Have you taken advantage of the new tax benefits for breastpumps and supplies yet? If not, here’s what you should know about potential cost savings.
In February 2011, the IRS reversed its previous ruling, which denied breastfeeding-related supplies from being covered as a health expense. The decision to include it as an allowable health expense is a major milestone for nursing moms, as breastpumps and supplies that assist breastfeeding are now considered “medical care” and tax deductible. This means that moms and families can now use their pre-tax dollars from their flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) to cover the cost of lactation supplies.
For clarification, here is a brief explanation of these accounts:
Health flexible spending account (FSA): a type of tax-advantaged financial account that can be set up through an employer in the United States. An FSA allows an employee to set aside a portion of her pre-tax earnings to pay for qualified medical expenses as established in the plan.
Health savings account (HSA): a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers who are enrolled in a high deductible health plan (HDHP).
Here is what you should know:
•The IRS guidance is broadly interpreted and covers any supplies that “assist lactation.”
•FSA/HSA benefits providers may differ slightly in what they may cover. For example, some may define a breastpump as an allowable expense, but not other supplies.
•It is important for you to contact your employer’s benefits provider to determine what is covered under your specific FSA/HSA and the steps needed for reimbursement.
•If you do not have a FSA/HSA account, you may be able to deduct breastfeeding costs if your total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, and if you itemize your tax returns.
FSA/HSA plans are one of two ways you can explore reimbursement for your breastpump. Private insurance may also offer coverage.
Could my breastpump or lactation services be covered by my insurance?
Many health insurance plans are aware of the numerous health benefits of breastfeeding and therefore may cover certain breastfeeding-related expenses, including for example, lactation consultant services, breastpump rental/purchase and other costs. Coverage for breastfeeding-related expenses will vary widely among different health insurance plans.
Medela worked with respected insurance experts to provide you with several reimbursement-related resources that may help you in getting coverage for your breastfeeding-related expenses. The materials here can be used by expectant and new parents to help in submitting claims as well as appealing denied claims for services. There are also additional templates that can help you get assistance from your employer, healthcare provider and lactation consultant.
Take time to review each information category. Reading the information in the order in which it is outlined will help. Each information page is available in PDF format for you to download at your convenience.
•Coverage Questions You Should Ask
•Tips for Communicating with Your Insurance Company
•Understanding the Benefits of Breastmilk
•Filing an Insurance Claim
•Lactation Consultant Coverage
•Appealing an Insurance Claim
•Quick Reference Guide - Coding
Please note: in addition to private insurance assistance, some other state and federal programs may offer breastfeeding support and reimbursement under certain circumstances. For more information call your local Women’s Infants and Children (WIC) office or your local state Medicaid office.
For more information you may also visit http://www.aap.org/breastfeeding/files/pdf/CODING.pdf
Showing posts with label breastpump. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breastpump. Show all posts
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Breast Pump Rental in South East Michigan
Mom and Baby Shop now offers Hospital Grade Pumps for rent in the Southeast Michigan area.
Contact us to schedule an appointment for details.
If a pump is already rented out, payment for the extension/ renewal can be made here:
Contact us to schedule an appointment for details.
If a pump is already rented out, payment for the extension/ renewal can be made here:
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Breast Feeding Experience - Survey
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding - A Review and Analysis
Successfully promoting and supporting breastfeeding in the United States may depend on persuading both mothers and society that breastfeeding is not only nutritionally sound but economically beneficial as well. Current U.S. rates of breastfeeding are 64 percent for mothers in-hospital and 29 percent at 6 months postpartum, below the recommendations of the Surgeon General (75 and 50 percent, respectively). This analysis concludes that a minimum of $3.6 billion would be saved if the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding increased from current rates to those recommended by the Surgeon General. These savings would result from reducing both direct costs (such as formula costs and physician, clinic, hospital, laboratory, and procedural fees) and indirect costs (such as time and wages lost by parents attending to an ill child).
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Dietetic Association (ADA) endorse breastfeeding as the most beneficial method to ensure the health and well-being of most infants. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has initiated a national program by Federal, State, and local WIC programs to promote breastfeeding to WIC mothers. This report delineates that a number of studies demonstrate that breastfeeding improves infants’ general health and development and protects against a number of acute and chronic diseases.
