Acelleron Medical Products

Category: Parenting

A Parent’s Guide to Nebulizer Support: Caring Through Every Season
Honoring Asthma Awareness Month
May is Asthma Awareness Month, and for a lot of families, it’s more than just a line on the calendar. If your child has asthma, you already know it’s something you think about every day. It becomes part of your routine, your backup plans, and how you prepare for certain times of year like allergy season, back-to-school time, or the start of cold and flu season.

One thing that can really help is having a nebulizer at home. But just having the equipment isn’t always enough. Knowing how to use it, how to take care of it, and how to plan ahead when symptoms tend to spike can make a big difference. Whether you’re completely new to nebulizers or just looking for a refresher, this guide is here to help.

Understanding Your Nebulizer

A nebulizer is a medical device that turns liquid medication into a mist that your child can breathe in through a mask or mouthpiece into their lungs. It’s often recommended for younger children who aren’t able to use an inhaler effectively or during times when asthma or respiratory symptoms are harder to control.

Nebulizers are commonly used to deliver medications like albuterol, a bronchodilator that helps open the airways during asthma attacks, wheezing, or respiratory distress triggered by allergies or illness.

Many healthcare providers also recommend using a nebulizer during allergy season when environmental triggers, like pollen or mold, make breathing more difficult. If your child starts coughing, wheezing, or having a harder time catching their breath, nebulizer treatments may help open their airways and bring relief.

Always check in with your child’s provider for personalized guidance based on specific symptoms and health history.

Best Practices for Using Your Nebulizer

When it’s time for a treatment, it helps to keep things calm and comfortable. Begin by connecting the tubing to the nebulizer machine and the medication cup (ensure the small baffle piece is in place within the medication cup!). Carefully pour the prescribed medication into the cup and then attach both the medication cup cap/lid and mask or mouthpiece securely.

Have your child sit upright and place the mask gently over their nose and mouth or position the mouthpiece between their lips. Turn the machine on and encourage slow, deep breaths to help the medication reach the lungs more effectively. Most treatments take about 5 to 7 minutes, depending on medication and dose, and you’ll know it’s finished when the nebulizer begins to sputter or mist stops. Taking these steps can go a long way in making treatments more effective and easier for both of you.

How to Clean and Care for Your Nebulizer

Keeping the nebulizer in good shape helps make sure it’s working properly when you need it most. It doesn’t take long, but regular cleaning is a must to keep treatments safe and effective. If parts aren’t cleaned often enough, bacteria can build up and make your child sick or reduce how well the medication works.

Here’s a general care and cleaning routine based on best practices:
- After each use: Disconnect the tubing and set aside. Place the mouthpiece or mask and medication cup in warm, soapy water and wash thoroughly. Rinse well and let air dry on a clean paper towel. Don’t wash the tubing.
- Weekly: Disinfect your washed nebulizer parts by placing 2-3 drops of dishwashing liquid in a pot of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes, rinse with water, and then let air dry on a clean paper towel.
- Store properly: Once dry, keep everything in a clean, dry container or bag.
- Replace parts regularly: Mouthpieces/masks, medication cups, and tubing should typically be replaced every six months. Check with your supplier or insurance plan to see what’s covered.
Helping Your Child Feel More Comfortable

Let’s be honest, getting your child to sit through a nebulizer treatment isn’t always easy. But with a little creativity, it can become easier. Here are a few things that might help:
- Turn on a show or movie they love
- Create a special “treatment time” basket with books, toys, or stuffed animals
- Try a breathing game like blowing out “candles” or taking dragon breaths
- Add stickers or decorations to their mask or machine to make it feel more personal
Little things like this can help make it less stressful and more routine.

When to Ask About Replacements

Just like other medical equipment, nebulizer components wear out over time. It’s a good idea to check in on your nebulizer parts as the seasons change. Look for signs like cracked tubing, worn masks, or discolored filters. These are all indicators it may be time to replace those parts.

You don’t need to replace the entire system, just the pieces that connect to it. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be able to request a replacement nebulizer cup and tubing kit every six months. Even if everything looks fine, staying ahead of replacements can ensure treatments remain effective, and your child’s care isn’t delayed when they need it most.

Planning Ahead for Asthma and Allergy Seasons

Asthma can flare up without warning, but certain times of the year are more challenging than others. Preparing ahead of time can prevent you from scrambling in the moment.
- Allergy season (spring and fall): Pollen, mold, or dust can trigger symptoms. Clean your nebulizer more often if you’re using it regularly and talk to your child’s provider about starting medication early if needed.
- Back-to-school: Send an updated asthma or allergy action plan to the school nurse and check that your child’s supplies are up to date.
- Cold and flu season: Make sure everything is stocked and working. This includes medications, parts, and a backup if needed.
Being prepared helps keep things calm when symptoms pick up.

Getting Started With a Nebulizer or Need a Refresher?

If you’re just getting started with a nebulizer or want to feel more confident using it, we put together an easy to follow, step-by-step video that walks through how to set up and use the Drive JetNeb Nebulizer System. You can watch it here.

While this guide focuses on pediatric use, we also provide respiratory support to adults too. To learn more about our full suite of respiratory products and services, visit acelleron.com/nebulizers.
May 29, 2025
Feeding Multiples: What You Need to Know

Expecting multiples, whether twins, triplets, or more, brings many decisions – especially around feeding. Many parents wonder, “Can I nurse two or more babies at once?” The answer depends on your health and your babies’ individual needs. These key factors will be discussed throughout your pregnancy with your healthcare provider. As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll explore how these considerations might influence your breastfeeding or feeding journey.

Keep your healthcare team close and ask plenty of questions to prepare! In the meantime, here are some handy tips to help you prepare for feeding twins, triplets, or more – and manage the exciting challenge of keeping multiple babies well-fed!

*All tips will be given around the general topic of twins, but can be applied to other multiple sets as well*

Continuum of care

As you may already know, care for multiples begins before they are born. Prenatal education on feeding basics is a first step in working towards your feeding goals. Most of what you learn in those classes can apply to feeding multiples. During your prenatal period is also a great time to search for other appropriate resources you may have access to, like lactation providers, free community support, insurance offerings, hospital offerings, and more. Creating your care team ahead of time will make the transition into postpartum easier. Find out more about postpartum supports to consider in our blog post, 5 Postpartum Supports You Don’t Want to Overlook.

Single versus tandem feeding

Tandem feeding can be so exciting and a time saver for sure! It is a lot to try to jump right into, though. With any nursing experience, it is a learning journey for you, your baby, and as a partnership. Consider this when your multiples are born. Feeding one baby at a time in the beginning can help you all get your bearings. You can learn about each baby’s cues, preferences, and more. Once you feel more confident, no matter when that is, then try tandem latching. There should be no pressure to do either single or tandem at any point in your feeding journey- it is up to you and your babies!

Positioning

Cradle vs cross-cradle: Which arm goes where for which one? The most important thing for positioning is not the name of the position. Here are the top 3 most important things to consider:

You, the feeding parent, need to be comfortable as step one! Protecting your back, bringing baby(ies) to you (not you to them), and having whatever you need with you. In the beginning, it might be a lot of pillows, but things change and get more comfortable over time.

