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IS YOUR WORKPLACE BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY?

Working parents need all the support they can get to keep their livelihoods on track while raising families. This is most especially true for parents with a new baby. One of the biggest challenges parents experience when getting back to full-time work is what to do about infant feeding. Unfortunately, returning to work is one of the most common reasons why new moms don’t even try or give up on breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a crucial aspect of infant and maternal health, providing the best start in life for baby as well as numerous other benefits for both mother and child. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and ongoing breastfeeding together with the introduction of complementary foods, up to and over two years of age. According to Dr Chantell Witten from Wits University, a spokesperson for ADSA (The Association for Dietetics in South Africa), South Africa has low exclusive breastfeeding rates to start with, and returning to work exacerbates the situation. “The latest breastfeeding rates in South Africa are from 2016, and from that data we see an acute drop off from 44% of mothers breastfeeding in the first month after birth to only 28.9% still breastfeeding at 2 to 3 months of age, which coincides with the timing for return to work.” In efforts to reverse this trend, South Africa included the Code of Good Practice on protection of employees during pregnancy and after the birth of a child in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. South Africa is one of only 42 countries in the world to mandate breastfeeding support in the workplace. Employers are required to allow breastfeeding employees two 30-minute breaks per day for breastfeeding or expressing milk, every working day for the first six months of their child’s life. Dr Witten says, “Despite the legislation, research shows1 that many companies are not making provision for mothers to express breastmilk at their workplaces, and it is hard for government to enforce compliance within the private sector environments. What is also missing is that we are not hearing parents demanding these provisions to support breastfeeding in the workplace. We need to create awareness of this provision and build breastfeeding-friendly work environments that proactively reduce social stigma and instead promote breastfeeding as a vital part of wellness and healthy lifestyles.” Mothers face barriers to breastfeeding in the workplace Professor Lisanne du Plessis from the Division of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch University, co-authored a 2020 research study2 at businesses with more than 50 employees in the Breede Valley of the Western Cape. She says, “What we found is that breastfeeding support practices were limited and inadequate. For instance, there was a lack of common breastfeeding support practices such as onsite or nearby childcare facilities, access to breastfeeding counsellors, promotion of the benefits of breastfeeding to employees and provision of private spaces for expressing breastmilk. In addition, workplace breastfeeding policies were not common and were mostly found in the public rather than the private sector. Under half of our research sites did not provide the mandated time for expressing breastmilk at work. My sense is that this study reflects what is happening beyond the Western Cape as well, since many of the workplaces included in the study have branches in other provinces. Legislated breastfeeding break times most definitely need to be monitored to ensure better compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act in South African workplaces.” Is your workplace breastfeeding friendly? World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August. In 2023, the theme, ENABLING BREASTFEEDING, Making a difference for working parents, highlights that workplace challenges are the most common reasons for never breastfeeding or stopping before the recommended first six months of life. A workplace doesn’t necessarily have to be hostile towards breastfeeding to cause mothers to give up efforts to continue to breastfeed their babies. Lacking consideration for mothers who want to breastfeed their babies up until at least six months of age can easily be too much stress for most mothers. We’ve all heard the stories of new mothers uncomfortably trying to express breastmilk in workplace toilet cubicles or fearing co-workers walking in on them when they try to find a private space. ADSA Registered Dietitian and International Nutrition Consultant, Andiswa Ngqaka says, “It is important that there is recognition and appreciation in the corporate environment that breastmilk is the natural food for optimal health and growth of young children in South Africa. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers require our full support. Many parents are employed, and therefore supporting the breastfeeding goals of employees is part of employee wellness.” Andiswa highlights strategies for creating a breastfeeding friendly workplace including: Complying with the South African law by providing two 30-minute breaks for breastfeeding or expressing breastmilk Management support for providing a breastfeeding friendly workplace that is sensitive to the needs of breastfeeding employees Formulating, communicating and enforcing a supportive workplace breastfeeding policy Including breastfeeding education and promotion in general employee wellness and health initiatives Providing parents with access to breastfeeding education and lactation consultations Providing clean, secure and private spaces in the workplace for expressing milk and breastfeeding, which preferably includes access to a fridge for storing breastmilk expressed at work Hearing parents’ voices when it comes to their individual breastfeeding goals and challenges Adopting a flexible approach to be as supportive of breastfeeding employees as possible, particularly during their baby’s first six months of life.

August 1, 2023

HOW TO EXPRESS AT WORK

Making the transition from maternity leave to going back to work can be an emotionally difficult time for a lot of moms. On top of that, you will now need to find a way to stick to your pumping schedule whilst there. If you are fretting about making this transition, and where you will find time to pump when back in the office, this is the post for you. Read on below now as we will tackle this next step head on! Plan Ahead For your Return Before you go back to work, have a sit down conversation with your boss. Let them know that you will require a few breaks throughout the day to complete your pumping schedule. Give them a copy of the times and duration of your pumps if you would like as well. Let your boss know that you will require a secluded room dedicated to your pumping needs. This will ensure that when you return, you won’t be questioned for your need to pump. Setting things up before arriving back at work can really save you a lot of trouble. Ensure You Have A Place To Store Your Milk Breastmilk is able to be kept at room temperature for six hours. Thereafter you risk it going off. As such, it is in your best bet to organize some space in the office fridge in which to store your milk. Furthermore, ensure that you have a cooler transport bag available for when you leave your office and head home. You may want to also have a pre-chat to your co-workers and just make them aware that you plan to store your milk in the office fridge. Making It Easier To Express At Work The above tips will sit-down help you express at work going forward. Furthermore, if you need a bit of help with the let-down, keep videos and images of your baby nearby. These have been proven to help moms with their let-down.

July 20, 2023

Dads make a Difference When It is Time to Feed Baby

Sometimes when Mom cannot be there, Dad’s need to step in and make a difference when it comes to caring, feeding, and soothing your newly born baby or young infant. Breast feeding your baby does not need to be scary, just organised, and we have a dad DIY baby plan for you and your tiny tyke to support you each step of the way. Aron, dad to nine-month-old twins Ihla and Summer says: “Have confidence and get involved with your children from day one. There is a tendency to sit back as a new dad and rely on other people. But I think the quicker you get involved, the quicker you build confidence and bond with your baby.” Dad Ways to be Helpful: Dads, you can step in and offer support to your partner by soothing, bathing, changing, dressing, cuddling, and burping your baby. You can also keep your partner company during breastfeeding time and make sure that she has plenty to eat and drink. Once your partner and baby have the hang of breastfeeding, help by feeding your baby expressed milk from a natural baby feeding bottle. Expertly designed to mimic mum’s breast, Vital Baby’s Nurture range gift set has teat flexes like mum’s nipple, providing easy latch on for your baby. With advanced triple anti-colic valves to reduce air intake, the silicone is soft and smooth against baby’s delicate face and its wide neck bottle is easy to clean and fill again with stored breastmilk. Give your partner rest and sleep breaks and take the time to discover ways to bond with your baby. Pick your child up and talk to them when they are awake and alert. At bedtime or naptime, you can rock your baby gently until they drift off to sleep. When sleeping, you can sit quietly and hold baby in your arms. If you are a dad bringing up a child on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. You may find that other single parents are a reliable source of support. Starting Solids Once your infant is ready to start solids, which is usually around the 6-month mark, you can bring your food pairing inspirations to nourish baby and support Mom in saving time. Steaming cooking vegetable and fruits and blending homemade meals is made quick and easy for you with the NOURISH prep & wean™ Steam Cooker. With three modes – sterilise, steam cook and blend – it is perfect for batch cooking and feeding later. With five blending modes, it allows you to tailor the consistency of food to your child’s stage of weaning from smooth purees to chunkier textures. Its 2-tier steaming system allows you to cook multiple foods with different cooking times all at once making it suitable for use with fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish. Be sure to include the NOURISH Store and Wean Pots 120ml 4-pack set to store and freeze and take with you when you need to feed baby when out and about. After each feed, make sure all bottles, nipples and other utensils are clean and sterilized and ready for the next feed. Steps for steam sterilizing baby utensils: Wash all utensils thoroughly with soap and water before sterilizing them. The energy efficient HYGIENE Advanced pro UV sterilizer and dryer from Vital Baby safely destroys 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and mould in just 7 minutes using UV LED’s super-fast sterile and dry action in just 29 minutes. It is versatile to use too, from bottles, soothers and toys to cosmetic brushes, mobile phones, and keys. Using no water, chemicals or heat, its HEPA filter effortlessly removes dust, pollen other airborne pollutants. It is important to sterilise baby’s feeding equipment as it helps to protect your child’s developing immune system from potentially harmful bugs and bacteria. You can leave the sterilised contents inside the steriliser for 24 hours, but make sure the lid is kept closed for the duration. Ensure you re-assemble items with clean hands or sterilised tongs if you can and always on a clean surface too. Children are stimulated by bright colours, and they grow up fast. Soon enough they will want to mimic Dad at the dining table or when at a sports event or picnic outing. Toddlers can now enjoy their own version of adult cutlery with Vital Baby’s big kid cutlery. Hydration is just as essential as hungry tummies for the growth and development of your child, and you will want to ensure they stay always hydrated when at home or on the go for family car trips and day outings. Pack a favourite Sippy cup so they can hydrate themselves, and include NOURISH™ snack on the go™ travel snack bowls for treats such as fruit pieces or biscuits if they can manage finger foods on their own, or store porridge or formula in the travel milk formula dispenser designed so that the revolving lid can click accurately into position above each compartment, and the wide, easy pour spout makes it simple to dispense contents into the bottle, avoiding spillages. Dads! By feeding and helping your partners with your new-born infant you can make the transition to parenthood a joyful and rewarding experience for everyone. Consider these early chores as an opportunity to create lasting memories and connections with your little one that will last a lifetime. At the same time, by nurturing your baby’s growth and development you will be developing your own confidence and skills as a parent. Not only that, but you are also helping to set a positive example for your children and your community by showing that parenting is a shared responsibility and a source of joy, and that dads can be just as involved and loving as mums. At Vital Baby, we believe in real moms and dads parenting as best they can. Join other parents for articles & snippets from the vital baby® family https://vitalbabyshop.co.za/

June 20, 2023

Tips for Mums & Dads When Transitioning from 1 Child to 2

Giving birth to your firstborn child sees you worrying about how and what to do right as you find your feet and transition into first-time parent mode. Welcoming your second child into your new family, you will be backed by prior experience to support you in your new role as family ‘multi-tasker’ as you embrace managing the love, care, feeding, soothing, and sleeping of 2 under 2! Welcoming in a second child will be different for every family. Each child is born distinctive from their sibling and your role as mother or father becomes a balancing act which may take time to adjust to. What is true for all second-time parents is that with increased time pressures, there are higher stress levels mothering two children who need round the clock care. Now, instead of taking naps alongside your newborn you will be spending precious time with your toddler. Happily, in the changing world around us, traditional gender roles are evolving as Dads help more around the home and do a lot to ease motherhood for mum’s post the birthing process. Partners may bring their boardroom logic into crises managing a moment with quick thinking and the most direct solution when your toddler and baby are both demanding – at full volume – to be fed! Parenting routines and caring for your kids may come first, and taking time for things other than motherhood at this challenging stage can seem unrealistic but like a diamond is pressured into pure sparkling beauty, it is also an opportunity for you as new mums and dads to set routines, prep meals, and delegate responsibilities with the right tools on hand so you can still carve out space in the day to connect with your partner or spouse, take a restorative five minute walk around the block, or journal in your diary. Philips Avent South Africa share some life tips and home hacks to grounding your new family in a harmonious home routine and setting the perfect scene for both your tiny tykes to grow and thrive: #1 Home Coming & Family introductions: Even kids as young as 18 months to 2 years can feel that things are changing. Prepare your firstborn child for your new arrival into the family only when the time is right and you feel ready to do so. Introduce the idea to your toddler that baby will be someone new to love, and that having a sibling is a privilege and a gift and they can be excited having a new role as an older sibling. Don’t oversell the idea however as you may set them up for rivalry. #2 Home Help Routine: Once your newborn has been introduced home, set up your new routines as soon as possible, by aligning feeding and nap times as much as possible to avoid double duty during the day. Second time Mum Sandy (33) claims her superpowers of adaptation saw her master the art of breastfeeding her newborn and spoon feeding her toddler at the same time. She suggests that for whichever task you avoid or dislike the most, this is the area to adapt and master. “I felt challenged by breastfeeding as I had sore, cracked nipples making it painful, and uncomfortable to feed either of my sons so much so that I would dread feeding times! “I was ecstatic when I discovered Philips Avent nipple shields, they protected my scabbed, sensitive nipples so they could recover and I could breastfeed again. Nipple shields made all the difference, thank goodness.” Breastfeeding your newborn should be your priority, with proper latching and full feeds at correct times. For working mums, you newborn and toddler can still benefit from breastmilk when you master the art of breastmilk pumping to ensure you have milk stored in milk storage bags in the freezer. These can be defrosted for feeds for your newborn by Dad or other caregivers or used for meal top ups of breastmilk for your firstborn toddler. Having the right tools to soothe and protect your breasts and efficiently pump your breastmilk makes it easier to stay comfortable and continue breastfeeding until the minimum 24-month breastfeeding period has been reached. #3 Planning & Prepping Meals In the new era of breast pumping, both the Philips Avent manual and electric breast pumps are quiet, and you can stay positioned upright allowing you to continue pumping and feeding, providing the necessary elixir of breastmilk that your children require during the day. Small and inconspicuous, both the Philips Avent manual breast pump and the Philips Avent electric breast pump will easily fits into your bag when you are on the go. The Philips Avent Natural baby bottle is designed for mums who want to combine breast and bottle feeding, with its soft, breast-shaped teat which encourages a natural latch and mimics the feel of a breast, making the switch between breast and bottle as smooth as possible for you and your baby and other parents and caregivers to step in for supported feeds. The spiral design of the teat and petals ensure it naturally flexes and doesn’t collapse when your little one is feeding, so your baby can enjoy an uninterrupted feed. More importantly the anti-colic valve in the Philips Avent Natural baby bottle is designed to reduce colic and discomfort by venting air into the bottle and away from your baby’s tummy for 60% less fussing at night. Generally, after the first month, babies gain an average of 500g to 1 kilogram per month within the first six months. Breast milk is the ideal first food, but beyond this stage, both milk and solid foods are needed to help your baby grow and continue to gain around 2 kilograms per month. Many babies are happy to wait until around six months to begin weaning and at this age can learn the skills needed for eating solid food very quickly especially if there is an older brother or sister to mimic at feeding times. However, babies