A number of reasons are cited for why more mothers do not breastfeed: aggressive formula product marketing, lack of support from friends/family, insufficient knowledge among medical professionals, maternity hospital practices, cultural attitudes, and an increasing number of women in the work force. This report reviews the few studies that have been conducted in the United States to assess the economic benefits of breastfeeding. Most earlier studies that addressed this issue looked at the economic effect of breastfeeding in the context of comparing breastfeeding with formula feeding, both within and outside the WIC program. These studies indicated that breastfeeding was economically advantageous and that the promotion of breastfeeding could be an effective cost containment measure. By and large, these studies looked at the economic effect of breastfeeding at specific sites (State WIC clinic, local health maintenance organization (HMO), or health clinic) and from an individual perspective. The analysis reported in this study goes one step further in measuring the reduced costs to society as childhood illnesses and premature deaths are prevented.
This analysis uses incidence rates from published studies to estimate the reduction in the number of cases of otitis media, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis that could be expected for varying prevalence of breastfeeding. Cost data, both direct and indirect, were derived from published literature and extracted from U.S. Government sources. This analysis indicated that a minimum of $3.6 billion would be saved if the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding increased from current rates to those recommended by the Surgeon General. This figure reflected approximately $3.1 billion attributable to preventing premature deaths (necrotizing enterocolitis), and an additional $0.5 billion in annual savings associated with reducing traditional medical expenditures (for example, doctors’ or hospital visits, laboratory tests, among others) and indirect costs, such as lost earnings of parents.
The $3.1 billion figure probably underestimated the total savings likely because it reflected the savings in treating only three childhood illnesses. That figure also excluded the cost of purchases for over-the-counter medications for otitis media and gastroenteritis symptoms, physician charges for treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis, and savings due to reduced long-term morbidity. Although this study provided an analysis from a different perspective than previous studies, the results are consistent with those from prior investigations in demonstrating potentially substantial cost savings from breastfeeding. Given that breastfeeding provides immunologic protection against a variety of childhood illnesses, health care providers, corporate administrators, and State and Federal policymakers may be able to reduce their programs’ medical costs, over the long term, by promoting and supporting breastfeeding. However, further research on health and cost benefits from breastfeeding is needed, ideally, large-scale studies for an entire range of child-related illnesses focusing on differences in rates of hospitalization, duration of hospitalization, health service use, and medical costs between breastfed and formula-fed infants. Without such studies, employers, insurance companies, and Federal health-policy decision makers are unlikely to provide financial incentives either to encourage breastfeeding or to encourage health providers, such as physicians, to provide better support and care for breastfeeding mothers.
Detailed report available here
A number of reasons are cited for why more mothers do not breastfeed: aggressive formula product marketing, lack of support from friends/family, insufficient knowledge among medical professionals, maternity hospital practices, cultural attitudes, and an increasing number of women in the work force. This report reviews the few studies that have been conducted in the United States to assess the economic benefits of breastfeeding. Most earlier studies that addressed this issue looked at the economic effect of breastfeeding in the context of comparing breastfeeding with formula feeding, both within and outside the WIC program. These studies indicated that breastfeeding was economically advantageous and that the promotion of breastfeeding could be an effective cost containment measure. By and large, these studies looked at the economic effect of breastfeeding at specific sites (State WIC clinic, local health maintenance organization (HMO), or health clinic) and from an individual perspective. The analysis reported in this study goes one step further in measuring the reduced costs to society as childhood illnesses and premature deaths are prevented.
This analysis uses incidence rates from published studies to estimate the reduction in the number of cases of otitis media, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis that could be expected for varying prevalence of breastfeeding. Cost data, both direct and indirect, were derived from published literature and extracted from U.S. Government sources. This analysis indicated that a minimum of $3.6 billion would be saved if the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding increased from current rates to those recommended by the Surgeon General. This figure reflected approximately $3.1 billion attributable to preventing premature deaths (necrotizing enterocolitis), and an additional $0.5 billion in annual savings associated with reducing traditional medical expenditures (for example, doctors’ or hospital visits, laboratory tests, among others) and indirect costs, such as lost earnings of parents.
The $3.1 billion figure probably underestimated the total savings likely because it reflected the savings in treating only three childhood illnesses. That figure also excluded the cost of purchases for over-the-counter medications for otitis media and gastroenteritis symptoms, physician charges for treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis, and savings due to reduced long-term morbidity. Although this study provided an analysis from a different perspective than previous studies, the results are consistent with those from prior investigations in demonstrating potentially substantial cost savings from breastfeeding. Given that breastfeeding provides immunologic protection against a variety of childhood illnesses, health care providers, corporate administrators, and State and Federal policymakers may be able to reduce their programs’ medical costs, over the long term, by promoting and supporting breastfeeding. However, further research on health and cost benefits from breastfeeding is needed, ideally, large-scale studies for an entire range of child-related illnesses focusing on differences in rates of hospitalization, duration of hospitalization, health service use, and medical costs between breastfed and formula-fed infants. Without such studies, employers, insurance companies, and Federal health-policy decision makers are unlikely to provide financial incentives either to encourage breastfeeding or to encourage health providers, such as physicians, to provide better support and care for breastfeeding mothers.
