on stairs and doors.


• What to Expect suggests limiting walker time for 30 minutes every sesion.


• Baby-proof your house early since with walkers, he'll be mobile. It's a good idea to install safety gadgets like these:
  
  [caption id="attachment_975" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Use a safety door gate to limit baby's access to selected grounds only.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_976" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Put cushions on corners of table or cabinet as buffer for any head bump while baby is mobile.[/caption]

To encourage baby to walk, here are some suggestions:

• Encourage him to learn to stand on his own first, before training him to stride or cruise.


• Get him a push toy, like a doll stroller or a push cart. WTE  says push toys provide support for babies who are not quite ready to walk. They also help build baby's strength, balance and confidence so eventually he can stroll on his own.


• Keep his foot bare so he'll get a better touch and feel of the floor. Shoes or slippers distracts your walker candidate. Curious babies will try to "eat" his slipper or shoes instead of focusing on his steps.

Lastly, genes can influence how early baby will walk. If moms or dads walked later on his infancy, chances are baby will walk later on as well. You don't need to rush since baby's  milestones will come at his own pace.

As for baby, i think he enjoys being in the walker so long as he sees other people in the room. He stays there standing and sometimes gliding. After 10 minutes, he gets tired and just wants to be carried and cuddled. For my piece of mind, i just make it a point some one's looking out for him while he's on the walker. The walker must be used only on adult supervision.

Ok, moms and dads, have fun and stay safe always!

***

Building and Managing your Breast Milk Stash

Every working and pumping mom needs to learn how to store expressed breast milk. This is key if you want to feed your little one with your precious liquid gold while you’re at work.

It's every working mama's dream to build up a breast milk stash that could probably last for weeks. To build that dream stash, start pumping 2 - 3 weeks before your scheduled return to work. You'll need to pump to have expressed breast milk (EBM) at this time if you'd like to teach your caregiver how to serve milk to baby.

Here are some tips on storing breast milk:

Know the time limits.

Find out  how long should breast milk should be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator or in the freezer.

I follow La Leche League's recommendation:

• Room temperature - 4 to 8 hours*
• Refrigerator – 3 to 8 days
• Freezer - 6 to 12 months (at constant temperature)

*Because it's hotter in the Philippines, i follow the lower limit, which is 4 hours at room temperature.

Fridge vs Freezer? 

Some moms are blessed with the problem of having that much milk, they need to decide whether to refrigerate or freeze. I had a fairly abundant supply of milk, especially during the first months. I kept some in the fridge, others in the freezer.  I don't freeze EBM right away.  Since breast milk can last in the fridge up to 8 days, i only freeze EBM that i won't be using within the next week.

According to Dr. Sears, some immunological properties are lost after freezing, so i just try to serve only refrigerated milk for my baby. The frozen milk is for sharing. Frozen milk can come handy for unexpected events, like when you need to be out for longer than usual.

Having cold liquid milk in store is more convenient, since i didn't have to wait for EBM to thaw when it's baby feeding time.

Choose your EBM container.

Know which containers to use and decide which of them will fit your needs.

You can choose from plastic bottles, bags or glass jars as milk containers.

Plastic bottles

• Reusable, so it's more eco friendly
• Hard side plastics are more stable for travel
• Comes with screw caps for secure storage even in transit
• More expensive than plastic bags and glass jars
• The cheapest BPA bottles i found are from Evenflo, at P 399 for 4 pieces of 4 oz bottles

Plastic storage bags

• Cheaper than plastic bottles
• Can be bent or flexed to conform to limited freezer space
• Single use only, produces more waste
• No washing and sterilizing required
• The cheapest plastic bags are from Baby Mama, at P200 per 3o pcs with 7 oz measured capacity

Glass bottles

• Reusable and washable
• Don't contain BPA
• Cheap, i  recycle baby food glass jars as breast milk containers
• Don't use glass jars when freezing EBM, milk expands during freezing.

Store in small quantities to lessen waste. 

Store milk in single serve amounts. 2 to 4 ounces per container might be enough for newborns. For older babies follow an educated estimate, based on his daily consumption. My baby's milk intake dropped a bit when he started on solids.

Like water, breast milk expands at freezing point so do not fill the plastic bag or  bottle to its full capacity.

You can mix expressed breast milk from different days. Cool expressed breast milk so it will have the same temperature with the older breast milk.  When labeling,  follow the date of the older milk.