June 2, 2023

The Ultimate Solution for breast care and milk collection

Breastfeeding is special for mothers and babies and should be as comfortable as possible. Medela’s breast care range provides additional support when needed and addresses specific issues during breastfeeding. It includes products that help overcome certain challenges during breastfeeding, such as breast milk leakage or sore and cracked nipples. Medela Breast Shells (From R 389.99) Medela breast protection shells offer unique wearing comfort. The discreet shape and the flexible silicone membrane, delicate with the skin, make them pleasant and invisible under clothes. If you have sore or cracked nipples, Medela breast shells protect them and allow skin to recover by preventing your clothes from rubbing on them. Medela Nipple Shields (From R 339.99) Medela’s Contact™ nipple shields make breastfeeding possible when latching on is difficult or painful by protecting sore nipples and helping your baby attach more easily. Product benefits: Enable breastfeeding when latching on is difficult or painful or if you have flat or inverted nipples. Protect sensitive, dry, or cracked nipples during breastfeeding. Made from transparent, ultra-thin, soft silicone that’s comfortable on sensitive skin. Safe and taste-free for your baby. Shape maximises skin contact between you and your baby. BPA free. Medela Disposable Nursing Pad – 60’s (From R 199.95) Medela Disposable Nursing Pads are super absorbent and offer longer protection. The nursing pads are made of super absorbent material that prevents milk leakage and maintains dryness – day or night. Medela Purelan™ – Lanolin Cream 7G/37G (From R 139.99) In the first few days and weeks of frequent breastfeeding, many women experience nipple soreness and dry skin. Purelan™ lanolin cream gives fast relief for sore nipples and dry skin. Benefits: Safe for your baby – no need to remove before breastfeeding Effective–rich texture creates a protective layer on the skin’s surface and rehydrates from within 100% natural, single-ingredient lanolin. No additives, preservatives and fragrances added Medela also offers mothers a range of accessories that make breastfeeding, pumping, collecting, handling, and storing breast milk easier and more convenient. Medela accessories help preserve the valuable nutrients of breast milk during transport. Medela Quick Clean Microwave Bags (From R 399.99) Medela Quick Clean Microwave Bags 5 Pack is a handy way to sanitize your pumping equipment and breastfeeding accessories quickly and safely. These bags are small and easy to store, and each bag can be used 20 times. Medela City Style Breast Pump Bag And Cooler Bag (From R 2099.99) Medela City Style Bag is a modern bag essential for carrying all your breastfeeding accessories. In this way, you can carry anything from a thermal bag to your favourite breast pump. Whether for travel or a day-to-day necessity, you will always be accompanied by your favourite accessories. What’s more, this stylish bag can be used while breastfeeding and even after you stop. Medela Cooler Bag consists of a discreet removable cooler bag specially designed to carry four 150ml Medela baby bottles. Its coating provides a refreshing effect so that breast milk can always be in its best condition. Thus, all nutrients and vitamins are preserved for a long time. Milk Collection Breast milk is precious – collecting and storing breast milk for your baby is essential for their health. That is why Medela only offers BPA-free bottles and containers. To make it more comfortable for you and to help ensure your pumping session is a success. Medela Milk Bottles set of 2-250ml/3-150ml (From R 339.99) Medela breast milk bottles are a perfect complement to your breastfeeding experience. Medela’s breast milk bottles are compatible with all our breast pumps, making it easy to pump, store and feed using the same container. This means not a single drop of your precious breast milk is wasted and you have less washing up to do. Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags 25 (From R239,99) / 50 bags (From R 359.99) Medela’s Breast Milk Storage Bags make storing, transporting, and warming breast milk convenient and hygienic. The easy-to-use flat shape is space-saving and makes thawing quick. The double zipper and durable material make the storage of your breast milk safe for your baby. Medela Silicone Breast Milk Collector (From R 339.99) The NEW Medela Silicone Breast Milk Collector is a true breastfeeding companion and breast milk saver. With its double leakproof design, lanyard, and suction base, Medela’s Silicone Breast Milk Collector protects each precious drop of milk from being lost, to ensure your baby receives it all. Easy to use, simply attach the breast milk collector, also known among other brands as a silicone breast pump, on one breast while feeding from the other to capture your natural let-down. Medela Family App The Medela Family app is your personal helper. With the app, you can easily track important stats for pregnancy, baby, and breastfeeding and it gives you tips and support to help you meet your goals. Features of the Medela Family App: Knowledge Centre – A library of expert-written educational articles to help you prepare and learn along your journey. Personal helper – Our smart assistant helps you troubleshoot technical problems and get answers to frequently asked questions. Easy to use – The Medela Family app was designed from scratch with high usability standards including a night mode for easier reading in dim lighting. Virtual milk storage – With this smart milk inventory system you will always know how much milk you have in your stash. Hands-free voice control – Use your voice to track a session! Especially handy when changing a dirty diaper. Baby tracking – The following sessions can be tracked for one or more babies: breastfeeding, pumping, sleep, bottle feeding, diaper changes, weight, and length. Pregnancy tracking – With Medela Family you can track the duration, frequency, and pain intensity of contractions. The Medela Family is available on the App Store, Google Play, and AppGallery. All Medela products are available from Dis-Chem, Baby City, Clicks, Takealot.com and other major retailers. Follow Medela on Instagram @Medela_sa and Facebook @MedelaSA.

June 1, 2023

How long should a mother breastfeed for

As a lactation consultant I often get asked how long should a mother breast feed for? The World Health Organisation have had the recommendation of: exclusive breast feeding for 6 months and prolong breast feeding for 2 year or longer for a while now. This guideline is very helpful for mothers to realise what is considered normal and beneficial to both mom and the baby. Breastfeeding is seen as the normal way of feeding a baby. Study after study has show in increasing clarity how beneficial breast feeding is to baby and mom. Prolonged breast feeding of 2 years or longer is due to the continued benefits. Mothers can now feel assured that they can breast feed their baby for as long as they both desire with positive health benefits due to breastfeeding for the entire time. Human breast milk has a unique composition that is rich in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory agents and living leukocytes all these components contribute to helping the child’s immune system develop. Breastmilk is dynamic and it changes to meet the needs of a growing or ill infant. Studies of exclusive breast feeding over 6 months have shown lower rates of respiratory tract infections, severe diarrhoea, otitis media and obesity. Let’s unpack that for a child that is living in South Africa. The under 5 stunting rate in South Africa is 27%, which is above the world average. Stunting is an indicator of long-standing undernutrition. With breast feeding for longer we would be able to reduce this statistic. The illnesses mentioned above have major effects on children’s growth and development specifically if they happen often. Breast feeding helps to prevent these illnesses and help to promote better growth and development of children. For example, a child that has reoccurring ear infections this can affect they way that they hear. Causing them to have delayed speech or to miss hear sounds. This can have a negative affect on the child’s speech and learning. The health benefits are for all babies that are breast feed and not just those that have lower social economic backgrounds. Mothers who breast feed for longer than 6 months have a reduced risk of developing diabetes by half even if they have had gestational diabetes. Cholesterol levels can also be lowered in mothers that are breast feeding, maternal weight loss and reduced risk of different types of cancers. Baby’s skin also benefits from breast feeding as there is a reduced risk of skin issues, allergies and eczema. The preventative effect from cancer is not just for the mother but also for the child. The mother’s immune system works with the baby’s immune system though exchange of milk and baby’s saliva to share information about health and need for immune responses. This is very important as the baby gets older and is exposed to more bacteria and viruses. Ways that we can assist mother with prolonged breast feeding is to be accepting. It is as simple as that. We know that there are benefits for both the mom and baby- I would also like to add to the extended family as well. There is no need to comment or ask when the mother will stop breast feeding. Let mom and baby enjoy their breast-feeding time together because it the grater scheme of life it is a very short period. Shops and restaurants need to make it easier for mothers to breast feed in private or public as she feels comfortable. In the working environment, there are guidelines that HR departments can follow to allow the mother to express at work so that the mother is able to maintain her supply when she returns to work. For the mom to express efficiently and effectively they need a strong breast pump like the Ameda Mya Joy. This breast pump is a hospital grade breast pump that can effectively drain and empty your breasts. This is important for mothers that are pumping at work because effective draining is key to maintaining your breast milk supply. By having a good milk supply, that you can express easily in the 30 minutes break expressing breaks, helps to keep your breast milk stash fully supplied and helps to reduce stress around pumping. Another breast pumping tip is to have a great pumping bag that can fit all your pumping equipment and a milk cooler bag that keeps your milk the correct temperature while you travel home. See the My Breastpump bag and Cooler bag on our website.

May 15, 2023

NICU and Milk supply

The first few days after giving birth are very important in setting up your milk supply, particularly if your baby is born early. Starting your milk supply without a baby drinking directly from your breast can be done. It does take commitment and effort but it most certainly can be done. In this blog, I will give you tips to help you and also the reason as to why they will work. Firstly if your baby is born early you still need to get your milk production up to its maximum by week two. This is to ensure that you are able to meet your baby’s needs as she grows and gets older. The amount of expressed breast milk that you are aiming to express is between 750-1100ml per 24 hours at 2 weeks for a singleton. An interesting fact to note is that your baby will not need more milk than this as they age. The composition of your breast milk will change according to your baby’s needs but not the volume. So once you have reached this goal you are set for the rest of your breastfeeding experience. So how do you get your milk supply up in such a short time and with everything else that is going on in the NICU? The first step is to start pumping as soon as possible. The guideline is to start pumping within the first 6 hours after birth. This target is important, as it is, your body is primed to start with breastfeeding. If for any reason you were not able to start within this time, start anyway, often there are reasons for the delayed starting that are out of a mom’s control: surgery, recovery from the birth, ill health, not having a breast pump or knowing how to hand express. The reason that you need to start expressing is you need to let your body know that you have a baby to feed and it will respond. Your body has been primed during pregnancy for breastfeeding but now it needs the nipple stimulation that is associated with breastfeeding and pumping to start up your “milk-making factory”. The nipple stimulation gets your prolactin levels higher which is the milk-making hormone. You need to maintain high levels of prolactin in order to keep your “milk factory” working. The second step which is actually more important than when you started expression, is how often your express in 24 hours. Your goal should be 8 to 12 times, with no longer than a 5-hour break for your evening sleep. This strict regime of pumping is so that you are imitating how a newborn would be feeding. It imitates how your nipples would be stimulated and increases and keeps the prolactin levels high so that your breast milk factory (the breasts) keeps on producing milk. With time you will see your milk change from colostrum to transitional milk and then mature milk. Don’t forget to pump at night. Night pumping is very important as your prolactin levels are higher at night and as a result, your breasts will then respond to the stimulation better. This can become an issue for a mother that needs sleep and is not able to maintain a 3 hourly schedule of pumping through out the night. In this case, the recommendation is that the mother pump just before she sleeps and as soon as she wakes up with no longer than a 5-hour break between pumping. Sleeping is also important in the process of making breast milk and sleep can be very beneficial in helping you with your milk production. Make sure that you are pumping efficiently and effectually in the shortest amount of time. This is because it is better to pump 8 times a day for 20 minutes and 4 times a day for 60 minutes. Some mothers find that if they wait longer, they can express more in a session- this is the beginning of weaning as the breast will be stimulated less and less resulting in a decrease in milk production over the 24 hours. It is better to keep to more often pumping with an effective Double electric hospital-grade breast pump that is a closed system like the Ameda Mya Joy. An added bonus is that the Mya Joy is very quiet and portable. There is even an option to make the pump, hands-free as well. When pumping make sure that all your breast pump parts are clean, sterilised, and in working order. You may need to replace the valves over time as these are the parts that wear the most. Focus on your happy place- while you re pumping. This can be your baby, looking at a photograph or a video. However, some mothers might find this stressful to see their baby in NICU with all the tubes and monitors so they may benefit from focusing on a different happy place. It really is an individual focus that will help you to get your milk flowing. You may even try hands-on pumping which in some cases has shown to improve the milk volume at the end of a pump. Focus on these 5 tips to help you to get your breast milk supply up and flowing while your baby is in NICU. As soon as you are able to take advantage of skin-to-skin and how it can help you to increase your milk supply. It is also a lovely way to spend time with your baby.