Baby support – whatever you choose- pillows, positioners, etc.- just make sure babies are level with your chest and supported from head to toe.

Nipples – Yup, we said it! It is you, the baby(ies), and your nipples that are most important. The best way to ensure nipple comfort is by being able to visualize the latch of each baby to make sure it is effective and not causing damage.

Switching sides

To ensure you are stimulating both sides, swap what side each baby feeds on each session. Don’t stress if you forget every now and then.

Triple feeding

Triple feeding is a short-term, optional strategy that can support the initiation of your milk supply or assist as babies improve their latch. Each feeding involves three steps: direct nursing attempts, pumping, and bottle feeding. Learn more in our blog post, What is Triple Feeding and How Can it Help with Breastfeeding?

Bridge milk

Wondering how much milk is enough for newborn multiples? It is normal to be concerned about having “enough” milk for your babies, but every family’s situation is unique. Some parents find bridge milk – such as donor milk or formula – to be helpful during the early days in order to ease the transition to fully providing your own milk. Discuss bridge milk options with your healthcare provider before babies are born to know what your options may be.

Donor milk

Donor milk can be used as bridge milk, as discussed above. Some hospitals even offer pasteurized human donor milk while there! Read about one twin mom’s journey with donor milk here.

Hand expression

Learn it, practice it, and spoon feed it! Hand expression can be incredibly useful, especially during the first few days of babies’ lives. It is a great skill to have in many situations. Discover more about the benefits and techniques here.

Paced feeding

If any baby is taking a feed by bottle, pacing the feed can support both digestion and direct nursing. Slowing down a meal gives our bodies more time to process what we are taking in and to realize when we are full before we are too full! Paced feeding helps prevent a hungry baby from chugging the bottle and mimics the natural flow experienced when nursing at the chest. Find out more about paced feeding here.

Community

Whether you prefer group support or one-on-one connections, virtual meetups or in-person gatherings, or a mix of all of these, finding a supportive community to lean on during the unique ups and downs of parenting multiples is essential. Think of it as your “informal care team!”

Pacifier use

Pacifier use with multiples follows the same general guidelines as with singletons and is ultimately a personal decision. The difference is pacifiers may be used to “pace” babies if you are nursing one at a time, or even while you latch one baby before the other. If one baby becomes upset during these transitions, a pacifier can provide sucking input and may help distract them until you are able to latch or switch to the next baby. Be mindful, pacifiers should not be used to interrupt feeding cues.

A fun fact to show how scientifically magical your body is!

Did you know that each breast can regulate to different temperatures based on your babies’ needs?! Meaning if one baby is a little colder, then the breast they’re snuggled against will warm up to help regulate their temperature, while the other breast will not increase in temperature, staying just right for the second baby. It is your body’s amazing way of taking care of each baby individually!

(J Health Popul Nutr. 2013 Dec; 31(4): 504–509. doi: 10.3329/jhpn.v31i4.20049, PMCID: PMC3905645, PMID: 24592592, Breastfeeding Twins: A Qualitative Study, Nursan Dede Cinar, Tuncay Muge Alvur, Dilek Kose, and Tijen Nemut, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905645/)

October 3, 2024
Giving Back to Move Forward – Our Milk Donation Journey
In 2021, I learned I was pregnant with identical twins. Cue me driving around with my jaw dropped for about two weeks! Once my husband and I finally picked ourselves up from the shock, we started getting really excited and began preparing to bring home two babies.

Our birth was intense, to say the least. Even though I am big on preparation and questions, there is only so much you can “plan” for with a twin birth. I was amazing (definitely patting myself on the back still), my husband was incredibly supportive, and our medical and support team carried us through what ended up being both a vaginal birth for Twin A and a crash cesarean for Twin B. Our babies spent time in the Newborn Care Center, but eventually were back in our arms.

While in the hospital, we required the use of bridge donor milk for our early term babies. Bridge donor milk is milk from a milk bank, in this case Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, provided in tiny bottles. This helped with my transition into feeding my babies all on my own. There are so many different reasons a baby may need donor milk. I am just completely blessed that my hospital had a program and a freezer filled with safe pasteurized donor milk from the milk bank and could support us! We were even given donor milk to bring home for both babies.

Once home, I was working hard at triple feeding and eventually used up our donor milk, then moved on to supplementing with my own pumped milk. Eventually, we were only using bottles every now and then, which felt incredible! Yet, I still did not feel complete. While I had helped others donate milk and had received donated milk for my babies, something was missing. That’s when I knew I wanted to donate milk back to Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast for future babies in need. For me, it was a required step in both healing from my birth and in empowering myself as a breastfeeding parent making it through feeding difficulties.

Milk donation is something I am especially familiar with. I have worked in an office for years that houses and runs a donor milk bank depot for Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, a location where local moms who have already been through the screening process can drop off their milk donations. It has been so special to get to know many breast milk donors through my work running Acelleron’s milk depot. I have loved meeting and working with the amazing staff at Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast. They are all incredible and so dedicated to what they do for families and fragile babies.

The screening process is so easy!
- Complete a 15-minute phone screening with an intake coordinator – mine was the incredible Melisa
- Fill out forms on their website
- A blood test (that the milk bank pays for)
- Make arrangements for delivery of breastmilk (milk bank pays for shipping), or you can drop off at one of their milk bank depots
One part of the donation process that is not required, but I loved, was decorating the breast milk storage bags. It was so fun and motivating! It made pumping a bit more exciting and something to look forward to.

My first donation was made on October 12th. It was amazing to finally come full circle and become a milk donor myself.

Have questions about becoming a donor or receiving milk? Reach out to Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast any time to get the process started.

Written by Brittany Regan Fisher, mama of 5, breastmilk donor, CLC, breastfeeding advocate
October 24, 2022
The Formula Crisis, Breastfeeding, and Pumping Supplies
Families shouldn’t have to worry about how they feed their babies. Sadly, with this unprecedented formula crisis, parents are forced to make tough decisions with little support. The fact of the matter is that employers, insurance companies, and lawmakers need to increase access to breastfeeding supplies and lactation consultants for their breastfeeding and pumping parents. Here is how you can help make that happen.

Get Insurance Support

There are certain insurance plans that cover pumping supplies such as breastmilk storage bags and breast pump replacement parts. It is our belief, especially with the challenges finding formula for babies, that breast pumping supplies should be fully covered by all insurance plans. In fact, the AAHomecare Breastfeeding Coalition is calling for just that in a recent press release.

Breastmilk Storage Bags

If Acelleron is in network with your insurance or Medicaid plan, it is super easy to get breastmilk storage bags. Simply fill out this Breastmilk Storage Bag Resupply Program form to get started. If you don’t have a prescription, we’ll reach out to your provider to get one for you. After that, we’ll send you breastmilk storage bags based your insurance coverage. It’s that easy!