Label your EBM

Make it a habit to label your milk. Do this right after pumping so you won’t get confused. Use masking tape and permanent marker.

Write these information: date and time the milk was expressed and volume (if using glass or storage bags)

It's hard to write on cold wet surface so label the container first before putting in the milk.

Organize your stash.

Keep milk from the same dates in one portion of the ref so you won't have to dig out your entire stash when looking for the oldest milk.

Use the first in first out rule. Since there are limits to how long your breast milk can last, use the oldest milk first.

Double wrap your breast milk container.

Your ref can harbor a lot of odors from different food for the entire family. If you put the family's foods along with baby's breast milk in the fridge, remember to wrap your milk in plastics or food container. EBM, if stored in the ref or fridge for so long can pick up flavors and odors from other foods stored there.

Keep a small jar of baking soda in the fridge to absorb unwanted odors. Some babies are sensitive to odors. They might refuse EBM that's infused foreign odor.

Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling breast milk. Breast milk is not sterile. Like any food it requires proper hygiene to assure of its cleanliness and freshness.

Read my post on handling breast milk during brownouts.

There you go, just some tips from a working and pumping mama. Good luck building that stash!

***

Breastfeeding "Must Haves" You Probably Won’t Use

Among the perks of being pregnant was the shopping. I guess it's every pregnant mom's hope to have all the essentials ready before the big day. Husband and i had a lot fun buying baby clothes and toys.  I would often spend a lot time rearranging our purchases in the cabinet, happy that we've had some of his things prepared.

We also agreed to save to buy a double electric breast pump. My co-workers suggested that we invest on a high grade pump because it will be worth it.  It will save time, since both breasts are being pumped simultaneously. So we purchased a Medela Pump In Style Advance pump from an online seller. It was  about Php 13,000. Yes, it was the biggest single purchase we had, but i tell you, it's worth it in deed! 9 months on, i'm still satisfied with how easy to use it is.

So breast pump? Check! Then came other "breastfeeding essentials". As an unsuspecting preggy, i was hounded by salespersons at SM.  Well, i'll just say we really did spend a bit during those early days as new parents.

After some months post partum, I realized that some products, i don't really needed. In fact some products you won't really use! Some products, if not used correctly, could even sabotage your breastfeeding plans.

SM Baby Company lists down a checklist for breastfeeding mommies. Take a look below.

[caption id="attachment_886" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The breastfeeding essentials according to SM
Source: http://www.babycompany.com.ph[/caption]

Of the stuff listed above, i used  the breastpump, nursing pad, breastfeeding canopy (is that the nursing cover?), storage bottles and milk storage bags. They were in deed breastfeeding essentials! I did not use these products: nipple shield and nipple cream.

Below i's the explanation why you probably won't need such products.

Nipple shield

• It's a nipple-shaped rubber or silicone for women having nursing difficulty. It's being marketed for women with flat or inverted nipples.  You're supposed to wear it on your nipple when baby's feeding to aide baby in achieving that perfect latch.

[caption id="attachment_940" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Some moms put on the nipple shield so babies can get s good "grip" when feeding.[/caption]

• Contact nipple shield costs P855 per pair at Medela Moms. Chicco also has nipples shields, which costs P700 per pair in major malls.


• According to Dr. Sears, using  a shield can lead to a decrease in your milk production because the breasts may not receive the same stimulation a breastfeeding without it would.


• My sister had a rough start in breastfeeding because of her flat nipples. Her baby would turn his head away from her nipple because it was so flat he can hardly put it in his mouth. I was kinda wary to let her use a nipple shield so I did more research. Moms with flat nipples should focus on learning the proper latch and make sure that baby's mouth is open wide before bringing baby to the breast.


• Consult a lactation expert if you really want to use a nipple shield.  Kellymomstresses that it should be a last option and that is should be considered as a short-term solution.

Nipple cream

• It's a cream, usually lanolin based, which you put on your nipple. It's supposed to heal cracked or bruised nipples or to soften calloused ones.  Some cream products also aide in preparing the breasts for lactation, according to manufacturers.


• Lansinoh creams cost P500 while Purelan costs P600.

[caption id="attachment_941" align="aligncenter" width="436"] There's a wide variety of breast or nipple creams available.[/caption]

• Along with the Medela PISA was a sample of Purelan nipple cream. But i did not use it because i was afraid baby might ingest it. There's a big chance that baby can swallow any foreign matter you put on your breast.


