Pump Like a Pro – Closed System or Bust

by Wendy Bell, CLE
Editor’s note: A big thanks to Snugabell for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to take a moment to thank Snugabell on their Facebook page  for their show of support! You can also follow Snugabell on Twitter and Instagram: username @snugabell. Be sure to check out their special at the end of this article.

 

Breast pumping tips Snugabell PumpEase

 

One thing we know about pumpin’ mamas is that they love to share. They share their experiences. They share their wisdom. Heck…sometimes they even share their milk.

Pumps themselves can be safely shared, provided they’re the right kind. Be sure to know the difference before giving or receiving a previously-loved pump!

The two types of pump are open system and closed system.

Open system allows the milk to come into contact with the internal workings of the pump. This makes the pump impossible to sterilize, and thus not an option when it comes to sharing. Closed systems, on the other hand, can be shared safely, provided that each mom has their own set of tubes, flanges, and collection bottles.

As an added benefit to closed system pumps, they will also prevent expressed milk from coming into contact with impurities drawn in from the surrounding air.

So feel free to accept or pass down that closed system pumps though it is important to note that not all closed system pumps are FDA approved for multiple users. It’s a great way to save money on one of the pricier items on the average registry and each mom can make it her own with a personal set of accessories (maybe including a PumpEase and stylish wet bag or two to keep it all together!) and though most insurance companies now days are required to cover a breast pump with each pregnancy, the loopholes and red tape can make that challenging. So for those that need a pump and can use a friend’s closed system or even for those that would benefit from having two pumps (full time work out of the home moms, like having double the parts, having double the pumps can really simplify things and reduce the chance of being stuck should one break or even of causing damage by regularly transporting it) can be a huge help.

PumpEase, Snuggabelle, Closed System to Bust

To celebrate their SUPER exciting collaboration with Destination Maternity and A Pea in the Pod, Snugabell is sending PumpEase customers one of their fabulous Wet Bag absolutely FREE.  Details hereThe PumpEase design will securely hold your pump in place and is guaranteed to accommodate any breast pump on the market. The PumpEase bra like the one shown above makes multi-tasking a breeze for busy moms. Visit www.snugabell.com for more information about PumpEase.

 

Breast pump

Pump Like a Pro – The 300 Hour Rule



by Wendy Bell, CLE
Editor’s note: A big thanks to Snugabell for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to take a moment to thank Snugabell on their Facebook page  for their show of support! You can also follow Snugabell on Twitter and Instagram: username @snugabell. Be sure to check out their special at the end of this article.

 

Breast pumping tips Snugabell PumpEase

 

Just like any of the other mechanical doodads that we rely on day-to-day, a breast pump is not built to last forever. As a general rule, you should be able to expect about 300 hours of active use out of a good, high-quality pump. Now before you worry too much, keep in mind that if you’re pumping for around 15 minutes each sitting, your 300 hours should still get you well past the 1,000 session mark.  Think of all that milk!

If you’re an especially active pumper, are using the same pump through multiple babies, or have inherited a pump that already had some mileage on it, keep alert for warning signs like poor suction, a straining motor, or what seems like an unexpected dip in supply. These could all be indicators that your pump is reaching the end of its life and could stand to be tested by a pro (a local lactation consultant might be able to take a look for you).

Regardless, wherever your pump is in its lifespan, make sure it’s working properly and take steps to resolve any issues right away.  Your milk is too precious not to!

 

300 hour breastpump rule

To celebrate their SUPER exciting collaboration with Destination Maternity and A Pea in the Pod, Snugabell is sending PumpEase customers one of their fabulous Wet Bag absolutely FREE.  Details hereThe PumpEase design will securely hold your pump in place and is guaranteed to accommodate any breast pump on the market. The PumpEase bra like the one shown above makes multi-tasking a breeze for busy moms. Visit www.snugabell.com for more information about PumpEase.

 

Breast pump

Pump Like a Pro – Add a Session

by Wendy Bell, CLE
Editor’s note: A big thanks to Snugabell for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to take a moment to thank Snugabell on their Facebook page  for their show of support! You can also follow Snugabell on Twitter and Instagram: username @snugabell. Be sure to check out their special at the end of this article.

 

Breast pumping tips Snugabell PumpEase

 

If you’re looking to boost your supply, consider hitting the ground running (so to speak) first thing in the morning.  Lots of moms find that a little early morning pumping can have a BIG impact on supply.  It’ll take your body a bit of time to get used to the increased demand, but you’ll be seeing the benefits before you know it. 