Breast Pump Replacement Parts

Just as with breastmilk storage bags, some insurance and Medicaid plans also cover breast pump replacement parts. Visit our Insurance Covered Breast Pump Accessories page to find out if your insurance or Medicaid plan has coverage for breast pump replacement parts.

Insurance plan not listed?

Don’t get too discouraged if you do not see your insurance plan listed. There are steps you can take to encourage your insurance provider to cover these for you and future parents.

Contact your insurance provider directly and let them know they should cover a monthly supply of breastmilk storage bags under code K1005 and breast pump replacement parts under codes A4281 – A4286 as these supplies are critical to your pumping experience. Similar to breast pumps, breast pump supplies should be covered and not subject to a deductible or co-insurance to comply with the Affordable Care Act. Let them know they can better support their members and increase breastfeeding duration rates by covering breastmilk storage bags and breast pump replacement parts.
- Call the Member Services phone number found on your card
- Message Member Services either with the email address found on their contact page or through your member portal
- Visit their Facebook page or Tweet @ them and urge them to act
- Ask your friends, family, and coworkers to reach out too!
Get Employer Support

If your employer is not lactation-friendly, you are not alone. Often, employers want to support their employees but don’t know where to start. We can provide resources for your employer to help them better support you and all of their lactating employees.

Get Lawmaker Support

It takes everyone getting on board for there to be adequate support for breastfeeding and pumping parents, including lawmakers. Be vocal with your state senators and representative in congress. Ask your state U.S. senators to support the PUMP Act, which would legally require even more employers to support parents and give protections for pumping at work.

We Are in This Together

We are seeing more insurance plans, employers, and states take action to support breastfeeding and pumping families. At Acelleron, we are already asking for these changes on your behalf. When we combine forces as parents, wellness advocates, and policy makers, we will be able to see these meaningful changes sooner and on a wider scale. Together, we can make an impact for your family now and for those in the future.
June 28, 2022
Power Pumping to Boost Milk Supply
If you are looking for ways to increase milk supply, chances are you have heard of power pumping. What exactly is power pumping, and how does it boost milk output?

What is power pumping?

The concept behind power pumping is straight forward. More demand = more milk. Power pumping sessions are a way to mimic cluster feeding, where baby nurses frequently in short bursts, with a breast pump. Just as when a baby cluster feeds, more pumping sessions signals to your body that more milk is needed.

How to power pump

The general rule for power pumping is:
- Pump for 20 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes
- Pump for 10 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes
- Pump for 10 minutes
Does it work?

The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” Dr. Fiona Jardine conducted a study of over 1,700 pumping parents, and in her research, she found that 82% saw an increase in their milk production. There are also countless articles and anecdotal evidence from lactation professionals and moms stating the same thing. In many cases, power pumping does indeed work. It’s important to keep in mind that results vary from person to person. Results can even vary from day to day and session to session.

How often to power pump

While there are no hard and fast rules for what power pumping should look like, there are a few methods that have worked well for pumping mamas.
- Once a day for one week – This method works well for mamas who are both pumping and breastfeeding. One week of power pumping sessions can be enough to help boost your milk supply, allowing you to get those extra ounces. Repeat as needed.
- Once a week – If you are exclusively pumping, power pumping once a week can be enough to stay ahead of any potential supply dips and stand in for times a baby might cluster feed.
With both methods, keep pumping even if there is no milk coming out. This continued stimulation of the breast will signal to your body that more milk is needed.

Tips for successful power pumping sessions
- Get your pump station ready. Make sure you have everything you need to get started. Get your snacks, water, and entertainment ready. Even though you will have a few 10-minute breaks, being prepared will make it easier to relax, get a letdown (or multiple!), and be in it for the long haul.
- Stay hydrated. Yes, water was mentioned above too. Proper hydration is crucial for breastfeeding and pumping mamas. Even for your overall health. Keep a water bottle near you, like this one with motivational time markers, so you can keep pumping the fluids and milk at the same time.
- Make sure your flange fits correctly. One of the most frequently asked questions is, “How do I know my flange size?” Not using the correct flange size can have a tremendous impact on milk production. Check out this flange sizing guide to make sure you are using the right size.
- Use a hands-free bra. If you are going to be spending more quality time with your pump, you will at least want your hands free to carry on with the day. Getting a hands-free bra like this one will make a huge difference. Trust us!
- Stay observant and remain flexible. If your body doesn’t have a letdown for 8-10 minutes, extend the power pumping sessions. If milk supply seems to be lower in the later part of the day, try power pumping in the afternoon to encourage more letdowns and get extra milk. Understand that fluctuation in production is normal, so try to look at longer trends instead of singular pump sessions and days.
For more tips on how to increase milk supply, check out this article.

Breastfeeding and pumping are not always easy. You don’t have to go it alone though! Feel empowered to enlist support from lactation consultants, your doctor, other nursing and pumping mamas, parenting groups, and your pediatrician. There is an entire community out there that is happy to cheer you on throughout your journey.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means Acelleron may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links.
April 6, 2022
Breastfeeding – The First 48 Hours
The first 48 hours after birth is incredibly special. It is a chance to have the long awaited first snuggle and finally meet your newest family member (or members!). It can also be incredibly nerve wracking trying to navigate this next stage. The time immediately after birth is crucial to setting the stage for your breastfeeding journey. Here are some things you can expect during this time.

The Golden Hour

The first hour after birth is often referred to as “The Golden Hour.” Skin-to-skin contact between birth parent and baby is extremely important. Having skin-to-skin within the first hour of birth decreases stress levels in mom and baby, stabilizes body temperatures, improves newborn bonding, and increases the ability to exclusively breastfeed. Initiating skin-to-skin contact gives your baby the chance to find the breast and begin to breastfeed on their own.

Babies have the instinct to crawl to the breast, find the nipple, latch on, and start to suckle. Sometimes this is immediate. Sometimes it may take a bit more time. Either way is normal. This instinctual survival mechanism is truly incredible to watch. To encourage your baby to latch on by themselves, it’s important to have baby on your chest as soon as possible after birth. Even after a cesarean, as long as there are no major complications, this is still possible! If you are unable to have baby skin-to-skin after birth, have your partner hold baby close until you are able to.

During the first hour after birth, baby will eat colostrum from the breast. Colostrum is extremely important for newborns. It helps give immunity by coating the intestines, which prevents germs from absorbing, and kills harmful microorganisms. It helps clear meconium, baby’s first poop, out of the system, which can reduce jaundice. It also helps prevent low blood sugar. Colostrum is even more important for early and preterm babies. While baby will only consume a small quantity of colostrum, it will go a long way towards filling their tiny bellies and setting them up for health. With each day that goes by, the amount of milk increases and amount of colostrum decreases, until baby is drinking only mature milk.

The first 24 hours

During the first 24 hours after birth, baby may be very sleepy as they adjust to life outside of the womb. There is a chance you may need to wake baby for feedings. Nurses and midwives will often ask you to keep track of how often feedings happen, the duration of feedings, and what side baby nurses from during the first couple of days after birth. Having your baby close with skin-to-skin contact can help encourage them to feed. Keep an eye out for hunger cues, including rooting (when baby turns head searching for a nipple), moving hands and feet, flexing of the legs and arms, sucking on hands, and restlessness.