Detailed report available here
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Breast Feeding Supplies Win Tax Breaks From IRS
Ending a long-running dispute with pediatricians and breast-feeding advocates, the Internal Revenue Service announced Thursday that it would grant nursing mothers a tax break on pumps and other breastfeeding supplies.
The ruling, which will affect expenses incurred starting in 2010, will allow mothers to use pretax money from their flexible spending accounts to cover the cost of breast pumps and other supplies. Those without flexible spending accounts may deduct breast-feeding costs if their total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income and they itemize.
Breast feeding advocates said the new policy would help millions of working mothers continue breast-feeding after returning to the workplace, and improve the health of infants who receive antibodies from the breast milk.
“Now, more women will be able to pass on the health benefits of breast-feeding to their babies, which include protections against asthma and other respiratory illnesses, bacterial and viral infections, and obesity, among other ailments,” said Dr. O. Marion Burton, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
A study by Harvard Medical School last year showed that if 90 percent of mothers followed the standard medical advice of feeding infants only breast milk for their first six months, the United States could save $13 billion a year in health care costs and prevent the premature deaths of 900 infants each year from respiratory illness and other infections.
But as recently as last year, the I.R.S. rebuffed those arguments. The I.R.S. code considers nutrition a necessity rather than a medical condition, and the agency’s analysts said they viewed breast milk as nothing more than a healthy food - meaning that breast pumps, bottles and pads were no more deserving of a tax break than a vegetable steamer.
In a letter reversing that ruling, Douglas H. Shulman, the I.R.S. commissioner, made no mention of the positive health effects of breast milk, but said that pumps and other equipment should be considered a medical expense because “they are for the purpose of affecting a structure or function of the body of the lactating woman.”
I.R.S. officials declined to elaborate. But studies show that breast-feeding is also beneficial for the nursing mother, helping her avoid Type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer, breast cancer and postpartum depression.
Whatever the rationale for the policy change, breast-feeding advocates say it will make it easier for millions of women to heed the prevailing medical advice.
To continue breast-feeding once they return to the workplace, many mothers need to use pumps to extract milk, which can be chilled and fed by bottle to the child later. The pump and the accessories needed to store milk cost about $500 to $1,000 for most mothers over the course of a year, according to the United States Breastfeeding Committee.
A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about 75 percent of the 4.3 million mothers who gave birth in 2007 started breast-feeding. By the time the baby was 6 months old, the portion dropped to 43 percent, and on the child’s first birthday, to 22 percent.
The I.R.S.’ s initial refusal to classify breast-feeding as a medical expense has frustrated women’s health advocates and pediatricians for years, especially since the federal government offers tax breaks on items like acne cream and denture adhesive. After a news report last fall about the I.R.S. turning down a nursing mother’s effort to use pretax funds for a breast pump, Representative Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat, and 55 other members of Congress wrote to Mr. Shulman asking him to revise the policy.
Robin W. Stanton, chairwoman of the United States Breastfeeding Committee, called the announcement a major victory for mothers, infants and America.
“It is critical to our nation’s health that the majority of American women are supported in their decision to breast-feed: the health, psychosocial, economic, and environmental benefits are undeniable,” she said.
February 10, 2011, New York Times
Breast-Feeding Supplies Win Tax Breaks From I.R.S.
By DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
 |
| Ameda Ultra |
The ruling, which will affect expenses incurred starting in 2010, will allow mothers to use pretax money from their flexible spending accounts to cover the cost of breast pumps and other supplies. Those without flexible spending accounts may deduct breast-feeding costs if their total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of their adjusted gross income and they itemize.
Breast feeding advocates said the new policy would help millions of working mothers continue breast-feeding after returning to the workplace, and improve the health of infants who receive antibodies from the breast milk.
“Now, more women will be able to pass on the health benefits of breast-feeding to their babies, which include protections against asthma and other respiratory illnesses, bacterial and viral infections, and obesity, among other ailments,” said Dr. O. Marion Burton, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
 |
| Philips AVENT Isis Duo |
A study by Harvard Medical School last year showed that if 90 percent of mothers followed the standard medical advice of feeding infants only breast milk for their first six months, the United States could save $13 billion a year in health care costs and prevent the premature deaths of 900 infants each year from respiratory illness and other infections.
