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Frequestly Asked Questions
Breastfeeding
How often should I nurse my baby?
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
Can I take medicine and still continue to breastfeed?
My breasts are engorged. What can I do?
Using a Medela Breastpump
What time of day is best to learn to pump?
I can get more milk from one breast when pumping than the other. Is this a problem?
What is the usual amount of milk a mother can expect to get while pumping?
Breastfeeding is going well, and I'm returning to work soon and want to introduce a bottle. When should I begin pumping to store milk for my first few days at work?
My nipples are rubbing inside the breastshield and hurting. Would a wider PersonalFit breastshield help me?
Do you have any tips to help with milk ejection reflex (let-down)?
Breastmilk Storage
My defrosted milk is sour smelling. What is wrong?
My baby took part of a bottle of breastmilk. Can I reuse what's left at a later feeding?
Can I add freshly expressed milk to already cooled refrigerated milk?
How do I thaw and warm my breastmilk safely?
Can I microwave breastmilk to warm it?
How long is breastmilk good after warming?
About Your Breastmilk Supply
How do I know if my supply is low?
What should I do if my supply is low?
Breastfeeding Resources
What are some sources of breastfeeding help and support that I can find in my community, or in the on-line community?
Return Policy
Order is Damaged, Defective or the Wrong Item Was Shipped
Breastfeeding
How often should I nurse my baby?
- Newborns should breastfeed well at least 8-12 times per 24 hours.
- It is important for babies to practice breastfeeding often, because not every feeding is perfect in the beginning.
- Some babies will cluster feed, that is, they will feed several times within a few hour period and then sleep for a while. This is normal.
- As babies get older, they feed less often.
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
A healthy breastfed baby:
- Returns to birth weight within 14 days.
- Makes yellow colored bowel movements by day 3 or 4.
- Makes 6 or more wet diapers each day starting on day 3 or 4.
- Makes at least 3 large bowel movements each day starting on day 3 or 4 (breastfed babies older than 6 weeks may go several days between bowel movements).
- Gains about 1 ounce a day during the first few months.
- Doubles birth weight in about 6 months.
Can I take medicine and still continue to breastfeed?
- Check with your doctor before taking medications.
- Most medications can be used when breastfeeding.
- Some moms notice a reduced milk supply when taking birth control medications or over-the-counter cold medications.
My breasts are engorged. What can I do?
- Take a warm shower, or apply warm compresses for 2-3 minutes before breastfeeding/expressing milk.
- Latch baby onto the breast frequently and comfortably. If your baby in not latching well, use a pump to reduce engorgement and help milk to flow.
- Rest and breastfeed frequently, at least 8-12 times in 24 hours. Pump if breastfeeding is not possible.
- Use cool compresses in between feedings to reduce swelling.
- Consult your doctor or professional lactation consultant if the problem does not resolve or if you have increased pain, fever, or red, hot streaks on your breast. You may need professional help and medication.
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Using a Medela Breastpump
What time of day is best to learn to pump?
- Pick a time of day that works for you and your baby, when you both are well rested.
- Mornings are often a good time to pump. Pump after the first morning feeding, or pump on one side after the baby has breastfed on the other.
I can get more milk from one breast when pumping than the other. Is this a problem?
- Many mothers find that one breast produces more milk.
- Check with your doctor if you are concerned. You can try feeding more often from the breast that produces less, or pumping that side more often when away from your baby.
- If you are not able to pump enough milk for your baby, check with a professional lactation consultant or doctor.
What is the usual amount of milk a mother can expect to get while pumping?
- For a missed feeding, babies between 1-6 months will need 3-5 oz of milk (90-150 ml). Babies may need more at some feedings than others.
- It may take a few pumping sessions to gather this amount at first. Getting 1-2 ounces (30-60 mls) of milk to start with is good.
- Each mother is unique in the amount she can pump. Amounts of pumped milk often increase with practice.
Breastfeeding is going well, and I'm returning to work soon and want to introduce a bottle. When should I begin pumping to store milk for my first few days at work?
If you choose to use a bottle, the best time to begin pumping for storage or to begin offering a bottle of expressed milk is around 4 weeks after birth, when breastfeeding is well-established.
My nipples are rubbing inside the breastshield and hurting. Would a wider PersonalFit breastshield help me?
- Pumping should not be painful.
- If you are experiencing pain, a wider breastshield might help. Talk to your professional lactation consultant about proper breastshield fitting.
Do you have any tips to help with milk ejection reflex (let-down)?
- Express milk in a comfortable warm place.
- Minimize interruptions (hang a "do not disturb" sign). Massage your breasts and nipples briefly before pumping.
- Relax for a minute or two, and then begin pumping.
- Think about your baby.
- If the milk flow slows, massage breasts for a few minutes in between, and continue to pump until a few minutes past the time the flow stops.
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Breastmilk Storage
My defrosted milk is sour smelling. What is wrong?
- Some mothers have a higher level of an enzyme called lipase is their milk. While this is normal, it can cause expressed milk to be sour smelling or tasting.
- If this happens, try scalding your expressed milk briefly before cooking and storing. There is no way to reverse the souring once is has occurred.
My baby took part of a bottle of breastmilk. Can I reuse what's left at a later feeding?
While some experts suggest the milk be discarded, many mothers immediately refrigerate the milk if it will be used up within a few hours. There have been no reports of problems in doing this. Check with your doctor.
Can I add freshly expressed milk to already cooled refrigerated milk?
Yes you can, within the same 24-hour period.
How do I thaw and warm my breastmilk safely?
- Warm the milk under cool and then warm running water for a few minutes.
- Or, put the container in a pot of water that has been heated on the stove.
- Do not heat the milk directly on the stove.
Can I microwave breastmilk to warm it?
- No. Breastmilk should never be microwaved.
- Microwaving can cause severe burns to your baby's mouth, and can increase the risk of bacterial contamination.
How long is breastmilk good after warming?
- There is no research to answer this question.
- Some experts recommend that any milk not consumed within an hour be discarded.
- There have been no reports of harm if the milk is refrigerated, re-warmed and used within a few hours. Check with your doctor.
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About Your Breastmilk
How do I know if my supply is low?
- If your baby is not gaining weight well on your breastmilk alone, then your supply may be low.
- Fussiness at the breast does not necessarily mean that your supply is low, but it is a good signal to get professional breastfeeding help.
What should I do if my supply is low?
- Many things can temporarily decrease milk supply: illness, hormonal changes, stress and especially lack of frequent breastfeeding or pumping.
- The simplest way to increase milk supply is to breastfeed your baby or use a breastpump more often.
- Breastmilk supply depends on frequent effective emptying of milk from your breasts.
- Avoid becoming overly full, as this over-fullness can slow your supply.
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Breastfeeding Resources
What are some sources of breastfeeding help and support that I can find in my community, or in the on-line community?
You can find breastfeeding help in many places.
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Return Policy
Order is Damaged, Defective, or the Wrong Item Was Shipped
If the order is damaged, defective or the wrong item was shipped, please save the carton and all the packing material as well as the item. Notify us immediately at 1-909-463-6557 or e-mail us at info@expressinglove.com so we can instruct you on the proper handling of the merchandise. This will ensure the quickest replacement.
NOTE: Nearly all products for sale on the Expressing Love Website are for personal use; therefore products cannot be returned for a refund if used. It is important that you thoroughly inspect your order to ensure it is the correct product and that to the best of your knowledge it is not damaged or defective prior to using.
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