If you give birth in a hospital, take advantage of the opportunity to work with lactation specialists. If you give birth at home, seek guidance from your midwife or consider a virtual lactation consultation. Ask as many questions as you like. Have them watch your baby while breastfeeding, especially if something feels uncomfortable. The advice you get from a lactation specialist can be incredibly empowering. Sometimes just a few small tweaks can make a huge difference.

Often during the first 24 hours, your baby will experience their first poop, known as meconium. It is thick, tarry, and unlike what most poop will look like going forward. Expect nurses to ask you to keep track of your baby’s dirty and wet diapers during this time as well, in addition to feedings.

The first 48 hours

Typically, sometime between day 2 and 3, babies start to wake up and become more aware of their new reality. As they adjust to new surroundings, new feelings, and new sounds of life outside of the womb, they will likely start to become more dependent on mom, cry more frequently, and want to breastfeed more often. All this coming as soon as you are ready to leave the hospital or lose the care of your midwife or postpartum doula. As unnerving as this may be, it is completely normal. Keeping baby close and responding to cues early can help make this transition smoother for everyone involved.

What about 48 hours and beyond?

Okay, so you’ve made it through the first couple of days. Now that you don’t have the support of a medical team, what is a new parent to do? Keeping these things in mind will help ease you into this new chapter in life.
- How to know baby is getting enough milk – Keeping track of baby’s diapers can help you determine if they are eating enough. During days three and four, baby should have three or more wet diapers in 24 hours. Day five and beyond, baby should have 6 or more wet diapers and three to four stools that are loose and seedy in 24 hours. During nursing sessions, look for a rapid sucking pattern to encourage letdown, then watch as your baby changes to a longer sucking pattern with audible swallows, which indicates they have a good latch and are drinking well. Proper weight gain is another indicator baby is getting enough milk. During wellness checks (there are a lot in those first months!) your pediatrician will chart baby’s growth. If you prefer to check baby’s weight more often, an infant scale can help provide piece of mind.
- Forget schedules, feed on demand – While baby may feed the widely talked about 8-12 times within a 24 hour, they may also feed more. Instead of trying to stick to a schedule that a book recommends, listen to your baby and feed on demand.
- Understanding baby cues – Babys give signs when they are hungry. Rooting, moving their head side to side, putting their hands to their mouth, sucking on hands and lips, becoming unsettled, and rapid eye movement are all early signs of hunger. Try to react to these before baby cries, as crying is often the later stage of hunger.
- Night feeding – Even though sleep may be a bit illusive during these early days and months, night feedings are normal, and even an important part of maintaining a healthy milk supply. Embrace these quieter times and nighttime snuggles.
- Ask for support – The early days and months can be blissful and challenging all at the same time. Don’t be afraid to ask for support when you need it. Enlist your partner for diaper duties. Take up offers for meals and chores. Seek advice from lactation specialists. If you feel you may be suffering from postpartum depression, get help. You are not alone. There is no shame in asking for support if you need it. Most will be delighted to be able to help in a meaningful way.
As your family adjusts to this new life together, your body is just beginning the process of healing, your baby is in culture shock from this entirely new world, and you are trying to figure out how to keep baby happy and fed on the outside. It can feel overwhelming, as your hormones endure a major shift and sleep is harder to come by. Yet, with a little preparation, some understanding, and a whole lot of love, you can get through these early days. Soon enough, you will be wondering how they went by so quickly.
March 30, 2022
Tips for Traveling While Pregnant

I recently traveled on a plane. With children. While pregnant! Even though the trip was a blast, it was also a lot to handle while pregnant. Before traveling, I made sure to prep to make it as comfortable as possible.

For a bit of background, I wasn’t newly pregnant during the trip. Being midway through pregnancy meant there was an obvious bump, complete with the physical effects of said bump. With a handful of children in tow and an itinerary that required quite a bit of walking, I knew planning in advance was important.

Here are 5 tips for traveling while pregnant

1. Talk to your provider

Discussing your travel plans with a healthcare provider is a great way to start your overall planning. Run through your ideal plans. Discuss things like timeframe, destination, and method of transportation. Confirm the safety of your plans, especially flying in late pregnancy. Be flexible where needed.

2. Help your blood flow

Compression socks provided amazing relief on my flights! When sitting for a long period of time while pregnant, blood flow in your legs can be restricted. This can intensify the further along you are. Compression socks improve blood flow and reduces discomfort and swelling. If you haven’t been wearing compression socks regularly during pregnancy, practice putting them on ahead of time. Believe it or not, there is a special way to do it!

3. Support your bump

During this pregnancy, my bump was a bit larger compared to my other pregnancies at a similar timeframe. This had me worried about how uncomfortable my back would be with the amount of walking I anticipated doing, as well as sleeping without a pregnancy pillow. To give my bump extra support, I used a pregnancy support band on days where there was more standing and walking on the schedule. Not only did the band support my belly, but it also provided my back with relief. In fact, the pregnancy support band made my back feel so much better that I even continued to wear the band after my trip!

4. Massage it up

This one is free and can be an independent or group project! Massage is also a great opportunity to finally make use of all the lotion that the hotel provides! Once my children and partner were settled for the night, I gave myself a really good foot and calf massage before going to sleep. This was comforting and a big help with reducing swelling in my lower legs. It also made my feet ache a little less each following day.

Personally, I am an independent foot massager, but feel free to get a partner or kiddo in the mix! Having a helping hand takes some of the awkward bending out of the picture.

5. Rest, snack, hydrate, repeat

Rest seems so obvious, but it is also frequently pushed to the side. When on vacation with children, it is extremely easy to push yourself through discomfort and fatigue to give your kids the best adventure possible. Yet, taking a few minutes here and there can be great for them and gives you a much-needed break to let your body catch up to all the excitement. Make breaks fun with simple activities or games. Being seated is a priority here! Have a variety of healthy snacks for both you and the kids on hand. Bring water bottles, refilling them when needed, to stay hydrated. Repeat any combination of these as many times as needed.

Maternity compression through insurance

Both the compression socks and maternity support band were recommended to me by my provider. Since these items may be covered through insurance, I wanted to get them through a company that would handle the insurance for me. Thankfully, Acelleron did just that.

If you need maternity compression items, there are a few reasons I would recommend getting them from Acelleron.

Quality

Acelleron offers high quality products from Motif Medical that hold up well with travel, washing, and growth through pregnancy.

Sizing

Did you know that compression socks and maternity support bands have specific sizing? The pregnancy support band is relatively easy to figure out with the online sizing guide, but compression socks are a bit different. Acelleron and my provider made sure I not only used the correct size for my foot and leg, but also the appropriate amount of compression. If I did this on my own, I would have stood in the drug store’s compression section for far too long looking at all the options and likely still would have purchased the wrong thing!

Ease

Ordering through Acelleron means they do the work! They confirm correct sizing, they help you find out if your insurance covers these products, and they ship them to you. Keep in mind, a prescription is likely needed from your doctor if your insurance provider does cover them, and Acelleron can request this on your behalf.

