10 Tips for Making Pumping Work – At Work

Okay, let’s get back to our discussion of returning to work.

 3. Before you return to work, get support from your boss or supervisor. Tell your boss about the benefits of lower health care costs and increased time on the job for breast milk moms. You may even want to print this info from the Center for Disease Control, to support your effort. Seek out and request a space for pumping so you are ready when you arrive your first day.

4. Have a solid schedule set and try to stick to it. Changes in schedules for moms returning to work is one of the big reasons that these moms can develop milk supply problems. Also, keep your night pumping up. You will be more tired when you return to work, so go to bed earlier but do not skip your night feedings or pumping. This is also another reason for milk supply issues. It is important to get the rest you need and to take care of your health.

Next week, we’ll continue our journey back to work. Have a safe and healthy 4th of July and be good to yourself, sweet mommas.

10 Tips for Making Pumping Work – At Work

(Yes, 56% of New Moms Go Back to Work in 3 Months or Less)

1. The more time you spend with your baby, before your return to work, the better.  This may sound like a no brainer, but life for moms in the 21st century is incredibly demanding, especially during the recession. Also, moms are returning to work earlier, since the recession began.  80% of the job losses in the last 12 months are attributed to men, forcing some new moms to cut their maternity leave even shorter than usual, to make ends meet in the family budget.
It takes 6 to 8 weeks to get a good milk supply going. Unfortunately, that is also the typical maternity leave.
So, let’s talk about how to get that good milk supply set, so you can return to work with confidence.
2. Your breast pump choice is important.  If you have healthcare insurance, your breast pump purchase or/and breast pump rental may be covered.  This saves a nice chunk of change if your insurance does pay for a pump and they may even cover the cost of a rental to get started.
Here are some questions you can ask your insurance company, before you have your baby.

  • 1. Find out if your insurance coverage will cover the cost of a breast pump.
    2. Does medical necessity need to be determined for the coverage to apply? (Is your baby sick/preemie?)
    3. Is prior authorization required? If so, what are the steps in the process?
    4. Does the coverage cover a purchase or/and a rental? Is there only a specific brand that is covered?
    5. What is the maximum benefit? Does a deductible have to be met first? Will there be a co-pay?
    6. Is a time or dollar limit set?

If allowed by your insurer, a rental breast pump is a great way to start.  But, if not, many pumps on the market today do a fantastic job, too.  Do some research before you buy, though. Price is not the best indicator of quality with breast pumps. And a cheap breast pump could be very frustrating.  Check our website for product comparisons and review other sites as well.  This is an important purchase for a mom going back to work.

Tomorrow, let’s continue the “10 Tips for Making Pumping Work – At Work”

How often and how much should my infant (months 4-6) be feeding?

Well, at 4 months your pediatrician may have you beginning to introduce solids into your baby’s diet. Cereal is usually the first to be introduced. Initially, your baby will not be getting too much cereal into their mouth to actually digest. This is primarily a time to get your baby used to the feelings, tastes and mechanics that come with learning to eat solid foods, therefore, you may find that your baby will still be drinking the same amount of milk each day.

However, as your baby becomes more proficient at eating solids, she will be getting more calories from this and will need fewer calories from your milk. Many babies between the age of 4-6 months still average about 24 ounces a day. But, again, listen to your baby’s cues. There are no strict guidelines for how much milk your baby should have each day, but if your baby goes significantly over 32 ounces or less than 20 ounces often, then you may want to contact your doctor for suggestions.

Your pediatrician should give you details about how to begin feeding your baby. Many moms will feed their baby breast milk as usual, however, substitute two of the milk feedings by mixing a little cereal with your breast milk, and then follow up the cereal feeding with additional breast milk until your baby is satisfied. Over a period of weeks, you will introduce fruits and vegetables and your baby may want less and less milk.

Trust your own judgment, and enjoy this interesting and fun time in your baby’s life.

How often and how much should my infant (months 1-3) be feeding?

By the end of your baby’s first month, he may be averaging 24 ounces of milk in a 24 hour period.