• Although most literature in deed recommend using lanolin-cased nipple cream, you can get by not using one. On my first week of breast feeding my right nipple bled. It's probably due to excessive and intensive pumping.  I did not use any nipple cream to heal, I just expressed some milk and left it on the wound. Wetness tends to prolong infection so i  just let it air dry. After a few days the wound was gone and I managed to breast feed from that side again.


• Breast milk, because of its antibacterial properties can also heal wounds.  Just express some by hand and leave it on your nipple for a few minutes. Here are some more natural healing tips for your nipples.


• As for the claims that some breast gels prepare for lactation, this probably is not true. I got by without putting anything on them before my birth. I just cleaned my nipples with cotton balls wet with hot water and that's pretty much it.  To establish breastfeeding, you really to feed on demand and express milk when baby can't nurse yet.  For more tips for newbie nursing moms, click here.


• If you really think you need a nipple cream, read up of its pros and cons. Better yet, consult your doctor to be sure of its safety. Here's a rundown of the type of nipple creams for lactating mommies.

Breast is best. This can be said in your manner of breastfeeding, too. It's better to rid your breastfeeding style of any "performance enhancing" accessories. It's best if you learn how to have a good latch  so baby can get the milk he so deserves. In nursing your baby, breast is all you need!

Also worth reading:

• Breastfeeding essentials and tipid alternatives

***

Breast Milk Storage Tips from a Working Mommy

Every working and pumping mom needs to learn how to store expressed breast milk. This is key if you want to feed your little one with your precious liquid gold while you’re at work.

It's every working mama's dream to build up a breast milk stash that could probably last for weeks. To build that dream stash, start pumping 2 - 3 weeks before your scheduled return to work. You'll need to pump to have expressed breast milk (EBM) at this time if you'd like to teach your caregiver how to serve milk to baby.

Here are some tips on storing breast milk:

Know the time limits.

Find out  how long should breast milk should be stored at room temperature, in the refrigerator or in the freezer.

I follow La Leche League's recommendation:

• Room temperature - 4 to 8 hours*


• Refrigerator – 3 to 8 days


• Freezer - 6 to 12 months (at constant temperature)

*Because of the Philippines' tropical climate, i follow the lower limit, which is 4 hours at room temperature.

Fridge vs Freezer 

Some moms are blessed with the problem of having that much milk, they need to decide whether to refrigerate or freeze. I had a fairly abundant supply of milk, especially during the first months. I kept some in the fridge, others in the freezer.  During the first weeks i froze breast milk right after pumping. But then i'read that  I don't freeze EBM right away.  Since breast milk can last in the fridge up to 8 days, i only freeze EBM that i won't be using within the next week.

According to Dr. Sears,  some immunological properties are lost after freezing, so i just try to serve only refrigerated milk for my baby.  Frozen milk comes handy for unexpected events, like when you need to be out for longer than usual.

Having cold liquid milk in store is more convenient, since i didn't have to wait for EBM to thaw when it's baby feeding time.

EBM container

Know which containers to use and decide which of them will fit your needs.

[caption id="attachment_866" align="aligncenter" width="600"] You can choose from plastic bottles, bags or glass jars as milk containers.[/caption]

Plastic bottles

• Reusable, so it's more eco friendly


• Hard side plastics are more stable for travel


• Comes with screw caps for secure storage even in transit


• More expensive than plastic bags and glass jars


• The cheapest BPA bottles i found are from Evenflo, at P 399 for 4 pieces of 4 oz bottles in most malls

Plastic storage bags

• Cheaper than plastic bottles


• Can be bent or flexed to conform to limited freezer space


• Single use only, produces more waste


• No washing and sterilizing required


• The cheapest plastic bags are Spectra milk bags sold at Baby Mama's online store, at P280 per 3o pcs with 7 oz measured capacity.  (They  increased the price recently. Back then it was only P200 per box)

Glass bottles

• Reusable and washable


• Don't contain BPA


• Cheap, i  recycle baby food glass jars as breast milk containers


• Don't use glass jars when freezing EBM, milk expands during freezing.

Small quantities, less waste. 

Store milk in single serve amounts. 2 to 4 ounces per container might be enough for newborns. For older babies follow an educated estimate, based on his daily consumption. My baby's milk intake dropped a bit when he started on solids.

