Hand expression

Hand expression and breast massage combined with breast pumping does a better job of stimulating milk production than breast pumping alone.

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Hands On Pumping Pumps Up Milk Production

Expresso

I'd used the Ameda Pump with my older kids --- many years ago. LOL.

This time around, since I didn't anticipate pumping frequently, I didn't turn to this first. I wanted a really small handy pump. I decided to try out several pumps.

First I used the Avent Isis manual. It worked, but somehow, if I didn't angle the funnels properly, the suction would not be good. *sigh*. And the Avent UNO electric pump? Too noisy - so scary. I then got the Medela Swing, a really handy pump, since I have had good experiences with the Medela Mini-Electric and the Medela PIS. What I found lacking with the Medela Swing though, was that it didn't have any option to vary the speed. And when I increased the suction power, the pump motor just got noisier & noisier, like it was very *strained* to work at that higher level.

Finally, I resorted to the Ameda once again. I use it with batteries only, not the electric outlet plug. Nevertheless, even with the lower power strength of batteries, it worked as I remember it - wonderfully!

For the price, the Ameda is really superb for it's efficiency!

Early Mornings

I tend to sneak out from the house real early in the mornings while the baby is still asleep to get to the office. This morning, when I was about to leave the house, I realised I hadn't fed the bb, or at least 1 side felt quite engorged. With no time on my hands, I just quickly grabbed some bottles n the pump and dashed out of the house, sterlising them only on reaching the office.

Threw everything together n dumped into the microwave while organising stuff in the office:

I pumped while in the office. Nay, baby doesn't take the bottle, but at least the expressed milk can be kept to be put with his morning cereal.

No EBM

Hai, the little boy just refuses to have his milky any other way but direct. He'd rather wait for me than have any form of substitute. When he was real little, he took the Avent bottles but didn't quite manage to suck well.


I saw that NUK had new teats that could fit wide-necked bottles (yeah, they do fit the Avent!), so tried them out. Our elder 2 children took their milk with NUK teats, and didn't like any other teats, so I thought it might be worth trying. Oh well, no go. The baby just didn't like those either.


We also tried giving the baby his milk by using a syringe. But the cheeky little one spits out the milk instead, making the caregiver all "drenched" in milk instead. *haha*. As a "last resort", I got these Avent Spouts that are easily used with Avent Bottles. I realised that with these new "no-spill" spouts, the poor baby still needed to suck at it to get any liquid out from the bottle. So I removed the valve below the spout attachment (and yes again - the valves are easily removable). This way, the milk can just flow out of the spout without baby needing to suck. Once again, baby launched his protest by spitting out the expressed milk.

Ah...I think I'll just save my liquid gold and not waste my time expressing milk, lah. Will just either bring baby out with me or just not leave baby for too long away from me. Just for a couple more months.....

Cleaning Ameda Pump

Reference: Image of Pump & Parts
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/104/265721157_668e6581e0_o.jpg
Pump Setup: Illustration


The only parts you need to clean are:
1. Funnel
2. Valves
and of course the bottles you are using (can be universal-standard-neck milk bottles of any brand)

For the valves, each time you are done pumping, you slowly hold the bottom of the valve and ease if off the funnel. Put it in a cup or bowl of soapy water if you do not have the time to wash it right then. Do not let the milk dry out on the valve. Wash with soap using your fingers only and gently. No brushing required.

The funnel can be washed with soap as like any other household containers and sterilised accordingly.

AS for the Bellow & the cap(on top of bellow), sterilisation is not required. If you find that it has become dusty, just wash lightly with a little diluted soapy water. The tubings do not need washing or sterilisation

For sterlising, you may wish to read the tips here:
http://momsinmind.blogspot.com/2006/10/sterilizing-breastpump.html

Used & Trial Pumps

As some of you have noticed, we have pumps available for trial on our website:
http://www.momsinmind.com.sg/lactalinepump.html
http://www.momsinmind.com.sg/isispump.html

We have often been asked about why we state on our website for mothers not to use the milk expressed for feeding to your babies. This is because these are not Rental pumps, but Trial Pumps. We do not offer Rental-grade pumps. This pump sets that we have is only for you try if the Pump works & feels right for you. This is akin to the same principles for the usage of "2nd-hand personal pumps": http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/pumps.shtml. As many mothers use it, we do not recommend that you share the same pump to express milk for feeding to your baby. Just try it out to see if you like it and if you'd like to purchase a brand-new set.

Sterilizing Breastpump

Many mothers returning to work often question as to how they can sterilize their breastpump parts at the office. Firstly, do determine what parts you need to sterilize. Quite likely you would be bringing freshly sterilized bottles (for milk collection) from home to the office each morning, so you won't need to sterilise these at the office. So for instance, the Ameda & Avent pumps, these would be the only parts you would need to sterilise (see below):

Ameda Dual Pump:
Funnels, Valves (the Bellow & Tubing does not need to be sterilised)

Avent Isis:
Funnel, Valve, Petal Massager

Methods you may use - choose methods considering your preference for convenience:
1. Microwave (Ameda does not recommend microwave sterilising).
2. Cold Water Tablets





1. For those with a microwave in the office, you could easily fill a container with a little water, partially cover the container and put it on medium high for 5 minutes or so. This should sufficiently steam sterilize your pump parts. You could also use Microwave steamers (cheap to buy), or specially designed Microwave steam sterilizers from baby bottle brands (may be too huge for office). Photos above are just some example of how you can use everyday containers to steam sterilize your pump parts using the microwave.


