You've made the choice to breastfeed, and now you have to figure out how to clean your breast pump. Lucky for you, Medela breast pumps are designed to be easily used and cleaned. According to Medela, cleaning the tubing is not necessary, because it does not come into contact with your breast milk. However, a new nursing mother prefers to clean anything coming into contact with her baby, and breast pump tubing is no exception.
Instructions
1
Disconnect the tubing from your Medela breast pump. Remove the end caps from the tubing, if necessary.
2
Boil half a pot of water, then place the tubing in the water for 10 to 20 minutes to sterilize.
3
Fill the syringe with rubbing alcohol. Position the head of the syringe at one end of the tubing. Hold the tubing so the opposite end is hanging in the kitchen or bathroom sink.
4
Flush the tubing with rubbing alcohol by dispensing the syringe. The rubbing alcohol will dry up excess water left in the tube from boiling.
5
Hang the tubing vertically to dry or use a hair dryer to remove any additional water. Hold the hair dryer about 1 to 2 inches from one end of the tubing to prevent melting.
6
Replace the end caps on the tubing prior to your next pumping session, if you removed them in Step 1.
The human breast is made up of fatty tissues, lobes (which are milk-producing glands,) milk ducts, and connective tissue. If a normal, healthy woman becomes pregnant, then the series of changes in her body will signal the lobes to create milk and deposit them in the milk ducts. The baby, of course, can suckle the milk from the ducts and out the nipple.
Development
Dramatic changes take place in the breast for females during puberty. Various hormones are released during puberty that cause the body to mature. Estrogen is the hormone that most stimulates breast development during puberty. The changes that estrogen produces enable the breasts to make milk.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause additional blood flow to the breasts, and the breasts become bigger. The nipples also become bigger and darker. These changes are the body's way to prepare to nurse a baby. During the third or fourth month of pregnancy, the breasts will start to make colostrum. Colostrum is a very thin form of breast milk, but it is full of antibodies and it is the first drink a newborn gets. As the pregnancy continues, some women's breasts will leak a little of the colostrum that is building up in them.
Motherhood
After the baby is born, his or her suckling stimulates the breasts to make milk. The milk is produced in the lobes, and flows down into the milk ducts and out the nipple. Most women will continue to produce breast milk as long as the child nurses. Mothers whose children wean gradually tend to stop producing milk just as gradually, and seldom feel the breast pain associated with an abrupt halt to breastfeeding.
New mothers and their infants are often faced with a frustrating challenge when learning how to breastfeed. Relieve yourself of worrying about whether your baby is getting enough milk using a lactation aid. The device consists of a bottle (containing a supplement) with a tube attached to that runs along the breast and nipple and into the baby's mouth.
Instructions
1
Ask for assistance from a certified lactation consultant before you use a lactation aid. Your hospital should have a consultant on staff, but your doctor could also give you recommendations if you are unsure of how to find a lactation consultant.
2
Wear a shirt that has a pocket if possible. This way you can place the bottle in the shirt pocket and free up your hands. Otherwise, you can rest the bottle in between yourself and the baby. Most importantly, keep the bottle even with or below the baby's head.
3
Run the tube along your breast and nipple. It should stop where the nipple stops. Some mothers find it helpful to tape the tube to their breast at first.
4
Encourage the baby to latch on as you would with regular breastfeeding. A proper latch is important, as it teaches the baby that he can get enough milk from the breast.
5
Keep an eye on the time. It should take only about 15 to 20 minutes for the baby to take one ounce of the supplemental milk. If it takes longer, reposition the baby and re-latch.
6
Feed with the lactation aid consistently. It should be used for every meal for the duration of its use, which lasts anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks. Speak with your lactation consultant for specific recommendations on how to wean your baby from a lactation aid.
7
Clean the lactation aid tube with hot, but not boiling, water. Completely empty it after each use and then suck enough hot water through the tube to rinse it thoroughly. Repeat until rinsed well. Clean the nipple and bottle as you would a normal bottle and nipple.
Rhodiola rosea is a common herbal supplement that has been shown to benefit the central nervous system and increase resistance to disease. Rhodiola rosea has also been linked to cancer prevention and brain development. Despite the many health effects of the supplement, some side effects are associated with rhodiola rosea.
Stimulant
Rhodiola rosea is a stimulant to the body, and therefore, you may experience an elevated heart rate and higher blood pressure after taking large doses.
Other Stimulant Effects
Rhodiola rosea can also cause insomnia and irritability, followed by a crash and excessive lethargy. These are similar to the side effects of other stimulants, such as caffeine. This is seen only with high doses of rhodiola rosea.