But as recently as last year, the I.R.S. rebuffed those arguments. The I.R.S. code considers nutrition a necessity rather than a medical condition, and the agency’s analysts said they viewed breast milk as nothing more than a healthy food - meaning that breast pumps, bottles and pads were no more deserving of a tax break than a vegetable steamer.
In a letter reversing that ruling, Douglas H. Shulman, the I.R.S. commissioner, made no mention of the positive health effects of breast milk, but said that pumps and other equipment should be considered a medical expense because “they are for the purpose of affecting a structure or function of the body of the lactating woman.”
 |
| Medela Freestyle |
I.R.S. officials declined to elaborate. But studies show that breast-feeding is also beneficial for the nursing mother, helping her avoid Type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer, breast cancer and postpartum depression.
Whatever the rationale for the policy change, breast-feeding advocates say it will make it easier for millions of women to heed the prevailing medical advice.
To continue breast-feeding once they return to the workplace, many mothers need to use pumps to extract milk, which can be chilled and fed by bottle to the child later. The pump and the accessories needed to store milk cost about $500 to $1,000 for most mothers over the course of a year, according to the United States Breastfeeding Committee.
A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about 75 percent of the 4.3 million mothers who gave birth in 2007 started breast-feeding. By the time the baby was 6 months old, the portion dropped to 43 percent, and on the child’s first birthday, to 22 percent.
The I.R.S.’ s initial refusal to classify breast-feeding as a medical expense has frustrated women’s health advocates and pediatricians for years, especially since the federal government offers tax breaks on items like acne cream and denture adhesive. After a news report last fall about the I.R.S. turning down a nursing mother’s effort to use pretax funds for a breast pump, Representative Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat, and 55 other members of Congress wrote to Mr. Shulman asking him to revise the policy.
Robin W. Stanton, chairwoman of the United States Breastfeeding Committee, called the announcement a major victory for mothers, infants and America.
“It is critical to our nation’s health that the majority of American women are supported in their decision to breast-feed: the health, psychosocial, economic, and environmental benefits are undeniable,” she said.
February 10, 2011, New York Times
Breast-Feeding Supplies Win Tax Breaks From I.R.S.
By DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Freestyle Breastpump #67060 - NEW from Medela
Description
Designed for busy moms, Freestyle is everything you could ask for in a breastpump:
- Double electric to save you time
- Small & lightweight for convenience
- 2-Phase Expression® technology for proven performance (see below for more info)
- Hands-free option (included!) to suit your preference
- Rechargeable battery power for true mobility
- A cute tote bag to carry it all with you
Freestyle with 2-Phase Expression
It all starts with how babies nurse. Babies nurse in two phases:
1. Fast and light sucking to start your milk flowing
2. Slower, deeper sucking to get as much milk as quickly as possible
2-Phase Expression® technology found in Freestyle - is Medela’s exclusive research-based technology that closely mimics how babies nurse:
- The Stimulation Phase (phase 1) is a rapid pumping rhythm to get your milk flowing
- The Expression Phase (phase 2) is a slower pumping rhythm for gentle and efficient milk removal
The combination of these two phases leads to faster let-down and milk flow, which can save time.
Features and Benefits
Freestyle is designed with every mom in mind. The choice is in the palm of your hand!
- Hands-free accessories - provides the freedom for true pumping mobility
- Rechargeable battery - allows for 3 hours of pumping time per charge
Small and lightweight - weighs less than 1 pound and can fit in the palm of your hand
- 2-Phase Expression® technology - smart and powerful pumping that is proven to mimic a baby’s natural nursing pattern and get more milk in less time
- LCD screen, digital display - lit screen provides a digital display that can also be used as a nightlight for those late pumping sessions
- Memory button - allows mom to save her favorite pumping pattern for ease and efficiency for the next pumping session
- Cute tote bag - holds pumping essentials and more. All of the coordinating accessories are removable, so tote can be used separately.
NOTE: Price valid only for US Addresses (48 contiguous states). Contact us for other locations.
Designed for busy moms, Freestyle is everything you could ask for in a breastpump:
- Double electric to save you time
- Small & lightweight for convenience
- 2-Phase Expression® technology for proven performance (see below for more info)
- Hands-free option (included!) to suit your preference
- Rechargeable battery power for true mobility
- A cute tote bag to carry it all with you
Freestyle with 2-Phase Expression
It all starts with how babies nurse. Babies nurse in two phases:
1. Fast and light sucking to start your milk flowing
2. Slower, deeper sucking to get as much milk as quickly as possible
2-Phase Expression® technology found in Freestyle - is Medela’s exclusive research-based technology that closely mimics how babies nurse:
- The Stimulation Phase (phase 1) is a rapid pumping rhythm to get your milk flowing
- The Expression Phase (phase 2) is a slower pumping rhythm for gentle and efficient milk removal
The combination of these two phases leads to faster let-down and milk flow, which can save time.
