Not all breast pumps are created equal. Pumps are created for different situations and to fit different pumping needs. For this reason, breast pumps are often categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary pumps are traditional double electric breast pumps that use flanges and provide hospital strength and performance to effectively and efficiently express milk. Secondary pumps are smaller, more portable pumps that sometimes feature hands-free collection cups with tubing or are completely wearable inside the bra. Secondary pumps usually also have rechargeable batteries. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions when considering adding a portable or wearable pump to your pumping routine.
Most people who choose to see a midwife during the pregnancy are planning to have a vaginal delivery and not planning on having a cesarean section. Some people who have c-sections are even planning a home birth for their birth experience. Unfortunately, labor doesn’t always go the way we want it to. Part of a midwife’s job is to make sure that both the birthing person and the baby are safe throughout the birthing process and sometimes it becomes obvious that a c-section is the safest way for a baby to be born. While midwives generally try to avoid interventions, when they are in the best interest of the mom and baby, we are really glad they are available! But if this scenario happens to you, you might be wondering—what your midwife will do now.
Nearly a third of all births occur via cesarean section in the United States. Facing a c-section comes with unique challenges for both recovery and breastfeeding. Because cesarean delivery is sometimes stigmatized, we need to address a few important points right off the bat.
If you’re giving birth at the hospital or birth center, you’ll want to pack your hospital bag when you’re in the third trimester or sometime around 34 weeks pregnant. Don’t wait until you’re close to your due date! If you wait until the last minute, it’s easy to forget something. We want to make packing even easier for you, so we’ve created a hospital bag checklist to make sure you’ve got all the essentials covered for you and your baby.
The first hour after birth is often referred to as “the golden hour.” Just like the magical time before the sun sets, when everything seems to glow, so this hour after birth is precious and fleeting. It’s a pivotal and important time of transition for both the mother or birthing person and the baby, as you are both shifting from being one to being two. And with this shift comes a whole lot of physical change—the mother’s circulatory system is adjusting to changes in blood volume, the reproductive system is working to contract the uterus, the baby’s lungs begin to breathe for the first time and their cardiovascular system is making changes in how the blood flows through the body. A lot is going on in these moments that can’t be seen with the human eye!
Cradle, Cross-Cradle, Football, Laid Back, Side-Lying, Koala……which one is the best breastfeeding positions? Should you try them all? Are certain positions better in certain situations? What about pumping positions? Do I need to hunch forward the entire time? How can I provide extra support to keep my back, neck, and shoulders from getting sore? Rest easy, mama! There is no need to stress about which breastfeeding position to use. With some simple tips, any breastfeeding position can be effective and comfortable. New moms, your pumping sessions doesn’t have to be a pain in the neck!
Information about how to manage engorgement and clogged ducts can be found all over the internet. But how do you know what’s true? Did you know that some of the most commonly recommended treatments can actually make engorgement and clogged ducts worse, possibly even leading to mastitis? Both clogged ducts and engorgement fall into a spectrum of breast inflammation. Breast engorgement and clogged ducts can happen at any time during your breastfeeding journey. Having the most up-to-date information about how to manage these conditions can keep you moving toward your breastfeeding goals.
There is nothing else in life that can be compared to childbirth. Birth is unpredictable, and almost always goes differently than you envision, and while your body is doing all of the work, it is largely outside of your control. Birth is physical, yes, but it is also a mental, emotional, and spiritual process that happens as you meet your new baby. Put simply, a lot is going on when you give birth! And while a lot is happening, there isn’t a lot of time or energy for you to use making important decisions about the care you want during birth.
There are SO many pumps on the market, and as a new mom (or even mom of more than one), it can be so overwhelming to choose which pump is best for you! Brooke, from Infant Insights, shares her experience with the Motif Luna in her newest blog.
