Frances McInnes is the owner of Breastmates Maternity Store. Breastmates have gorgeous maternity products as well as tips and advice for parents.
http://www.breastmates.co.nz
December 14, 2009
Firstly well done on wanting to continue breastfeeding your baby while you are returning to work.
Expressing milk is a bit of extra work that’s for sure, but once you get into the routine it will just be normal.
The thing with expressing is that you have to continue doing it as if you were breastfeeding. So on the days and weekends before you start work, you should breastfeed your daughter and note down the times that you do it. (you probably can tell anyway!).
Then when you are at work, you will need to try and express at those same times, which will keep your milk supply up.
It’s a great idea to continue to feed at breast in morning and night, and then you still get special cuddles.
As for a recommendation, I would more highly recommend the Medela Swing Breast Pump or theAvent Uno. These are both comparable pumps (well Avent has a few extras like the storage bag etc) but the key for me comes down to the service and availabilty of spare parts.
Medela have a full technical team in Auckland, so if something did go wrong with your pump, it would be covered under warranty. The Avent pumps are under warranty too, but they don’t have a service department. And spare parts (like tube, or valves etc) are quick to get. Not that that happens very often, but just something to think about.
The Swing is also a bit quieter than the Uno, which is something to be aware of if you are pumping at work. You’ll have to find somewhere with a closed door.
You can store your breast pump in a normal backpack, or one of those chilly bags that guys carry their beer in is really good. With some icepacks to keep your milk if you don’t put it in the fridge at work.
I would also recommend that in preparation, you start your baby off on a bottle with the Chu Chu teat. This works the SAME as a nipple, baby has to push down and suck to get the milk out.
I know a lot of babies get really fussy and wont drink from a teat when you are starting out, and that adds to all the stress. So do try the Chu Chu first, - I love it and I had the worlds fussiest baby but as soon I got these ones he took it.!!
These ones fit narrow neck bottles, and are compatible with Medela.
You will also need some bottles to store the milk in, when you express it.
Medela have the 150ml or 250ml size, but the 250 ml is actually better value for money. As you can still use this when your baby is older and drinking larger volumes. The 150ml only has a limted span due to the smaller size.
You will also need a brush to clean the bottles.
And a steriliser for the parts, bottles, and teats. You can boil them in a saucepan, or use those sterilisation tablets too (but I tend to think the tablets leave a heavy chemical taste).
Breastmates are happy to help you so please let us know if you have any more questions.
Filed under Blog by Baby
December 12, 2009
If a breast pump of hospital standard and something that is customizable is what you want, just zero in on the Medela Pump in Style Advanced. Devised with the breakthrough hi-technology that is known as ‘Twin Phase Expression®’, it has the ability to extract the most milk in a short span by imitating the rhythmic way a baby sucks. A huge research was undertaken by Professor Peter Hartman from the University of Western Australia, on the recommendations of Medela to find and suggest how the baby sucks milk in a spontaneously rhythmic way.
During his close study, Dr. Hartman has noticed that the baby’s suckling process involves two successive stages. In the first phase, the baby sucks the milk at a faster rate signaling the mother’s natural reflex to increase the milk flow, and in the second phase the baby changes the pulling out force from faster to deeper so that more milk oozes out in each suckle. The Twin-Phase Expression® technique built-in Medela pumps actually puts this fundamental into practice.
(i) Simulation Phase closely imitates the way in which the baby at first sucks milk with pace, initiating mother’s milk ejection process that begins the flow of milk
(ii) Expression Phase mimics the baby’s slower but deeper suckling by reducing the pumping pitch
Aided by the AC adapter and battery pack, the Medela Pump in Style Advanced can work both with the single and the double pump, and its SoftFit Breast pad can make the breastfeeding mom feel at ease. To ascertain that the gathered breast milk remains proper for the baby’s consumption at regular intervals, a freezing unit along with cooling bags and milk container are provided in the unit. For the extensively traveling moms, the very chic Backpack or the fashionable double colored Metro Bag are just perfect.
The swanky and useful shoulder bag that comes with the Advanced is a great item that the moms love. It looks so good that the mom can easily go out with it even when the baby has grown up and she is not breast feeding anymore.
The Medela Pump in Style Advanced is what every new mom needs, particularly when she is breast feeding the baby. Finally the mom can collect the milk and store it and any caregiver (perhaps the dad or someone else) can also feed the baby. And thus, there is no need to depend on formula milk anymore - the mom can go to work, and the baby can keep getting the milk anytime it is needed. While the mom can get sometime for herself, it is also an opportunity for the caregiver to bond better with the baby.
To know more about Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breast Pump, visit http://www.breastpumpdeals.com/medela-pump-in-style-advanced.html
Filed under Blog by Baby
November 25, 2009
If you browse the Internet, you are sure to come across many options in breast pumps, but in reality, very rarely will you come across something that us so unique in style, and is so efficient and functional as the In Style Backpack. And that’s precisely why most nursing mothers go for it. Over and above, its low price, easy usability, portability and the use of modern technology as also the backpack design have made moms love them, particularly those who have to go out for working.
Young mothers trying this out to breastfeed their babies will gain an amazing experience. It is really fabulous how the single or twin pumping system operates automatically through the storage battery that remains embedded in the backpack. The batteries in the unit are rechargeable - all you have to do is simply insert in any wall socket. For her convenience, the micro fiber backpack keeps all the devices so that she can milk out, cool it in an ice-pack and then keep it in a hygienic vessel. It contains an intelligent micro-computer system that can adjust the rate and frequency of suction as per the time set. To feed the baby with the milk, one has to just turn on the pumping unit. Besides, it is absolutely hands-free, allowing her to run the computer or do anything else while the pumps would be doing their duty!
In Style Backpack has hit bull’s eye due to its adjustability that meets the demands of first timer mothers or moms of several kids who breastfeed. For the moms of twins, it can become quite difficult to feed both of them together, and this is when it becomes even more useful. Extracting the breast milk beforehand and then feeding the babies at a fixed time is definitely a great solution.
The advantages of using this product are multiple and so they are discussed here for better comprehension.
? The customized single and/or double pumping with hand-free adaptability is ideal for working mothers.
? The adjustable fitting enable the steady pumping out of milk at a specified speed.
? The twin phase system of pumps draws out milk in no time.
? The ice-packed cooler bag makes storage and feeding at desirable time possible.
? It can be set up anywhere because of its cordless electrical unit with a battery pack.
? The battery charging unit can be plugged into any wall socket for quick charging.
? 9 volt AC adapter and the battery pack can easily be taken out so that the backpack load is downsized.
? The backpack can hold extra bottles with lids.
Working mothers who have faith in breastfeeding their babies, have actually found a worthy breast pumping equipment in the In Style Backpack.
To know more about Medela Pump In Style Advanced Backpack, visit http://www.breastpumpdeals.com/medela-pump-in-style-advanced-backpack.html
Filed under Blog by Baby