Of course, as any sleep-deprived mama can tell you, swapping precious minutes of shut-eye to sneak in an extra pumping session doesn’t always sound like the best deal.  The good news is that you just might find that starting your day off pumping puts you in a much happier and well-balanced frame of mind than the typical morning routine. 

Want to do yourself one better?  Turn that early-a.m. pumping routine into a personal ritual that just might become one of the peaceful highlights of your day.  Take your pumping time and turn it into something more…think morning beverage and maybe a little quiet reading time or web scrolling.  We hope you enjoy your new morning routine!

(And keep in mind that PumpEase is one way to get even more out of any pumping session.  Take your bliss to another level by pumping hands free!)

Add a Session
To celebrate their SUPER exciting collaboration with Destination Maternity and A Pea in the Pod, Snugabell is sending PumpEase customers one of their fabulous Wet Bag absolutely FREE.  Details hereThe PumpEase design will securely hold your pump in place and is guaranteed to accommodate any breast pump on the market. The PumpEase bra like the one shown above makes multi-tasking a breeze for busy moms. Visit www.snugabell.com for more information about PumpEase

 

Breast pump

Pump Like a Pro – Bring on the Dirty Clothes

by Wendy Bell, CLE
Editor’s note: A big thanks to Snugabell for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to take a moment to thank Snugabell on their Facebook page  for their show of support! You can also follow Snugabell on Twitter and Instagram: username @snugabell. Be sure to check out their special at the end of this article.

 

Breast pumping tips Snugabell PumpEase

 

There’s nothing quite like that indescribable mini-rush you get from catching a deep whiff of baby smell.  Well it turns out that unlike the stuff they spray inside of new cars, new baby smell has a serious purpose — a biological one!

Picking up on your baby’s unique smell can actually help you let down and get that mama milk flowing.  It’s all part of the biological response mechanisms that have been ingrained in us to help make this whole breastfeeding thing work.  But what happens when it’s time to fire up the pump but your little one isn’t close by?

Trick yourself!  (Or at least trick your boobs.)

Take a deep whiff of some recently-worn baby clothing for a similar letdown response to the one you get from soaking in your baby directly.  You may also notice an accompanying feeling of general peace and relaxation, which isn’t too shabby in the middle of a long day either.

Toss a gently worn onsie or other article of baby’s clothing in with your pump supplies and always have it handy.  Rotate the item from time to time to keep that new baby smell nice and fresh!

baby smell, baby clothes, breastmilk pumping, breast pump,
To celebrate their SUPER exciting collaboration with Destination Maternity and A Pea in the Pod, Snugabell is sending PumpEase customers one of their fabulous Wet Bag absolutely FREE.  Details hereThe PumpEase design will securely hold your pump in place and is guaranteed to accommodate any breast pump on the market. The PumpEase bra like the one shown above makes multi-tasking a breeze for busy moms. Visit www.snugabell.com for more information about PumpEase

 

Breast pump

Pump Like a Pro – Double Your Parts

by Wendy Bell, CLE
Editor’s note: A big thanks to Snugabell for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to take a moment to thank Snugabell on their Facebook page  for their show of support! You can also follow Snugabell on Twitter and Instagram: username @snugabell. Be sure to check out their special at the end of this article.

 

Breast pumping tips Snugabell PumpEase

 

You’ll be amazed at how much stress you can eliminate from your pumping routine just by making sure you have all those various supplies and accessories in order. Investing in a full set of extra pump parts — tubes, flanges, bottle, valves — can make all the difference as you work pumping into your day.

Two sets mean that when one is dirty, the other is ready to go. It also means that if you pump in more than one location (like maybe at home and at the office) you can leave one set in each spot and just transport the pump itself back and forth.

It’s amazing how small favors like having an extra set of pumping gear on hand right where you need it can turn a frustrating escapade into a piece of cake. (Just ask any mom who’s been up the creek without her pump flanges and had to miss a session!)

We love our Snugabell wet bags for keeping all your bits and pieces organized because they’re functional, stylish and a piece of cake to toss in the wash when you need to. We also recommend bringing an extra PumpEase into the mix as well. Give it a try and we’re sure you’ll agree!

 pumping-pro-tip6

To celebrate their SUPER exciting collaboration with Destination Maternity and A Pea in the Pod, Snugabell is sending PumpEase customers one of their fabulous Wet Bag absolutely FREE.  Details hereThe PumpEase design will securely hold your pump in place and is guaranteed to accommodate any breast pump on the market. The PumpEase bra like the one shown above makes multi-tasking a breeze for busy moms. Visit www.snugabell.com for more information about PumpEase

 

Breast pump

Pump Like a Pro – Double Up

by Wendy Bell, CLE
Editor’s note: A big thanks to Snugabell for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to take a moment to thank Snugabell on their Facebook page  for their show of support! You can also follow Snugabell on Twitter and Instagram: username @snugabell. Be sure to check out their special at the end of this article.