Within months 1-3 your baby may be sleeping longer through the night and feeding longer during the day time feedings. Surprisingly, your baby may not be feeding more that 24-25 ounces per day within these first few months. Few babies may require more than this, however, most babies don’t feed more than 30 ounces per day within the first few months.

Remember, this is for babies who are being fed exclusively breastmilk. For babies that are receiving supplemental bottles of formula, then these babies may be receiving much more than the 24-30 ounces breast milk within 24 hours.

If your baby is drinking much less or more than these averages and your baby’s weight seems to be changing dramatically, or you are just plain worried, then call your doctor for further advice or just a little TLC.

How often and how much should my infant (the first month) be feeding?

Again, the most important thing to remember is that there is no magic number that someone can tell you how much your baby should be feeding.  Be aware of what your baby’s needs – you are the best judge of how much and how often your baby should be feeding.

At 10 days, many babies are taking about 2 ounces per feeding about every 2-3 hours or 8 – 12 times every 24-hours.  With each day however, you may find that your baby is becoming a little more aware and may want to eat a little more during some of her feedings, and decrease the number of times a day that she will eat.

Between 2-4 weeks, you may find that your baby is interested in eating every 4-5 hours or 6-8 times every 24 hours.  The amount per bottle may range between 2-4 ounces depending on your baby, so be aware of your baby’s needs and not so much on the number on the bottle.  But, it is during this time that you will probably see a steady increase in the amount that your baby is taking each day.

By the end of the first month, your baby should be receiving an average of 24 ounces per day.

How often and how much should my newborn be feeding?

Day 1:  Your baby’s tummy is extremely small at this time.  Your baby’s stomach can fit enough breast milk to fill a thimble or the size of a marble (less than an 1 oz.).  So, naturally, your baby will not want to eat for long, but will want to eat often.  So, don’t force the extra milk down your baby, your baby’s stomach will not get larger by doing this, but only force the milk to come right back up.  This is when your colostrum should be filling your baby.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthy, full-term newborns should breastfeed every 2-3 hours or 8 – 12 times every 24-hours.

You may wonder why you have to feed your baby so often.  Again, your baby’s tummy is very small, and second, your baby is quite efficient at digesting the milk.  It only takes about 90 minutes to digest and your baby’s tummy is empty again.

Day 3:  Your baby’s tummy is growing quickly.  Today, you baby’s stomach is about the size of a large marble.  You’re baby may start taking about 1 oz. per feeding.  You will continue to feed your baby every 2-3 hours or 8 – 12 times every 24-hours.  This is not the time to start forcing your baby onto a schedule.
If your baby does not finish a bottle, then save it for later.  If your baby finishes the bottle, but is still be wiggling or seems to be unsettled.  Just fix another bottle and feed your baby until he seems satisfied.  Save the remaining bottle for the next feeding.

Day 7:  Just baby’s stomach is about the size of a ping pong ball and might be eating about 1.5 – 2 ounces of milk each feeding.  You should still be feeding every 2-3 hours or 8 – 12 times every 24-hours.

Day 10:  Your baby’s tummy is about the size of a large chicken egg and can probably drink 2 ounces, maybe a little more, each feeding.  And you will still continue to feed your baby every 2-3 hours or 8 – 12 times every 24-hours.

Don’t ever doubt your own judgment.  Have confidence in yourself and what you think your baby wants.  Your baby will eat when she is hungry and stop eating when she is full.  So just take a deep breath, calm down and listen to the cues from your baby.

Warming Your Breast Milk

If your breast milk is still frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or under warm running water until it has thawed out completely.  This may even warm your breast milk for your baby.

Your breastmilk may separate, with the fat rising to the top.  This is perfectly normal, as is a slightly bluish color.  In addition, some breast milk may smell soapy, this too is normal.  Once your milk is thawed or warmed just gently shake the bottle which should mix back together.

