pumping

By the time Julius was 6 months I was already having to occasionally supplement breastmilk with formula in his bottles because I wasn't pumping enough at work (though he would exclusively get breastmilk in the afternoons, evenings and weekends)
But with Isabella, it looks like my body already has that natural rhythm and I'm able to pump 2-3 bottles a day during my work hours. I'm pretty proud of that feat and I'm thrilled that at 4 months, Isabella has only drank breastmilk. I'm hoping this continues!

Moms Rising Petition

I just signed the Statement of Support for Breastfeeding Mothers, and I hope you will too. Why? Well, doctors agree that breastmilk is best for infants, but their own licensing board isn't following doctor's orders. Sophie Currier recently learned that when it comes to supporting breastfeeding, many of our leaders--whether they are in the medical establishment (as in Sophie's case), business sector, or elsewhere--still don't "walk the talk." You see, Sophie was denied breast pumping breaks during her nine hour medical licensing exam. She's not alone. Even in this day and age when the medical evidence is clear that breastfeeding is best for infants, women are regularly denied the time and location to pump.

JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING THE BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION ACT! Sign the Statement of Support for breastfeeding moms everywhere now: "Healthcare professionals inform us that breastfeeding is the best possible way to ensure that babies thrive. In turn, we must ensure that breastfeeding mothers are able to breastfeed, and given the time and environment to pump at work or during other professional obligations." Congress and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) need to hear that breastfeeding must be supported for all moms, and that we support the Breastfeeding Promotion Act which is currently before Congress.

*To sign the Statement of Support for breastfeeding moms, just go to: Breastfeeding Petition

After you sign the Statement of Support, please forward this email to friends and family so they can sign on as well!

STAND WITH SOPHIE, JANEE, AND MOTHERS ACROSS THE NATION! Women like Janee McConnell could also use the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. Janee worked in a grocery store that had a health consciousness she admired. She was such a committed employee that she rose to a management job quickly and was called a "rock star" by the other employees. After her third child was born, she tried to pump at work but there was no private place to go other than a dirty, windowless electrical room. When her milk supply dropped she spoke up but store management was unsympathetic. She resigned from her management position and eventually from the store all together.

Frankly, we all lose when we don't support mothers--businesses lose excellent employees, infants lose important nutrients, and women lose needed jobs. No mom should have to choose between keeping her job and feeding her baby and protecting her own health.

SHARE YOUR STORY: Many of us mothers know personally what it's like to juggle breastfeeding babies and work. Some of us have also experienced the pain of engorgement and the risk of mastitis when feeding or pumping doesn't occur every few hours. Stories like this are common. You may even have experienced something similar yourself. *Share your story on our blog at: Moms Rising
All too often women aren't able to breastfeed their babies even though the American Academy of Pediatrics tells us it's one of the most important things we can do for a child's health. Let's send a strong message together that it's time to "walk the talk" for healthy infants and mothers.

*Don't forget to sign the Statement of Support to tell the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and Congress that we want breastfeeding to be supported for all moms--and to forward this email to friends so they can sign on too. Just click here to sign on now: Petition

Thank you!

pumps

To pump or not to pump. When I went back to work after the birth of Julius, many people figured I would just stop nursing. Instead, I pumped. I used Medela's electric pump when I was driving (red lights were rather interesting...lol) and Medela's Harmony manual pump when I had a few free minutes of time.
I nursed and pumped until Julius was two years old, and though some days the nanny had to mix formula in with the breastmilk because I hadn't been able to pump enough, I felt content that I was providing my son with the best nutrition available.

Now, with the upcoming birth of my second child, one thing that I don't need to stress about is whether or not to pump. Yes it was time-consuming, but well worth it.

Fitting Your Lifestyle

It is a big decision to choose whether or not to breastfeed and to choose the right way to do it that will fit your lifestyle. Myself, I am a stay-at-home Mom who can devote all of her time to the care of my son. Most mothers this day and age it really isn't an option to stay home. Even working from home moms might have difficulty meeting the demands of exclusive breastfeeding. But a fair in-between might work for you.

Unfortunately, the work field isn't generally designed for the working mom's needs in mind. Many workplaces do not have a break area where a mother can quietly and comfortably pump, and I'm not suggesting women use the employee restroom. You wouldn't eat YOUR lunch there, so why would you prepare your child's there? Many workplaces also will not easily accommodate for the time needed to pump. Generally once every two hours you'd need an averagely 15 minute break. In an 8 hour shift you'd need roughly 3 breaks totaling around 45 minutes or more. When deciding whether or not to breastfeed while working, talk to your employer about what accommodations can be made.

Then you'd need to acquire the right pump for the job. A double pump hospital grade should do the job in no time. Moms who won't be pumping as often can use a manual or lesser grade. Build up your milk supply before returning to work. To do this pump once every 2 hours round the clock for about two days, then start pumping at a scheduled routine. Example: Nurse in morning, then begin 2 hour pump routine as you would at work while feeding your child stored milk as he/she would from a caretaker, then at your return from work time continue feedings as normal. Of course, you'd need to adjust that to fit your needs. Some mothers may need to supplement with formula if their at work milk supply is low. With each growth spurt your child has, you may need to pump around the clock again to build up the milk supply. Babies do this naturally for you when they nurse practically all day and sleep the rest of the time.

Pumping tips:

Attempt to express hind milk from both breasts for maximum nutritional value and calories.

Massage and compression may help express hind milk or increase flow.

Sometimes warm compress may help with initial letdown or take a nice relaxing shower/bath.

Relaxing and breathing help, just like Lamaze, helps letdown sometimes.

Thinking of your child or looking at a picture is supposed to help, so keep a pic handy.

You'll express different amounts at different times, do not stress out on a low pump.

Your nutrition and health is very important, it effects content and quality of milk. Rest and exercise are also very important, though anyone taking care of a mobile infant/toddler gets plenty of the latter and not enough of the former.

Try to minimize your daily stresses and your pump sessions will be more productive.

Keep hydrated and snack healthy and often.