To all my Mommy Friends who have breastfed: I am putting together a presentation about breastfeeding and I want to know what your tips & tricks are? What was the best advice you received about breastfeeding? Is there something you wish you knew about breastfeeding before you started?
I have had great responses and plan to use them as part of my presentation. One momma who responded also sent me some of the journal entries she kept while pumping.
Her is what she wrote:
//The pump: hospital vs. home//
I use Medela products. Not because I think they’re supreme to all other pumping products, because I got it for free (well, my insurance covered it). The pump-in-style is a great portable unit, however it can not be as finely tuned as its hospital-grade friend, the symphony. If you are nursing and merely need to pump at work or pump to stimulate more milk production, the pump-in-style works great. It is a lightweight unit that does the trick. If, however, you pump exclusively, or have issues with prolonged use of the PIS, the Symphony is a great option. I pumped with the PIS for three months before I tested out the Symphony (which was really stupid to wait that long). Boy, does it make a difference if you experience nipple pain, thrush, or cracks. The symphony’s suction can be set at a MUCH lower level so it doesn’t feel like an alligator latching on to your already sore nipples. The only draw-back for the symphony is that you must fork out some $$$ to use it. Most hospitals rent them out….usually in Monthly/tri-monthly intervals. It’s worth it.
// The pump parts: horns, coconut oil //
Ahhhh, the parts to the pump. Basically just a endless collection of itty bitty nooks and crannies for milk to get in and almost never get out. 😐 In case you were not made aware, The horns for Medela’s pumps come in a variety of sizes. The standard (what comes with your pump) size is 24mm. I had to get bigger horns…look up Medelas size guide. Your nipples will thank you.
//Engorgement 😨 //
A better term for this is “Blue Boobs”…tell your hubby engorgement feels like “blue balls” and he’ll get the picture real quick.
//Blocked ducts 😩//
Think of a volcano. Hot, firery, cavernous zit of the earth. Now put a lid on it. That pretty much covers it. I read that applying heat to the area helps…didn’t usually do much for me. What worked best was to keep pumping that breast and massaging the area.
Nipples (flat, cracked, blistered)
Thrush 👹 … Yeast is an SOB
Mastitis 👿😡😭
Nursing pads
Pumping bra
//The pumping mothers biggest nemesis: Places to pump in public//
😳….Crap! I have to pump!
😣….Where am I to go!?!
😩….There is no place to go!!!
😡….Someone suggested a public restroom…Here you go, Baby! A yummy bottle of milk with just a tinge of feces!
//My bag: pump, cover, towel, cleaning wipes, creams, etc.//
I use a Skip Hop diaper bag for my pulp bag. It works AWESOME! [I seriously love my Skip Hop diaper bags…yes, bags…I have two (one for my pump and one to use as a diaper bag)…and I recommend you do the same.] My pump and its accessories, a pumping bra, a pumping/nursing cover, and a towel fit wonderfully in the main compartment of the pump bag. In one side pocket I keep a travel sized/sample sized bottle of Palmolive (I got it in the hospital) and a thing of gum. In the other pocket I keep all of my creams (coconut oil, lanolin, triple antibiotic ointment, etc.). Inside the 4 pockets of the main compartment I keep extra nursing pads, some paper towel, and the Medela pump-cleaning wipes.
//iPhone app ❤️//
American Baby – Baby Nursing
Has settings for pumping and nursing.
//Supplement Superheros! 👏🏻//
MotherLove lactation drops 💧
Mothers Milk Tea ☕️
Water 💦💦
Plates on Park Street 