Get the process started by answering three simple questions.

Looking to get your breast pump through insurance? Get started here.

Written by Brittany Regan Fisher, Certified Lactation Counselor, Regional Account Coordinator at Acelleron, and mama.

March 7, 2022
Top 10 Podcasts for Parents

Between cluster feeds, diaper changes, and sleepless nights, sometimes all a new parent wants to do is take a minibreak. Sometimes even a seasoned parent needs a little pick-me-up. Thankfully, even if you are glued to the couch and bleary-eyed from the craze of having a new baby, or a pro at this whole parenting thing, there are plenty of podcasts to offer a little mental boost. Check out these top 10 podcasts to keep you entertained and informed.

That New Mom Life

A short but focused venture featuring 12 episodes, That New Mom Life from Parents.com focuses specifically on the first few months after having baby. Body changes, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, intimacy, and easing back into work are some of the topics they touch on. It’s a very targeted window, and just what a new mom after baby could use.

Miraculous Mamas

Taking an in depth look at motherhood, pregnancy, childbirth, and a variety of other topics that impact women’s lives, Miraculous Mamas takes a straightforward approach. Getting real about fertility, birthing, milk supply, infant sleep, menstrual cycles, and so much more, these are unfiltered discussions from a familiar landscape.

The Mom Hour

Designed by moms, for moms, The Mom Hour has real conversations about experiences the hosts, and many moms, have had. Not only does this podcast provide tips for pregnancy, new moms, toddlers, little kids, and older kids, it also dives into encouragement and support with discussions about body positivity, healthy habits, and work/life balance. The cohosts help moms feel better about where they are and the job they are doing.

First Class Fatherhood

Talking about fatherhood, from the perspective of fathers, First Class Fatherhood is looking to change the narrative on fatherhood and family life. Host Alec Lace interviews “high profile” dads, from sports legends to TV personalities. They break down how fatherhood has transformed them, along with the bright spots, the crazy times, and the moments that melt your heart. It provides unique and unexpectedly open discussions on what fathers’ experience through all stages of a child’s life.

The Longest Shortest Time

For something more adult oriented, The Longest Shortest Time has unfiltered stories from a variety of parents discussing all kinds of situations. It is often not for kids’ ears. That’s part of what makes it appealing though. It’s real. It’s raw. It talks about so many of the topics that parents face but may not broach in conversation. Sperm shopping, getting pregnant, babies, couples, sex, sleep, kids, and loss, this podcast has a wide range of real life talk to make you laugh, cry, and escape for a few minutes.

Mom and Dad are Fighting

Looking for a little comedic relief? Mom and Dad are Fighting can give you a few laughs that you otherwise wouldn’t have had. This podcast runs the gamut from toddler to teen, and all things in between. Potty training, screen time, medical fears, play dates, picking your battles, and how to enjoy long car rides with the whole family, there is enough to keep you occupied for hours. All with a little bit of humor to help get you through these milestones and situations. As you understand from their disclaimer, this podcast also isn’t the best for little ears. So, keep this to headphones or when baby is napping.

One Bad Mother

Another one that isn’t exactly meant for little ears, One Bad Mother IS specifically for moms. From relatable mortifying moments, to shattering gender roles, to a whole slew of parenting topics, it’s a refreshing take on what the stereotypical “mom” should or shouldn’t be and some of the challenges parents face with a whole lot of humor mixed in.

Best of Both Worlds

Balancing parenthood and a career can be challenging. Best of Both Worlds takes this topic head on. Cohosts Laura Vanderkam and Sarah Hart-Unger are devoted to both their families and their careers. They share tips on how to successfully navigate both. With interviews from well-known guests such as Heidi Murkoff, the author of “What to Expect When You Are Expecting,” and answers to listener questions, this podcast can offer a little support to those looking to navigate the workplace and caring for a family.

PediaCast

If you are interested in something with a medical approach, PediaCast is a good option. Pulling from his own experience as a pediatrician, interviewing pediatric and parenting experts, as well as fielding questions from parents themselves, Dr. Mike discusses just about every medical topic or situation you can think of. Have another question? Try submitting it to have your specific topic discussed.

Life Kit: Parenting

For some more practical, science-based insight, NPR’s Life Kit: Parenting Edition has you covered. This podcast has discussions ranging from pregnancy through the teenage years. With lighthearted topics ranging from picking out a baby name and reading to your children aloud, to more pointed conversations about mental health and social issues, Life Kit provides thought provoking and insightful talks for all stages of your child’s life.

February 11, 2022
Tips to Increase Milk Supply

It’s one of the biggest questions a breastfeeding or pumping mom has: “How do I increase my milk supply?” Here you’ll find tips to boost your supply and get more milk.

Top tips to Increase Milk Supply

Skin-to-skin contact

It is incredibly beneficial to have skin-to-skin contact, especially after baby is born. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) skin-to-skin contact helps newborns begin to breastfeed. Babies who have skin-to-skin contact shortly after birth have a higher likelihood of exclusively breastfeeding for six months. The benefits of skin-to-skin contact go beyond birth as well. Snuggling with your little one promotes the release of hormones such as oxytocin, prolactin, and endorphins in you – which help stimulate and promote lactation.

Breastfeed as often as possible

Breastmilk relies on supply and demand. The more you nurse your baby and remove milk, the more breastmilk your body will produce. Cluster feedings are a baby’s natural form of sending a signal to the body to increase milk production. Instead of giving baby a pacifier, breastfeed more frequently, even its just for comfort. Go ahead, let your baby use you as a pacifier. All hours of the day and night. Literally.

Embrace night feedings

This may not be exactly what you were hoping for as a sleep-deprived new parent, but it is normal for young babies to wake throughout the night. Night feedings are normal and important to establishing and maintaining a good milk supply, especially in the beginning. With prolactin levels being higher at night, these night feedings send an even stronger message to your body to boost supply. The La Leche League notes that breastfeeding at night can also help you and your baby fall back to sleep faster.

Feed on both sides at each feeding

Just as you do when you use a double electric breast pump, breastfeeding on both sides sends a signal to your body that milk is needed. During a feeding, start on one side. When baby is satisfied, offer the other side too. This can help to keep younger babies awake and alert while eating, which further stimulates milk production. But, don’t fret! Some babies only nurse from one side for each feeding session.

Catch milk on the other side

Let-down, when milk is released as baby starts sucking, happens on both sides. While many people wear nursing pads to prevent the common “leak” on the other side, you can use the let-down reflex to your advantage. By using a product like the Haakaa Manual Pump, you can catch the let-down (and more!) when you are nursing your baby. Simply suction it to your breast and let natural suction do its thing. There is zero assembly, it’s 100% food grade silicone, and easy to attach. This is a great way to get some extra milk.

Check baby’s latch

If a baby is not latching correctly, this can negatively impact milk supply. Poor milk removal due to an ineffective latch sends the incorrect signal to the body, reducing the amount of milk being produced. There can be a number of reasons baby isn’t latching correctly. Speak with your pediatrician or lactation consultant to help get to the root of the problem. In the meantime, use your breast pump to ensure breasts are emptied and milk production is stimulated.

