Breastfeeding - Parenting Hub

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Breastfeeding: the most common challenges and how to deal with them

Breastfeeding can be a beautiful and special time between you and your baby. It can however, come with some challenges. In fact, statistics show that up to 60% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intended to due to challenges faced. Below are some of the most common breastfeeding challenges or difficulties and how you can deal with them to ensure that you and your little one have a pleasant breastfeeding experience. Pain or discomfort Pain experienced when breastfeeding can be caused by nipple tenderness, bleeding, blistering and/or cracked nipples. How to deal with pain: Breastfeeding should not be painful. Please consult a lactation consultant to assist you. It is important to ensure that your baby is latching correctly and find a breastfeeding position that supports an optimal latch. Make use of nipple cream (chat to your Dr or pharmacist about a recommended brand) or use a small amount of your own breastmilk to soothe your nipples. Use breast pads to protect your nipples from chaffing on your bra or clothing. Engorgement Engorgement can be very uncomfortable and occurs when breast milk has not been adequately removed, resulting in hard and sore breasts. How to deal with engorgement: Pump and/or nurse your baby frequently (between 8-12 times a day). Ensure that your baby is latched on correctly so that he/she can empty your breasts. A poor latch can also result in engorged breasts. Take warm showers or apply a warmed cloth to your breasts to encourage milk flow. Breast massage My baby’s not latching There are a number of reasons your baby may not be able to achieve a sufficient latch. These include poor coordination, prematurity, discomfort and/or mom having flat or inverted nipples. How to deal with a poor latch: See a lactation consultant! Lactation consultants are trained to identify and solve breastfeeding challenges. Try out different breastfeeding positions. There is no one size fits all – try various holds to establish which suits you and your baby best. Support your baby’s neck, shoulders, and hips with your hands. Consider the use of a nipple shield if you have flat nipples – these can be a short term solution to assist your baby to latch. It is advised to consult a Lactation consultant before purchasing a nipple shield. Not having enough breastmilk Breastmilk supply is initially low while your body adjusts your hormones to trigger breastmilk production. This usually takes 2-4 days, after which your milk supply should increase to provide the optimal amount of breastmilk for your baby. There are various things that can negatively affect milk supply, and these vary between women. How to deal with not having enough milk Feed your baby on demand. This should range from every 2 to 3 hours (can be more), day and night. Stick to this range if you are expressing too. It is important that your breasts receive this stimulation, either from your baby feeding, hand expressing or a pump. Try and get as much rest as possible (easier said than done with a newborn). Eat well and frequently as well as drink plenty of water throughout the day and night. If you have friends and/or family around, ask for assistance with chores so that you are able to focus on breastfeeding. If you are hand expressing and still have a low supply, consider purchasing or renting a breast pump. These pumps are effective in mimicking what your baby does at the breast as well as stimulating milk production. Skin-to-skin; research indicates that skin-to-skin assists with increasing breastmilk production. If your milk supply remains low or diminishes, consult your Doctor and/or a Lactation Consultant. Leaking breasts This is a common occurrence in the initial stages of breastfeeding, however, usually subsides after 5-6 weeks. How to cope with leaking breasts Wear nursing pads inside your bra in the day and night Feed your baby or express frequently (every 2-3 hours). Producing too much milk Once your milk supply is fully established, you may find that you have more milk than your baby needs, resulting in coughing, spluttering or vomiting after a feed. How to cope: Express a small amount of milk before a feed. This ensures the initial let down is not too strong for your baby. A reclined (lean-back) feeding position allows your baby to control the flow rate of milk from your breast as gravity is minimised. Take your time and allow your baby to rest after a feed. If he/she has taken in too much milk, moving a lot or too quickly can cause her to vomit. Above, are only some challenges that new mothers may face when breastfeeding. It is important to not “suffer in silence” but rather to seek the assistance of a lactation consultant. Luckily there are plenty of lactation consultants around that will be happy to assist you and your baby.