May 11, 2023

You’re Pregnant! Now what? What to expect when you are expecting and knowing your rights as a new Mom

Every second four babies are born somewhere in the world. Most births are usually preceded by the most popular question: Is it a boy or a girl? In South Africa, 1 million births took place in 2021 with the most popular choice of birth names being Lethabo and Melokuhle according to Statistics South Africa, both of which represent positive connotations of love and acceptance. And, did you know that statistically, slightly more boys are born than girls with the World Health Organisation stating that around 105 boys are born per 100 girls. Whether you choose to find out the sex of your foetus at your 20-week ultrasound appointment and throw a celebratory baby naming ceremony with friends and family or; you prefer to be surprised on the day of your delivery, it will undoubtedly be a watershed moment. No one forgets the day they turned into a bona fide parent responsible for building and strengthening the mother-father-and-child bond through everyday love and caring. As a parent, you will want what is best for your baby from day one. With 30 years of clinical experience in baby feeding, Philips Avent has been designing and manufacturing solutions to meet your needs developed through extensive research, clinical trials and, even more importantly by listening to parents like you. While developing innovations based on a deep understanding of mom and baby physiology, we are here to support you every step of the way. Preparing for Birth Not everyone is gifted with the opportunity to fall pregnant and deliver a child into the world. When you do fall pregnant however you also realise that your growing belly doesn’t come with a manual for life. Rather, you are the manual, and it is your responsibility to look after yourself first and then your child in the best conceivable way. It is your turn now to step up to being the ‘Mom know best’ in your life, while gathering information along your journey, finding support, asking questions and using the best tools for loving, nurturing, nourishing and growing that new life inside of you which carries fifty percent of its DNA from Mom and the other half from Dad. Self-care When you test positive for a baby, your physical body immediately gets to work and you will notice changes such as weight gain, backache, and fluid retention as the pressure of your growing womb affects the blood flow in your legs. Gestation is not only a time for your baby to grow and develop but for you to become more conscious and attentive to the needs of you and your body. Self-care means resting when you are tired, cutting out junk foods and food cravings, walking or stretching daily to strengthen your body in preparation for the birth and preparing your home nest to receive a new member who will fit into your everyday routines as seamlessly as possible. Trimester Checklists The first trimester is the most important period of your baby’s development. This is when your baby’s structure and organs develop. Most miscarriages and birth defects occur during this uncertain period and your body also undergoes major changes. First Trimester Essentials: Week 1 – 13: Start taking a prenatal vitamin and avoid unsafe foods such as raw eggs, deli meat and raw fish. Stop smoking, drinking alcohol and reduce your caffeine intake. Stay hydrated and try to fit in at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Settle on a gynaecologist, midwife, or other prenatal care provider Check your medical aid insurance to see if it covers prenatal care and delivery Schedule your first prenatal appointment usually around the 8-week mark Talk to your doctor or midwife about prenatal testing to check for genetic defects and HIV. Check your finances, the costs of your baby and how maternity leave will impact you. Start a budget and a savings plan. Discuss your parenting ideas with your partner and agree on how you want to raise your child and research parenting and prenatal classes you can sign up for together. You Have a Baby! Now What? Following the birth, the first ten days with your newborn at home will prove to be as big a learning curve as it was on initially hearing you were pregnant. Don’t panic, this is where your instincts get to kick in and perform at their best. If you don’t have a mom, sister, or doula to support you, here are a few practical tips for your baby’s healthy development: Do as much skin to skin contact as possible. Your baby loves feeling, hearing, and smelling your presence which gives them a sense of protection and calm. Hug, touch, talk and stroke your child as much as possible. Within only a few days, your newborn can start smiling back when people smile at them. Breastmilk wins every time. Mother’s milk is pure elixir to babies helping them to grow properly and develop their immune systems. Breast pumping is an easy and practical method for modern mums to bring in your milk and ensure you supply enough breast milk at every feed and for the two-year mandated breastfeeding period while juggling life and a career. Embrace every moment and love every challenge with the Philips Avent Electric Breast pump which offers a new era in expressing with a perfect balance of suction and nipple stimulation inspired by the natural way baby’s drink. Communicate with your new-born. Talk to your child in soft tones and baby talk. You will notice they can hear and will soon start to memorise and copy your words. Understand why they are crying. A newborn baby is unable to look after itself and relies on you to attend to its needs. A baby will cry when hungry, if it has a soiled nappy, is tired, needs a cuddle, has wind, is too hot or cold, or is bored or overstimulated. TIP: Babies suckle to calm themselves. For babies with a strong need to

May 10, 2023

Medela Nursing Wear: Comfortable and Convenient for Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural experience. It is a special time to feel close to your baby. Medela nursing bras are designed and tailored to your needs. These nursing bras don’t just look good, they fit perfectly to the body and provide gentle support. 3-In-1 Nursing and Pumping Bra (From R 1999.99) Pump and breastfeed in complete comfort with the Medela nursing and pumping bra. With a 3-in-1 versatile design, it’s lightweight, ultra-breathable, and features Adaptive Stretch™ for a perfect fit and ultimate comfort. This 1-step, hands-free pumping bra makes pumping easy. Its convenient design fits most breast shields and in-bra breastpumps. This 3-In-1 nursing and pumping bra is perfect for all-day wear and designed for In-Bra Pumping, Electric Pumping, and Nursing with comfort and ease even while pumping. Features: Hands-Free Pumping: Pair with a Medela Electric Breast Pump for a 1-Step hands-free pumping journey or use with an in-bra pump for a discreet, comfortable pumping experience. Full Drop-Down Cups: When nursing, enjoy maximum skin-to-skin contact to encourage bonding with your baby. Soft Touch Adaptive Stretch: Made with Adaptive Stretch material to grow with your changing body. Perfect For All-Day Comfort: With its strap-style top, the bra is designed for a snug and tight feel, providing medium to high support to comfortably carry out daily tasks. Compatibility: Medela 3-In-1 is designed to work with Medela Electric Breast Pumps, wearable pumps, in-bra, and other electric pump brands. Hands-Free Pumping Bustier (From R 1299.99) The Medela Hands-free™ Pumping Bustier makes pumping easy and convenient. It has a strapless design with an easy-fit front zip and hook, so it is quick and easy to put on. Bottles can be slid in from the front in one easy step. With the Medela Hands-free Pumping Bustier, you can express breast milk with all Medela double electric breast pumps. Features: Hands-Free Pumping: Made for easy expression, Medela Pumping Bustier gives the freedom and flexibility to allow for a completely hands-free experience, leaving you free to simply relax or multitask comfortably. Adaptive Stretch: With a strapless tube top design, the Hands-Free Pumping Bustier is designed to have a snug and tight feel which will adapt to the unique body shape over time. Soft Touch Material: For comfort through the pumping journey while reducing breast compression allowing for maximum milk flow. Pump More Discreetly: Works perfectly with Medela breast shields and provides full nipple coverage, so you can. Compatibility: Medela’s Hands-Free Pumping Bra is designed to work perfectly with Medela Electric Breast Pumps: Pump in Style with Maxflow, Swing Maxi, Freestyle Flex, Sonata, and Symphony. But is also compatible with most other breast pumps on the market. Medela Family App The Medela Family app is your personal helper. With the app, you can easily track important stats for pregnancy, baby, and breastfeeding and it gives you tips and support to help you meet your goals. Features of the Medela Family App: Knowledge Centre – A library of expert-written educational articles to help you prepare and learn along your journey. Personal helper – Our smart assistant helps you troubleshoot technical problems and get answers to frequently asked questions. Easy to use – The Medela Family app was designed from scratch with high usability standards including a night mode for easier reading in dim lighting. Virtual milk storage – With this smart milk inventory system you will always know how much milk you have in your stash. Hands-free voice control – Use your voice to track a session! Especially handy when changing a dirty diaper. Baby tracking – The following sessions can be tracked for one or more babies: breastfeeding, pumping, sleep, bottle feeding, diaper changes, weight, and length. Pregnancy tracking – With Medela Family you can track the duration, frequency, and pain intensity of contractions. The Medela Family is available on the App Store, Google Play, and AppGallery. All Medela products are available from Dis-Chem, Baby City, and other major retailers. Follow Medela on Instagram @Medela_sa and Facebook @MedelaSA.

May 5, 2023

Top Tips for new moms getting the nutrients they need when breastfeeding

When your baby relies on you and your precious breast milk to provide the essential nutrients they need to help them grow and give them the best start in life, it is crucial you are eating healthily. Finding the time and the energy to eat properly when you have a new baby to care for can be challenging, so here are a few helpful tips:

April 28, 2023

Love Every Moment: Pregnancy Myths Unraveled

Pregnancy is the most natural thing in the world and possibly the most miraculous. It is also different for every Mother-to-be. If you are thinking of starting a family, are already pregnant or are considering doing it all over again, it is important to keep abreast of the latest information and arm yourself with knowledge so you can enjoy the gestation and birth of your baby without debilitating nerves or unnecessary worry. Once armed with the facts, it is easier to trust yourself to know when is the right time to consult a doctor for medical advice should anything untoward arise. Humans have been giving birth for hundreds of thousands of years. It was a fact that up until 100 years ago, one in ten women died in childbirth or were left physically weakened making it a risky business for expecting moms at a time when the only advice expecting moms had was handed down by their mothers. Spoken knowledge shared between families over the centuries can suffer from a broken phone syndrome where the information can become fictious or be hard to unravel or rethink. Culture and religion play a big part in customs and cultural beliefs too, especially when it comes to protecting babies from bad spirits during and after pregnancy. Today’s modern mum is blessed with medical knowledge, information, support and tools for your most easeful experience to help you care for your baby at home or find work life balance with your career and family lifestyle. QUICK MYTHS DEBUNKED: Myth: You can’t get pregnant the first time you have sex Truth: It is possible to fall pregnant the first time you engage in intercourse. Sperm stays alive for 48 hours while ovulation takes place over a 5 day window. Women in their twenties are likely to fall pregnant more so than women in their thirties or forties. Myth: You can’t get pregnant while on your period. Truth: You can get pregnant at any time during menstruation. To avoid falling pregnant, use safe contraception such as a condom which also helps prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases which can affect the birth of your child. STDs. Try an ovulation app that tells you when to expect your period and which days most fertile. Myth: You can’t fall pregnant while breastfeeding Truth: You can fall pregnant while breastfeeding even if your period hasn’t started yet. There are safe contraception methods available to use during breastfeeding. Myth: It’s not safe to have sex while pregnant Not only is sperm safe, but there may be some benefits to having sex and contact with sperm before and during pregnancy: Sperm and vaginal sex can help induce labor when the time comes. Oxytocin, one of the key hormones involved in progressing labor, is released during sex, and orgasms mimic contractions. Myth: Miscarriages are preventable Truth: A miscarriage is most commonly the result of the fetus having genetic problems that cause the growth and development to stop and is something that is beyond the control of the mother. Certain uterine conditions or weak cervical tissues might increase the risk of miscarriage, such as poorly controlled diabetes or thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism. While there is no way to make sure you won’t have a miscarriage, you can reduce your chances by avoiding cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, and injury to your belly. Myth: You must wait 3 months before announcing your pregnancy. Truth: Many women decide to delay announcing a pregnancy until at least 12 weeks in, due to concerns about the risk of complications or miscarriage during this time. In some cultural beliefs, your enemies may use this period to bewitch you or cast a curse on you to harm the baby. It is believed that prayer is enough to ward off any bad spirits. A lot is happening during these first three months: The fertilised egg rapidly divides into layers of cells and implants in the wall of your womb where it carries on growing. These layers of cells become an embryo. Your first trimester begins on the first day of your last period and lasts until the end of week 12. It is during this first trimester that the foetus is most susceptible to damage from substances, like alcohol, drugs, certain medicines, and illnesses, like rubella (German measles) as both your body and your baby’s body are changing rapidly and complications more likely to occur. Myth: Eating dairy and peanuts while pregnant can make your baby allergic to them. Truth: It is safe to eat most foods while pregnant unless you are allergic to them. Do not limit your diet as this can be harmful to your growing fetus as you need all the nutrition you can get during this time. Foods to avoid during pregnancy due to the risk of harmful microbes are soft cheeses, pates, raw meat or fish, raw or soft-cooked eggs and soft-serve ice cream. Myth: All women get stretch marks after pregnancy Whether you get them or not really depends on your skin type, and how much collagen it stores. Women who have a higher chance of getting stretch marks include those who are obese, have bigger babies, experience high weight-gain or are younger when they are pregnant. A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. Stretch marks will fade with time and you can speed up the process by massaging in a good moisturiser or skin oil to help promote new tissue growth and break down the bands of collagen that form in the underlying tissue leading to stretch marks. Myth: Morning sickness only happens in the morning. Truth: Morning sickness, including nausea and or vomiting during pregnancy is a result of changes in your hormones and while it is more common in the morning, it can occur at any time of day. It is most prevalent in the first trimester and for most women it will pass by the second trimester. Heads up

April 6, 2023

Introducing Medela Baby

Across the different stages of life, Medela products go beyond form and function. They heal, nurture health, and build bonds. Over the last 60 years, our company has been devoted to the science of making the most delicate form of care simple, intuitive, and effective. Medela has been caring for moms and babies, patients, and healthcare professionals for so long that we’ve turned it into a science. Medela, the world’s leading breastfeeding advocate and partner for mother’s milk, is excited to announce the launch of Medela Baby in South Africa. Medela baby includes a range of pacifiers for infants through to 18 months. Medela Pacifiers The pacifiers feature Medela Baby’s exclusive SensoPearlsTM for a softer feel and improved airflow, and a symmetrical teat that reduces teat volume for healthy gums and jaw development. It features a lightweight, ergonomic shield that adapts to the contours of your baby’s face. The Medela Baby Collection offers three types of pacifiers in South Africa; all the pacifiers come with a protection cap or Steribox for hygienic use and transportation. Original pacifier duo (From R 305.99) The perfect all-around pacifier in cute and trendy designs for everyday life. This lightweight and orthodontic pacifier supports healthy speech and gum development and fits the contour of your baby’s nose and chin to allow easy breathing. Available in 2 sizes (0-6 months and 6-18 months). Product benefits include: Gentle on Skin: Our pacifiers come with SensoPearls features to maximize airflow and comfort for babies on their skin. Small and Lightweight: Durable, economical and so handy that you’ll want them everywhere your baby is. Shaped for Comfort: Ergonomically designed to allow the baby to smell mom’s comforting scent. Orthodontic Teat: Designed to support the natural movement of baby’s mouth muscles. Protection Cap: Each pacifier comes with an individual cap for storage. Safe for Baby: All our pacifiers are without BPA. Soft Silicone pacifier duo (From R315.99) Supports natural suckling with a one-piece super soft, lightweight, and flexible design. It is shaped to fit under the nose to not interfere with breathing. This perfect everyday pacifier is available in 2 sizes (0-6 months and 6-18 months) and various colours (clear, pink, and blue). Benefits include: 24% lighter than the leading competition. Newly developed pacifier with a softer & more flexible teat due to a thinner wall. Ergonomic design under the nose to not interfere with breathing and to facilitate smelling mum’s scent – inspired by our knowledge of contact nipple shields. Swiss quality, premium quality & high industry standards. Day & Night 24-hour 2-piece set (R299.99) The perfect 24-hour set with one ORIGINAL dummy and one NIGHT dummy, which glows in the dark. The set is offered in 2 sizes: 0-6 months and 6-18 months. The day pacifier features a ring to fix with a pacifier holder during the day, and the night pacifier with a glow-in-the-dark knob, allowing mum and baby to find it during the night. Other benefits include: Designed to feel gentle on the skin with SensoPearls™. Symmetrical teat for easy acceptance. Premium quality & high industry standards. Medela universal pacifier holder (From R 199.99) Fitting all Medela Baby pacifiers and most other pacifiers. Safe material and easy to use, with an innovative feature that allows you to open the clip with one hand. It is made without BPA and BPS. All Medela Baby products are available from Dis-Chem, Baby City, and other major retailers. Follow Medela on Instagram @Medela_sa and Facebook @MedelaSA.