Like water, breast milk expands at freezing point so do not fill the plastic bag or  bottle to its full capacity.

You can mix expressed breast milk from different days. Cool expressed breast milk so it will have the same temperature with the older breast milk.  When labeling,  follow the date of the older milk.

How to label EBM

Make it a habit to label your milk. Do this right after pumping so you won’t get confused. Use masking tape and permanent marker.

Write these information: date and time the milk was expressed and volume (if using glass or storage bags)

It's hard to write on cold wet surface so label the container first before putting in the milk.

Organizing your stash

Keep milk from the same dates in one portion of the ref so you won't have to dig out your entire stash when looking for the oldest milk.

Use the first in first out rule. Since there are limits to how long your breast milk can last, use the oldest milk first.

Double wrap 

Your ref can harbor a lot of odors from different food for the entire family. If you put the family's foods along with baby's breast milk in the fridge, remember to wrap your milk in plastics or food container. EBM, if stored in the ref or fridge for so long can pick up flavors and odors from other foods stored there.

Keep a small jar of baking soda in the fridge to absorb unwanted odors. Some babies are sensitive to odors. They might refuse EBM that's infused foreign odor.

Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling breast milk. Breast milk is not sterile. Like any food it requires proper hygiene to assure of its cleanliness and freshness.

Also worth reading:

• A working mom's guide to thaw and serve breast milk


• Managing your breast milk stash on brownouts 

***

Tips for Breastfeeding Working Mommies

I am now exclusively breastfeeding baby for six months!! Yooohoo…

Husband and I are  so happy that WE’re  able to sustain milk even after I went back to work.

So far so good!

Hopefully I can make milk for baby until two years… and beyond!

For moms contemplating to stop breastfeeding as they near the end of their maternity leave, please know that breast while working is doable! It just takes a little more effort.

Here are  some "pumping at work"  tips that worked for me!

1. Never miss a time to breastfeed when with baby.

When you’re with baby, always breastfeed. No other pump can empty your breast as efficiently as your baby's sucking.  The more you empty your breasts, the more milk will be produced.

Don’t fear that  he won’t feed from the bottle when you’re away. Baby will feed from the bottle once he gets hungry. This was my main concern before I went back to work, but he turned out OK. My mother-in-law, also my trusted baby sitter, found a technique so baby won't go hungry. She lets baby take the bottle when he's already sleepy.

Call it comfort sucking of  sorts but at least my baby drinks his milk!

You may also ask your caregiver to let him drink from a cup or through a medicine dropper.

I used to bring along a bottle of breast milk (just to make sure he won't refuse the bottle) when we go out but baby won’t take it from me anymore. Amazing talaga, alam nya pag mommy nya ang nagpapadede sa bote, umaayaw! Gusto nya talaga sa akin dumede... awwww... So I never bothered bringing bottles after that.

Besides, it’s so much easier and satisfying to directly breastfeed anytime and anywhere!

2. Pump, pump, pump!

Aim to pump for 2-3 times in the office, these sessions correspond to baby's feedings while you're away.

Remember that it is well within your right to pump in the office. In fact there's a law (Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009) requiring companies to allow nursing moms time to pump breast milk. The "lactation period"  for employed moms  should be at least 40 minutes per 8-hour shift.  Just make sure not to lag behind your deadlines and schedules at work.

I’m also one of the lucky ones whose bosses and officemates understand the importance of breastfeeding.

Try to insert one or two pumping session on weekends. Any amount you get shall be a welcome addition to your milk stash.

3. Prepare the feeding bottles with breastmilk.

It will help your caregiver a lot if all the bottles you expect your baby to use throughout the day will be  easily accessible and arranged in the ref. I use sealing discs with the feeding bottle, then my caregiver will just snap it off to replace it will the nipple during feeding time. She won't need to thaw breast milk from the freezer anymore.

This way, you can easy count how many ounces were consumed by your baby per day. Kellymom has a breast milk calculator so you can estimate how much expressed  milk you need to prepare for baby.

I feel more “hands on” knowing that I personally cleaned and prepared all this bottles, nipples and spoon.