March 7, 2024

Breastfeeding myths you need to forget

Thanks to the Internet, and well-meaning (but mostly misinformed) advice-givers, the myths surrounding breastfeeding are endless…

November 21, 2023

How to exercise with baby in tow

For some new moms, the thought of struggling into something lycra on very little sleep, with leaking breasts, to take part in some form of exercise might fill you with horror. Fair enough! But there are those of you who feel trapped by the fact that you can’t take part in sports and activities that you used to now that you have a baby and consequently feel like you are missing out. The good news is that things have moved on a great deal in the last 15 years when it comes to mother and baby exercise. My first piece of advice is that it is important to be sure you are taking part in exercise for the right reasons. There is a lot of pressure on mothers to regain their pre baby figure and this is a worrying trend. While it is great to be fit, healthy and to lose any weight gained during pregnancy, you simply shouldn’t feel pressure to do so on top of the demanding job of caring for a new baby. So assuming you are looking to exercise with your baby to make you feel good, keep up a level of fitness and get out of the house, what is there on offer? There has been an explosion of mother and baby classes that involve meeting in the park with your baby and buggy and getting a sweat on! These classes often involve lunging and strength exercises and fast walking or running. These are great as they give your baby some fresh air and you get a chance to meet other mothers too. What happens in the class is designed to be safe for postnatal mums so you don’t need to worry about doing anything inappropriate. Another popular mother and baby class is yoga. This can be done together with your baby. No one minds if your baby has a bit of a grizzle and I have memories of having a little nap in one the classes I attended, unintentional of course! Water-based classes are another popular choice for mother and baby. Everyone is carrying post baby weight so you are all in it together squeezing your swimsuits on. A word of caution here though, a swimming pool can be a breeding ground for germs so take care when taking a small baby to a public pool. If they are showing any signs of feeling unwell then avoid swimming at all. Chlorine can be harsh on a baby’s skin too so have a think before you make the decision to take your baby swimming if they have sensitive skin. There are of course things you can do with your baby that cost very little. A brisk walk with your baby in the buggy, a cycle with your baby on the back of your bike, and don’t forget the trusty home workout DVD as there are plenty designed for postnatal mums. A word of caution, if you have had a C-section, do check with your doctor before taking part in any exercise as you are recovering from major surgery. Whatever you choose to do, enjoy doing it with your baby! To share your own exercise tips or to read tips from other moms, visit www.facebook.com/philipsavent

November 15, 2023

How do I store my Breastmilk

Store your precious breast milk so you don’t lose a drop. Any mum who has expressed her breast milk knows it is the equivalent of liquid gold. Even the tiniest drop spilled is heartbreaking. By knowing how to store it safely, you can reduce the risk of any of this precious liquid going to waste. Here’s how: Breast milk must be stored in a clean, sterilised container. Tommee Tippee Milk storage bottles and pots allows you to collect, and measure your expressed breast milk. They are suitable for freezing, thawing & heating breast milk. The Tommee Tippee Milk Storage Bags are pre-sterilised allowing mum to simply pour expressed milk directly into the bags without the need for sterilising in advance. Always label the container with the date and time the milk was collected, so you can use the oldest milk first. If you are going to freeze the milk, it’s handy to write the amount on here too. Breast milk can be frozen or refrigerated depending on when you are planning to use it. As with every parenting topic, advice varies on this but a great guideline to remember is ‘The Rule of 6’ as breast milk is safely kept: For 6 hours at ambient room temperature For 6 days in the refrigerator For 6 months in the freezer It’s absolutely fine to put milk breast pumped at different times on the same day into the same pot. Don’t be alarmed if you notice that it has separated into layers after being stored for a while – this is just the hindmilk and foremilk. Just give it a shake before you offer it to your baby. When freezing milk, allow space at the top of the container for expansion. It is easiest to freeze milk in individual feed quantities of 60-125ml. Storage – Pouches can be put straight in the fridge or freezer. Likewise, or you can use a specially designed storage case to neatly store pouches and help prevent damage. If you want to take your milk with you when you are out, make sure it stays cold or frozen until needed. A cool bag is perfect for protecting your milk on the move.