April 5, 2023

Loadshedding and Breast milk

Loadshedding has a massive impact on our daily lives and as a pumping mom with a breast milk stash this can be very scary. When the power is off there is always a risk that your breast milk might thaw and may even need to be thrown away. This would be such a waste of effort and time. So My Breastpump has some tips and tricks for you to help you to keep your breast milk stash safe during load-shedding. Luckily most of the load shedding is just a 2-hour intervals however as we go down the levels they do become longer. The good news is that your freezer should not defrost in the 2-to-4-hour time period however you may need to add freezer packs to your fridge to help keep it cold during this time. The Power outages are the real risk to your freezer stash of breast milk. Power outages are unpredictable and can last for extended periods of time. Here are some tips and information to help you with power outages: #1 Keep your freezer doors closed The more times that you open your freezer doors while there is no power the quicker your freezer will warm up and defrost it contents. Only open your freezer if you absolutely need to. Plan and remove all the milk that you need the evening before so that it can defrost in the fridge during the day. While you are there remove any meat or foods that you will be needing the next day, so that it can also defrost. #2 Know how long your freezer will stay frozen The contents of your freezer will also help to keep the freezer cold. In general, a fuller freezer will take longer to defrost than an empty one. The guidelines are that a full freezer can take up to 48 hours to defrost while a half-full freezer can take 24 hours to defrost. #3 Keeping your freezer colder for longer You can use Icepacks or frozen salt water to help you keep your freezer cold. As they are not food items they can stay in the freezer at all times and there is no risk of them spoiling when warm. Pack as many ice packs/freezer elements as you can in the freezer. The saltwater freezes colder than normal water which is beneficial for keeping the freezer colder for longer. Place the extra freezer element or frozen water in the same tray as your breast milk. Add as many of them as possible to keep the focus of the cold near your breast milk stash. You can also use the freezer element/ frozen water in your fridge to help keep it cold when there is an extended power outage. You also need to keep your defrosting/ defrosted milk at a cold temperature of around 4⁰C. #4 Check your milk Keep a close eye on your breast milk. If you have had an extended power outage, make check to see if it is still frozen. This way you will prevent any nasty surprises when you defrost the milk at a later stage to realise that it has gone off and you are not able to use it. You can refreeze breast milk if it still has ice crystals in it even if there are some watery sections. The ideal temperature to store your breast milk according to the CDC is as follows: 25°C or cooler for 4 hours Fridge 4°C (not in the door as this is warmer than the back of the fridge) for 4 days Freezer -18° for 6 months #5 Donate to a Milk Bank If you have expressed breast milk and are worried about being able to keep it frozen, consider donating it to one of our country’s breast milk banks. They supply breast milk to the most vulnerable of premature babies to both the public and private sectors. The two main breast milk banks are The South African Breast Milk Reserve and Milk Matters #6 Store your breast milk in breast milk containers It is important to store your milk in strong and sterile breast milk containers so that they do not leak or increase the chance that your milk will spoil during the storage time. Use containers that are designed to hold liquid breast milk. Containers that are safe to store breast milk in are Glass, plastic (food grade, pre-sterilized and BPA free), and hard plastic cups. All three suggested items have advantages and disadvantages. Glass containers are great because they are reusable, but they can break if dropped or overfilled before freezing. Food grade plastic can either be breast milk storage bottles like our Hygieni breast milk bottles, they are reusable and you can pump directly into the bottle which is a great time saver as you do not need to clean extra bottles. The disadvantage is that they can take up a lot of space in your freezer. Breast milk storage bags are ideal for storing large volumes of breast milk in a freezer as they can be frozen flat to save space in the freezer. If you are looking for Breast milk bags consider using the My Breastpump breast milk storage bag which can hold 250ml and is medically sterilized before packing. It can be found on our website’s storage page , Takealot, or Makro online. Storage containers that are not recommended to store breast milk in are plastic that contains BPD, disposable bottle liners, steel containers, and food ziplock bags (they have not been sterilized for breast milk storage and can split easily). Please share with us your power outage and load-shedding tips on how to keep your breast milk frozen.

April 4, 2023

Are Wearable breast pumps effective?

Saving time or multitasking is how many mothers are able to extend their breastfeeding journey. Having to sit down and hold your flanges to your breasts, for extended amounts of time can be frustrating and really stressful when you know that you have other also important things to get done. Lets be honest, there is nothing worse than feeling like you are wasting your time. Holding flanges to your breast while stuck with being plugged in can make you feel like you are trapped. This can be exacerbated if the pump motor is not able to drain your breast quickly and you have a single pump. So, how can a mom make the most of her pumping time? Pumping is important if you are going back to work and want to maintain your milk supply. You need to stimulate your breasts effectively to either increase or maintain your supply and by skipping a pumping session or not draining your breast effectively you are taking a step backwards. These are our top 4 tips to making the most of your pumping time and how to reduce the time spend pumping. Buy a hospital grade Breast pump like the Ameda Mya Joy. The Mya Joy has a motor that is fast < 20 minutes and effective at emptying your breasts so that you can finish your pump with confidence in your supply and pump more often due to the short time it takes to pump. It uses a 2-phase pumping system that is proven to increase your milk removal and it has the correct cycles and suction levels to imitate how a baby would suckle at the breast, making your pumping session a more natural session. It has 7 different flange size options, ranging form 21mm to 36mm, which makes pumping more comfortable and effective. Use the My HandsFree Cupswith your current breast pump to transform it into a wearable option. The My HandsFree cups has different adaptors that allows you to fit the cups to a variety of breast pumps. The My HandsFree Cups have 3 different flange sizes, 21mm, 24mm and 28mm. A fantastic combination is the My HandsFree Cups with the Ameda Mya Joy as you have the wearable option with a hospital grade technology. The Mya Joy is portable and very quiet which makes it easy to pump at work with discretion. Your work collages will not even know that you are pumping, how cool is that? Use the My Pumping Bra with your current breast pump. The My Pumping Bra works by holding your breast pump flanges for you while you pump. This allows you to be portable and use your hands while pumping. It is designed to fit all breast pumps and is a very cost effective option. When you are looking at sizing for your bra, you need to measure the circumference of your breasts and deduct 10cm to find the correct size bra for you. You want the bra to have a snug fit so that it is able to hold up a full bottle of milk. As the last option, try a wearable Breastpump. This is a pump that fits into your bra with the motor attached to it. These pumps can be inexpensive but are not designed to be the main form of emptying your breast of milk. The motors are often not as strong or programmed as the hospital grade breast pumps and as a result are not meant to be the sole pump or used with out a baby drinking form the breast to maintain a mother’s milk supply. As they do also take longer to express than a double hospital grade breast pump. Some mothers have found them to be ineffective and cause a drop in their milk supply. The key to saving time and enjoying your pumping sessions is to find a quality breast pump that is going to be effective at draining your breast in the shortest amount of time. Make sure that your pump fits you correctly, and you are using the correct settings for best comfort and results. Having that pump as a hands-free or wearable pump is a major benefit as this allows you to move around or work on your computer during a pump session. With the HandsFree Cups or the My Pumping Bra mothers have the opportunity to convert their pump into a wearable Hands Free breast Pump.

March 3, 2023

Breast pumps to the Rescue: Why this Vital tool is a MUST in your Baby Care Collection

New times call for new tools and as a new Mum you will be discovering one of the most useful tools in your baby care collection that will support both your preparedness and peace of mind and your baby’s health and future development. Before you get nervous about tackling something new, using a breast pump is easily accomplished and once you get the hang of it, it will be like riding a bicycle hands-free. Firstly, why is a breast pump so necessary? To keep your baby supplied with an adequate supply of mother’s milk for their recommended two-year breastfeeding journey. To express milk for when you are away from your baby (or if they are prem or ill). You need to return to work after maternity leave and leave baby with a caregiver. Your infant is unable to nurse properly. To create an emergency supply. Your breasts are leaking, and you need to release the pain from engorgement. To supplement your baby’s first solid foods at meal times To allow other family members to step in and be involved in baby’s care. To support tired Moms by offering periods of rest and extended sleep time. Best for You There are three types of breast pumps available to new mothers and you will need to decide which is best suited to you and your new mothering lifestyle. If you are on an extended maternity leave and you plan to pump only once or twice a week, such as when you are going out dining and drinking for a special occasion, then a manual breast pump should be adequate for your needs. The Vital Baby Manual Breast Pump massages the breast by gently mimicking the natural suckling action of your baby to provide the most natural and effective experience. If you need to return to work after maternity leave, you may want to consider an electric pump to help save you time and convenience during your busy work week. The Vital Baby Electric Breast Pump behaves the same way as your baby would when feeding, offering a 2-phase expression for the most effective, fast and comfortable way of promoting breastmilk production. Phase one offers fast, small pulses to first massage and stimulate the breast to help induce milk flow. Phase two has slower and longer pulses to encourage ‘let down’, the clever natural hormone reaction where your milk will start to flow smoothly. With South Africa experienced unprecedented bouts of loadshedding, you will need to consider the charging capabilities of an electric breast pump and whether it is electric-only, battery operated or comes with a USB charging option. Vital Baby is the only breast pump available on the local market where the electric breast pump can be used as both a manual breast pump and an electric breast pump when the power goes off, so you are not left stranded. The third type of breast pump is a hospital-grade pump which is necessary for babies who are required to stay in the hospital due to health issues or following birth complications and requires you to pump up to eight or more times a day to supply milk for your new born and establish your milk supply. Some medical aids make breast pumps available through their maternity benefits up to a certain price limit, so check in with yours to explore your options and discover a breast pump best suited to your needs. Consider choosing a lightweight and low sound breast pump so you can stay mobile and pump wherever and whenever you need to. “I underestimated how important my breast pump would be with my first child,” says mum-of-three Brooke West. “It was around holiday time, and I was celebrating with family over a 3-course meal which I enjoyed along with a sneaky glass of champagne so I could feel part of the fun. My poor son was so gassy, niggly, and uncomfortable all of the next day, that I never made that mistake again. My breast pump became my best friend when planning to eat and drink foods without it harming or effecting my baby.” While alcohol remains an absolute no-no when breastfeeding babies, some foods can also cause upsets in your child’s digestive system and well-being, such as beans, broccoli, cauliflower, and some dairy products. Common allergy-causing foods include cow’s milk, soy, wheat, corn, oats, eggs, nuts and peanuts, and fish or shellfish. Some of the most frequently asked questions about breast pumps are answered here: How does it work? If you attended pre-natal classes before the birth of your baby, you may have been introduced to breast pumps already. It helps to be able to hold and feel the fit of the breast pump when figuring out how to use it for the first time. The flange is the plastic cup piece that fits over your breast nipple and areola (the dark skin surrounding your nipple) to create a light seal against your skin. When pumping, your nipple should be able to move freely inside the tunnel of the cup without too much of the areola being drawn in. The flange should create a light suction pressure to express the milk from your breast to flow into the bottle. TIP: Breast pumping should never feel sore or uncomfortable. When can I start breast pumping? New moms can start pumping at any time, however when you first start pumping you aren’t going to get a lot of breast milk into the bottle. This is because for the first several days after birth, your body is producing colostrum, which is thicker and a little more difficult to pump than the milk you will product later on. Keep going and try not to be frustrated. The key to pumping is to relax and think loving thoughts about your baby for the let-down reflux to kick in. If your baby is latching well, you are sure to find your mojo quickly. Within two to three weeks, your milk

February 21, 2023

Pregnancy Perils and What all New Mums Need to Know

Pregnancy is a miraculous event which has supported the birth of new life on earth for all mankind for well over 200,000 years. In 2020, a total of 1 003 307 births were registered in South Africa from a total population of 60 000 000 people and while birth fatalities decrease year on year, unfortunately some mothers will experience complications during their pregnancy which can put both them and their in-uterus fetus at risk. February is Pregnancy Awareness month when we highlight pregnancy health and share education for safer gestation into motherhood. While more common pregnancy issues such as high blood pressure, urinary tract infections, obesity and leg cramps are frequently discussed, some of the unspoken complications which can arise need to be highlighted so as to reduce the number of fatalities and promote a healthier pregnancy into safe and joyous new motherhood. Important Pregnancy Facts to Know: Knowing what to expect during your full pregnancy term is essential for managing both you and your baby’s health. Early pregnancy checkups and correct prenatal care goes a long way to identifying any issues you may not be aware of and supporting you in experiencing a healthy pregnancy and birth. This is especially true for pregnancies termed ‘high risk’, which encompasses women aged 17 or younger, women aged 35 or older, those who are under or over weight prior to pregnancy, or mothers carrying more than one fetus. Your first trimester of pregnancy may be both exciting and challenging as you experience your body changing. Your will become more easily fatigued and your breasts will become tender and swollen. You may experience food cravings, heartburn, nausea and/or vomiting, often referred to as ‘morning sickness’, and constipation. It is important during this time to avoid smoking and e-cigarettes, alcohol, raw or undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized dairy, raw sprouts, certain seafoods and too much caffeine. The danger signs during pregnancy to be alert to are fast or difficult breathing, severe abdominal pain, fever and extreme fatigue, severe headaches with blurred vision, convulsions, and vaginal bleeding. Bleeding in Pregnancy In the first few weeks of your pregnancy you might experience light bleeding or ‘spotting’ caused by the developing embryo planting itself in the wall of your womb. This usually occurs around the time your period would have been due and between 6 to 12 days after conception. Typically light, and called ‘implantation bleeding’, it commonly occurs over a few days and is not something to be concerned about. The main sign of a miscarriage is vaginal bleeding however and if it lasts longer than a few hours, and is accompanied by abdominal pain, cramping, fever, chills, or contractions, contact your doctor or gynaecologist immediately. Most miscarriages occur before the 12th week of pregnancy and are accompanied by bleeding, discharge, pain or cramping in your abdomen or lower back. Bleeding during miscarriage can appear brown and resemble coffee grounds or it can be pink to bright red, getting heavier over time. Eventually the pregnancy tissue, fetus, and placenta will pass naturally either over a few days or as long as 4 weeks. Be gentle with yourself if this is your experience. Take time to acknowledge your loss and find support with other women to talk about your feelings. On the other hand, if you know of a new mom who has recently miscarried, avoid any clichéd comments and unsolicited advice and recognize that grief doesn’t have a time limit. The good news is that miscarriage is usually a one-time occurrence with most women who miscarry going on to enjoy a healthy pregnancy after their miscarriage. Hyperemesis Gravidarum Considered a ‘high risk’ pregnancy, Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) came into the media spotlight when Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge spoke about her experience, which caused severe and debilitating vomiting during all three of her pregnancies to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Characterized by extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting throughout pregnancy, hyperemesis gravidarum has been shown to increase the risk of preeclampsia, stillbirth, and preterm delivery. Worldwide, between 0.3 to 11% of pregnant women experience hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) with the said to be caused by rapidly rising serum levels of hormones such as HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and estrogen. HG can make you feel very unwell and may cause you to lose weight with symptoms starting around the 4 to 6 week mark. Along with avoiding high fat foods, Kate Middleton used mindfulness and meditation to manage her symptoms and the simplest coping tactics rely on keeping hydrated, discovering which foods will stay down, spending lots of time resting. The good news is that women with HG have lower rates of miscarriage, said to be due to the increased levels of pregnancy hormone HCG. Ectopic Pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg is unable to reach the uterus and attach properly to the lining of the womb, instead implanting itself either within the fallopian tube which carries the egg from the ovaries to the uterus or in other parts of the body. An ectopic pregnancy cannot proceed normally and the fertilized egg will not survive outside of the uterus; the growing tissue may also cause life-threatening bleeding, if left untreated. An ectopic pregnancy may seem normal in the beginning however it is usually accompanied by symptoms such as tummy pain on one side, vaginal bleeding or watery discharge, pain in the tip of your shoulder and discomfort when using the bathroom with risk of rupturing around 6 to 16 weeks. In most cases medical intervention is necessary with blood tests and ultrasound confirming the diagnoses. Treatment is administered either via a surgical procedure or with medication. Depression in Pregnancy Anxiety and depression are the two most common psychological illnesses that may arise during pregnancy, and while it is natural to feel emotional during pregnancy due to the natural rise in our body’s hormone levels, some mothers are sensitive to these hormonal shifts which can lead to the onset of anxiety and depression. Perinatal depression occurs both during and