 

Breast pumping tips Snugabell PumpEase

 

Have you heard moms complain that they just don’t let down for the pump? Or they do, but they don’t get as much milk as they think they should?

These are pretty common complaints! Never fear, we’ve got you covered.

First, if your instinct tells you that there’s something bigger at play, connect with someone trained in breastfeeding support. (This starts at the grassroots with organizations like Breastfeeding USA and La Leche League, which offer trained volunteer peer counselors, then escalates to moderately trained pros like CLCs, CLEs, etc-, and the very best, top-notch support you can get comes from an IBCLC. Asking your OB, midwife, or any other provider may leave you with dated or incorrect info, so try and connect with someone who’s got breastfeeding-specific training.)

Next…if you feel like you’re doing ok with breastfeeding in general, but you’re just not getting along with your pump, you’ve got options! Check out our other tips – there are LOTS of ways to get into a good pumpin’ groove. One of the BEST ways to help your body let-down for the pump and (sometimes!) yield a little more milk is to pump on one side while your baby nurses on the other. Your baby will work that sweet suckling magic that gets your letdown going, which will carry over to the pump side. Tandem pumping and nursing is a great time to do a visualization (like we described here), so that you can repeat the same visualization and experience those same cues when your baby isn’t present and you’re pumping on both sides.

You’ve got all the benefits of the baby at the breast, AND your body is learning to get along with your pump. Win-win!

 

Pumping Pro Tip 5

To celebrate their SUPER exciting collaboration with Destination Maternity and A Pea in the Pod, Snugabell is sending PumpEase customers one of their fabulous Wet Bag absolutely FREE.  Details hereThe PumpEase design will securely hold your pump in place and is guaranteed to accommodate any breast pump on the market. The PumpEase bra like the one shown above makes multi-tasking a breeze for busy moms. Visit www.snugabell.com for more information about PumpEase

 

Breast pump

Pump Like a Pro- Get Hands On

by Wendy Bell, CLE
Editor’s note: A big thanks to Snugabell for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to take a moment to thank Snugabell on their Facebook page  for their show of support! You can also follow Snugabell on Twitter and Instagram: username @snugabell. Be sure to check out their special at the end of this article.

 

Breast pumping tips Snugabell PumpEase

 

Getting hands ON (even with a hands-free pumping bra)

Okay, Pumpin’ Mamas. You know better than most just how valuable every last drop of your milk really is. Sure…maybe when your baby nurses at the breast that little bundle of joy thinks no drop is being left behind, but nobody knows better than a mom eyeballing a pump bottle just how much is making it to daylight.

We all know what it’s like to watch that milk level rise and try to rally those last few splashes of the good stuff before calling it a session. But did you know that you can lend yourself a hand and score a bit more of that precious milk?

One of the many bonuses of pumping hands free is that you can easily and effectively do simple breast compressions to help you eke out just a bit more each session. You’ll find that it’s much easier to do when you aren’t simultaneously holding flanges in place (but of course it’s entirely possible to do compressions with or without a hands-free bra).

Give it a try and see for yourself just how far a few extra squeezes can go!

This video gives an excellent demonstration.

PMPT4_Get_Hands_On

To celebrate their SUPER exciting collaboration with Destination Maternity and A Pea in the Pod, Snugabell is sending PumpEase customers one of their fabulous Wet Bag absolutely FREE.  Details hereThe PumpEase design will securely hold your pump in place and is guaranteed to accommodate any breast pump on the market. The PumpEase bra like the one shown above makes multi-tasking a breeze for busy moms. Visit www.snugabell.com for more information about PumpEase
Breast pump

The Dairy Fairy Arden and Rose Nursing/Pumping Bras for Curvy Moms!

 We’re so pleased to share with you the exciting news that The Dairy Fairy has now added a full figured nursing and handsfree pumping Rose and Arden bras! You can see The Leaky Boob reviews of The Dairy Fairy and you can enter to win one of your own. Designed to support the ever-changing lactating breast and securely accommodate handsfree pumping, The Dairy Fairy bras and tanks are well made, comfortable, and stylish. Using high quality materials, their bras provide surprisingly comfortable support and adjustability to meet each woman’s unique needs with a customizable fit. We love The Dairy Fairy and we’re confident you will too!