4. Here's a list of essentials for pumping in the office

Your breast pump (any type – manual or double electric will do)

• You just have to assess your needs to know what type suits you. I’m using Medela Pump in Style, a double electric pump. It suits me well because I get more milk in less time.  I also have a First Years Manual pump which I used right after my delivery (baby had to be in the NICU for a week.. but that’s for a different post already)
• You may also learn how to express milk by hand. Knowing how to do this saves the day, like when you accidentally forgot to bring small pieces of your pump and your getting desperate to express milk… wink wink!!!

Alcohol or sanitizer

• These are very handy, you can clean your hands even without soap and water.

Nursing cover

• This is a must bring unless you’re willing to have a peep show in front of your office mates.

Hands free pump support

• Hands free pump support is a big help so you can multitask while pumping. With the support, you can free both your hands and do other things like reading the newspaper, note taking or cellular phone browsing. Some pump support I found online and on the mall  are too expensive for me, ranging from P 1,200 to P 2500! What i did is just put holes corresponding to where the pump horns should be on a chipipay bra and viola, an improvised hands free pump support! Yes, I’m that kuripot. 

Lampin or any clean cloth

• This ensures that all your stuff will stay clean. The cloth is for wiping all the bottles and pump parts.

Cooler with frozen ice packs

• Any ordinary insulated bags or coolers and ice packs purchased from malls will do. My husband bought a big Lock & Lock cooler bag. It's big enough so i can put all the storage bottles (6 in all) and pump parts. We're using Techni Ice, Blue Ice (both from online purchases) and ice packs from Saizen. Take note that milk lasts  approximately 3 -8  hours at room temperature (that's based on how cool the office air conditioning is), so don’t stress whether or not the milk is getting cold enough.  Resist the urge to open and check every time to see if milk’s cold. If you do this you’ll just let out the cold air from the bag. Just make sure to transfer all the milk to the ref and the ice packs in the freezer as soon as you’re home.
• If you don’t like to wash the parts after every session, then bring a zip lock  or plastic food case to store the parts and put this in the office ref. This way you can keep if fresh and ready for the next session.  Bring a bigger cooler and more ice to store the parts, if you don’t feel comfortable leaving your stuff in the office ref.

Tape and pen to indicate pumping date and time

• Always make it a point to date your milk right after pumping. I never did this so i always got confused which milk was pumped when. This will be a good way so you can follow the first in first out rule on choosing which milk to thaw for baby's next feeding.

Cellular phone

• I use it as timer when pumping. I usually pump for 15 minutes. The cellular phone is also handy when I want to look at pictures of my boy.  According to stuff i read , thinking about your baby while pumping induces milk production.

5. Take time to double check all your pumping stuff before leaving the house.

It will be a total bummer to find out that after lugging that bulky bag around, you'll discover that you left your valve or membranes! These parts are easily misplaced because they are the smallest pieces of your pump.

6. Eat right to produce more milk.  

I don't follow a strict breastfeeding diet. Balanced diet is key in keeping up with the demands for milk for baby. There’s really no special diet for nursing mothers but there are certain foods known to promote lactation. In the Philippines, malunggay is the most affordable and accessible milk supply booster. My OB recommended taking malunggay capsules twice a day to support and sustain milk production.

I’m also taking daily prenatal vitamins and extra doses of calcium.

7. Accept all help offered.

Remember less time doing housework equals more time spent caring or nursing your little one.  In my first 6 weeks post partum I wasn’t doing much house work because of my CS wound. I guess being relaxed and doing less strenuous activity helped my body adjust to lactation.

8. Take one pump at a time.

Don't worry if your pumping output is less than your previous session, amount of milk  pumped greatly varies with time and situation.

It pays to start storing breast milk weeks before your scheduled return to office.  This way, you won't be pressured to produce x amounts of milk per day.

9. Research and invest. 

Breastfeeding is a choice my hubby and i made since day 1 of my pregnancy. I guess being focused on this goal kept us from quitting and giving up when challenges and obstacles come our way.  We invested in books and magazines with breastfeeding articles.  I also download phone applications like What to Expect when You're Expecting and Baby Center. I also find Kellymom's site very helpful.  Most of my breastfeeding questions are answered here. In the Philippines, the best breastfeeding blog is Chronicles of a Nursing Mom.

Husband and i also saved up to purchase a good double electric breast pump. My Medela PISA is so worth it! So far i've produced more than enough breast milk for my baby.

Just don't let the stress of producing enough milk get to you. Think positive!