February 20, 2023

Back-to-Work after Baby Maternity Made Easy for New Moms

As a new Mom, following the birth of your baby, your previous life as a single person can seem far removed from your new roles and responsibilities of parenthood. Pre- and post maternity leave is the bridge that supports you in learning how to manage both roles as you prepare to return Back-to-Work. Now that you have incubated your little sprout over 9 months of gestation, given birth – a miraculous event of delivering new life into the world – and you have bonded, breastfed and become a bona fide Mom to your precious new born baby at your side… there is no other way of saying it, transitioning back to work after parental leave is going to be a challenge. ‘Baby brains’, related to hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, stress, or brain changes during pregnancy, are very real for some new Mothers; and added to that, you have been absent from your job and the office action for weeks and maybe months. Millions of new moms have successfully returned to work however, and there is no reason you cannot step into your Super Mom shoes and succeed at housekeeping, child-rearing, and a full-time job with the help of these effective tools and advice from mothers who have journey the path before you. The Struggle to Juggle Your return to work will be as a changed person with a whole new set of priorities and concerns and lots of new logistics with which to manage your time and focus. You will have to consider child-care, co-ordinate partner schedules, set feeding and breast pumping timetables as well as manage your own emotions which can range from anticipation, to guilt at leaving your baby, to full blown separation anxiety. Studies reveal that most mothers enjoy the work they can achieve outside their household (71%), either to support an income for the family (56%) or because they want to further their careers (25%) however some new mums may experience difficulties reconnecting to the new work-life balance , take strain from the mental demands of an 8-hour work day together with the responsibilities of a new child; or find barriers to climbing the corporate ladder and advancing their careers with baby in tow. While some women turn to entrepreneurship and a home-based business to gain more flexibility and hands-on control for their family, at the end of the day, as a new Mom you are going to be levelling up and learning new skills to grow and shine! Check off this list of practical tips, mom-hacks and professional tools for leverage to get your Back-to-Work lifestyle started off on the right foot: Before you go back to work: #1 Embrace Every Challenge: Having the right tools to soothe and protect your breasts makes it easier to stay comfortable and continue breastfeeding, which is so vital to your child’s growth and a healthy immunity. This is also the time to get expert level at breast pumping each day as you will need to build up your supply of frozen breastmilk ahead of your return to work. Breastmilk can last up to six months stored in the freezer so now it is time to get milking. The Natural Motion Technology of the Philips Avent Electric Breast Pump is inspired by baby’s natural suckling and with a quiet motor it provides for a discreet experience wherever you may be, offering a perfect balance of suction and nipple stimulation to allow for optimum milk flow. Their manual breast pump is just as practical, comfortable, and convenient to use. If your nipples are taking strain from breastfeeding by becoming raw, cracked or painful, find instant relief with a nipple shield from Philips Avent, which protects with a nipple shield that is shaped to allow skin contact. #2 Hand Over That Bottle If you have been breastfeeding your new born until now, you will need to introduce your baby to bottle feeding at least three weeks ahead of your return to work. You will also need to introduce others to sharing the duty of feeding, so your baby becomes accustomed to someone else providing their feeds. Whatever you do, try not to give up on breast milk feeds. They benefit both your baby and you as breastfeeding and pumping supports your uterus to shrink and return to its pre-pregnancy size. Philips Avent’s natural baby bottles feature a soft breast-shaped teat which encourages a natural latch and mimics the feel of the breast, making switching between breast and bottle as smooth as possible. Another benefit is the teat’s spiral design petals naturally flex so the teat does not collapse during feeding and offers an anti-colic valve to reduce colic. It is important that both you and your child’s caregivers understand the importance of sterilising all feeding equipment. Bottles need to be cleaned after every feed; and if your baby does not finish drinking a bottle within two hours, the contents must be discarded to prevent bacteria and other germs from forming. Choose your tools in baby hygiene and germ destruction with the Microwave Steam Steriliser from Philips Avent which is fast and convenient, sterilising six bottles in just two minutes. Their 3-1 Bottle Steriliser is another fast and easy way to clean baby’s utensils, killing 99.9% of germs and makes for flexible bottle cleaning. The Philips Avent Fast Bottle Warmer is another useful tool to support the whole family as well as your caregivers, it gently defrosts breast milk and warms milk and food in just three minutes to be ready for feeding. #3 Introducing Solids Usually around six months of age, your baby is ready for the first introduction of solids, however there are no hard and fast rules and your instincts as a mother will come into play. You will know when your child is interested in solids when they respond with a wide mouth and take the food offered, either palming or gumming their fingers versus turning their head away in an uninterested way. Start

February 17, 2023

Milk Galore on why breastmilk is best?

We at Milk Galore, a company whose primary focus is to assist mothers in increasing their flow of breastmilk. Our products assure results after 24 hours with an intake 250ml three times a day. Our range of products comprising 100% fruit juice blend and Rooibos tea for all the tea lovers. We believe breastmilk is best for baby. So our core vision is to ensure that baby receives the best nutrition and also therefore aligns with the WHO strategy. Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby. It contains just the right amount of nutrients. It is also gentle on your baby’s developing stomach, intestines, and other body systems. It is recommended that you breastfeed until your baby is 6 months old, then breastfeed with solid foods until at least 1 to 2 years old. Below are list of nutritional benefits: Proteins Breastmilk contains two types of proteins: whey and casein. Approximately 60% is whey, while 40% is casein. This balance of the proteins allows for quick and easy digestion. Approximately 60-80% of all protein in human milk is whey protein. These proteins have great infection-protection properties. Listed below are specific proteins that are found in breast milk and their benefits: Lactoferrin inhibits the growth of iron-dependent bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. This inhibits certain organisms, such as coliforms and yeast, that require iron. Secretory IgA also works to protect the infant from viruses and bacteria, specifically those that the baby, mom, and family are exposed to. It also helps to protect against E. Coli and possibly allergies. Other immunoglobulins, including IgG and IgM, in breast milk also help protect against bacterial and viral infections. Lysozyme is an enzyme that protects the infant against E. Coli and Salmonella. It also promotes the growth of healthy intestinal flora and has anti-inflammatory functions. Bifidus factor supports the growth of lactobacillus. Lactobacillus is a beneficial bacteria that protect the baby against harmful bacteria by creating an acidic environment where it cannot survive. Fats Breastmilk also contains fats that are essential for the health of your baby. It is necessary for brain development, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and is a primary calorie source. Long-chain fatty acids are needed for brain, retina, and nervous system development. They are deposited in the brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and are also found in breast milk. Vitamins The amount and types of vitamins in breast milk is directly related to the mother’s vitamin intake. This is why it is essential that she gets adequate nutrition, including vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are all vital to the infant’s health. Water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid are also essential. The intake of our products assure results after 24 hours with an intake 250ml three times a day with also a high intake of iron. Our range of products comprising 100% fruit juice blend and Rooibos tea for all the tea lovers. Carbohydrates Lactose is the primary carbohydrate found in breastmilk. It accounts for approximately 40% of the total calories provided by breast milk. Lactose helps to decrease a large number of unhealthy bacteria in the stomach, which improves the absorption of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It helps to fight disease and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach. Breast Milk is Best for Your Baby Breast milk has the perfect combination of proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates. There is nothing better for the health of your baby. Leukocytes are living cells that are only found in breast milk. They help fight infection. It is the antibodies, living cells, enzymes, and hormones that make breast milk ideal. These cannot be added to the formula. Though some women ultimately are not able to breastfeed, many who think they cannot actually are able to breastfeed – which is the core reason for the existence of our Milk Galore products with results from 24 hours. Let us help you to ensure that baby gets the best.

February 14, 2023

What is a Hospital grade breast pump?

Traditionally Hospital grade breast pumps have been Large, bulky, very expensive, multiuser breast pumps that have strong motor that allow of pumping multiple times a day and have a good longevity. These pumps were designed to help mothers build up their milk supply (for example with premature mothers) from scratch and then also maintain the mothers milk supply. In order to do this these pumps needed to have a variety of cycles and suction levels to effectively cause the milk ejection reflex (let-down) and then to drain the breast effectively. These pumps were traditionally kept in hospitals. With the demand for better private and home use pumps Ameda has used technology to create their very own hospital grade breast pump that is available and affordable for mothers to have their own private hospital grade breast pump. The Mya Joy double electric hospital grade breast pump ticks all the boxes that mothers need for a private hospital grade breast pump: able to initiate breast milk production able to maintain breast milk supply 2-phase pumping Small and compact Quiet Portable (fits into a handbag, can clip onto your closes and uses batteries) Affordable Motor is capable of being used 8+ times a day Motor has a 2-year warranty Easy to use Additional flange sizes to make sure the pump fits you correctly Double electric- express both breasts at the same time Back up service and parts available So why is a hospital grade breast pump different from other off the shelf breast pumps? The normal breast pumps do not have motors that are able to create a suction level of -250mm Hg and maintain it. They only can maintain a negative suction of about -170mm Hg. This is not sufficient to be used for increasing milk supply or to maintain it. It is ok to use if you are only pumping occasionally and your baby is breast feeding often from your breast. Your baby will then be able to drain and help your body to maintain your milk supply, not your breast pump. Normal pump if not used with breast feeding can cause a mothers milk to dry up or decrease. The amount and type of cycles is also very important. A cycle is how many times in a minute your breast pump “sucks” your breast. A hospital grade breast pump can change the cycles per minute to mimic that of a baby. Think about how a baby sucks at the breast. It sometimes sucks fast and other times sucks slowly. The fast suction is to help with the let down and the slower sucking is to drain the breast properly. A Hospital grade breast pump has 2 phases which is the faster and slower cycles. These cycles should be in a range of 80-120 c.p.m. for the stimulation phase and 20-65 c.p.m. for the expression phase. The Mya Joy allows for mothers to be in control of the setting and timing of their breast pump. This allows the mother to change the settings so that she can have more than one let down per pump. As she is in control of the timing it allows her to shorten her pump and make most effective time. This is ideal for when a mom needs to go back to work and has limited time to express in. In the paste hospital grade breast pump have been known for being bulky but the new Ameda Mya Joy is small enough to fit into your hand. It is small but mighty. It has a back clip so that you can clip it onto you favourite pair of legging and walk around while using the Mya Joy. The Mya Joy uses batteries which makes the pump portable. The benefit of batteries is that you can use rechargeable batteries which reduces the cost of batteries, the Mya Joy can be used for 90 minutes at the highest settings before needing to have new batteries. The benefit of having batteries as an option is that the pump can still be used if the charger has been left at work or home. A very important feature for all breast pumps is the sound level that it makes while it is operating. If a pump makes a lot of noise, it can become very irritating and embarrassing as people will know what you are doing. The Ameda Mya Joy is a very quiet pump, so much so a mother can use the pump while talking on the phone and the other person will not hear the pump. The shape of the flange is also very important as this creates comfort and a proper seal. Comfort is so important with breast feeding as this allows for the flow of breast milk. The shape and size of the flange is so important. The flange needs to completely seal around the breast so that no air can escape causing the pump to lose its vacuum and reduce its ability to express the milk out. This often happens with in bra pumps. Mothers find that the flange are not the best fit for their breast size or nipple, causing them to use the pump on higher settings or not being able to express breast milk out effectively. Technology and innovation have enabled Ameda to make a Hospital Grade breast pump that is easy to use while still maintaining the key elements of a hospital grade pump and adding portability and cost effectiveness.

February 10, 2023

Did you check for mould in your breast pump?