Utilize “hands-on” pumping

Using your hands when you pump is a popular trick among the medical field to express more milk. It combines using breast massage techniques for compression, with the suction of an electric breast pump to get even more milk during a pumping session. A Stanford Medicine study proved that moms who utilize hands-on pumping expressed more milk each week than those who didn’t use hand compressions. Follow their detailed instructions on how to hands-on pump.

Power pumping

Power pumping mimics a cluster feeding baby. It involves pumping frequently in a short amount of time to help stimulate milk production. The general rule is: pump for 20 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, pump for 10 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, pump for 10 minutes. Give yourself a full hour to complete a power pumping session. It’s a relatively “quick fix,” with many seeing results in three to seven days of daily power pumping sessions.

Make sure breast shields are the correct size

Having an ill-fitting breast flange or shield can hinder milk supply. Too tight, and it can restrict milk flow. Too loose, and it may not stimulate correctly. Either way can cause damage to the nipple, creating further supply issues. Use this guide for instructions on how to measure your flange size.

Check your pump parts

Valve tears, tubing issues, and collection kit assembly can all make a difference in pump performance, which in turn, can impact how much milk you pump. Replace pump parts based on the manufacturers recommendations and be on the lookout for these top 10 suction issues.

Less stress, more sleep

You might be thinking, “Yeah, right. I have a new baby. That means more stress and less sleep.” To a certain extent, that is true. However, there are ways to reduce stress and improve rest, even during this transitional period in your family’s life. Knowing that stress can negatively affect let-down, it’s worth finding ways to reduce anxiety and increase rest. Drink some tea, practice deep breathing or meditation, treat yourself, reach out to your support system, take up the grandparents on that offer to watch the baby, retreat to a quiet space, forgo those chores during naps and bedtime to catch up on sleep. If things still seem overwhelming, reach out to your healthcare provider for additional options and coping mechanisms.

Stay hydrated

Considering breastmilk’s general composition is 87% water, and babies drink anywhere from 19 to 30 ounces of milk per day, it’s no wonder lactating parents need to up their fluid intake while nursing and pumping. Keep a water bottle handy all day or drink a glass of water every time your baby nurses.

Fuel your body

It’s especially important to maintain a balanced diet while breastfeeding. The food you eat can directly impact energy levels, milk supply, and nutrient composition. A healthy mix of whole grains, lean protein, eggs, legumes, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, nuts, and seeds will provide the nutrients needed to fuel your body and supply. Many moms swear by the oatmeal, flaxseed, and brewer’s yeast trio that can be found in snacks, like these lactation cookie bites and bars. Remember, breastfeeding or pumping may burn as many as 500-600 calories per day. Make up for those calories with wholesome foods and leave extreme dieting for weight loss out of the equation.

Want more tips? Try reading Making More Milk: The Breastfeeding Guide to Increasing Your Milk Production by Lisa Marasco & Diana West. It comes highly recommended by IBCLCs, CLCs, speakers, and researchers.

A note about herbs and supplements

There are countless herbs and supplements that claim to increase milk supply. Many of these have potential side effects. It is important to talk to your doctor or lactation consultant to decide what is safe for you in your situation.

A supply dip, and how this mom overcame it

This story from one of our moms at Acelleron proves that even when you notice a dip in supply, with a little effort and a lot of determination, you can still meet your breastfeeding goals.

“As a first-time mom, I was so lucky to have my breastfeeding journey start off perfectly. My baby latched immediately in the hospital, my milk came in like clockwork, and I never experienced pain or soreness. Sounds like a dream, right?

So, imagine my shock when my milk supply plummeted at around 9-months postpartum. Suddenly I was pumping less than my baby was drinking at daycare, and my freezer-stash was dwindling. I was riddled with anxiety about making it to my goal of 1-year exclusively breastfeeding and filled with dread at the thought of weaning. I knew I had to get serious about saving my supply, and so my breast pump became my best friend.

While my baby was sleeping through the night, I was waking up at 2:30 AM for a power-pumping session. I was drinking more water than I ever thought possible. I was heating warm cloths and researching massage techniques for breast tissue for milk letdown stimulation. After about two weeks of pumping and nursing around the clock, my supply recovered, and I felt the waves of relief wash over me.

Please know that if you are going through something similar, you do not have to give up on breastfeeding. This is your reminder that us moms are resilient. Breastfeeding is hard, but we can do hard things. Our breastfeeding goals are worth fighting for.”

-Ashley M.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means Acelleron may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links.

November 12, 2021
Acelleron Employees Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2021

Acelleron employees share their breastfeeding and pumping experiences for World Breastfeeding Week to provide you with a little inspiration.

A different journey for everyone

Every parent, and even every baby, experiences a different breastfeeding and pumping journey. While it may require some flexibility and persistence, it is possible and well worth your efforts. We wanted to share some stories from our parents to help give you some encouragement for your journey.

A little inspiration from parents at Acelleron

“I have 3 kids (age 5, 3, and 4 months) so have been breastfeeding mostly for the last 5+ years straight. At this point, it has become part of my identity. Though it feels easy now, that wasn’t always the case. My original goal with my first born, Cora, was to try to breastfeed for 3 months. I took breastfeeding classes, obsessively researched the topic, and joined lactation Facebook groups to connect with other breastfeeding moms. When it came time to actually breastfeed, things didn’t go as I’d imagined it. Despite all the planning, we had latching issues, which resulted in extremely painful nursing sessions and cracked/bleeding nipples for a few weeks. Mix that with trying to heal in general from giving birth, and I felt like giving up. But, her loving gaze and deep connection I felt with her while nursing was something I didn’t want to lose. Family support and help from an IBCLC ultimately kept me going, and we eventually got the hang of it. I actually worked with an IBCLC every week for 4 months, which was invaluable, especially with other transitions like baby growth spurts, cluster feeding, and pumping and returning to work. My 3-month breastfeeding goal soon turned into 6 months, 9 months, and then 1 year. The more time went by, the easier it became. She ended up self-weaning right after turning 2 years old, which was 3 weeks before my second baby, Rose, was born.

Breastfeeding with Rose was much easier at first, but I still relied on the support groups and resources from before. Each new baby can bring different challenges, and this time, we had to navigate food allergies and how my diet may be impacting her through my breastmilk. Between working with an allergist and an IBCLC, we were able to make modifications, and we went on to have a healthy breastfeeding relationship until she was 2.5 years old. At that point, I was pregnant with my 3rd child. This time around, I got a 5-month breastfeeding break before Philip was born. With him, I thought, “ok this will be like riding a bike.” Well, each baby and breastfeeding relationship is unique, and he was born with a tongue tie that impacted his latch, resulting in painful nursing sessions for me. The good news was he was transferring milk and gaining weight. We eventually got the tongue tie “released” and we’ve since had a great breastfeeding journey.