Mommies, remember that breastfeeding is not the only definition of motherhood. You’re not a bad mother if you don’t opt and can’t breastfeed. It is your choice!

But please please please try to breastfeed. Who knows, you might get the hang of it… and love it as much as I do!

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Getting Ready to Breastfeed: Tips from a (non)Expert

Congratulations on your new baby! Today is the beginning of your days as a mom!

Part of being a mom is learning the art of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is among the best ways mom express their love for her baby. Breast milk is the best nourishment a woman can give to ensure baby’s health and later on in his life.

I’m not an ob or a pediatrician, not even a lactation consultant. I’m a newbie mom, just sharing how I started breastfeeding based on actual experiences and months of research.

My baby is exclusively breastfed for almost seven months now, not a single drop of formula so far!

Source of Photo:DOH

Here are my tips based on my own experience:

Breastfeed right away!

Ask your ob if you can breastfeed right after baby is delivered, right in the delivery room. You need to breastfeed as early as possible. The rationale is that baby’s suckling on your nipples will signal your brain to start milk production. But in my case, since i had emergency c-section, i wasn’t able to latch right at the operating table. We’ve previously discussed this with our ob, she said it was possible to latch right away after delivery normal and uncomplicated delivery.

If you were not able to breastfeed right after baby was born, don’t despair! Just make up for lost time by letting baby suck more frequently or if not possible,  pump frequently.  After this time, the law of supply and demand will apply, meaning the more your breast is emptied, the more milk shall be produced.

Make clear instructions to your pedia and the nursery staff about feeding baby.

Make it clear that you don’t intend to give formula. Ask them about  baby’s feeding schedule you can be there to nurse her. If for some reason, you can’t feed baby directly, express breast milk  and bring this to the nursery. Nurseries usually have refrigerators or freezers where expressed milk can be stored. Husband and I would go everyday to the nursery during the entire period baby was in the NICU. We brought the expressed breast milk i pumped the night before. Make sure to write the necessary information on the breast milk container.

It’s a good idea to bring these items to the hospital:

• Breast pump (even just a manual type will do). This  can be used if, for some reason, baby can be directly breastfed right away.  Since my baby was stuck in the NICU for 7 days, my husband  bought a First Years manual pump so that i could start pumping milk.
• Breast milk containers – hard plastic bottles or stoarage bags  will do. These will be used to store the milk you expressed. Remember to use sterilized BPA-free containers.
• Masking tape and pen  to label and date your milk. On the container write important details like baby’s name, date and time pumped and volume of expressed breast milk.
• Warm water & cotton – I used this to clean my nipples. Lightly scrub the nipples with wet cotton to clean them.
• Hot compress – Heat encourages milk production. I used a hot pack with warm water and it put this on  my breasts for a few minutes before i  started pumping.
• Nursing cover – just in case if you have visitors and you need to pump in your room
• Cooler with ice packs – Good to store expressed breast milk here in case your still too weak to bring milk every pumping session. If ever baby’s left behind in the nursery once you’re discharged, cooler can be used to transport your expressed milk.

In case you feel that your milk isn’t enough

• Yes, you’re free to give formula just so baby can be fed upon pedia’s orders. But don’t be too  dependent of formula if you intend to breastfeed. Let baby suck on your nipples so that your will be stimulated. Giving formula should be your last resort if you intend to breastfeed long term.

• Ask for your nursing mom friends to give you some expressed breast milk. I gave expressed milk to my sister’s newborn so we can avoid giving formula.

Don’t fret if you get too little milk.

• Baby’s stomach is still as small as  a marble, so he required small amount of milk per feeding.
• Milk initially “comes in” as colostrum, which is thick, sticky and yellow.  These are just a few ounces,the perfect food to you newborn. Then “true” milk (colored white and less thick consistency) comes in later days.
• Don’t stress out. Stress impedes milk production,so stay motivated.

Here’s what you can do encourage milk production:

• Directly breastfeed. No other breast pump can imitate your baby’s sucking powers. Always put you baby on your breast so milk production  is induced. Newborns usually feed every 2-3 hours.
• Pump for a few more minutes after direct breastfeeding. This will signal your brain to produce more milk.