The first time I needed a breast pump, I did not know that there were “closed” and “open system” breast pumps. In fact, I naïvely did not know that it was important. I just went along with what everyone else used. In the beginning I was an exclusive pumper because my son was in NICU. This means that I pumped day and night basically around the clock. I started to notice that when I had a really strong let down (that was a good thing) my milk started to get stuck in the tubes of the pump (I did not think this was a good thing). I started to worry about “How do I clean the milk out? “. I really did not want sour breast milk in my tubing, what if it got contaminated with bacteria, that could make my baby sick. That would be worse than gross it could be very harmful. The more I thought about it the more worried I became. I did what every self-respecting mother would do….. I googled it. Oh my….. what a scare I had. Have you ever tried it? I dare you to use google images and look up “mould in breast pump”. Apart from having a mild heart attack I realise that I should not just be concerned about “off milk’ in the tubes but there could be worst things going on in my breast pump. I wondered “Why were people not talking about this?” There are real risks to using an open system breast pump and as my baby was in NICU I did feel like this was something to really worry about. After a bit more researching, I found out that there are closed system breast pumps. This means that there is some type of barrier that stops the breast milk (moisture and other nasties) from getting into your breast pump. This was great to find out. I then also found out that not all closed systems are equal. Some have the closure at the pump which allows for the nasties to collect in the tubing and then there are closed systems that close off the entire pump system from the flange (the thingy that sticks to your breast). The closer the closure is to the flange the better as this stop’s nasties from growing in the tubing. I loved the idea of having a breast pump that did not allow for breast milk to enter the tubing. Firstly so that no nasties would grow and secondly what a waste of breast milk. Every drop counted for me. The top closed system brand found in South Africa is the Ameda brand with the Mya Joy hospital grade private pump, Elite hospital grade (rental) pump and soon to have the Pearl Hospital (rental) pump. They all have complete closed system (at the flange) that is also FDA approved for bacteria and viruses. This means that they have tested their system and found it to be effective in separating the flange and breast milk from the tubing and pump. How it works is amazingly simple. The flange only has 4 parts which makes it so easy to clean and put together. The parts are: the collection bottle, the flange, the duck bill valve and the silicone diaphragm. The silicone diaphragm is the key. It completely separates the milk from the pump. So, no milk, moisture or nasties (bacteria, mould or viruses) can move between the two. As an example, let’s look at thrush. If you get thrush on your nipples (sadly it is known to happen) the fungi sores can then move through an open system pump and grow in the tubing or your pump. This can later re-infect your nipples. What a nightmare. With a closed system this cannot happen. All the Ameda breast pumps have the option of changing your flange size form 21mm to 36mm. The standard size is 25mm. Yes, women have different sized nipples! Not all breast flanges are comfortable for moms and this can really affect how much they can express and even cause damage if their fit is not comfortable. Breast pumps are an investment, and they are an invaluable help. You need to do your homework and look at all the aspects. You need to find out if the pump you purchase will fit all your needs. Compare to the valve of the Ameda Mya Joy: Question Ameda Mya Joy Is this a quality breast pump? Is it a closed system Yes How much noise does it make? Very quiet, it can’t be hear over the phone How do the setting work? Easy to use: Stimulation 6 levels Expression 12 levels Will the flanges fit my nipples? Will it be comfortable? Yes and Yes. There are 7 different size flanges, and we have support staff to help you find the best fit How long is the warranty? 2- years Can I claim from my medical aid? Yes, the Mya Joy has a Nappi Code. Claiming is scheme dependent Find out more about the Ameda Mya Joy on our Website www.mybreastpump.co.za After you have done your research and got your pump you can pump when you need to and most importantly of all enjoy spending time with you baby.

January 13, 2023

Getting ready to BREASTFEED!

How to get ready to breastfeed? Milk Galore, a brand made for mommies to assist with the increase the flow of breastmilk, would like to advise Mommies on how to get ready to breastfeed especially when nearing the end of pregnancy and planning to breastfeed baby. Below are some helpful hints on how to ensure the process goes hump less. Here’s how to prepare for breastfeeding your newborn: Doing some research is key. Learn the basics about breastfeeding. Reading up on good books on breastfeeding, reading on breastfeeding tips on social media or trusted websites so that Mommy can educate herself on the benefits of breastfeeding. These are helpful during the initial challenges you might face and can help you prepare for your baby’s first few days of life. Support group are great for community support. Many hospitals and pediatricians’ offices have a support group for breastfeeding moms. These meetings are meant to give new moms community as they learn the ups and downs of breastfeeding. Check out lactation consultant close to you. These professionals can assist a great deal especially the first few weeks of your newborns life assisting with monitoring weight, troubleshoot latch issues, and address any challenges that might arise as you and your baby learn to breastfeed. Prepare to pump with assistance from Milk Galore products to help stimulate the flow of milk as a natural supplement. Ensuring enough food is available for the baby is crucial so pumping as a mom is important, and then some moms will pump exclusively as a way to breastfeed their baby. Mom can educate helfself on pumping and storing breast milk. Moms going back to work need to discuss with their employers on appropriate place to pump. Talk with your partner about how they can support you as a breastfeeding mom. A lot of your time during the first months of your baby’s life will be spent skin-to-skin, nursing your little one. Your partner might not be able to nurse your baby, but they can take on more housework, care for older children, and deliver water and snacks to you to make sure your needs are being met. Get close right away. Immediately after you give birth, place your baby skin-to-skin on your bare chest. (You can also do this after a C-section; just ask your medical staff for extra support to place your baby safely on your chest.) When babies are left undisturbed on Mom’s bare chest, it wakens their feeding instincts. Start breastfeeding immediately after you deliver your baby. Breastfeeding shortly after birth is associated with increased chances of breastfeeding success. Your baby may be sleepy at first but more awake the second day, and they may cluster feed at night. Follow their hunger cues and feed your baby on demand. Enlist your friends and family for help. Breastfeeding will keep you busy, especially when your baby is a newborn. Friends and family can help by dropping by meals, spending time with your older kids, and helping out around the house. But limit visits if they interfere with breastfeeding and being skin-to-skin with your baby. If possible, ask your partner to be a gatekeeper at the door (greeting visitors, accepting food or gifts, and relaying information) so you can rest. What do you need for breastfeeding? These products can make breastfeeding more comfortable and convenient: Milk Galore products as a natural stimulant to increase flow of breastmilk. Only does it increase milk but also a natural supplement for iron. Dependent on preference of mother available in juice and rooibos. Available at www.milkgalore.co.za Nursing bras are comfortable and provide the extra support your larger-than-usual breasts need. They come with flaps that you can easily undo at feeding time. It’s best to wait until the last couple of weeks of pregnancy to shop for new nursing bras – this is when your breasts will be closest to their postpartum size. That said, once your milk comes in your breasts may grow another size or two! Keep that in mind when buying. Nursing tops and pyjamas have convenient flaps that allow you to breastfeed easily and discreetly. Some nursing tanks are very supportive and can work as a bra and top in one. Note: In the early days of breastfeeding, you may just want to wear a comfy button-down shirt or robe so you can easily keep your baby skin-to-skin. Nursing pillows are specially designed to support your baby while you’re nursing, and can help you avoid straining your shoulders or neck during feeding sessions. They’re more convenient – and better at keeping your baby in position – than regular pillows. Nursing pads. It’s normal for your breasts to leak while you’re nursing, and another baby’s cry or the sight of an infant can bring on a gush of milk when you least expect it. Disposable nursing pads (or reusable, washable ones) will keep you and your shirts nice and dry. A breast pump. Even if you’re not planning to pump regularly, a breast pump can be a useful tool – to help relieve engorgement, for example. Many health insurance plans cover breast pumps, so check with your insurer before buying a pump. Bottles and nipples. If you’ll be feeding your baby pumped breast milk, you’ll need a selection of good bottles and nipples. Some babies prefer one brand over another, so it’s a good idea to avoid stocking up until you learn which bottles and nipples your baby likes best. Other breastfeeding accessories. Nipple cream or balm can help relieve sore nipples, and hot/cold gel packs can soothe swollen or sore breasts. Some moms also like to have a nursing cover for breastfeeding in public and breast milk storage bags for storing pumped milk.

December 9, 2022

Medela Introduces Category Expansion with New Baby Care Product Lines Developed with Experts called Medela Baby

Medela, the world’s leading breastfeeding advocate and partner for mother’s milk, is excited to announce the launch of Medela Baby in South Africa. Medela baby includes a range of pacifiers for infants through to 18 months. This category expansion combines Medela’s 60 years of expertise in breastfeeding and 30 years of scientific research on the natural suckling behaviour of breastfed babies with the decades of experience in silicone manufacturing excellence of Bibi, based in Switzerland and acquired by Medela in 2019. Medela infused its years of knowledge on infant suckling behaviour with experts in silicone manufacturing to create an exclusive pacifier portfolio designed according to the highest standards in safety and quality while delivering a soft, lightweight, gentle-on-skin feel. A pacifier, when used responsibly, can be complementary to the infant’s well-being.1-2 Developed in cooperation with midwives, dentists, speech therapists, lactation experts, and an ergonomist, the Medela Baby portfolio features a collection of newborn to toddler pacifiers in the optimal size, form, weight, and characteristics for the ideal tongue, lip, and jaw movement.3-4 The pacifiers feature Medela Baby’s exclusive SensoPearls™ for a gentle-on-skin feel and enhanced airflow, a symmetrical teat with a thin neck and reduced teat volume for healthy gum and jaw development,3-4 with a light and ergonomic shield to fit the contour of baby’s face.5-6 The Medela Baby Collection offers three styles of pacifiers to South Africa: Original (R305.99), the perfect all-around dummy that comes in cute and trendy designs. It’s designed with gentle-on-skin SensoPearls™ and offers a symmetrical teat for easy acceptance. This lightweight and orthodontic pacifier supports healthy speech and gum development and fits the contour of your baby’s nose and chin to allow easy breathing. Available in 2 sizes (0-6 months and 6-18 months). Soft Silicone (R315.99) supports natural suckling with a one-piece super soft, lightweight, and flexible design. Inspired by Medela’s Contact Nipple Shield, it is shaped to fit under the nose to not interfere with breathing and smell the comforting scent of the mother. This perfect everyday pacifier is available in 2 sizes (0-6 months and 6-18 months) and in a variety of colours (clear, pink, and blue). Benefits include: 24% lighter than the leading competition Newly developed pacifier with a softer & more flexible teat due to a thinner wall Designed to feel gentle on the skin with SensoPearls™ that enhances the airflow on the skin, n. one concern for mums* Ergonomic design under the nose to not interfere with breathing and to facilitate smelling mum’s scent – inspired by our knowledge of contact nipple shields Swiss quality, premium quality & high industry standards One-piece soft, lightweight silicone – flexible & transparent and cute panda design Day & Night 24-hour 2-piece set (R299.99) includes an Original and Night pacifier that glows in the dark. The set is offered in 2 sizes: 0-6 months and 6-18 months. A study shows that this pacifier was accepted by 9 out of 10 babies.7 The perfect 24h set with two great benefits combined. The day pacifier features a ring to fix with a pacifier holder during the day, and the night pacifier with a glow-in-the-dark knob, allowing mum and baby to find it during the night. Without a ring, baby’s sleep is not disturbed when moving actively at night. Other benefits include: Designed to feel gentle on the skin with SensoPearls™, n. one concern for mums* Accepted by 9 out of 10 babies Symmetrical teat for easy acceptance Swiss quality for over 85 years, premium quality & high industry standards Use any pacifier with the new Medela Pacifier Clip (R199.99), a universal pacifier holder that fits all Medela Baby pacifiers and most other pacifiers. The material is made without BPA and BPS and features an easy-to-use innovative clip, allowing you to open the holder with one hand. All Medela Baby pacifiers come with a protection cap or Steribox for hygienic use and easy transport and storage. The collection is made from food-grade silicone without BPA or BPS and produced in Switzerland, meeting the highest safety design and quality standards with the added benefit of Medela’s leading research-based commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Medela Baby pacifiers offers other vital advantages within the baby care category: Developed with experts with expertise from the Medela midwives’ network and expertise in silicone manufacturing SensoPearls ™ to feel gentle on the skin and for enhanced airflow Thin shaft teat to allow lip contact Reduced teat volume for healthy gum & jaw development Ergonomic shield with airflow benefits Teat size increases according to the stage of baby’s development 0-6 months, and 6-18 months Uses the best materials Comes with either the protection cap or the sterilizing box for hygienic use & transport Medela launches two new intimate apparel items for pregnant and nursing mothers. Medela continuously researches to understand the needs of breastfeeding mums and babies. This enables them to translate the knowledge into functional maternity and nursing apparel, working with leading textile and garment technology experts. All garments are developed by a Team of Designers and R&D professionals and tested with mums every step of the way. In line with Medela’s commitment to decrease environmental impact, all New Collections come in new sustainable, 100% recycled packaging. Pump and breastfeed comfortably with the Medela 3 In 1 Nursing & Pumping Bra (R1999.99). This 3-In-1 versatile design is lightweight, ultra-breathable, and features Adaptive Stretch™ for a perfect fit. Bond with your baby with the full drop-down cups and enjoy medium to high support when pumping (to hold bottles or for in-bra pumping). This 3-In-1 bra is an all-day-wear bra designed for nursing, pumping & in bra pumping. Available in black and comes in sizes S, M, and L. Using a hands-free pumping bra allows you to get on with other activities or relax while collecting breast milk for your baby. Replacing the Medela Easy Expression™ Bustier, Medela hands-free™ Pumping Bustier™ (R1 299.99) is made with comfort and convenience, with a seamless strapless tube top design providing a snug fit and ample

December 7, 2022

Prematurity and breastmilk

Pregnancy and planning come hand in hand. We plan what will eat during our pregnancy, how we want to give birth, the baby’s room, baby’s name and seldom is it considered that baby can come early. We all want health, full term babies, so prematurity is often not even considered but unfortunately about 1 in 7 pregnancies in South Africa are born prematurely. This is about 84 000 babies born per year too early. As a mother of two children that were born to early, I have lived through the uncertainties, stresses and also the wins that happen when you find yourself in this situation. As a result, My Breastpump focuses on helping families with support and products that will help them during this time. When you find yourself in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), it becomes your world. All you focus is on your babies and how they are doing. Mom and Dad may go home but their heart is left at the hospital. It can be a helpless feeling not being able to hold and cuddle your baby, but a Mom can help her little one grow and get stronger by supplying her baby with breast milk. Breast milk is the recommend milk for all premature babes as it has among other benefits: growth hormones, specialized nutrients (mothers’ premature milk is different to that of a mother from a full-term baby), easier absorption of milk and immune factors. If a mother needs assistance with breast milk she can ask for donated breast milk. The Mom can ask for information for the nearest milk bank and find out what the hospital polices are. There are several breast milk banks in South Africa: The South African Breast Milk Reserve, Milk Matters and the Net Care hospital group. If you have an over supply of expressed breast milk you can donate it to any of the milk banks. They will do all the paperwork and testing for you, they even come to your home. They make it as easy as possible for donating mothers. How do mothers build up their milk supply when their baby is in NICU? Here are our tips: Start expressing as soon as possible after birth. The ideal time is within 1 hour but if the mother has had extra surgery or complications, she can try to start expressing within 6 hours. Hand expression can be used in the beginning and then it is recommended that the mother used a double hospital grade breast pump. Get a hospital grade double pump like the Ameda Mya Joy. The reason for this is that a hospital grade pump can drain and empty your breast effectively which increases your milk supply. It also has a reliable and powerful motor that can be used more than 8 times a day 24/7. The double pumps save the mom a lot of time, as you only pump for 20 minutes per session. This may sound insignificant, but it can reduce her expression time by half or more. This will make expression more possible and not as strenuous on the mother. Double pumping also will help her to increase her milk supply sooner. Aim for about 1000ml of expressed breast milk in 2 weeks. This will allow the mom to keep up with her infants needs and set her up for a better breast-feeding experience later. Make sure that the pump fits correctly. Did you know that breast pumps have different sized flanges? This is because women have different sized nipples. When pumping you want your nipple to fit inside the flange with out rubbing (flange is too small) or being pulled into the funnel much (flange is too large). If the flange is the correct fit, then you will be able to express more comfortably and get more milk. Use a Breast massager that has vibration and heat to help you with your let down and milk flow. The My Breast Lactation Massager helps you to have a faster let down by heating the breast and also vibrates with 10 different settings to get your milk flowing and unblock milk ducts. You can find out more about out My Breast Lactation Massager on our website Another thing that parents may be concerned about is that it is very difficult to get the correct sizing nappies, especially for babies born before 29 weeks. My Breastpump has launched our first premature nappy which is the My Little Prem <1.1kg, these nappies are designed to help the baby be more comfortable. This aids in better sleep and decrease in pain. Both are very important for improved growth and development. The My Little Prem Nappies are soft, light, small and have a leg cut out. The Leg Cut out is designed so that the baby can be placed in different positions and allow for correct placement of their hips. This allows for correct growth and improvement in the baby’s muscle tone. These nappies can be bought on Takealot and on our website Some information about the Ameda Mya Joy Hospital grade breast pump: Ameda Mya Joy is a hospital grade double electric breast pump that is ideal for exclusive pumpers like mothers who have premature babies. The Mya Joy is small, but the motor is very strong and able to empty a mother’s breast well. It is this emptying that assists the mother to increase her milk supply. The Mya Joy has 7 different flange sizes that can be used and help for comfort and better breast emptying. The Mya Joy also has a NAPPI code which can be used with some medical aids to claim back from their medical saving. Please note that this is dependent on the medical aid plan and savings. The Mya Joy Hospital Grade double electric Breastpump can be bought on Takealot and on our website My Breastpump also has one on one sessions that a mom can book with our lactation consultant to help her with her expressing journey,

