You do not need to wash your breasts/chest before or after feeding or expressing milk. You can let your milk dry on your nipples after feedings.
While you don't need to thoroughly clean your nipples after each and every feeding, it's a good idea to at least give them a rinse a few times throughout the day. This helps to remove any traces of saliva and gives you a chance to add some unscented, baby-approved moisturizer.
You do not need to wash your breasts before you pump unless you have been using a cream, ointment, or other product on your breasts that must be removed first. Check the labels on products you have been using and ask your doctor for advice.
The CDC and most breast pump manufacturers recommend cleaning pump parts thoroughly after every use to help protect babies from germs.
A white bleb is a very small white spot on the nipple tip. It forms in two ways - either when a tiny bit of skin overgrows the opening of the nipple and forms a blockage in the duct, or through the formation of a string of hardened or fattier milk within the duct. This is why it has a white or yellow spot appearance.
All breast pump parts that come in contact with breast milk, such as bottles, valves and breast shields, should be cleaned after each use. It is not possible to completely sterilize breast pump parts at home, even if you boil them. However, sterilization is not necessary to keep these parts safe and sanitary.
When your breasts are empty, they will probably feel lighter and no longer uncomfortably full, as they might have at the start of the pumping session. You can also pick them up to see if they still feel heavy or full of milk. Pumping sessions typically take about 15 to 20 minutes.
Can I get thrush if I'm exclusively pumping? Yes. As discussed above, thrush is a result of a bacterial imbalance, and contact with your baby is not necessary for it to occur.
Purified lanolin in nipple creams is safe for babies and does not need to be removed prior to nursing or pumping.
You should expect some initial discomfort for a few weeks as your body adjusts to a suckling baby, but most nipple fissures will begin to heal after a few days, with deeper fissures needing one to two weeks to heal.
If you are a new mom, you might be wondering if baby wipes can be used to clean pump parts. The short answer is no, they cannot be used to clean pump parts.
Lactation experts say that nursing moms should wear night nursing bra. Avoid wearing a bra with underwire because these bras apply pressure on your milk ducts. Consequently, milk flow will be blocked due to plugged ducts.
Let your nipples air-dry after each feeding. This prevents clothing from sticking to and irritating the breast. Moistening the nipple helps detach stuck clothing. Apply modified lanolin or other specially formulated ointments or creams made with hypoallergenic ingredients (such as Lansinoh or Tender Care).
Breast compressions are a way of helping your baby to get a stronger flow of milk by gently squeezing and compressing your breast. Breast compressions can keep your baby actively sucking so they can remove more milk from your breasts. This helps to increase your milk supply.
Once your milk supply begins to increase from drops to ounces, you may want to pump longer than 10 minutes. Many women find that pumping for about two minutes after the last drop of milk is an effective way to stimulate more milk, however, avoid pumping for longer than 20 - 30 minutes at a time.
On average, exclusively breastfeeding mothers may see a loss of 1-2 pounds a month and over time, breastfeeding moms tend to lose more weight than mothers who do not breastfeed (Dewey, Heinig & Nommsen, 1993).
Since a breast pump mimics a baby sucking at the breast, your body responds similarly when it comes to the metabolic response. But while both pumping and breastfeeding burn calories, breastfeeding tends to be more efficient and therefore moms who breastfeed do it more often, burning more calories in the long run.
Can pumping decrease milk supply? Pumping itself does not decrease your breast milk supply. In fact, it can help boost it. But if you are having trouble with low milk supply, the first step is to check that you are using the right breast pump.
Many moms assume that having a pump with a higher suction strength will automatically mean that they will be able to pump more milk, but in fact, pumping at too high of a setting can actually inhibit your milk production.
A pumping session will take 15-20 minutes ideally pumping both breasts at the same time. Full milk production is about 25-35 oz. per 24 hours.
Fridge hack
In between sessions, some people put their pump parts in a gallon-size zip-top bag or Pumparoo in the fridge, and just wash them every few sessions. This is known as the “fridge hack,” and I often did this. In September 2017, the CDC issued new guidelines recommending pump parts be washed after each use.
Y'all, the wipes are a must have in your diaper bag! They're extremely useful for when you're on the go and not around soap and water. Not only are they safe to use on pacifiers but also you can use them on your breast pump parts, high chairs and toys.
Pumping Positions
You don't want poor posture during breast pumping because it may lead to irritation. Instead, sit or stand upright with your shoulders open, back straight, feet flat on the floor and arms supported. Try a pillow or armrest to help hold your bottles or milk catcher steady while pumping.