Exclusively Pumping

Index Now Available for Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:19:16 +0000

An index has been written as an addition to Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk. If you have purchased the book, you will find the index helpful to quickly locate specific information. If you haven’t purchased the book, you may find the index useful to determine whether the book will be of value to you. The index will be included in a future 2nd edition of Exclusivley Pumping Breast Milk, but for now will be available through the link provided above.

An oldie but a goodie- why keep going?

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:45:07 +0000

Here is an article by Diane Wiessinger that I came across a number of years ago. Diane highlights the many gifts of breast milk as your baby ages. Sometimes this is just the boost and motivation you need to continue on; and sometimes it is the reassurance you need to allow yourself to wean knowing you have provided a special gift to your little one.

Weaning from the Pump

admin — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:45:46 +0000

Ultimately, supply is managed through the process of supply and demand. An empty breast produces milk faster than a full breast. When a breast is full, the protein FIL (feedback inhibitor of lactation) is present in higher concentrations and signals production to slow. As well, as the breast fills, the walls of the aveoli stretch and do not allow prolactin to enter. These two things combine to slow production. The other aspect that is important to understand when trying to lower supply or wean is that your body will usually continue to produce as much milk as is being removed; that is lactation works on the basis of supply and demand. The other factor that comes into play is storage capacity. Some women are “blessed” with a large storage capacity which is great in that they can often pump less often but maintain supply, however, it also often makes it more challenging to reduce their supply and wean. (more…)

“How to Make Breastfeeding Difficult”

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:24:04 +0000

There are many things in our society which serve to make breastfeeding difficult for a new mom. Here’s an article from Linda Smith sharing her ideas on How to Make Breastfeeding Difficult. Be sure to avoid them! Do you have any of your own to add to the list?

Kiss Your Baby

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:20:51 +0000

So much we do as mothers goes far beyond our culture and societal norms. Many of our behaviours are grounded firmly in centuries and millenia of biological behaviours. Kissing and cuddling our babies are one such behaviour that serves as much more than a way to show our love. Read…

Your input is needed- Breastfeeding the second time around…

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:22:57 +0000

Interested in sharing your thoughts with me about breastfeeding the second time around? It seems as though we have been missed! Those of us who have had a challenging time of breastfeeding but really want to breastfeed the next baby have been forgotten. We have our own unique challenges when it comes to breastfeeding a new baby. Whether you have had another baby after having breastfeeding challenges with the first, or you are hoping for another baby some day and are already concerned about breastfeeding, read on… (more…)

Critical Factors in Milk Production

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:23:44 +0000

It is very important for all women to understand the basics of lactation whether she is breastfeeding or pumping; and perhaps more important for women who are pumping. What follows are some of the keys aspects of milk production that are critical to understand when exclusively pumping. Understanding how lactation is initiated and regulated can help you establish a strong milk supply and maintain that supply with a breast pump.

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NICU Life and the Risk of Post Traumatic Stress

admin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:30:55 +0000

I recently came across this article in the NY Times related to the risk of post traumatic stress disorder in parents of babies who have spent time in a NICU. For anyone who has had a baby in the NICU, you understand just how stressful a time it can be. (more…)

Can you help? Labelling bottles for daycare…

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:51:12 +0000

I received an email from a visitor to the site asking about labelling bottles for daycare. I, admittedly, have no experience sending bottles to daycare and never had the need to relabel bottles over and over, so I am posting her question here in the hopes that someone else may be able to help. Here’s her question:

I pump into plastic Medela bottles each day (I’ve invested a small fortune as these puppies are several dollars apiece - I go through 8 a day and have 2 days worth so I can rotate them to the daycare.) The daycare requires that each one have the date on it even though I drop them off each morning and pick them ALL up each evening. How can I put the date on them wihout ruining the bottles? I’ve tried masking tape (falls off), freezer tape (won’t come off) and address labels (won’t come off). The daycare runs the bottles through a sterilizer. Any suggestions?

If you have an easy solution, or any solution, to this problem, please leave a comment below. Thanks!

Save the Words

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 01:26:14 +0000

Here’s something perfect for passing time if you are someone who tends to surf the net while pumping. Oxford Dictionaries wants you to adopt a word (or two or three) that is at risk of being dropped from the English language. You merely have to promise to use the word in daily conversation as often as possible. I have adopted mitescent (growing mild), hymnicide (killing of hymns through alteration), foppotee (simple-minded person), and vocitate (to name). What words will you adopt?