If baby seems unsatisfied even right after breastfeeding, don’t fret.It may not be because of your milk. These could be the reasons why baby seems hungry often:

• A newborn’s stomach is still small (just the size of a marble) so he requires small but frequent feeding.
• Unlike formula, breast milk is much more easily digested so baby needs to be fed more often (8-12 times per day). This is the reason why formula-fed babies  seem more satisfied longer than breastfed babies.

Learning to latch is hard! Some say breastfeeding is a natural process, but i had difficulties as well. It’so overwhelming to carry your baby for the first time and then feed him on your breasts.

• I found this visual guide useful when baby and i were learning how to latch. Research on  different breastfeeding positions and try which one works best for you and baby. Baby might cry if you try to let him suck, but don’t get stressed. Just try again.
• Some moms swear that trying to latch is painful at the breast,this may be because of your poor posture or bad breastfeeding position.
• Don’t be discouraged if you feel like an idiot learning to latch at the nursery. Once you are at the comfort of your own home, you’ll be free to try other breastfeeding positions.

Newborns are naturally sleepy almost all the time. My then newborn sucked for 2-3 minutes and dozed off.

• You should wake baby up  to encourage him to suck some more.To wake baby, remove some of his clothing or tickle his feet! I did not this then, so i just held my sleeping newborn for one hour, hoping he would wake up so he could suck.
• Holding baby can strain your back and arms so use pillows for support.
• Some moms hire lactation consultants to learn breastfeeding techniques, but some, like me, learn as I go. Ask the nursery staff for some breastfeeding pointers.
• You can also contact breastfeeding advocate groups like Latch. They do respond! I personally emailed them once and they replied.
• This, this and this websites were my main source of information when i was doing research on breastfeeding.

Feed on demand.

• There’s no hard and fast rule on how long and how often baby should feed, so don’t be too strict in the timing. The every-three hour rule is arbitrary.
• Instead of watching the clock, watch out for baby’s hunger cues like, sucking or putting her hands on her mouth.

 Baby’s suckling vs pump

• Babies are  better at emptying your breast than a pump. A pediatrician said pumps could only collect fore milk while with baby suckling,  he can access hind milk, which contains more fat.
• Treat the pump as a back-up to direct breastfeeding. Pumps come handy if you can’t directly breastfeed right away. These are some situations when direct feeding may not be possible:
  • If you had c-section
  • If you are too weak to go to nursery
  • If baby’s in the NICU and still under observation

If possible, avoid offering articial nipples or pacifiers. Initially, all of baby’s suckling should be on your breasts.

• Milk can be fed thru cup feeding, but some doctors suggest a nipple to check on baby’s ability to suck.
• If it’s a must to train baby to take the bottle,  like when mom needs to work, introduce bottles later. Bottles can be introduced 4 to 6 weeks later or when direct breastfeeding is established.
• Bottle refusal is common, according to my pediatrician. She said, it’s natural since no man-made nipple (silicone or latex) can be as soft as woman’s nipple. Don’t be too concerned about bottle refusal, my baby eventually learned to feed from a bottle after i went back to work.

Anxious moms ask, when does milk come in?

• This is a valid mommy concern. For me, breast milk came in 2 days after baby delivery. Some say milk comes in much later. Initially, when baby sucks on, you can’t really tell if he get any milk at all. Don’t be discouraged by this. Remember that every sucking motion will only be added stimulation to encourage lactation.
• What’s important is breasts are stimulated right away through baby’s suckling or pumping as soon as possible.

The first few weeks post partum are crucial to establish milk production.  One of my friends says she was frustrated with breastfeeding because her milk came in  only after two weeks! She said she quit breastfeeding because she got discouraged when baby cried and can’t get any milk from her. She had a pump much later.  She then decided to give formula to baby.

How do you know if you’re on the right track? You can’t really tell how many ounces you produce or is that enough. Breastfeeding is on the right track if these conditions are observed:

• he’s gaining enough weight
• he wets at least 6 diapers daily
• he seems satisfied after a feeding

Ask your pediatrician for advice if you feel you’re not producing enough milk. I you feel intimidated about the volume you produce, you’re also free to mix feed. By all means, add formula to his diet. It’s better to supplement with formula than no breast milk at all.

Don’t give up on breastfeeding right away. Exhaust all efforts to make breastfeeding a success. Virtually all moms can breastfeed but some moms lack the proper information and technical know-how.

Take time to try and give the best nourishment for your baby. You may read my list of breastfeeding benefits for your inspiration!

Good luck!!!

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