November 13, 2023

How to Work Together as a Breastfeeding Team

As the saying goes, bringing up a baby takes a village, and although there’s only one pair of boobs that can feed baby, there are lots of ways others can chip in and help. Dads, partners, friends, siblings, and other family members can all form a breastfeeding team. When mums feel supported and happy, they’re likely to breastfeed for longer. What Partners Can Do to Help Dads and partners are key members of any breastfeeding team. They’re the ones who are there with mum and baby in the middle of the night, when times get tough, and reassurance is needed most. With the right support, mums have the time, energy, and peace of mind to get breastfeeding off to the best possible start. Do your research Begin to research breastfeeding before the baby arrives, and make sure you talk to mum about her feeding plans. Let her know that you understand the difficulties that may crop up, and that you’re there for her whatever happens. Lactation consultants – you can find one closest to you right here at http://salactationconsultants.co.za/wp/find-a-consultant/, and organisations like La Leche League have loads of great information about breastfeeding and also run support groups to help parents find their feet. Offer encouragement Be a breastfeeding cheerleader and offer verbal encouragement and support throughout. This will let mum know that you see and appreciate what a great job she’s doing, and will spur her on to persevere if times get tough. Be sensitive to your partner’s needs It’s important to understand the bond between mum and baby, and to be aware of the rollercoaster of emotions that post-pregnancy hormones can bring. Talk to each other honestly about how you’re both feeling, and encourage openness at every new stage that raising a baby brings. Help around the house To reduce stress and ease the load, make it your job to keep on top of the housework. Encourage mum to put her feet up and enjoy bonding with the little one while you pop to the shops, do the laundry, or rustle up something tasty in the kitchen. Burp the baby Once the baby has finished feeding with mum, you can take on the task of winding them. Remember to have a muslin cloth close by – just in case! Why not check out our live video with Terence Mentor @afrodaddyct and Dr Mike Marinus talk about burping your baby. In this brilliant IGTV session, Dr Mike Marinus (MScPaeds, M.Tech Chiro)@marinuschiro @easybaby_academy and Terence Mentor @afrodaddyct chat about burping babies, winding babies, and just getting all that air out. Check it out right here https://www.instagram.com/p/CPI3r4wpaMF/ Create a calm environment Dealing with a newborn can be chaotic, so try and keep your home as calm as possible. If you have older children, perhaps you take them out for the afternoon? Make sure your house isn’t always filled with visitors, and ask people to call or text to arrange a convenient visiting time. When people do come to visit, look for signs that mum – or baby – is ready for them to leave. Keep her company Breastfeeding can be a lonely time for some mums, so try asking if they’d like some time alone with the baby, or if they want you to stick around and chat. Care for the baby in other ways Caring for your baby during the breastfeeding process teaches them that love comes from interacting with people, as well as from food. You can pitch in with walks, nappy changes and bath or bedtimes – all of which are great opportunities to build a lasting bond, and give mum some time off to enjoy a soak in the bath or a well-deserved snooze! Stand up for her right to breastfeed, whenever, wherever.

November 1, 2023

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR BREAST CHANGES DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY

Breast changes within a pregnant woman are truly incredible. The topic of breast development is one which is grossly misunderstood. Most women have an incorrect knowledge of how their own body develops. For most of ladies, it is assumed that by the time they have gone through puberty, that their breasts are fully developed. But this is wildly incorrect. Puberty is actually just the beginning of breast development. Within this article, we will discuss the actual development cycle of a woman’s breasts and what changes she can prepare herself for both during, and after pregnancy. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet! How Breasts Develop After Puberty Many people link breast development to size. Simply put, this is the wrong measure to take. Whilst a woman’s breast size will remain relatively the same from puberty up until pregnancy, the real development happens within the tissue itself. Breasts actually continue to develop every time a woman menstruates. When it is that time of the month, a lady’s breasts begin to produce small amounts of secretory tissue. This is the tissue that allows milk production to take place. This cycle will go on until a woman either reaches the age of about 34, or she falls pregnant. Naturally, another question arises in light of this knowledge. If a woman is consistently creating additional tissue, why do the breasts not get bigger as she gets older? Well, the breast actually replace the older cells within them when creating the new ones. As such, the old cells are replaced by the new. This is also why a lady’s breasts become incredibly sensitive during this time. In a nutshell, the body only begins to develop a woman’s breasts from the end of puberty onwards. But, what happens when you fall pregnant? Breast Development During Pregnancy Pregnancy is truly a miraculous time for a woman. Multiple changes begin to happen within your body. Your hormones sore, your bodily functions begin to change, but above all, a tiny being begins to grow within you. This period can be seen as your breast development heyday. During this time, your breasts will grow into full maturity. And it all begins after month one of falling pregnant. The first notable thing a woman will experience is the sensitivity of her breasts. This is actually one of the most common first signs of pregnancy. This is caused by the sudden change in hormones within her body. Within the first four to six weeks, the breasts will be particularly sensitive – similar to how they feel during a period. For the first trimester of her pregnancy, a woman’s breasts will remain sensitive. Visible Physical Changes The next change is one you will physically be able to witness. During pregnancy, breasts may go up by a cup size. This change happens particularly in first time mothers. Some ladies even go up by two sizes during this time. You will start to see the beginning of this growth from about six to eight weeks into pregnancy. Breasts may also begin to feel particularly itchy during pregnancy. This is due to the tightness of the skin within the area as the breasts grow. Some women have even developed stretch marks on their breasts during pregnancy from the sudden growth. Areola Changes Another physical indication of breast change during pregnancy are prominent veins. When pregnant, a woman’s breasts may begin to show large, blue veins running through them. This is attributed to the act that the veins will expand to accommodate extra blood flow of the growing breast tissues. Don’t be alarmed if you notice this on yourself – it is completely natural and will fade once you have given birth and stopped breastfeeding. Additional colour changes to expect occur within the areola’s. During pregnancy, it is common for a woman’s areola’s to become slightly larger, and darker in colour. Your areola’s will also develop pronounced bumps, known as Montgomery’s tubercles. These are oil producing glands which are common within pregnancy, and help lubricate the nipples during this time. Tissue Changes As far as changes are concerned, the first thing which begins to change in the tissue structure are the amount of milk ducts within the breast. The hormones released during pregnancy send messages to the breast structure informing it of the need to increase the number of ducts – as feeding will soon begin. As such, a burst of ducts begins to develop within the breast tissue. Lactocytes are another tissue addition within the breasts during pregnancy. These are actually the milk production cells. Naturally, the body will need to develop these as they are the power houses behind breastfeeding. Other Changes The next set of changes do not necessarily happen within all women. Firstly, there is the possibility of the breasts leaking. During the third month of pregnancy, a woman’s body begins to produce the liquid substance known as colostrum. This is also known as liquid gold, as it contains nutritional value second to none for babies. However, during the last few months of pregnancy, the breasts may actually leak a tiny bit of colostrum. This happens frequently in some women, may start earlier in others, and may not occur for some moms. If you experience a breast leakage, don’t be ashamed. Invest in a few disposable breast pads and wear these during this time. Another pregnancy change could be that of lumpy breast tissue. Some ladies may develop umps within the breasts during pregnancy. This can commonly be associated to milk-filled cysts beginning to appear. These should subside once the woman begins to pump r breast feed. How to Deal With Breast Changes During Pregnancy Breast changes can be uncomfortable for some women. Even if they are not causing discomfort to you, there is something every pregnant woman needs to invest in; nursing bras. Nursing bras or apparel is a must have for all moms to be. These are designed to optimise comfort both during pregnancy and after. They also allow for easy feeding

October 26, 2023

Tips for Breastfeeding Success!

After the birth – Keeping your baby with you after the birth will promote a feeling of closeness and a strong hormonal response that is linked with breastfeeding success. In many cases, it is even possible to have your baby with you immediately after a caesarean birth