TDF011314_postcard-6inx6in-front

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The Dairy Fairy is giving away two hands-free pumping bras for curvy moms to 2 lucky Leakies (one bra per winner).

Now full figured mamas can pump in style too. Thanks to these two styles, sexy support that helps pump efficiently is available up to size 44J. And since there is no under-wire, the support is similar to that of a sports bra.

Arden is a beautiful all-in-one bra that lets you nurse, double hands-free pump, or simultaneously nurse and pump. (Retail Value $68)

Rose is a beautiful and feminine bra so you can quickly and efficiently pump, and maybe even have a second to check emails. (Retail Value $34)

Total Retail Value: $102

Visit www.thedairyfairy.com for more information

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from June 25, 2015 through July 1, 2015.  A big thanks to The Dairy Fairy for their support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to take a moment to thank Emily on their Facebook page for their show of support! You can also follow The Dairy Fairy on Twitter and Instagram: username @the_dairyfairy

This giveaway is open to participants in the USA and Canada.

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The Dairy Fairy Extended Father’s Day Giveaway

father

FATHER’S DAY SHOULD BE MORE THAN “JUST A DAY”.

by Emily Ironi of The Dairy Fairy

 

The unsung hero, the “rock” in our lives.

This year, father’s day took on an even more special meaning to me as it landed on my dad’s birthday.  Sadly, he is no longer here for us to honor and celebrate him.

My father represented so much to me….  he was my idol and my mentor.

He taught me how to play fair, and how to get what I wanted.  He instilled a love for travel and discovery, and an unparalleled work ethic, that I can now say it at the root of The Dairy Fairy.  He is responsible for everything I do, from being an entrepreneur, to having my daughter on my own, so that I don’t miss out on the chance to be as amazing of a parent as he was.

So, I’ve decided to extend Father’s Day – at least for the week ; )

And a chance for your husband/partner to enjoy a little sexy something – on you!

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On top of the chance you have to win a sexy Arden Bra in the giveaway below, I’m throwing in a special Father’s Day discount, good through June 22:
$20 off on our Arden All in One bra in Ocean Color, using code ‘fathersday’.

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The Dairy Fairy is giving away an Arden All in One Handsfree Pumping and Nursing Bra in Ocean Color to one lucky Leaky (and her significant other!).

The Arden is the only bra that multitasks as much as mom does! Pump, nurse, adjust, beautifully.  Available in sizes XS-XL (32B-42G).

Ocean closed.nurse.pump

The Arden Bra and the Sadie Tank are available at www.thedairyfairy.com

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from 6/16 through 6/21.  A big thanks to Emily Ironi and The Dairy Fairy for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

This giveaway is restricted to U.S. residents only.
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Snugabell giveaway

Being a mom herself, Snugabell’s Wendy Bell is all about supporting moms.  Designing products that help moms reach their breastfeeding goals with a flair for style, Wendy is a sincere supporter not just of breastfeeding but also of the moms and babies it matters to.  I’m privileged to call Wendy my friend and excited to have her share more about her company, her breastfeeding journey, and extend her support to all TLB readers.

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TLB:  Hi Wendy, I always love when we get to feature Snugabell and your brilliant PumpEase line here on TLB.  You’ve supported TLB for a while now and have seen first hand through your support of Best For Babes, TLB and virtual breastfeeding support, how moms can come together and the difference mom-to-mom support can make.  What are some of your favorite examples of mom-to-mom support?

Wendy:  I have to confess that I am a little bit envious of the support that moms have online today.  I had a few issues breastfeeding my daughters (nothing major, but it was worrisome nonetheless) and thus reached out to my GP and a dietician at my local health unit, and also scoured the internet for hours on end, however all I found was conflicting (mis)information.  Those were the days before Facebook and Twitter.  Heck, I hadn’t even heard of KellyMom.com back then.  I felt alone and frustrated.  So this is an example of what potentially can happen without mom-to-mom support, how far we’ve come and what a huge impact it has today for a mom to ‘hear’, “Oh that happened to me too when my DD was that age.  It’s just a nursing strike”.  That feeling that you’re not alone in your breastfeeding journey, especially for first-time moms, is extremely powerful.

TLB:  What kind of support did you have in your breastfeeding journey?  Did you have someone or someones that were instrumental in providing support for you?

