Fourth Trimester
Your Breastfeeding Journey Series: How to Breast Pump
How to Pump
If you’ve made the decision to breastfeed, congratulations! This is an important step for both your baby’s health and yours. However, breastfeeding isn’t easy for everyone. And, continuing to breast feed is often made difficult by busy work schedules. Therefore, breast pumping may be something you are planning to incorporate into your feeding plan.
While all of the breast pumping options and equipment may seem overwhelming, the process of breast pumping is made to be simple, and we’re here to help you learn as much as possible. Below are some frequently asked questions to help you feel more confident on your breast pumping journey.
When Should I Pump?
Pumping can help to build your milk supply, so if your baby is ill or pre-term, you should start pumping as soon as you can — preferably in the first 6 hours post birth for the best success in building your supply quickly. If your baby is healthy and full-term, it is safe to wait a few weeks to start pumping.
Why Would I Pump?
- Your baby is unable to latch or feed directly from the breast.
- You want to store milk for when you are away from your baby (for example, if you are working and will be away from your little one during the day).
- You want to give your baby breast milk, but do not want to breast feed.
- You’re interested in donating milk.
- You want to increase milk supply/weaning/alleviate pressure.
- You simply want to give other caregivers the opportunity to feed the baby.
How Much Do I Need to Pump?
If you are exclusively pumping:
- Plan to pump 8-10 times in a 24-hour period
- Full milk production is normally 25-35 oz in a 24-hour period.
How to Pump
- Find – Find a comfortable place to sit
- Wash– Wash your hands with soap and water
- Assemble – Assemble your pump kit
- Prep– Line the flanges over your breast with your nipple center in the flange opening, while it is still off
- Turn On– Start out with high speed and low suction, until you see milk flow. Then adjust to a low speed, high suction setting. Pump until you see milk flow decrease.
- Clean – Follow CDC guidelines
Successful Pumping Tips:
- Consider your baby’s on cue nursing schedule when creating your pumping schedule.
- Hands on Pumping: Massage the breast and stimulate the nipple before and during your pumping session.
- Increase oxytocin by looking at pictures of the baby or bringing a baby blanket
- Start with hand expression.
- Reward Yourself: Your body correlates its oxytocin release with certain triggers. If you have a piece of chocolate every time you pump or feed, your body will start to respond to chocolate as a stimulus to let down milk.
- Pick the correct pump for you: Refer to the “How to Choose a Pump” guide!
Pumping Troubleshooting
- Improper set up: Make sure the duckbill valve or membrane valve is intact and properly placed. Check that your tubing has no cracks or tears in it.
- Blocked ducts: This is common in breast pumping moms because the pump is not as good as the baby at expelling the milk. To prevent this from happening, hand express while pumping.
- Pumping at work: find a place, time, and support.
- Flange sizes: Go small or go home. Bigger flange sizes tend to cause more damage than one that is too small. The flange size should give your nipple enough room to stretch and fit a portion of the areola, while not pulling all the areola in.
How to Properly Store Milk:
- Follow CDC guidelines for Milk Storage
- Label with date and any medications you may be on
- When storing in freezer, store flat in milk storage bags in small amounts (1 – 3 oz) – this makes it easier to store, easier to defrost, and decreases over-feeding
How to Select Flange Size:
Understanding flange size makes it easier to select which one will best fit you. Some important tips to follow to help guide you on the fit of the flange on your breast include:
- Too Small: Indicated by the sides of nipple rubbing on tunnel of flange
- Too large: Areola is pulled into the flange
- Optimal size: Sides of nipples do not rub on the tunnel of the flange, minimal areola enters
- FYI: The size of the nipple changes throughout the day!!
Resources & Tutorials:
- Check out your breast pump manufacturer’s website
- Don’t forget the plethora of content and demonstrations available on YouTube
It`s always a special day when one of our Axia babies comes to visit! 💜Sweet baby Harland and mom Paige came to visit with Dr. Esguerra at our Women`s Specialty Care practice in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We`re so thankful for our patients who share these special moments with us!
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#womenshealth #pregnancy #obgyn #babypic
ICYMI: New guidelines from ACOG and the CDC support RSV vaccination during pregnancy. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is most commonly spread in the fall and winter months. It is also the most common cause of hospitalization among infants in the U.S. By getting vaccinated, you can pass on those protective antibodies and protect your baby`s future health!
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#RSV #pregnancy #obgyn #womenshealth #newbornhealth #babyhealth
Dr. Jennifer Gilbert, an Axia Women`s Health OB/GYN, recently spoke with Parents.com to offer insights on how to know you`re in labor and when it`s time to go to the hospital. Spoiler alert: it isn’t always how it appears in the movies! Read the full article via the link in our bio. 🔗
#laborsigns #laboranddelivery #pregnancy #obgyn #womenshealth
Fun fact: Studies show more babies are born in September than in any other month. Sending love to all our Axia Women`s Health babies! 💙
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#septemberbabies💙 #septemberbirthday #pregnancy #obgyn #womenshealth #baby
DYK there are different uterus shapes? Certain shapes could impact your ability to conceive or to have a healthy pregnancy. As always, it’s important to keep up with regular gynecologic exams and if you`re having trouble conceiving, it`s important to talk with your Axia Women`s Health provider. Swipe through to learn more.