October 17, 2023

Understanding Your Breastfeeding Rights in the Workplace

As a new Mother, nothing will be more important to you than the well-being of your newborn infant, as your instinct ignites the powerful force of motherhood within you to protect and nurture your baby. A newborn requires exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of its life for optimal growth and development and continued breastfeeding, combined with solid foods, for two years or longer. Working mothers returning to jobs and careers following their maternity leave period will face the challenges of juggling work and home responsibilities. Unfortunately, according to a 2021 survey, the number one reason why new mothers stop breastfeeding their newborn infants is due to having to return to work. While South Africa has legal rights in place for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace, there are challenges new mothers may face in trying to exercise these rights. According to a survey done in 2021 by the South African Breastfeeding Association, only 20% of companies have dedicated breastfeeding rooms in the workplace. According to South Africa’s Basic Conditions of Employment Act, the legal rights of breastfeeding Mothers in the workplace in South Africa are: Breastfeeding mothers are legally entitled to two 30-minute breaks per day for breastfeeding or expressing milk if their infants are younger than 6 months. Breastfeeding breaks are paid time. Employers should provide a clean and private area for breastfeeding or expressing milk, as well as a facility for storing the milk. Breastfeeding mothers should not be discriminated against or harassed for choosing to breastfeed or express milk at work. However, the challenges that breastfeeding mothers may face in trying to exercise these rights are: The Code of Good Practice does not specify whether the breastfeeding breaks are in addition to or part of the normal breaks, such as lunch or tea breaks. The Code of Good Practice does not require employers to give breastfeeding mothers a suitable space for expressing or storing their milk, nor does it specify the minimum standards for such a space. The Code does not impose any penalties for employers who fail to comply with its provisions, nor does it provide any remedies for breastfeeding mothers who are denied their rights. According to BioMedCentral, the survey conducted in March 2021 involved 1000 working mothers across South Africa who had given birth in the past two years. It found that only 20% of companies have dedicated breastfeeding rooms for working mothers, and 40% of mothers had to use public spaces such as toilets, storerooms, or their cars to breastfeed or express milk. The survey also revealed that 60% of mothers felt unsupported by their employers and colleagues when it came to breastfeeding, and that 30% of mothers had stopped breastfeeding before six months due to work-related challenges, highlighting the need for more awareness and action from employers, policymakers, and society to create a more enabling environment for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace. Some employers may be unaware of or unwilling to accommodate the needs of breastfeeding mothers and may create a hostile or unsupportive work environment for them: “My employer did not provide any space for me to pump, so I had to use the bathroom. It was dirty, noisy, and uncomfortable. I felt like I had no privacy or dignity. I often got mastitis and low milk supply. I hated every minute of it,” says Maria, who is a cashier. Some co-workers may be ignorant or insensitive to the benefits and challenges of breastfeeding and may make negative comments or jokes about it. Luckily this was not the case for Fatima, a machine operator in a factory where there are mostly men. “They were very sympathetic to my breastfeeding. They helped me find a quiet corner where I could pump, and they covered for me when I took breaks. They never made any jokes or remarks. They treated me like a normal coworker.” Certain breastfeeding mothers may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about breastfeeding or expressing milk at work and may face social stigma or pressure from their workplace, families or communities. Ashley, a nurse, had to quit her job because her employer refused to accommodate her breastfeeding needs. “They said it was too disruptive and costly. They threatened to fire me if I kept asking for breaks and space. I felt discriminated against and harassed. I wish I had more legal protection.” Marketing manager Jessica had a more understanding employer. “I was lucky enough to have a supportive boss who let me use his office to pump whenever I needed. He also made sure that no one disturbed me or made any rude comments. He even bought me a mini fridge to store my milk in. I felt valued and respected as a working mother.” At Vital Baby we care about parenting and bring you tips on how to navigate your work-life balance and make breastfeeding work for you so you can give your child the best start in life, wherever you may find yourself. It is important to: – Know your rights. Be prepared to negotiate with your employer for more flexible work arrangements, such as flexible hours, part-time work or extended maternity leave. Plan ahead. Before you return to work, discuss your needs with your employer and colleagues about your breastfeeding needs. Discuss a suitable space for breastfeeding or expressing milk at work. If it is impossible, express extra milk and store it in the freezer so your baby can still benefit. Electric and manual breast pumps are small and non-disruptive. The Vital Baby Flexcone Electric Breast Pump Gift Set R2199.99 makes the perfect maternity gift set from the office and includes everything a new mother needs to maintain breastfeeding; it includes the Vital Baby electric breast pump, a breast like feeding bottle, slow flow teat, silicone breast cup, a manual conversion kit so it works during load shedding, bottle stand, charge cable and plug adapter, six ultra comfort breast pads, 30 easy-pour breastmilk storage bags and 2 protect and care silicone nipple shields. The Vital Baby Manual Breast Pump Gift

October 10, 2023

Webinar – Cracked nipples during breastfeeding

Sr Talia talks about cracked nipples during breastfeeding, why they are caused and how to treat them.

