Acelleron Medical Products

Tag: nursing

  • Baby, Take My Germs! The Benefits of Breastfeeding Through Cold and Flu Season

    Baby, Take My Germs! The Benefits of Breastfeeding Through Cold and Flu Season

    I don’t know about you, but my family has had a terrible winter full of sickness. Truly brutal. Every two weeks, if not every two days, something new enters my family of five; one has the stomach virus, one gets pink eye, one has a cold. There seems to be no pattern to this season’s viral fury, and it has left me feeling like I’m in a tunnel I may never get out of. I have young, elementary aged kids, and my husband is a teacher. Bugs come to us often, but this winter just seems like our worst in a couple of years. With the fearfulness of cold and flu season, as well as the unknown fear of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, it got me thinking I wish I was still nursing all of my “babies.”

    I long for the days when I could nurse a baby with a cold and find comfort knowing I was not going to spread my cold to him through my breastmilk, and my body would also pass the antibodies he needed to fight off the illness. Yes, it really is true. Four days after I came home with my second born, I got the stomach virus. Recovering from birth while caring for a newborn and toddler was most definitely tough enough, but a stomach virus made it more challenging. I was incredibly worried about giving my 4-day old an illness he may have trouble handling. I called my doctor, and they let me know to just keep nursing him, and I would be able to protect him from the stomach virus because MY body was creating a way to protect my newborn through my breastmilk!!! There are endless amounts of benefits breastfeeding provides to mom and baby, but this topic truly amazes me!

    In the first few days of baby’s life, a mother’s body is already paving the way to her baby’s strong immune system through colostrum. This “liquid gold” contains concentrated immunological properties that is baby’s first protection against the germs he is immediately exposed to coming into the world. The incredible scientists that study breastmilk have discovered an anti-infective agent in colostrum that coats baby’s intestines to protect against the passage of germs and proteins that could one day lead to allergies. As mature milk develops in the first two weeks, the baby develops an immune system nearly as strong as his mother’s.

    So, what happens if mom gets sick?

    There are only a few very serious illnesses that require mom to stop breastfeeding when she is sick. Even before you realize you are coming down with anything, your body is already passing the illness immunities to your baby! If you were to stop nursing when you felt the flu hit, you would deprive your baby of the incredibly important immune strength that this illness is specifically passing along. What’s mind-blowing is if baby gets sick first, he passes his germs to mom through breastfeeding, and the breast itself begins making antibodies, passing them right back to protect baby. Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor. Truly amazing!

    That being said, it is important to continue to protect yourself and baby during illness by practicing hand washing, covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, and limiting face to face snuggling (I know, super hard). It’s also VERY important for mom to keep hydrated and if being prescribed a medicine by your doctor, make sure it can be safely taken while breastfeeding. Thankfully, your breastmilk alone will be that big tall glass of electrolytes that baby needs to stay hydrated and comforted through illness. If you have further questions or concerns regarding breastfeeding during illness, contact your provider or a lactation consultant.

    So, stay strong fellow moms through this year’s germ filled season.  I’ll just be daydreaming about the time that all my children needed was the strength of my breastmilk to get through cold and flu season.

    Written by Rachel Lowery, Certified Lactation Counselor and Customer Care Specialist at Acelleron. Rachel is also a mom of three!

     

    Sources:

    The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, La Leche League International

    KellyMom.com

  • Maximizing Milk Production

    Maximizing Milk Production

    It’s common for nursing mothers to worry whether their babies are getting enough nutrients to grow healthy and strong. Since it’s impossible to measure how much breast milk your little one is taking in, any change in your baby’s nursing habits or how your body feels can cause unnecessary alarm. Growth spurts, fussy behavior, and your body adapting to your baby’s needs can all affect how a baby nurses and are all absolutely normal.

    If you’re concerned that your milk supply is low or wish you could increase the amount of milk you are pumping, there are some tricks you can try to increase milk production. Taking care of yourself and spending quality time with your new baby are two of the most important ways to enhance milk production. Many moms find The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk by Diana West to be a great resource. If you believe that you’re producing an inadequate milk supply, consult with your doctor or a lactation consultant to see if there are any underlying issues that need to be addressed.

    Supply and Demand

    Your body is incredibly smart and learns the frequency and amount of milk that is taken from the body (either by your baby or breast pump). Essentially, the more milk that is removed from the breasts, the more milk the breasts will produce. Adding in an extra pumping session in the morning or evening can help stimulate greater milk production. If your breasts still feel full after breastfeeding, you can either hand express or pump to soften the breasts.

    The Importance of the Pump

    A decreased pumping output oftentimes has nothing to do with the body’s ability to produce milk, but rather, the breast pump itself. If your pump isn’t hospital grade or doesn’t meet high quality standards, it may be time for a new pump. Check all of the parts of your breast pump to ensure it is in excellent working order and take a look at the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you’re using the pump correctly.