Addiction
As with any stimulant, a woman can become addicted to rhodiola rosea. If you find that you need to take rhodiola rosea more often or to reach the same level of stimulation, discontinue use and seek a physician.
Pregnancy
Few studies have been done on the effects of taking rhodiola rosea while pregnant or breast feeding, but women should avoid taking it while pregnant or breast feeding, because there may be some toxicity at higher doses that can be passed on to the baby through the umbilical cord or breast milk.
Drug Interactions
As with pregnancy and breast feeding, few studies have been done on the interaction between rhodiola rosea and other drugs. Consult a physician before taking rhodiola rosea to discuss any possible problems with drug interactions.
If you've had or are planning a breast reduction, you may wonder what kind of effect it will have on your ability to breastfeed. While breast reduction surgery can pose a few problems to nursing mothers, most should be able to breastfeed their children with a few tips and tricks. If you've had a breast reduction and want to breastfeed your child, don't let anything stop you.
Is It Possible?
Is breastfeeding after having a breast reduction possible? In a word, yes. While you may not find breastfeeding as easy as a mother who has not had a breast reduction, you can still successfully breastfeed your baby. You may need some external help and a lot of patience, but it can be done.
Portential Problems
Some potential include severed nerves that were cut during the surgery. These nerves control milk let-down, which means your body could have a harder time producing milk when it needs to. This could mean a diminished milk supply or milk that doesn't come in properly when baby is hungry.
Solutions
First and foremost, make sure that you give breastfeeding a try, even if you're not sure that it will work or not. You'll never know how responsive your body is and how much supply you have until you try breastfeeding. Let your lactation consultant know about your surgery. She may suggest something like a Supplemental Nursing System, a small tube that you can attach to your breast so that your baby gets supplemental formula while nursing to help him gain weight.
Producing More Milk
The key to making sure that you have enough milk to give your baby and to making sure that your body responds to let-down is to use tricks to produce more milk. Rent or purchase a hospital-grade pump, and for the first two weeks concentrate on pumping every two hours, even if your baby isn't hungry that often. You'll build up a supply of breast milk to freeze and use, and you'll train your body to make more milk more often.
Pain
After having a breast reduction, you might feel some pain with breastfeeding. This is usually due to engorgement or ducts that are too full. To reduce the swelling, use ice packs and offer the breast to your baby as often as you can. Express a little by hand in the shower to relieve some of the pressure, but know that the more milk you extract, the more milk it makes, landing you back at square one. After the first two weeks, allow your baby to be the primary source of milk extraction.
Breast-feeding a baby is an innately nurturing act of a mother, but it can also be the biggest sacrifice she has ever known when her nipples are sore. Combine lack of sleep with pain, and it is clear why breast-feeding doesn't always feel natural or comfortable. Thankfully, the steps to care for sore nipples while breast-feeding are simple and easy to follow and provide much-needed healing.
Instructions
Positioning
1
Positioning your baby correctly at the breast eliminates the possibility of pain being caused by slipping off the nipple and also reduces existing pain. Sit upright or lie down in a comfortable position before feeding your baby. If you are sitting, you can put a nursing pillow on your lap under your baby or use a regular pillow to prop baby up in front of the breast.
2
Position your baby so your tummies are facing one another. When you are ready to feed, bring your baby toward the breast--instead of leaning toward the baby--so you keep yourself positioned comfortably. This takes a little bit of practice, so be gentle with yourself.
3
Reposition pillows to support the arm holding the baby as needed.
Latch
4
The movement to bring the baby's mouth onto the breast and nipple is called the latch. A proper latch takes care of most nipple soreness. One key with latching a baby properly is to remember that the tip of the nipple is supposed to be at the back of the baby's mouth, not the front.
5
To ensure a healthy latch that will eliminate soreness and make sure baby is getting enough milk, wait for baby to open wide before bringing her to the breast. You can make an "o" with your mouth to demonstrate an open mouth to your baby, trace the baby's lips in a circle, squeeze a little milk from the nipple onto baby's lips or tickle the lips with the tip of the nipple to get baby to open wide.
6
When baby opens wide, hold the feeding breast in one hand and bring baby toward the breast while placing the nipple toward the back of the baby's mouth. With a proper latch, the baby will have the nipple and much of the areola (the dark circle at the base of the nipple) in the mouth. Both lips will be flanged out around the areola and baby will be sucking well at the breast.
7
Pain might be felt initially when the baby first latches on as a mother gets used to breast-feeding. However, pain that continues throughout the feeding is a sign that the latch is not proper or there is another issue contributing to the pain.
8
If the latch does not feel good, gently place the tip of your pinkie in the baby's mouth to break the suction, pull baby back from the breast and try again.