November 4, 2022

How to protect your breast milk stash from load shedding

Loadshedding has a massive impact on our daily lives and as a pumping mom with a breast milk stash this can be very scary. When the power is off there is always a risk that your breast milk might thaw and may even need to be thrown away. This would be such a waste of effort and time. So My Breastpump has some tips and tricks for you to help you to keep your breast milk stash safe during loadshedding. Luckily most of the load shedding is just a 2-hour intervals however as we go down the levels they do become longer. The good news is that your freezer should not defrost in the 2-to-4-hour time period however you may need to add freezer packs to your fridge to help keep it cold during this time. The Power outages are the real risk to your freezer stash of breast milk. Power outages are unpredictable and can lost for extended periods of time. Here are some tips and information to help you with the power outages: 1. Keep your freezer doors closed. The more times that you open your freezer doors while there is no power the quicker your freezer will warm up and defrost it contents. Only open your freezer if you absolutely need to. Plan ahead and remove all the milk that you need the evening before so that it can defrost in the fridge during the day. While you are there remove any meat or foods that you will be needing the next day, so that it can also defrost. 2. Know how long your freezer will stay frozen The contents of your freezer will also help to keep the freezer cold. In general a fuller freezer will take longer to defrost then an empty one. The guidelines are that a full freezer can take up to 48 hours to defrost while a half full freezer can take 24 hour to defrost. 3. Keeping your freezer colder for longer You can use Icepack or frozen salt water to help you keep your freezer cold. As the are not food they can stay in the freezer all the times and there is no risk of them spoiling when warm. Pack as many ice packs / freezer elements as you can in the freezer. You can also use frozen milk or bottles filled with salt water as the filler of your freezer. The salt water freezes colder than normal water which is beneficial for keeping the freezer colder for longer. Place the extra freezer element or frozen water in the same tray as your breast milk. Add as many of them as possible to keep the focus of the cold near your breast milk stash. You can also use the freezer element/ frozen water in your fridge to help keep it cold when there is an extending power outage. You also need to keep your defrosting/ defrosted milk at a cold temperature of around 4⁰C. 4. Check your milk Keep a close eye on your breast milk. If you have had an extended power outage, make check to see if it is still frozen. This way you will prevent any nasty surprises when you defrost the milk at a later stage to realize that it has gone off and you are not able to use it. You can refreeze breast milk if it still has ice crystals in it even if there are some watery sections. The ideal temperature to store your breast milk at according to the CDC are as follows: 25°C or cooler for 4 hours Fridge 4°C (not in the door as this is warmer than the back of the fridge) for 4 days Freezer -18° for 6 months 5. Store your breast milk in breast milk containers It is important to store your milk in strong and sterile breast milk containers so that they do not leak or increase the chance that your milk will spoil during the storage time. Use containers that are designed to hold liquid breast milk. Containers that are safe to store breast milk in are: Glass, plastic (food grade, presterilized and are BPA free) and hard plastic cups. All three suggested items have advantages and disadvantages. Glass containers are great because they are reusable, but they can break if dropped or over filled before freezing. Food grade plastic can either be breast milk storage bottles like our Hygieni breast milk bottles, they are reusable and you can pump directly into the bottle which is a great time saver as you do not need to cleaning extra bottles. The disadvantage is that they can take up a lot of space in your freezer. Breast milk storage bags are ideal for storing large volumes of breast milk in a freezer as they can be frozen flat to save space in the freezer. My Breast pump has two different options of storage bags. The first option is the Ameda Store’nPour which you are able to pump directly in your breast milk bag. The second is the My Breastpump breast milk storage bag which can hold 250ml and is medically sterilized before packing. Both can be found on our website’s storage page .Storage containers that are not recommend to store breast milk in are: plastic that contains BPD, disposable bottle liners, steel containers and food ziplock bags (they have not been sterilized for breast milk storage and can split easily). Please share with us your power outage and loadshedding tips on how to keep your breast milk frozen.

October 5, 2022

Management of mastitis

Breast feeding is a skill that is learnt by mothers and baby. One important aspect of this skill is to identify when there may be an issue so that it is resolved before it becomes painful or a problem. One of the preventable and very painful complications that can happen while breast feeding is the development of a blocked duct which can result in mastitis. My Breastpump has a new product that can help mothers prevent the development of mastitis. This new product is called the “My Breast Lactation Massager”. Mastitis is an inflamed or swollen area of the breast, that can be infected with bacteria. The infected breast may be red, hot and feel hard. This can cause pain and tenderness. It normally only happens to one breast but it can happen to both breasts at the same time. A mother may feel tired, nauseous or have a fever/ chills. Common symptoms of mastitis include: Breast tenderness or warmth to the touch Breast swelling Thickening of breast tissue, or a breast lump Pain or a burning sensation continuously or while breast-feeding Skin redness, often in a wedge-shaped pattern Generally feeling ill Fever of 38.3 C or greater These symptoms can occur suddenly. Causes: Mastitis can be caused by a few things. Bacteria can enter the breast via a cracked or damaged nipple. Pressure from a blocked duct or tight-fitting clothing. A blocked milk duct can also be caused by improper milk drainage. This happens when a baby is not able to empty a breast during a feed due to a shallow latch or if a pump is not powerful enough to drain the breast sufficiently. Schedule feeds can also cause delay and improper milk drainage from the breast. Stress and poor nutrition can also increase the risks for mastitis as well as smoking. How to prevent getting mastitis Help your baby to breastfeed with a deep latch. This will help to avoid sore or cracked nipples and also improve drainage of the breast. If you do develop a cracked nipple, wash with soap and water a few times a day Change your breastfeeding position so that your baby latches onto the breast in different places. Breast feed or express your breasts often during the day. Aim for 8 or more times a day. If you feel a Blocked duct- a small, hard lump in the breast, it is best to treat it early. You can use the new My Breast Lactation Massager to apply focused heat to the area before breast feeding and use any of its 10 gentle vibration settings to hep you massage the area while you are breast feeding. See here to purchase Avoid tight bras and clothing that can place pressure on your breast. This can make it difficult for the breast to drain well. If you are weaning your baby off the breast, do this gradually so that your breast can get used to the change in milk removal. How can mastitis be treated? Prevention and early identification are the best way to treat mastitis. If you have nipples that are cracked, take extra care to wash your hands before a breastfeed or pumping session. Use the My Breast Lactation Massager to help you heat and gently massage the sensitive area. Breastfeed or pump regularly, at least 8/24hour Apply a cold compress after breast feeding or pumping to help reduce swelling Drink plenty of fluids and stay in bed with your baby. This will help you get the rest that you need for recovery. If your symptoms are not resolved within 2-3 days and you are still feeling un well please contact your doctor as you may need a course of antibiotics. The My Breast Lactation Massager can be used in the shower or bath for more comfort while massaging. Use the massager inside your bra while you doing busy with baby. It has a 60-70 minute battery life and can be recharged when needed. Apart form the pain and discomfort, mastitis that is not treated or is due to a blocked duct can cause a breast abscess. This is a collection of pus in the breast that may need to be surgically drained. Benefits of the My Breast Lactation Massager is that it can help mothers to improve their milk flow and helps with a faster let down. This can help to relieve engorgement and swelling during nursing, and pumping. It can assist with unblocking ducts by improving milk flow and improving the emptying of the breast. The massager gently and effectively breaks up blocked ducts with its 10 different vibration modes. The high-quality soft food-grade liquid silicone material is for extra comfort and allows you to use the massager for as long as needed. The massager is able to heat up to 42⁰C, which is the correct temperature to help increase milk flow. This can help with engorgement or sensitive areas in your breast. The unique design of the massager with the heated tip, allows you for focus where you would like to apply heat. It is small enough to fit inside your bra comfortably and can be used on any breast shape or size. The massager can be used in any position on your breast. This allows you to reach any blockage. The My Breast Lactation Massager is a must for all breastfeeding women and a great baby shower gift. As it helps to make your nursing, breastfeeding, pumping journey more comfortable and relaxing. For more information and where to buy the My Breast Lactation Massager please see our website www.mybreastpump.co.za or Takealot.

September 6, 2022

The importance of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is best for babies. Breastmilk is made especially for your baby by you, so it has everything your little one needs for their first months of life. At Junior Colleges, we recommend that you breastfeed your baby for as long as possible, and we will assist you as much as possible through this period of your life while your child is at our school. There are advantages and disadvantages to breastfeeding that we have listed to assist you with your decision. Advantages for the Newborn Baby Breast milk is a complete food for the baby. It is well-balanced and provides water and nutrients. It is easy to digest. During feeds, there is a bonding between mother and child. The milk changes according to the specific need of the baby. High protein content encourages brain development. Protects against infection as antibodies are passed from mother to child. Less nappy rash, colic, gastric disturbances, and constipation. Lower risk of cot death. Advantages for the Mother Mother will regain her figure quicker. Lower risk of breast cancer. Easy to travel with the baby. Always fresh. Always in sterile containers. Always at the right temperature. Breast milk is free of charge. Disadvantages Daddy cannot be as involved as with bottle feeding. Mommy may have limited movement and activities. Poor techniques may cause nipple problems and painful feeding. Any mother’s medication, drugs, or alcohol use may affect the baby she is feeding. Breastmilk digests quicker than formula, and the baby may need more frequent feeding. Breastfeeding and the Working Mother Usually, the working mother will feed early in the morning when the baby wakes up; during the working day, she should express milk into sterilised containers and keep it in the fridge. She should feed as often as possible in the afternoon and evening to keep up the milk supply. Remember, the more you feed, the more milk your body will produce. The baby may also demand more feeds during the night, which can be quite difficult if the mother gets up early the next morning to go to work. Breastfeeding is Still Best Breast milk is the best choice for the newborn baby. It is the perfect first food, and the mother should try her best to breastfeed her baby if possible. Babies only need breast milk during the first few months of their lives.

August 15, 2022

Step up to support breast feeding

At My Breastpump we celebrate World Breast Feeding week every year from the 1-7 August. This year the theme is “Stepping up to support breast feeding”. During the pandemic the support for breastfeeding dropped drastically. Mothers were not able to have face to face support groups, some antenatal preparation classes were cancelled or moved online, partners were not able to attend doctors visit or sometimes even attend the birth. Some mothers were all alone in the hospital until discharge. Mothers were then further isolated after giving birth in order to protect their new born from exposure to Corona Virus. All of these practices resulted in less breast-feeding support for mothers and their families. Now is the time that we need to start bring back all the different types of breast-feeding support that we know works and is enjoyed by mothers but also to learn from the new ways of supporting mothers that we learnt due to the pandemic. Over the last 2 years, My Breastpump has supported mothers by running Online breastfeeding and pumping workshops with our lactation consultant. Assisted with antenatal classes. Attended many of the baby shows country wide, chatting to mothers about breast feeding and pumping. Collaborated with Little Little Prem with online classes for mothers that have just had premature infants to help and support them. Write breastfeeding article that are published monthly on Parenting Hub. Our goal is to support mothers by giving them correct and valuable information around breast feeding and pumping so that they are confidant and able to breast feed. Hacks for mothers who want to breast feed or pump: 1. Start learning about breast feeding while you are pregnant The more that you know about breast feeding the better equipped you will be and, more able to make informed choices about how your baby is fed. 2. Talk to your partner about how they can support you to breastfeed Studies have shown that when a mother has a partner that support breast feeding, they are more likely to have a successful breast-feeding relationship. There are many different and supportive roles that partners can play with breast feeding. Some examples are: they can support and help with latching, make sure the mom is comfortable and well hydrated during feeds, change nappies and do bath time so that mom can rest. 3. Understand how breast milk is made By understanding breast milk production this can really help you with your breastfeeding. You will be able to increase your milk supply, manage engorgement and know that your body responds to your baby’s needs. Learn about prolactin and oxytocin and how they make breast milk. Learn how to “flip on” your body’s breast-feeding switch. This will make you more confidence with your breast milk making abilities. 4. Learn how to breast feed with a deep latch Learning how to breastfeed comfortable is key to enjoying breastfeeding and also a good milk supply. Learn how to hold your baby so that you will be able to get a nice comfortable deep latch. This will help to make your feed time shorter while ensuring that your baby gets enough breast milk. A deep latch also prevents pain and many of the other complications that can happen with a shallow latch. 5. Know how to monitor your baby to see if they are getting enough milk Many mothers worry that they are not giving their baby enough milk or that her baby is hungry. With breast feeding there are ways to monitor how her baby is feeding and to check if they are getting enough milk. 6. Know what to look for in a breast pump for best results Learn the important features and specs of the breast pump so that you are able to buy the wright breast pump for you. Features that you should consider when buying a breast pump are: closed system, warranty duration, hospital grade and double, so that you can make the best-informed choice which you purchase your breast pump. So many mothers end up buying a second pump because the first one was not working correctly. See an article here for more information 7. Learn how to store and manage your breast milk stash Storage of expressed breast milk is really important that you do not want any of your milk to go to waste or use a breast milk storage bag that might burst while in the freezer. See more about building up your breast milk stash 8. Know when to ask for help and who to ask As moms we are told we can and should do every thing but this is not true. When we need help, we just need to ask for it. The same is true with breast feeding and pumping. Asking for help can save your milk supply, increase your confidence and let you enjoy being a breast-feeding mom. Pop us a message and we will help you find a lactation consultant near you. 9. Find out from work what the HR policy is for when you return to work with regards to expressing In South Africa there are recommendation that woman returning to work after having their baby should have breast feeding breaks and these breaks should be in a clean and safe area. Ask your HR before you go on maternity leave what the policy is so that you are prepared and ready when you go back to work. If there is no policy, then you can work with them to make sure that you are able to express your breast milk. Read more about Work place and breast feeding balance 10. Take one day at a time Taking one day at a time and living in the moment is a great way to spend your maternity leave. Focus on what you have achieve today with your breast feeding and you will be surprised how quickly the time flys by. If you are expecting a baby or new to breast feeding you are

August 5, 2022

DO YOU PLAY YOUR PART IN SUPPORTING MUMS TO BREASTFEED?