The biggest takeaways and advice I have for other moms planning to breastfeed are to trust in yourself and your body, set small goals, and line up your support system ahead of time. Celebrate those small victories too! Joy, confidence, amazement, comfort, and love are some of the main feelings that come to mind when I think of my breastfeeding journey, so, even with the pain, tears, and exhaustion, breastfeeding each one of my kids has been so special and so worth it!”

~ Rebecca P.

“Breastfeeding has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. I am so grateful I embarked on this special journey with each of my three children. It’s not always easy and there sometimes can be actual blood, sweat and tears. However…there are those times, especially during the quiet late night feeds, when the whole world fades away and it’s just you and your baby. She feels safe, warm, nourished and comforted. You breathe in her sweet scent as she quietly nurses and feel the softness of her chubby little hand on your skin. You wish you could freeze this perfect moment in time. These are the moments that carry a mama through the tough ones. Breastfeeding is a gritty but beautiful business and for me, it has always been completely worth it.”

~ Jacqui P.

“Breastfeeding and pumping has been a significant aspect of the upbringing of our two young children. It can be challenging at times, however the accessible pumps and accessories help Pumping moms complete this task while performing other daily tasks. My wife Brittany is passionate about breastfeeding and we both highly recommend it.”

~ Matt F.

“Many people assume given my work and background that my lactation journey has always been easy. Yet, my first experience started off with pumping way before I expected to and meant triple feeding for the 1^st 6 weeks PP. My biggest tip for anyone expecting is to find your support team before delivery (your preferred IBCLC and knowing how they are paid, what your hospital offers, and friends & family to lean on). You can reach your goals, but you do not need to do it alone. ❤”

~ Brittany R.

“As a first-time mom, I was so lucky to have my breastfeeding journey start off perfectly. My baby latched immediately in the hospital, my milk came in like clockwork, and I never experienced pain or soreness. Sounds like a dream, right? So, imagine my shock when my milk supply plummeted at around 9-months postpartum. Suddenly I was pumping less than my baby was drinking at daycare, and my freezer-stash was dwindling. I was riddled with anxiety about making it to my goal of 1-year EBF and filled with dread at the thought of weaning. I knew I had to get serious about saving my supply, and so my breast pump became my best friend. While my baby was sleeping through the night, I was waking up at 2:30 AM for a power-pumping session. I was drinking more water than I ever thought possible. I was heating warm cloths and researching massage techniques for breast tissue for milk letdown stimulation. After about two weeks of pumping and nursing around the clock, my supply recovered, and I felt the waves of relief wash over me. Please know that if you are going through something similar, you do not have to give up on breastfeeding. This is your reminder that us moms are resilient. Breastfeeding is hard, but we can do hard things. Our breastfeeding goals are worth fighting for.”

~ Ashley M.

“When I was breastfeeding, the only “pump” I found was a manual pump by Medela. (Showing my age here!) With my daughter, I had to return to work too soon, and we were not completely comfortable with the process. With my son, ten years later, I breastfed for a year. No pumping, though, as my son never would take a bottle. It didn’t matter what was in the bottle, it was just a “no go”. Medical challenges just kept us attached, quite literally, much of the time. Reflux caused him to nurse more frequently. I wouldn’t change a thing, though, about the experience, although bedding was changed multiple times daily 😊. “

~ Cathy H.

“My determination to EBF has pushed me through the early morning and late-night pump sessions. Breastfeeding and pumping is one of the hardest jobs I have ever done! Yet, I am SO grateful to have had the experience with both of my kids. When I look into those sweet baby eyes of my little boy when he’s nursing or we snuggle up for those middle of the night feedings, it makes it all worth it.

Remember to set realistic expectations, trust in your body, and enjoy those precious moments snuggled up.”

~ Tab Y.

Free breastfeeding and chestfeeding education

When you order your pump through us, you have access to a number of free resources to help you along the way. To help prepare you for your breastfeeding journey, take advantage of our breastfeeding education class. If you have questions about your pump, register for an “Unbox Your Pump” virtual consultation to get more comfortable and have a quick Q&A. Both are available in English and Spanish. We are rooting for you and want to support you as much as possible. You got this mama!

Stories shared by Acelleron parents on the same journey as you.

August 26, 2021
Exercise After Baby
You’ve just had your little one. Congratulations! Even if your baby isn’t on any kind of schedule, you are itching to get back into some sort of exercise routine. Maybe you are still waiting for the big day, trying to understand how to get back into the swing of things after baby. You find yourself asking, “When can I start working out? What exercises are safe after pregnancy? Where exactly do I start?”

Your body, mind, and breastfeeding with exercise

Benefits of Exercise

Working out is more than just losing the baby weight. It can help you start to get back to a sense of normalcy, gives you some much needed “me” time, and sets a great example for any older children you have. Getting back into a consistent workout routine also provides a number of both physical and mental benefits, which are crucial for moms recovering from childbirth.

When your caregiver gives you the approval to introduce exercise back into your routine, you’ll likely begin to see the following benefits:
- Reduced symptoms of postpartum depression and baby blues
- Relieved stress
- Improved sleep
- Boosted energy levels
- Healthy weight loss
- Increased cardiovascular health
- Strengthened and toned muscles, helping abdominal area return to pre-baby state
Exercise and Breastfeeding

Many breastfeeding moms are concerned how exercise will affect their milk supply. The short answer is, it won’t. Kellymom.com, an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and trusted resource for breastfeeding moms, provides some peace of mind. Studies have found no difference in milk production or nutrient composition when moms exercise regularly. Contrary to popular thinking in the 90’s, there is also no indication from recent studies that suggest babies reject milk after mom works out, whether the exercise is moderate or exhaustive (high intensity). Moms can feel confident that exercising will not negatively impact their breastfeeding efforts.

When to start?

First, it’s important to get approval from your doctor before you begin any sort of exercise regimen after baby. In many cases, providers, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, agree it is okay for women who have had an uncomplicated, vaginal birth to engage in certain exercises as soon as a couple of days after delivery. This guidance may change if there were complications or a c-section. Before you are discharged from the hospital you can ask the attending physician when you can start working out again, or you can call your OBGYN to get clarification before your return visit. Once you get the go ahead from your doctor, you can start to work on the exercises below.

Exercises

Kegels – Locate your pelvic floor muscles. Pretend you are stopping the flow of urine or tightening up against a tampon. Contract and release a few times to become aware of these muscles. Now that you have located them, tighten them for 5 – 10 seconds. Relax them. Repeat. For added variation and effectiveness, you could use the award-winning Elvie Trainer, a device that connects to an app on your phone and guides you through targeted exercises with trackable results.

Pelvic tilts – Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, and your arms at your sides. Inhale, on the exhale draw your abs in and tuck your pelvis under slightly. To add even more intention to this move, do a kegel while you tuck your pelvis in. Hold for 5 – 10 seconds. Release and repeat.

Glute bridges – Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor hip-width apart. Inhale, on the exhale draw your hips and abs up, lifting your hips off the floor into a bridge, hips and back in a straight line. Squeeze your glutes as if you are pinching a penny between your butt cheeks. Release to the floor and repeat.