Skin Care
9
While caring for sore nipples, it is important to allow plenty of fresh air to circulate. Wear soft, button-down shirts and remove any constrictive clothing, such as bras or tight shirts.
10
Pure lanolin is a soothing topical ointment that can be safely used at anytime while breast-feeding. It does not need to be removed before feeding and can be purchased at most pharmacies.
11
Apply lanolin immediately after a feeding while nipples are still wet and allow it to remain on the nipples. Reapply as desired.
12
Expose nipples to a little sunshine for natural healing.
At last! Here is some positive practical info that you can use to be really be prepared for your new baby.
I found that when I was pregnant, many older mums (mostly strangers would you believe it) would say "oooh. You're going to have your hands full" and "life will never be the same again you know". (like I didn't know?)
This wasn't helpful because it would actually make me anxious, and it didn't give me any practical things I could do to make things easier when bringing home a new baby.
I also ready heaps of baby books to try and get ultra prepared. But of course, there is no better way to learn than by experience - so... here is my list! I put this together based on things I figured out along the way with my first baby that weren't in a book.
I've also included a 'Last Minute baby shopping list' - despite reading numerous shopping lists in baby books, I still forgot the things. This list also tells you some of the best and worst brands that I discovered from trial and error.
I have also included my 'Breastfeeding tips' - these were also learnt by trial and error as I had a fair bit of trouble although I persevered for 2 months. Hopefully these tips may help you with your feeding :)
ENJOY! You're going to be a great mum! :) Love me xoxox
Instructions
1
STEP 1: In hospital Bring some disposable nappies and a few cute outfits for visiting hours (they use cloth nappies at hospital and I am frightened of the big pins! They provide outfits for the baby which is great cos no washing, but it's nice to have dress them up too) Pack toiletries in small bottles and keep them in your shower/bathroom in the hospital. Helped me feel a bit pampered. Hospital visiting hours, turning my phone off, silent setting on mobile, landline off-hook, door signs saying 'This mother and baby taking well deserved rest'. Nurses will filter your visitors for you and they will usually tell the people you have specified that you don't want to see 'Sorry, she is resting at the moment' In hospital use the dimmer switch - keeping it fairly dark at night feeds. In morning I woke up, open curtains and talk to baby so she can start to distinguish night and day Learn how to wrap a newborn beforehand Take to the hospital comfy PJ bottoms and stretchy soft nighty cotton tops (without a bra). Be prepared for moments of 'weepiness', especially when milk comes in, and telling myself 'It will get easier' and 'I'm going to be kind to myself' and 'I'm just tired/hormonal' Pain killers (I had to keep reminding the nurses for these)
2
STEP 2: And the uncomfortable bits... Get the nurses in to help with each breastfeeding session - not thinking 'I ought to know how to do this' - they can help stop the baby hurting your breasts Rub your belly (uterus) quite hard when breast-feeding - it helps it contract back into shape. Lean forward on the toilet so it doesn't get on any stitches. Ask for 'Ural' drink which helps neutralize wee and it won't sting as much. Pack maternity pads. Using these underneath the ones the hospital give you
3
STEP 3: At home -the first 12 weeks Be kind to yourself with positive 'Self-talk'. 'I am doing a great job' 'I am a great mum and am learning all the time' 'I have a newborn baby and need to take it easy for at least 3 months'. When people bring food or clean, say 'Thankyou!' and accept it. It makes things so much easier. Accept help from others rather than feeling as if you have to prove you're capable by doing it all yourself. If you have visitors and are tired, say 'I'm really tired and need to have a nap' and if they don't leave, say 'Ok, I'm going to have a nap now' and just do it. It is not rude - they are being rude. Try to keep a diary for scheduling visitors. That way you don't need to remember things more than 1 day in advance. You can take 'one day at a time' but not feel trapped in 'Groundhog day' Don't bother with using a baby bath because it's a huge pain to fill it and it makes a mess. It's much easier to just put the baby in the bath with you or husband! Good bonding time too. Eat cake for breakfast. It's easy and yummy and calories for breastfeeding! Cook meals in bulk (like spaghetti) and freeze it. Drink Milo and Berocca for extra nutrients (not mixed together!) To save time, when u shower, shave and clean teeth at same time. Shower once per day even if you don't feel like it (!). Look after yourself. It's ok to let babies cry in their crib when you're having a shower! You have to take care of yourself too!- so don't feel guilty about this. Use baby's sleep time to rest, treat yourself to things that help you feel pampered (not housework). Feed baby, then get husband to take baby away for a drive so you can get a proper sleep. Don't do housework! Take the phone off the hook and put a sign on the door to divert people away. Get some fresh air. Gentle exercise - walking, yoga. Don't live in a twilight indoor world of sleeping, eating and feeding your baby. If you feel unusually down for a long time, or if your mind is racing see your GP and tell them about how you are feeling (and that you may like some medication to help you). Only you know your own mind so be clear with the doctor and don't let them fob you off!