Supporting breastfeeding is not just for health professionals; it involves all of society. Not many people realise the impact they can have on a mom’s experience when it comes to exclusively breastfeeding her new baby for the first six months of life. Misguided advice, thoughtless comments and shaming attitudes from family members, friends and colleagues can take their toll, especially on new mothers who are experiencing a uniquely vulnerable time. Breastfeeding has nothing but benefits – it boosts and protects both mom and baby’s health in multiple ways, encourages vital bonding and offers a best possible start out in life for an infant. Breastfeeding is also a vital source of food security for babies and families, communities and countries, which cannot be ignored in times of food supply disruptions and climate change impacts. So, if you find yourself feeling uncomfortable or even, negative when it comes to the topic of breastfeeding, it may be time to think again. World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated over the first week of August every year, is encouraging individuals from all walks of life to become part of the warm chain that supports breastfeeding. This is a reminder that we all have the power to choose to be allies when it comes to changing our world for the better. Why do breastfeeding moms need support? Like other mammals, human babies are born with a reflex to seek their mother’s breast – but that doesn’t mean that breastfeeding is easy for all. Every mother and baby dyad is unique, so even if a mom breastfed a first baby easily, she may have a totally different experience with a new baby. It’s normal for many mothers to need practical and problem-solving support; and for breastfeeding to take practice for both mothers and babies. Breastfeeding is also time-intensive, which means that new mothers need space and extra support at home. Maria van der Merwe, President of ADSA, (The Association for Dietetics in South Africa), points out that South Africa still has far to go when it comes to improving its low rate of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, which was last reported in 2016 at less than 32%. She says, “Mothers in South Africa face a host of barriers to breastfeeding, that range from societal attitudes and the interference of family and friends to the pervasive lack of access to healthcare support and workplaces that are either hostile or discouraging to breastfeeding mothers. This is why a multi-pronged, countrywide effort is required. We need to be more aware of the challenges moms may face, and more supportive in connecting them to sustainable solutions. People who disparage mothers who breastfeed in public need to be aware that because feeding infants where and when they are hungry is so important, this is protected by law. In addition, companies are required to ensure that new mothers in their employ are able to take private breaks to express breastmilk during their working hours.” What can you do to support breastfeeding moms? Supportive communications – Be aware of what you say to new moms in your family and friend circles. There are many myths about breastfeeding, and it is not helpful to inadvertently share these. Avoid casting doubt on a new mom’s abilities to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months of life by suggesting introducing solid foods or switching to infant formula, even if this is something that you did with your babies. Moms who are struggling or have any anxieties about breastfeeding should be advised by their healthcare professionals or lactation specialists who will support their unique breastfeeding journeys. Be a cheerleader for your friends and relatives who are breastfeeding, even if you’re not a parent or a mom who breastfed. Supportive partners – If your partner is breastfeeding, you are in a fantastic position to champion breastfeeding every day. Take on the role of creating a home conducive to breastfeeding by freeing up the new mom from energy and time-sapping chores. Get involved in burping after feeds and bathing the baby, as well as taking on the grocery shopping and food preparation so that mom has stress-free time to focus on breastfeeding. Supportive workplaces – Unfortunately, the need to return to work is one of the most common reasons why new moms give up on breastfeeding. The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, and ongoing breastfeeding, up to and over two years of age. But employed mothers usually get maternity leave for just 3 or 4 months, or less. As a business leader or owner, you can step up for breastfeeding by making it easy for the moms on your staff to express and store breastmilk at work. It is mandatory to ensure that breastfeeding employees get at least two 30-minute breaks to breastfeed or express breastmilk during the first six months of the infant’s life. You can also make sure moms on your staff have a conducive, private space, and access to a fridge to store breastmilk. Maria concludes, “South Africa has some way to go in the development of a true pro-breastfeeding culture that will improve our dismal breastfeeding record. While the WHO has set a country target of a 50% breastfeeding rate by 2025, breastfeeding with all its health benefits and as a food security strategy should be the norm for South African moms.”

August 3, 2022

Philips Avent support and empower parents to feed their babies anytime, anywhere

Two thirds of moms would be more confident and comfortable breastfeeding in public if it was considered ‘normal’* Let’s support and empower parents to feed their baby anytime, anywhere. Breastfeeding has been around for as long as we have existed. We are also more aware than ever of the health benefits of it for baby and mom. And yet, in many parts of the world, there are still a lot of taboos around breastfeeding – signalling a need for more support for moms and dads to parent and feed their way. This World Breastfeeding Week (1 – 7 August), to understand some of the challenges breastfeeding parents face when feeding their babies, and support and empower them to parent and feed their way, Philips asked more than 6000 women across 25 countries* what holds them back from breastfeeding their babies anytime and anywhere they want to. Breastfeeding in public – still not considered ‘normal’ The results show there’s still work to be done to support and empower moms in their choice to breastfeed in public. Around two thirds (66%) of moms globally say they would feel more confident and comfortable breastfeeding in public if it was considered ‘normal’. Feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable to breastfeed around people they don’t know, is the key reason (52%) of women feel to hesitant to consider breastfeeding in public. The results also reveal many moms (40%) would not consider pumping in public, rising to 69% in France and dropping to 17% in the USA. The results vary across cultures and countries and breastfeeding and expressing in public is not something every mom wishes to do. At Philips, we recognise every breastfeeding journey is unique and personal to parent and baby; there is no right or wrong way. Parents may choose to feed their baby directly from mom’s breast, with expressed milk, or both, or between formula bottles. Some may choose to feed in public or in the comfort of their own home. Whatever their choice, Philips wants to empower and support all parents with solutions that support each of these choices. Moms should feel they have the ‘right’ Added to this, many moms say greater overall support from others would help them feel more comfortable breastfeeding in public, with this being true for almost a third of moms in the USA (33%), Spain and Mexico (both 30%). Meanwhile, greater partner support would help for many in Colombia (41%), Mexico and Chile (both 40%), compared to fewer in Austria (17%) and Germany (13%). These figures go a long way to indicate many moms would love to see society’s overall understanding and perception of breastfeeding shift from something inappropriate or unnecessary to one of the most natural, fundamental acts of care in the world. This shift can only happen by educating more people on the value of breastfeeding, starting more conversations about it and championing parents’ choices to feed however best suits them – something that lies in all of our hands. The results go on to reveal that while the biggest motivator for moms globally to breastfeed in public is being able to feed their babies as soon as they need it (59%), almost half (47%) globally say having the ‘right’ to breastfeed in public would also motivate them to do so, rising to 57% in Austria and Canada and dropping to 31% in South-Africa. Only through greater breastfeeding awareness, encouraging breastfeeding policy change, and creating more supportive communities around moms that empower them to feed their way, will more people start to recognise and promote breastfeeding as the basic human right it actually is. Moms deserve greater support Added to this, many moms say greater overall support from others would help them feel more comfortable breastfeeding in public, with this being true for almost a third of moms in the USA (33%), Spain and Mexico (both 30%). Meanwhile, greater partner support would help for many in Colombia (41%), Mexico and Chile (both 40%), compared to fewer in Austria (17%) and Germany (13%). These figures go a long way to indicate many moms would love to see society’s overall understanding and perception of breastfeeding shift from something inappropriate or unnecessary to one of the most natural, fundamental acts of care in the world. This shift can only happen by educating more people on the value of breastfeeding, starting more conversations about it and championing parents’ choices to feed however best suits them – something that lies in all of our hands. BreastStories: supporting and empowering parents Through our online platform, BreastStories, parents from around the world can share their breastfeeding stories, tips, and tricks via Instagram and Facebook, as well as find breastfeeding information and advice from healthcare professionals. By downloading the Philips Baby+ app on their mobile device, parents can also log feeding information, as well as track their baby’s development, such as their weight, height, and head circumference during the first year. Breastfeeding can be wonderful but it’s not always straightforward or easy for moms. Feeling comfortable is key to a positive breastfeeding experience as it makes it easier to release milk. Let’s unite in supporting parents to parent their way and empower them to feed their baby anytime, anywhere. We believe parents should feel supported and empowered throughout this journey, and parent their way. This includes feeding their baby and expressing milk whenever and wherever they need and want to – in restaurants and bars and in parks and on public transport. That’s why, during this World Breastfeeding Week, we are highlighting the conversation around breastfeeding by creating a supportive online community for moms and dads, so they never feel alone in their experiences. There’s great power in talking about your experiences with healthcare professionals, lactation consultants, at antenatal classes, via apps and online communities, and with family, friends, and other moms. Through our online platform, BreastStories, parents from around the world can share their breastfeeding stories, tips, and tricks via Instagram and Facebook, as well as find breastfeeding information and

August 1, 2022

Ameda Mya Joy- The NICU mom’s preferred breast pump

Producing enough breast milk for a baby in Neo Natal intensive Care (NICU) is a major concern for a mom. In fact, sending milk to you baby is sometimes the only practical thing and first thing you can do to help you baby. Some mothers send milk to their baby before they are able to see their baby. Later skin-to-skin and holding the baby starts to play an important role, but breastmilk is continually needed and in increasing amounts. When a baby is born too soon it puts the mother’s breast milk making ability at a disadvantage. The disadvantage is that the mother may not herself be well after the delivery, she may need some time for recovery from surgery or illness. This time is also very stressful which can also affect her milk supply. However, a women’s body is so amazing, from the beginning of the pregnancy her body starts to prepare for making breast milk by increasing the number of ducts and glands in the breast. From the second trimester her body is already making colostrum, the first breast milk. When her baby is born too early the mother needs to start to stimulate her breasts and get her body making as much breast milk soon as possible. She will need a breast pump that is strong enough to empty her breasts, be comfortable and convenient to use- this helps significantly with milk production. Stimulation of her breasts at this early stage is critical. The sooner after birth the best, ideally within 1 – 6 hours. This stimulation helps the body to release the hormones necessary to increase and build her milk supply. In the beginning the baby does not require large amounts of breast milk, but this can quickly increase as the baby grows and breast milk needs increase. In order for the mother to reach her full milk supply she will need to pump between 8 to 12 times a day. The goal is to stimulate and empty her breast, which signals to her body that she needs to continue to increase her milk supply. The sooner the mother can reach her full milk supply of about 1 litre a day the better for her breast milk supply and it will help her once her baby starts to latch directly on her breasts. This is where the quality and strength of the breast pump is highlighted. The best pump to exclusively pump with is a hospital grade pump- so that a mom can increase her milk supply and maintain it. In order for the pump to effectively increase the mothers milk supply it needs to be able to drain the breast, this can only be done efficiently with a breast pump that has a high suction capacity of above -180 mmHg and below -250 mmHg. These levels are only found in hospital grade breast pumps like the Ameda Mya Joy. Most pumps that are bought online or off the shelf are not hospital grade pumps. These pumps need to be used in conjunction with a baby that has a effective latch, so that the breasts can be stimulated and drained correctly by the baby. This is because the baby is able to drain the breast when the pump is not able to. These pumps may also be the cause of a decreased supply of breast milk due to the incomplete draining of the breast. Another important aspect for mothers that are pumping exclusively is to use a double breast pump. This means that you are able to stimulate and drain both breasts at the same time. Effectively cutting the mothers pumping time in half. The double expressing also results in increased release of hormones which helps to increase the milk supply. Dual phase pumping like that found in the Ameda Mya Joy is also essential in draining the breast well. Dual phase pumping has a stimulation and an expression phase which is able to mimic how a baby sucks. The stimulation phase is quick which helps with the let-down (release) of the milk in the breasts while the expression phase (longer higher suction) helps with draining deep within the breast. The combination of these phases being repeated about 3 to 4 times increase the number of let downs which effectively drains the breast. The comfort of the breast pump is critical as no one wants to use breast pump that hurts you. An incorrect sized flange (the part that touches your breast), which is too small can cause friction and pain. If the flange is too big too much of the breast can be sucked into the flange and cause discomfort. The Ameda Mya Joy has 7 different sized flanges. The different sized flanges helps the mother to be able to fit her pump comfortably which increased the amount of milk that is expressed from the mother. Another part of the comfort of a pump is how much noise it makes. The repetition of noise can be come very irritating and also prevent the mother from talking the phone or being able to multitask while she is pumping. The Ameda Mya Joy, the pump is very quiet and cannot be heard when a mother uses the phone. This makes it so easy to use the pump at your baby’s bedside, while watching T.V or at work without disturbing others. Portability and being able to use batteries is also so important with load shedding and being able to take your pump with you to the hospital. This way you never miss a pumping session. The Ameda Mya Joy even has a back clip that allows you to clip your pump to your belt and gives you the freedom to move around, while pumping. All these benefits of the Ameda Mya Joy helps mothers to exclusively express and build their milk supply. These benefits are also available for mothers that are pumping at work as you can empty your breast quickly and quietly. This pump allows

July 19, 2022

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