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The Benefits, Use, and Care of Breast Pumps and Breastmilk

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Now that you’ve had your baby, you can’t wait to return to your pre-baby weight! A great way to lose that weight is to breastfeed your baby. Feeding or pumping requires an extra 200 to 500 calories a day, so that weight should come off quickly. Another benefit is that your uterus will shrink back to its normal size more quickly when you’re breastfeeding or pumping. And – bonus – breastfeeding helps to delay the return of your period! Finally, since breastfeeding is the natural way for moms and babies to bond, when you pump your milk, dad can become part of the experience, too by using a breastpump.

If you have never pumped before, start with some warm compresses and a gentle breast massage. Perhaps having a photo of your baby or listening to music will help you to relax. Leaning forward while pumping lets the force of gravity aid in allowing your milk to flow more easily. Anxiety or distractions can affect your let-down so, once you’re comfortable and relaxed, you’ll pump more milk.

When using your breast pump, make sure your nipple is centered inside the breast shield/flange. If it isn’t, the nipple can become sore, bleed or lead to other problems due to uneven suction. Meticulous breast care is a must to prevent cracked, bleeding nipples. You can purchase special creams to apply on the nipples in between pumping and feedings.

No matter how wonderful your new breast pump operates, the most important factor to consider is the quality of your breast milk. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the American Dietetic Association, among other esteemed organizations, are in agreement that breast milk is the best nutrition for your baby. So make sure you’re still eating the well-balanced diet that you ate while you were pregnant. This helps your body to have the fuel it needs to meet the demands you’re making on your body, and helps your baby with their development. Plus the fact that your diet directly affects the quantity of milk you produce, more so than the quality. Although you don’t need to drink milk in order to produce milk, you do need to drink fluids throughout the day. However, you should limit your caffeine intake to two cups a day. And you should continue to refrain from alcohol while you’re breastfeeding. If you’re smoking, nicotine and harmful chemicals will be passed to your in your breast milk.

The parts of your pump that are exposed to breast milk will need to be thoroughly cleaned after each usage. Wash your hands with soap and water. Then, use a mild detergent in hot water to clean the pump’s parts. Do not use abrasives, chemicals, antibacterials or brushes, as these could damage the parts, making them unusable. Then rinse in hot water and place on a clean towel to air dry. If you can’t wash your pump’s parts right away, use hot water to rinse the parts thoroughly. Careful cleaning is important; any leftover milk becomes a great breeding ground for bacteria. Finally, wash your hands again as an extra precaution.

After cleaning, your pump may require sterilization. So be sure to read and follow the directions that came with your pump. The temperature range for sterilization is between 176 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Methods of sterilization include boiling the items exposed to breast milk between five to 10 minutes, placing those items in the dishwasher’s top rack or in the microwave. However, there are sterilizers on the market today that will make this job a whole lot easier. Besides, you have enough to do.


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