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#womenshealth #reproductivehealth #pregnancy #uterushealth #obgyn
Say hello to one of the newest members of the Axia community, baby Josephine! One of the many joys of being an OB/GYN provider is helping support our patients throughout their pregnancy journey. It’s especially rewarding when those patients are our own colleagues! Dr. Sarah Borders and Dr. Allison Cook from our Lexington, KY area practice are not only friends and colleagues but had the incredible experience of delivering each others’ babies. Congratulations Dr. Borders and best wishes as you celebrate your little bundle of joy, baby Josephine!
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#obgyn #womenshealth #pregnancy #motherhood #obgynpractice
With heat waves rippling across much of the U.S., it`s important to take precautions to protect your health and your baby`s. Swipe through for what you need to know in order to summer safely while pregnant.
#summerheat☀️🔥 #pregnancytips #heatwave🔥 #summerpregnancy #SummerSafety #summer #summer2023
Millions of Americans are under air quality alerts as as a result of the smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Increased exposure to high rates of air pollution can pose risk, especially to pregnant individuals. Swipe through for safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
#canadawildfire #airpollution #pregancytips #maternalhealth #smoke #wildfires
In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, we`re shining a light on the importance of maternal mental health. While pregnancy and motherhood is filled with so many happy moments, it can also be an isolating and certain time for some. If you`re struggling with feelings of isolation, sadness, or anxiety you`re not alone.
Happy Mother’s Day! 💜 Today, we honor all those who have taken on mothering in any shape or form. We know each woman’s path to motherhood can be different, and no matter where you are in your journey we’re here to support you. Thank you for allowing us to be a special part of your care journey!
Thank you to Mom.com for featuring us in your latest article about pelvic organ prolapse, a condition that often goes undiscussed. It may sound scary, but with the right support it is manageable! Visit link in bio to read the full article.
#postpartum #postpartumsupport #pelvicorganprolapse #pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy #pregnancysupport
Did you know that your menstrual cycle is more than just the main event – your period? It’s actually a series of four different phases that each play a role in your reproductive health. Getting in touch with your cycle can help you with planning for pregnancy and even detecting other health issues. Swipe right to learn more.
The fertility awareness method (tracking of your menstrual cycle in order to prevent pregnancy) has been gaining traction on TikTok and other social media channels of late. But, does it work? Axia Women`s Health OB/GYN, Dr. Daniel DiSabatino, explains what you need to know about the risks/benefits in a recent interview with Yahoo! Swipe through to learn more.
#fertilityawareness #birthcontrol #naturalfamilyplanning #cycletracking #contraception
With many different options for prenatal vitamins available on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Swipe right to learn the top expert recommended ingredients to support you and your baby.
Finding a healthcare provider who you trust and feel comfortable with is so important. At Axia Women`s Health, we`re proud to build relationships that span decades - from puberty through pregnancy. Thank you, Brittney, for sharing your experience with us! 💙
credit: @mrs_kochanski89
‘Tis the season of giving thanks, and we couldn’t be more thankful for our incredible patient community! 🙏🏻💛Thank you for trusting us with your care. Through the happy moments and the sad, from puberty to pregnancy and even into the golden years, through challenges and joyous moments, we thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey.
#thankful #appreciationpost #patientcare #givethanks #pregnancy #obgyn #gynecology
All moms know that holding your baby is an important part of bonding emotionally. But did you know it can also provide physical benefits? Kangaroo Care, a specific form of skin-to-skin contact, can have benefits for both preemies and their parents. Research shows that holding a baby to your bare chest can help regulate the baby`s heart rate, breathing, and body temperature as well as promote bonding. To all of the NICU mamas, we see you and salute your strength!
#worldpreemieday💜
Do you know the physical signs of ovulation? If you`re trying to get pregnant, tracking ovulation can go a long way to helping you conceive. Beyond that, knowing your ovulation patterns can clue you in on other potential health issues like PCOS or thyroid conditions. Swipe right to learn the signs.
#ovulationtracking #ovulationsigns #TTC #ovulation #ovulationstest #tryingtoconceivetips #tryingtoconceive
Pregnancy and infant loss is a uniquely personal and complicated experience that affects each woman differently. No matter your experience, we`re here to remind you that your grief is valid and you`re not alone. Save this post as a reminder anytime you need support. <3
#pregnancyinfantlossday
It`s sexual health month, so 🎶let`s talk about sex 🎶 post-baby. Perhaps, you`ve had your 6-week-checkup but still aren`t feeling ready to be intimate again...that`s completely okay!
There`s so much to navigate as a new mom. 🤯It can be challenging to find the time or energy to be intimate with your partner. 👩❤️💋👨
But, if you`re feeling ready and are bothered by symptoms like pain or discomfort, don`t be afraid to speak up! Your Axia Women`s Health provider is here to help.
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