Heal slides – Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor hip-width apart. Draw your abs into the spine. Inhale and flex one of your feet. As you exhale, slowly push your flexed heel away from your body until your leg is extended, engaging your deep abdominal muscles. On the inhale, return to starting position, using your deep abdominal muscles to bring your leg back in. Alternate sides.

Forearm planks – As you start to regain core strength, you can progress to more intensive abdominal exercises such as different plank variations. Lie face down on the floor with your elbows directly beneath your shoulders, forearms in front, and palms on the floor. Tighten your abs as you raise your legs and core off the ground, keeping neck, core, and legs in a straight line. Modify by keeping your knees on the ground. Hold for 30 – 60 seconds. Repeat.

Side planks – Slightly more advanced than the forearm plank, is the side plank. From a forearm plank, shift your weight to one elbow, place your other hand on your hip, or point it up towards the sky. Stack your feet. Lift your hips so your neck, back, and legs are in a straight line. To modify, put the bottom knee on the ground. Hold for 30 – 60 seconds. Repeat.

Forward lunges – From a standing position, take a long step forward. Lower your back knee to the floor. Keep your front leg at a 90-degree angle, making sure your knee doesn’t go past your toes and the weight is in the heel of your front leg. Raise back up. Stay on one side or alternate between sides to increase balance and cardio.

Squats – Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Lower your butt as if you are going to sit in a chair, keeping your knees behind the toes. As you lower, keep the weight backwards through your glutes and draw your pelvic muscles in, doing a kegel. Come back up to standing position, push your glutes forward and squeeze your lower abs. Repeat.

Seated and standing marches – Sit at the edge of a chair with your feet hip-width apart, back tall, and spine straight. Lean back enough so you feel your core engage but not too far that your spine is no longer in a straight line. On the exhale, slowly bring one foot off the floor a few inches, hold, then release back to the floor. Alternate sides. Progress to standing marches.

Cardio – Strength training will help you regain muscle, tone, and increase balance. Cardio will help you lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy. There are many ways to get cardio in. Dance, swim, do a kickboxing routine, jump on an indoor cycle or go for a bike ride, use a rowing machine, put your baby in the stroller and go for a walk or light jog. The important thing is to get moving and get your heart rate up.

Things to keep in mind
- Get approval from your caregiver to begin an exercise routine
- Warm up and cool down
- Progress slowly but steadily
- Nurse or pump before working out for comfort
- Wear a supportive bra
- Stay hydrated
- Stop if you feel pain, start bleeding, or leak fluid
- Your balance may be off while you are breastfeeding or pumping
A note on Diastasis Recti

Abdominal separation, also known as diastasis recti, is when the right and left sides of the abs or “six-pack” muscles widen and no longer connect. As one of the main contributors to the “mummy tummy”, it’s important to identify and correct diastasis recti. Certain exercises such as sit-ups and crunches can actually increase the separation, having the opposite effect of flattening the tummy area. For more information on how to diagnose and correct diastasis recti, read “Diastasis Recti in Pregnancy: Ab Separation Cause & Treatment” from What to Expect, talk to your healthcare provider, or a personal trainer.

Remember, your body just went through the amazing process of growing and giving birth to a baby. Give yourself, your body, and your baby time and grace.
May 19, 2021
Food Allergy Basics: A Mom’s Story
When you think of food allergies, I bet one of the first things that comes to mind is “PEANUTS!” Up until I had children of my own, that is exactly what I thought of whenever I heard about food allergies or EpiPens.

I gave birth to my first child, a son, in July of 2015. My husband and I were so excited to finally have a child of our own, and I was very passionate about breastfeeding. Our baby arrived three weeks early and from the get-go he was full of surprises.

I had a difficult time breastfeeding (thank goodness for my breast pump), and my son had a hard time gaining weight due to the astronomical amount of times he spit up. His pediatrician told us he may have a dairy intolerance and asked us to bring a stool sample to be tested. The results came back negative, and he was diagnosed with acid reflux at his one month well visit.

I continued to breastfeed, and I also decided to eliminate dairy from my own diet to see if that helped at all. And it did! He was thriving and nursing so much better within a few weeks. Plus, I was able to quickly get rid of the baby weight I had gained. Seemed like a win/win situation.

Fast forward to when he was 7 months old, my niece, who was 13 months at the time, wanted to share her yogurt with her cousin. He barely tasted it, and I received a frantic call from my sister saying that he was very swollen all over and had red hives. I ran out of work and called his pediatrician immediately. Thankfully, the swelling went down, and he was back to being a happy baby after some Benadryl.

The next day we were seen by his pediatrician. She ordered blood work and tested him for dairy allergies. We received a call later that night stating what we had suspected – he had a severe food allergy to dairy and all dairy products. Suddenly, it all made sense… what appeared to be reflux was actually a dairy food allergy. He would spit up so much in the first few weeks of life because his little body was rejecting my breastmilk that had dairy traces in it.

So of course, as any parent would, I started doing some research. We brought him to an allergist, and they confirmed many food allergies by a skin test: dairy, any dairy products, peanuts, all tree nuts, sesame, and sunflower. Already feeling defeated from the dairy diagnosis, I felt even worse because we had used almond milk instead of cow’s milk to wean him off breastmilk at 13 months.

This is when the real challenge began. I had to read and re-read all food labels and educate myself on what the key words were to avoid. Suddenly, anything that was easy to cook or a quick snack I could grab for him were out of the question. No yogurt, no cheese, nothing with butter, no peanut butter sandwiches, which translated to no granola bars and pretty much any food that was prepared by anyone else but me. Going out to eat was impossible and terrifying!

Having learned so much in my journey, I would like to share some facts¹ about food allergies:
- What exactly is a food allergy? A food allergy is when your body’s immune system reacts to a food protein because it has mistaken that food protein as a threat. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.
- You can have an allergy to literally ANY type of food, but there are 8 top food allergens:
1). Milk (cow’s milk)
2). Egg
3). Peanut
4). Soy
5). Wheat
6). Tree nut
7). Shellfish
8). Fish
9). Sesame (quickly becoming the unofficial 9^th allergy)
- There are 32 million Americans with food allergies, 6 million of those people are children.
- Some children may outgrow allergies such as milk, egg, wheat, and soy, but peanut, tree nut, fish, and shellfish are usually lifelong.
- There are two types of allergy testing: skin test and blood work.
One aspect I am thrilled about is that allergy friendly foods are a lot more accessible now, even from just 5 years ago. By the time I had my daughter in 2017, it was much easier to manage her allergies due to all the options that became mainstream after she was born.

Here are some of my go-to brands for top 8 allergens:
- Enjoy life
- Made good
- Divvies
- Daiya
- City Snacks
- Oatly
- Earth Balance
Whether your child has allergies or not, I hope my experience can help you understand the challenges, as well as some tips to overcome those challenges. No matter what, moms will do just about anything for their children’s safety and well-being, even if it means pushing yourself to your culinary limits!

¹ Source: www.foodallergy.org

Written by Connie Gregorio, human resources specialist at Acelleron and mom of 2 food allergy kids.
September 2, 2020