Breastfeeding Mothers Research Survey
Have you ever breastfeed or pumped to feed your infant? Join our survey as a participant to help mothers in the postpartum period.
Healthcare Professionals Research Survey
Are you a IBCLC, OB/GYN, PA, NP Doula or Midwife? We are looking for Healthcare Professionals to help us with our breastfeeding research.
White Paper: What Is Medically Necessary To Provide Optimal Health Benefits To Postpartum Women And For Infant Feeding
Learn more about the significance of breastfeeding and breast milk for the health of the infant and mother.
Mothers Need Safe Spaces to Breastfeed at Work, and Employers Need to Lead the Charge
Working mothers face challenges when they are breastfeeding. The need for employers to provide safe and supportive spaces for them is paramount. Many mothers who breastfeed share similiar experiences of having to pump breast milk during a rushed lunch break in the workplace or their workplace lacks proper privacy. This situation is common among American mothers, with one in three reporting a lack of access to reliable workplace lactation spaces.
Despite the existence of the PUMP Act, which grants breastfeeding employees “reasonable break time” and a private space for pumping, only 15% of public places are reported as supportive of nursing parents.
To address this issue, employers can play a crucial role by educating themselves and their staff about breastfeeding rights in the workplace. Awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by breastfeeding parents can lead to better support. Additionally, employers can provide adequate time and a private space for pumping, as well as access to necessary facilities for cleaning pump parts, hydration, and meal breaks.
Accommodating these needs is not just about compliance with the law but also a retention strategy, protection against lawsuits, and a fundamental human right. The hope is that with increased awareness and employer involvement, there will be progress in improving support for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.
Mayo Clinic, Managing Clogged Milk Ducts and Mastitis
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding or breastmilk only for the first six months of life. The group also recommends that breastfeeding be continued up to and beyond the first year of life or as long and mother and child desire. Most women desire to exclusively breastfeed for six months and plan to breastfeed for one year or more.
Breast pain is the most frequently stated reason for early weaning. The longer breast pain is experienced, the more likely the mother will wean her baby before she intended to. Immediate intervention and treatment of breast pain is crucial to preserving the breastfeeding relationship, and help mother and child continue with breastfeeding.
Plugged ducts and mastitis are common conditions in breastfeeding that affect up to 20% of women. Both conditions cause pain and discomfort of the breast, which affects long-term breastmilk feeding goals. A plugged duct is an obstruction of milk flow in a portion of the breast, either at the nipple or further back in the ductal system. Mastitis is inflammation and infection of the breast. These conditions happen most often in the first six to eight weeks postpartum, but they can occur at any time during breastfeeding.
Pumpables recommends leaning forward while using a Breast Pump
8 Breast pumping techniques to maximize milk output
Always lean forward while pumping
It’s important to lean slightly forward while pumping. If you don’t, your pump will have to work quite a bit harder to draw milk from your breast, and you may not be emptying your breast properly. Place a pillow behind you to help you comfortably lean forward and use gravity to help empty your breasts.
Always pump until empty; ignore the clock
Pumping times are a myth. You’re most likely pumping to stimulate supply or to relieve an oversupply because your baby isn’t drinking enough of what you make. Either way you will want to empty your breasts completely. It’s important to pump until your milk stops flowing (or flow slows to a small dribble every minute or so) because not doing so can cause plugged ducts and mastitis. Watching the
clock can prevent you from pumping until empty. Pump until your milk stops flowing, and then an additional 5 minutes longer; don’t pump until a certain amount of time has elapsed. After a while you’ll get the hang of things and notice about how long it takes to empty your breasts, and you’ll be able to plan time for your pumping sessions in advanced. If you’re having an oversupply, it should
regulate as your baby gets older by about 4 months, too.
Always massage and compress the breasts while pumping
Even if you’re hands-free pumping, it’s important to massage and compress your breasts while pumping (choose a hands-free pumping bra that is soft enough to allow you to cup your breasts). To compress your breasts, form a C shape with your thumb and index finger around your areola; apply gentle pressure. To massage your breasts, apply gentle pressure with your index and middle
finger in small circular motions working down toward the areola. Do this on the top, bottom, inside and outside of your breasts to get all the milk ducts. Don’t massage your areola or too close the flange as that can break the air seal. Remember to massage in your armpit areas too.
Stress and Anxiety lowering your milk supply?
What can reduce breast milk supply?
Feeling stressed or anxious?
Stress is the No. 1 killer of breastmilk supply, especially in the first few weeks after delivery. Between lack of sleep and adjusting to the baby’s schedule, rising levels of certain hormones such as cortisol can dramatically reduce your milk supply. I’ve seen women who, within 24 hours, have gone from having an ample milk supply to literally none due to stress.
Is your pump bra too tight?
The low-down on ducts
Milk ducts often become clogged when your breasts aren’t completely drained. Try to fully empty your breasts each time you’re breastfeeding or pumping to prevent clogs. Other reasons for clogged milk ducts include:
- Your baby has trouble latching or sucking and is unable to drain the breast during feedings.
- Changes in feeding schedules or missed feedings can impact flow.
- Tight clothing or bras can restrict milk flow.
Note: There is NO PUMP BRA REQUIRED for Restful Pump products.
NIH: Reasons for Earlier Than Desired Cessation of Breastfeeding
Results
Approximately 60% of mothers who stopped breastfeeding did so earlier than desired. Early termination was positively associated with mothers’ concerns regarding: (1) difficulties with lactation; (2) infant nutrition and weight; (3) illness or need to take medicine; and (4) the effort associated with pumping milk.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that the major reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding before they desire include concerns about maternal or child health (infant nutrition, maternal illness or the need for medicine, and infant illness) and processes associated with breastfeeding (lactation and milk-pumping problems). Continued professional support may be necessary to address these challenges and help mothers meet their desired breastfeeding duration.
PubMed: Nursing Mothers' Experiences of Musculoskeletal Pain Attributed to Poor Posture During Breastfeeding: A Mixed Methods Study
Results
Four hundred ninety-three nursing mothers submitted the online questionnaire, and 12 interviews were completed. Nursing mothers reported experiencing nonspecific pain in lower back, neck, shoulder, and hand, attributed to breastfeeding. Pain in these joints affected mood, sleep, working ability, and quality of life by limiting activities of daily living. Findings showed that the majority of Jordanian nursing mothers did not receive education about safe or optimal breastfeeding positioning from health professionals.
CONCLUSIONS
Nursing mothers in Jordan are not receiving appropriate education or advice about optimal postures for breastfeeding and have reported experiencing musculoskeletal pain, attributed to breastfeeding, that interferes with activities of daily living and affects quality of life. Postural education and advice should be provided to nursing mothers to prevent or avoid development of musculoskeletal pain.