4
STEP 4: Breast-feeding tips No-one expects to sit down to a piano without having had any lessons and play Beethoven's 16th Concerto in Dminor. Breastfeeding is the same thing - it is a learned skill. You don't know how to do it automatically. It is not a natural instinct (it isn't!) - just because you have breasts doesn't mean you do or should know how to use them right away.
It takes practice, patience and being KIND to yourself. Here are some tips that I found made things easier for me.
Set up a tray of things you want handy when feeding (cos you can't leap up and get it in the middle of a feed). This way you can keep stuff together and easily just carry the tray into the lounge, bedroom, back patio etc. Your tray might have: Painkillers (for the first week), BIG glass of water cos you get thirsty, damp face-washer to keep the baby awake during the feed, digital watch with backlight to keep track of feed times, lipgloss, breast sooth cream, phone, phone numbers of hospital and breastfeeding helpline, notebook and pen, multivitamins, anything else you want like fruit (punnet of strawberries) Try to space feeds 2 - 3 hours apart. Any closer together and it gets too exhausting! Any farther apart and the baby will be up all night.. Read the book 'Babywise' it is good. But obviously tailor it to your own needs and beliefs and don't take it word for word. Sleep without a top or bra. Lie on top of a (soft) folded towel underneath your upper body. Don't breastfeed if you're in an uncomfortable situation. If you're uptight, embarrassed, tired, in pain the brain may not release oxytocin to squeeze the milk out. As the baby tries to drink, and the milk not coming down it will lead to cracked nipples! So relax first. Place warm cloth nappies (out of the dryer)on breasts first and think about your baby. Then put the baby on. Check out Westfield shopping malls as they have in the parent's rooms these little private cubicles with big comfy armchairs which are perfect for breastfeeding in. If at a friend's house/BBQ/party, ask to use a spare bedroom to breastfeed in. Don't be afraid to tell people you want some privacy when you breastfeed! You don't have to be some sort of women's liberationist and you are allowed to feel embarrassed about pulling your breasts out in front of people you normally wouldn't. If you want to breastfeed in public with some privacy, use a soft baby wrap tied around your neck like a scarf, and drape it over
5
STEP 5: Last minute shopping list before baby is born (You'll be able to get most of this from Big W and your Chemist)
2 roll-on sunblocks (1 for nappy bag, 1 for home)
About 5 Baby wraps (cotton flannelet for winter, muslin for summer)
1 x Newborn dummy (use only after breastfeeding is established). 'Mam' is the cutest brand.
1 x good-sized baby bag (Summer has a My Little Pony one).
A plastic change mat for the nappy bag (you can get good ones from Big W)
3 x bulk boxes of Huggies Newborn nappies (Huggies are most absorbent and secure. Each box contains about 108, and have green packaging)
1 large and 1 small Huggies Baby wipe plastic cases (1 for nursery, 1 for nappy bag)
3 bulk refill packs of Huggies Baby wipes
1 large pot of Baby bum cream (Sudocream brand, for nursery)
1 tube of Baby bum cream for your nappy bag (Curash brand)
1 Nappy bucket (even if doing disposables, it is good to soak dirty clothes in)
Nappy san for soaking pooey clothes
Pack of 10 baby face washers (these are in the Baby section at Big W)
Pack of cloth nappies (for burping baby and lying on change table)
1 pack of Paracetamol for adults
2 bottles of Baby Paracetamol (one for home, one for nappy bag)
2 bottles of Infacol (for colic - this is excellent) - one for home and one for nappy bag
1 Small Baby powder (Don't get talcum powder as it has been linked to cancer. Get 'cornstarch powder' by Johnson and Johnson)
Bin with secure lid (for the nursery next the change table for dirty nappies) Scented garbage bags from Woolworths you can get scented ones (vanilla are nice, and they also have chocolate!)
Orange Power Air Freshener (same brand as 'Shower Power') - this is excellent for spraying the room after a stinky nappy and has no bad chemicals
Nipple cream (you can get free samples from the chemist)
2 x LARGE maternity bras about 2 cup sizes bigger and 1-2 sizes up in the back than your normal bra (Big W are fine and cheaper)
No-tears baby wash/shampoo
5 packets of Maternity Pads (Homebrand is fine - whatever is cheapest)
2 boxes Breast pads (Pigeon is the best brand - buy whatever is most expensive don't skimp on these as you need them individually wrapped, the softest most absorbent type. Don't use the washable ones as they are total crap - too rough and damp)
From the Chemist: Hire an electric breastpump. You have to buy attachment