There are a few way to warm a bottle of breast milk, if it thawed:

1. You may just want to run the bottle under warm running water.

2. You can use the microwave to heat up water.

Microwave a cup of water, not the breast milk.  Once you take the cup of water out of the microwave, place the bottle of breastmilk into the cup of hot water and allow to sit for a few minutes.  Then take the bottle out of the water and gently shake.  This should warm your breast milk enough to be just right for your baby.

You do not want to directly microwave your breast milk because:

• the microwave can cause various hot spots in the breast milk, which may lead to burning your baby’s mouth;
• some of the nutrients in the breast milk may be destroyed as you microwave.

3. Also, bottle warmers are a great choice to heat up your breast milk bottle.

Also, make sure to never have your baby around or in your arms while working with hot liquids and always test the breast milk before giving to your baby to make sure that it is not too hot.

Breast Milk Storage Containers

There are various types of containers that can be used to store your breast milk.  Studies have shown that glass or hard plastic is better for the nutrients in the breast milk.

Choose containers that:

  • are glass or hard-sided plastic containers with well-fitting tops and BPA-free
  • plastic bags that have been specifically designed for expressed breast milk.

These special plastic bags are more heavy-duty, have special closures to prevent leakage and some can be attached to pump directly into the bag.

How to store the breast milk:

  • Store your breast milk in small portions (3 to 6 oz.), the amount your baby is likely to eat in a single feeding  to avoid waste.  Remember you cannot refreeze your thawed breast milk.
  • Leave about an inch of space at the top of your container for the breastmilk to expand.
  • Laying the containers down on the side will allow them to freeze thinner and will thaw much easier.
  • Placing all the containers of breastmilk in another larger container will allow for more protection, less leakage and more organization for dates.

Washing your breastmilk storage containers is not very difficult.  You do not need to sterilize, but use hot, soapy water.  Do not re-use disposable bags.  If you find that the bags are too expensive, just use a reusable container.  We are big fans of the Sensible Lines Milk Trays.

Breast milk Storage Guideline Time Line

Use this chart as a basic guideline for storing your breastmilk.

Fresh Milk Frozen, Thawed in refrigerator Frozen, Brought to Room Temperature Thawed, Warmed, Fed
Room Temperature 8 hours

(below 72°F, can be left up to 10 hours).

 4 hours Finish feeding and discard. Do not refreeze. Finish feeding and discard. Do not refreeze.
Cooler with Frozen Ice Packs

(59°F)

 24 hours
Refrigerator

(39°F)

 8 days 24 hours 4 hours Finish feeding and discard. Do not refreeze.
Refrigerator Freezer

( 0°F)

 4 months Finish feeding and discard. Do not refreeze. Finish feeding and discard. Do not refreeze. Finish feeding and discard. Do not refreeze.
Freeze

(0°F)

 12 months Finish feeding and discard. Do not refreeze. Finish feeding and discard. Do not refreeze. Finish feeding and discard. Do not refreeze.

*These guidelines may not be best for sick or premature babies. Contact your physician for proper guidelines.

  • Make sure to always write the date on the container.
  • It is best to cool fresh breast milk in the refrigerator if you wish to add it to already frozen breast milk.
  • It is rare that your breast milk will ever spoil if it has been stored properly.  Your breastmilk may separate, with the fat rising to the top.  This is perfectly normal, as is a slightly bluish color.  In addition, some breast milk may smell soapy, this too is normal.

Are You Having a Breast Milk Crisis?

Need to Increase Your Breast Milk Supply?

Pumping often is important, but pumping longer is really important too, when you want to increase your breast milk supply fast.
Add 5 to 7 minutes to your pumping time.  When you get the last drops of milk, extend pumping 5 to 7 minutes longer.
Do this every time you pump for 2 to 3 days.  This will trigger the hormones that increase breast milk.
Make sure to do this even at night, “especially at night”.  Pump a minimum of 2 times every night while breast milk supply is low.
You will very likely see an improvement in one day, maybe even by the first morning pumping following the day you started.
Frequent and longer pumping sessions, along with increasing liquid intake, have a powerful impact on increasing breast milk supply.
 Contact Toni at GotBreastPump.com is you have questions. I will be glad to help you personally, if you need more support.

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