September 15, 2023

Webinar – breastfeeding positions

Sr Ingrid Groenewald explains the different breastfeeding positions that you can try to have a successful Breastfeeding journey, as well as the latch baby, should have.

September 8, 2023

How to use a breast pump: 12 top tips

Learning how to use a breast pump can take time and dedication, but is well worth the effort. Read our expert breast pumping tips to help set you on the path to successful expressing. Like any skill worth having, it might take you a bit of time to get the hang of using a breast pump. The key is to be patient, even if you’re not able to express as much as you’d like right away. After all, a breast pump won’t stimulate the same feelings in you as your baby does. But, with time, your body will usually learn to trigger your let-down reflex when you pump, and the quantity of milk you express should increase. 1: There’s no need to rush to start pumping… In the first four weeks, you and your baby work together to initiate and build your milk supply. If your baby is healthy and breastfeeding is going well, you won’t need a pump to help with this. Pumping is, however, really helpful if you need to be apart from your baby any time (see tip below). If not, enjoy this time with your baby and be reassured that even if you plan to pump regularly in future, there’s no need to ‘train’ your body to express milk in the first few weeks. 2: …unless your baby is unable to breastfeed If your baby can’t feed directly from the breast, perhaps because she’s premature or has special needs, or you are separated for any reason, start double pumping breast milk as soon as you can after the birth. Research shows that starting to express within the first few hours (when a healthy newborn would usually have her first breastfeed) helps mums produce a higher volume of milk in the early days and weeks,1,2 giving their babies the best chance of being fed exclusively on mother’s milk. If you’re expecting your baby (or babies) to be born pre-term, in need of intensive care, or to have a condition that might make breastfeeding difficult, prepare yourself. Contact Lorraine at [email protected] or 011 445 3300 for advice about breastfeeding or book a full consultation with her online at www.medela.co.za to help you choose the right equipment to prepare yourself for special feeding conditions. There will probably be a hospital-grade double breast pump at your hospital or birth facility, so ask staff to show you how to use it. It’s important to remove milk from your breasts whenever your baby would normally drink – this means your breasts will still get the message to make milk. Aim for eight to 10 pumping sessions every 24 hours at first, and continue this frequency once your milk comes in. 3: Time it right For your first breast-pumping session, express for at least 15 minutes. Don’t worry if you don’t collect much milk at first – regular extra suction should soon stimulate your breasts to produce more milk. Some mums find pumping one hour after a feed gives the greatest milk yield, others prefer to pump straight after every second feed – try expressing at different times to see when best fits your lifestyle. When you find times that work for you, stick with them so your body gets used to your breast pump use and the extra demand on your milk supply. You may be tempted to extend the time between expressions in a bid to collect larger volumes of milk. However, if you wait until your breasts are full one pumping session won’t drain them very well, so the key is to pump frequently and regularly. 4: Be hygienic Always wash your hands before and after breast pumping, and clean any pump parts that have been in contact with your milk or your baby’s mouth. You will also need to sanitise them after cleaning at least once a day. Be sure to allow all the pieces to completely dry and you can then store the pump set in a clear bag or container until next use. 5: Be prepared To avoid interrupting your breast-pumping session, have everything you need close by before you start. You might want a drink and snack, your phone or TV remote, bottles or milk storage bags for your expressed milk, and a muslin cloth to soak up any drips. Try the Medela Milk Storage Bags for a convenient way to store, carry and warm expressed breast milk. They have a double zip protection and double walls to ensure no leaks, and the heat-sealed seams guarantee no tearing, splitting or cracking. A specially designed breast pumping bra allows you to keep your hands free, making it much easier to operate the controls and do other things while you express. 6: Make yourself comfortable The best position for pumping is one in which you feel at ease. Being relaxed is essential for the release of the hormone oxytocin, which stimulates your let-down reflex. Discomfort and distractions can hamper this process, so choose somewhere private and comfortable, and make sure your arms and back are well supported as you pump. If you’re not using a pumping bra, hold your breast shield between your thumb and index finger, and use your palm and other fingers to support your breast. Hold the breast shield gently against the breast – pressing too hard could compress your breast tissue and obstruct milk flow. Medela’s PersonalFit™ Breast shields play a key role in pumping comfort and efficiency. Shields are available in different sizes and is shaped around you so you can easily adjust the way your breast shield fits to find the most comfortable pumping position. Some mums find deep breathing, soothing music, visualisation techniques, or having their partner massage their back and shoulders, can help them express more milk. 7: Kick-start your let down Most Medela electric and battery-operated breast pumps have 2-Phase Expression technology, which mimics the way your baby feeds (with fast, light sucking followed by slower and stronger sucks), to help trigger your let down. Massaging your breasts before