    Sore nipples or damaged breast tissue are signs that the breast shields/flanges don’t fit. For the breast pump to work most efficiently and to prevent further pain, it’s imperative to have the right size breast shields. Even if you are not experiencing pain, low milk production can be a sign that the flanges you are using do not properly fit. Try a size up or down to see if you are able to pump more milk, but be sure to measure your flange size first!

    Baby’s Behaviors

    Your baby may love his or her pacifier, but it may be keeping your baby from nursing. Avoid pacifiers and bottles as much as possible to encourage sucking needs be met at the breasts. If your baby is taking in any nutrients beyond breastmilk such as water or formula, your baby may not want to nurse frequently, which can have a serious impact on levels of milk production. Try decreasing anything in your baby’s diet that isn’t breastmilk to encourage more nursing.

    Taking Care of Mom

    If you’ve been feeling sick or stressed, your milk production may decrease. Your body has been through a lot recently and nursing isn’t always easy, so it’s important to take time to relax. Sleep when your baby sleeps and be sure to get all of the nutrients that you need. Keep snacks and water bottles around, or even make yourself a care basket filled with granola bars, water, books, and magazines. Be sure to stay hydrated, but you don’t need to overdo it on the liquids as drinking extra water to increase milk supply is a myth. Take care of yourself to take care of your baby.

    By adding in an extra pumping or nursing session a day, ensuring your breast pump fits and is in good condition, reducing the time your baby has with a pacifier, and taking a little more time for yourself, you may find that your milk production will increase. If your milk supply is still inadequate,  you should consult a doctor or lactation consultant. Do what is best for you and your baby to ensure health and happiness. Remember that you and your baby have a special bond that is not dependent on the amount of milk you produce.

     

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

  • Tips for Breastfeeding

    Tips for Breastfeeding

    Your new baby is precious! Her little fingers wrap around just one of yours, and tiny toes fit into impossibly small socks and shoes. It’s hard to imagine she’ll ever grow up. You would do anything for your baby and, for many moms, this will include breastfeeding.

    Breastfeeding is a great way to bond with your baby and provide all of the nutrients your new one needs, but you might encounter some challenges along the way. Every mom has her own experience with breastfeeding, and it may take some time and patience to figure out what works best for you and your baby. If you are struggling with breastfeeding, you are not alone. Try these tips and tricks that have worked for other moms and let us know how they work for you!

    Stay Hydrated

    Moms who are breastfeeding may notice they are thirstier while lactating, and it is important to stay hydrated. While the notion that you must consume more water than the recommended daily amount for adults in order to make up for your additional milk production is a myth, it is important to listen to your body’s signals – drink when you feel thirsty. We recommend carrying a water bottle around with you, or placing full water bottles around the house, especially when you are breastfeeding. Having water bottles within reach will ensure you stay hydrated.

    Relax and Get Comfortable

    It’s important to relax as best you can before and during breastfeeding as this will lead to a better overall experience for you and your baby. In fact, when you are able to relax during breastfeeding, your body is more likely to release oxytocin, which will initiate a letdown. Choose a comfortable chair with armrests and use pillows and blankets to support your body. Support heavy breasts with your hands or a rolled-up towel, if needed and take long, deep breaths.

    For even more comfort, create a nursing station for yourself including water, snacks, magazines, books, the remote to the T.V., burp cloths, or anything else that will help you relax even further. Or, consider turning your smart speaker onto some soothing sounds or classic music.

    Alternate Nursing Positions

    Changing positions can decrease the risk of clogged milk ducts and help to prevent nipple soreness. There are many nursing positions to try (such as the cradle hold, the cross-cradle hold, the football hold, and more), and you may find some work better for you and your baby than others. Whichever position you choose, it’s important that your baby be well-supported so that he or she feels safe and you both feel comfortable when breastfeeding.

    Get the Most Out of Your Breast Pump

    When you use your breast pump, many of the same rules apply. Get in a comfortable position and relax. Looking at a picture or video of your baby will help initiate a letdown. When you’re using your breast pump, let comfort be your guide. If something hurts or feels uncomfortable, make some adjustments.

    Two common mistakes are incorrect flange size or improper suction. Make sure you are using the right flange (also called a breast shield) size for your body. Each breast pump manufacturer sells a range of accessories to increase comfort and maximize your milk output. For example, Medela sells the PersonalFit Breast Shields while Ardo sells Breast Flanges in a range of sizes.

    Check the settings on your breast pump to make sure you have right suction and speed levels. It is tempting to think that faster speed and higher suction will result in more expressed milk, but in many cases, higher/faster settings are just leading to more pain. Find the settings that best mimic your baby and you’ll be rewarded with a more comfortable experience and a higher volume of milk.

    To learn more about the specifics of your breast pump, please visit our Knowledge Center.

    Breastfeeding can be a wonderful bonding experiencing for you and your baby, but it takes some practice to find what works best for the two of you. Try these tips and let us know what has worked for you!

    If you have any questions or concerns, it is important for you to reach out for support. There are a variety of resources such as IBCLC’s (International Board of Lactation Consultants), CLC’s (Certified Lactation Counselor), WIC, and LaLeche League that can help you.

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