Wendy:  My GP is very pro-breastfeeding.  I remember telling him that I was going to add cereal to my first daughter’s bottle (of pumped breastmilk) to help her sleep longer at night (yup, I didn’t know any better – I was listening to the aunts and grandmas!) and he pretty much told me NOT to do that.  The nurse at his office was so encouraging too.  When I brought my eldest daughter in for her first post-delivery check-up, she weighed her and proceeded to give me major kudos on her weight gain.  It made me feel so proud as I had no idea what I was doing (or so I thought).  My family were all very supportive as well; no one was freaked out by a nursing mama; it was all good!  I didn’t feel super confident nursing in public (like in a mall) however, as I didn’t know about baby wearing either back then and therefore was trying to use a receiving blanket.  I know I would have worn my baby had I been better informed.  (In fact, for a few years after DD#2 was born and I had already started Snugabell and learned so much, I often told my husband that I wished I could have another baby if only to put into practice all this amazing new information!)

TLB:  You have a couple of new products as part of this giveaway; could you tell us about them and how these products help support moms in their breastfeeding journey?

Wendy:  Our ‘Through a Child’s Eyes’’colouring book was designed to help further normalize breastfeeding and pumping and to discover the beauty of breastfeeding!  The warm, inviting drawings and likable characters make it easy to answer curious qustions and keep little hands busy while teaching helpful lessons.  I love colouring with my girls and hope other moms do too!  You can even design your own PumpEase and share it on our Facebook wall!

Our fabulous new, all-purpose, reusable PumpEase Wet Bag is designed to transport all brands of breast pump personal kits (bottles, flanges and tubes) ‘incognito’.  It features a snap-loop handle and looks so cute decked out in matching PumpEase prints that no one will ever guess what’s inside.  Lined with waterproof PUL (you cloth-diapering mamas know what that is!  For those that don’t, it stands for Polyurethane Laminate and is a compound fabric made by laminating fabric to a thin film of polyurethane, thus creating a water barrier), you will find plenty of uses for it even after you’ve hung up your pump flanges – diaper changes on-the-go, keeping electronics safe at the pool, potty training, snacks, travel, cosmetics and much, much more!

TLB:  How does Snugabell actively cultivate mom-to-mom support?  How can Leakies connect with Snugabell and what will they find for support with you?

Wendy:  When we first hired the amazing Amy West to manage our Facebook and Twitter, she asked me what my goal was for those spaces.  I told her I wanted to build a community; it had NOTHING to do with sales.  Amy (CLC) and Hillary (studying to be a doula and still nursing her 21-month old son) co-manage our social media now and I (CLE) jump in when I can.  We provide evidence-based information, support, encourage support from our community and refer to an IBCLC as appropriate.  Gosh, sometimes a mom just needs an ear!

I am super-duper proud of the fantastic communities that we have cultivated in both arenas and am continually inspired by the conversations that happen there.  Leakies can find us on Twitter @PumpEase and @snugabell (that’s me) as well as on our Snugabell Facebook page.  Be sure to say “Hi!” and that you are visiting from The Leaky Boob!  🙂

TLB:  Thank you so much for supporting TLB and your generous giveaway providing support to these moms.  What would you encourage moms to consider in offering mom-to-mom support?  Any tips for finding and giving such support?

Wendy: I believe the key is to refrain from judging other moms’ choices or circumstances that led them to (believe they) had no choice.  I was there.  Again, if I were to have my first baby tomorrow, I would change a LOT.  This is what keeps my judgy pants off and my compassion glasses on.  We’re all in this together (creating the next generation that is), so let’s lift mamas up rather than beat them down.  We’re all doing the best that we can with the knowledge that we have.  And if I were looking for support today, I would turn to the internet, no question.

A&M_April_2013

Wendy’s children

Wendy is giving away one PumpEase Prize Pack featuring:

  1. PumpEase hands-free pumping bra  Retail Value: $38.00
  2. Matching PumpEase Wet Bag  Retail Value: $14.00
  3. Through a Child’s Eyes – Colouring Book  Retail Value: $12.00

Total Value: $64.00 USD

PumpEase_WetBag_ColouringBook

Currently Leakies can find these and other maternity, nursing and hands-free pumping products on the snugabell.com website.

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Good luck to everyone!  Please use the widget below to be entered.  The giveaway is open from May 24, 2013 through May 30, 2013.  A big thanks to Wendy and Snugabell for their ongoing support of TLB and all breastfeeding women; please be sure to visit their Facebook page, follow Wendy on Twitter and follow PumpEase on Twitter and thank them for their support of TLB and this giveaway opportunity.

Snugabell will ship worldwide.

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