2. Another very simple method is to use the Cold Water Sterilisation tablets. Just put one tablet a day (according to instructions on the box of tablets) in a container filled with water. Submerge your pump parts or bottles in the container. It will all be sterilised within 30 minutes. You may leave the bottles & pump parts in the container until the next time you need to use it. If you don't like the chemical smell, rinse the pump parts or bottles with plain boiled water first before use. This container may be placed just under your work desk! You only need to change the water once a day - every morning before you start work perhaps? The tablets can be easily bought from most supermarkets and pharmacies.

For those with babies who are older and have started on solid food, you may be a little more relaxed with sterilising. Here are some methods used by mothers:
1. Scald bottles/pump parts with Hot Boiling water before use
2. Put pump parts in the fridge (to preserve?) and then scald with hot water before use (so it's not so cold on your breasts!).

Hope the tips help!

Handsfree Pumping

Sounds like quite a feat, eh? It's not quite that once you give it some thought and try it out. And to help you along, we will describe some ways and have taken some photos to illustrate how you keep the Pump Funnels on. Do note that we've taken photos only on one side. You can do this with BOTH funnels on - one funnel on each side.

*do click on the thumbnail photos for larger views*

Method 1: Re-do Bra Cup flap

Bring the bra cup flap around the bottom and side of the pump funnel, then re-clip your bra cup back to hold the funnel in place. Have it positioned well and once you turn the pump motor on and running, the funnel will stay in place! This works for BOTH bras with the top-clip styles and the centre-clip styles (yes, I've tried it myself!).

Method 2: Use rubberbands

Use rubberbands to hook onto the bra clip. This can only work with bras that have top-down drop-cup flaps. I have not personally tried this method, but some mothers say it works well for them!

Method 3: Use a Tube Bra
Just cut 2 very tiny holes in the tube bras where the funnels can be placed into when you wear the tube bra. The above 2 methods allows you to adapt using whatever nursing bra you are wearing that day. For this tube bra, you'd need to specially bring this along with your pumping equipment, so you'll have to be the judge as to whether you'd find this convenient!

Try either of the methods and let us know how it works for you!
Or if you have other ways or tips, do share them by clicking on the "Comments" below to enter your own experiences!

The handsfree pumping online photo album is at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/momsinmind/sets/72157594324905453/

With Bag can Travel

Stylish backpack carrier. Pump motor & parts go in the compartment at the bottom of the backpack, and Expressed milk can be stored in the insulated cooler pack that can be place within the backpack. The insulated cooler can be used separately from the backpack during those times when you do not wish to transport the pump motor.

Purchase your Backpack Set from our Webstore:
http://www.momsinmind.com.sg/lactalinepump.html
(bottles, cooler bricks, & photos not included; pump can be separately purchased).

Pure Milk !

A little known fact: the Ameda Lactaline Pump is the ONLY breastpump that has patented Bacteria & Viral protection! All because of the unique Hygienikit design.

*Click on Images below for a Larger View*

http://www.hollister.com/us/mbc/breastfeeding/resource/study.html

It is thus very safe for your baby no matter where you express your milk. And unlike other breastpumps, you'll never find milk or mold in your breastpump tubing.

For Pumping Comfort

Love your Avent pump but would like an electric pump where you can just leave it there and continue your emailing? (We'll cover HOW to pump handsfree in the next Sharing Post!).


Then add the petal massagers from your Avent breastpump to your Ameda Lactaline pump funnels! ! It fits! And you'd love how the additional massage action works for you.

Additionally, to provide greater stimulation for the milk letdown reflex, do spend some time to hand-massage your breasts before you start pumping. When the milk starts trickling down during your pumping session, you can also once again take off the funnels and spend another few minutes just massaging. Very often, you'll get another letdown reflex and thus get more out of your pumping session in the end!

Do try the Chele Marmet technique of Massaging (even if you don't use the Hand Expression method). This technique is illustrated on this webpage:
http://www.lactationinstitute.org/MANUALEX.html

Use of Ameda Pump

We have added some Useful Writeups & Illustrations on the use of this Breastpump:

Pump Setup: Illustration


1. Basics of Effective Pumping
2. Use of Breastpump & Milk Storage
3. Establishing Milk Supply with Breastpump
4. Managing Work & Breastfeeding

A more detailed description of this pump can be found at:
http://www.momsinmind.com.sg/lactalinepump.html

Pump to Wide-Neck Bottle

Shared by customers, and yes, we've found it works! If you use the Ameda Pump but wish to pump directly into a Wide-Neck Bottle like the Avent bottles, you can just fit the funnel INTO the bottle-neck. Pumping will work as usual.

Click on Photo for larger view:

Full description of this pump can be found at:
http://www.momsinmind.com.sg/lactalinepump.html