August 23, 2023

Breastfeeding Webinar – How to know if baby is full

Sr Ingrid Groenewald explains more about breastfeeding and how to know if baby is full or still hungry.

August 18, 2023

Emotional Health during pregnancy

Expecting a child is a blessing and an incredible experience, whether it’s your first child or not. Often, focus is mainly placed on the joy that comes with expecting, the long nights ahead or how it will change life as you know it. But we usually don’t emphasise on emotional health during pregnancy when in fact, the reality is that pregnancy can become overwhelming and stressful at times, where you might be going through a rather tough time while the best thing in your life is underway. So how do you identify stress, anxiety and depression during your pregnancy, and very importantly, how do you manage or overcome it? Identifying the signs It is important to be self-aware of your emotions and how you feel from day-to-day, maybe having a journal to keep note of your health might be the right place to start and help you notice any changes – even the subtle ones. There are some key things to look out for to ensure you are aware of triggers related to anxiety and depression: Feeling lonely and sad; Crying a lot; Feeling anxious all the time Fatigue and wanting to sleep Avoiding people and not wanting to socialise Getting through the stress and anxiety during your pregnancy Once you have identified the signs – it’s critical that you address them. How you do this is up to you, and there are a number of options that can be considered, from speaking to someone, going to a professional to get properly diagnosed to identifying your stress areas and working on relieving or finding solutions to better manage these. Even just taking time out to focus on yourself – regrouping, reassessing and realising what you need, and want, can go a long way in helping you get through such times. The process of growing a life can be quite daunting as you are focused on whether you are living your best life to ensure your little one’s growth is healthy. You worry about what you eat, drink and if you are doing enough physical activity to ensure that you are also healthy enough to have the best possible delivery process for you and baby. In some cases, the stress can be severe for expecting moms and ways to manage or deal with the stress and anxiety need to be top of mind – emotional health is probably one of the most important. Start small and maybe opt for a more intimate solution – talk to your partner about what is keeping you up at night and your fears of not doing enough for your unborn child. Your partner – or a good friend – can be your confidant and through doing this, you might find out that he is also stressing about – or has been through – similar or different things. Because you are both being open and sharing your feelings you will find comfort in one another and end-up reducing your stress and anxiety levels. You can also look at solutions or putting some things in place that work for both of you. And of course, it’s always good to know you are not alone in your fears. Additionally, keep these tips in mind when you are feeling overwhelmed: Reduce the time you spend on the internet – researching is great, but don’t get to a point where it consumes your entire life and fuels your paranoia. Take time in the day to meditate – quiet time to clear your mind and thoughts might be just what you need to calm yourself and have a level-head when reacting to situations and new information. Resting is vital – whether it’s sleeping early, taking breaks or going on a short vacation, time away from it all will help you with your stress levels. Try to eat healthy – when you eat healthy it translates to you feeling better about yourself and that way you focus less on negative things. Don’t overload yourself with work – don’t commit to stressful amounts of work, know your limits and plan your tasks accordingly to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety. How to deal with depression while pregnant Depression is an illness that alters your mood, causing you to feel sad and hopeless. In many cases, it is easier for women who have been diagnosed with depression previously and fall pregnant, to ‘relapse’ into depression as pregnancy can be quite overwhelming. In fact, 1 in 10 pregnant women suffer from Ante-natal Depression so it is essential that expectant moms take care of their mental health and know how to identify the cues. Pregnancy is an amazing thing to experience – enjoy the process of growing a life inside of you and make sure you are self and emotionally aware to notice the little, or big, things robbing you of fully experiencing this time in your life. Ensure that you have a solid support system around you – be it your partner, family or friends. Make your pregnancy journey one to remember and embrace every moment of it!

August 17, 2023

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

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