Features and Benefits
Freestyle is designed with every mom in mind. The choice is in the palm of your hand!
- Hands-free accessories - provides the freedom for true pumping mobility
- Rechargeable battery - allows for 3 hours of pumping time per charge
Small and lightweight - weighs less than 1 pound and can fit in the palm of your hand
- 2-Phase Expression® technology - smart and powerful pumping that is proven to mimic a baby’s natural nursing pattern and get more milk in less time
- LCD screen, digital display - lit screen provides a digital display that can also be used as a nightlight for those late pumping sessions
- Memory button - allows mom to save her favorite pumping pattern for ease and efficiency for the next pumping session
- Cute tote bag - holds pumping essentials and more. All of the coordinating accessories are removable, so tote can be used separately.
NOTE: Price valid only for US Addresses (48 contiguous states). Contact us for other locations.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Ameda Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump - New with $50 Rebate!
Description
Ameda knows moms respond differently to different pumping patterns. The Purely Yours Ultra CustomControl dual adjustability has separate suction and speed dials that let you choose from 32 different combinations to customize your pumping experience for the best results every time.
Ameda takes customization a step further with its CustomFit Flange System. Moms need their breast pump flange to fit properly for greatest comfort and better milk flow. Because flange fit can change with birth, breastfeeding and pumping, the three most popular flange sizes are included ensuring a good flange fit as long as you continue to pump.
Purely Yours Ultra includes everything needed to pump comfortably and effectively while on the go.
Includes
- Newly styled Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump (1 each)
- Ameda HygieniKit Milk Collection System (BPA and DEHP free) with extra valves
- 30.5 mm CustomFit Large Flanges (2 each)
- 28.5 mm Medium inserts (2 each)
- AC Power Adapter (1 each)
- Car Adapter (1 each)
- Cool ’N Carry Tote including three cooling elements and four 4-ounce bottles with lids (BPA and DEHP free)
- One-hand handle assembly for manual pumping (1 each)
- Milk Storage Guide Magnet
- Pumping Pad for a clean pumping surface
- Ultra Suede/Faux Leather Tote/ Shoulder Bag (1 each)
Product Features
Microprocessor Controlled, Piston Driven
Only Ameda electric breast pumps are controlled by powerful microprocessors. This amazing technology allows greater variability in suction levels and cycling speed, ensuring that more mothers can find their personal comfort level while pumping. Additionally, it allows suction to be adjusted independently without affecting the cycle speed and vice versa, unlike other brands of pumps.
Piston-Driven
A piston moving back and forth inside a cylinder is the means by which suction is generated and released in all Ameda electric and manual pumps. This has long been the highest standard in breast pump technology for safe and effective suction.
Adjustable Suction Levels and Cycle Speeds
What is the suction level? The level of vacuum strength. What is cycle speed? The number of times suction is generated and released in one minute. A combination of suction strength and cycle speed on a breastpump provides the stimulation necessary to remove milk from the breast. Each mother is unique and requires a certain level of suction and cycle speed to be comfortable and successful using a breast pump. Ameda appreciates every mother's individuality, so both of our electric pumps offer a greater variety of suction and cycle settings than any other pump in their category. This ensures that with Ameda, each mother can find a setting that creates the best stimulation for her individual needs. The Purely Yours Ultra breast pump offers eight suction levels and four-cycle speeds.
Lightweight and Portable
Ameda electric breast pumps were designed with today's mobile mother in mind; therefore our pumps are lightweight and easily portable. The Purely Yours breast pump weighs only around 1 lb. (0.5 kg).
Bottle Holders for Bottles/ Freezer Bags
Bottle holders are built into the pump to minimize the possibility of spills and loss of precious breast milk. For added convenience, they are specially designed to hold the HygieniKit when used with either bottles or freezer bags.
Product Benefits
- Comfortable and effective, with 8 adjustable suction levels and 4 cycle speeds to mimic baby's sucking
- Mothers can pump anywhere with this convenient pump that operates via AC adapter, car adapter, or AA batteries (sold separately)
- Ensures the purity of expressed milk with the patented HygieniKit Milk Collection System
Rebate Form with instructions included with breast pump.
NOTE: Price valid only for US Addresses (48 contiguous states). Contact us for other locations.
Ameda knows moms respond differently to different pumping patterns. The Purely Yours Ultra CustomControl dual adjustability has separate suction and speed dials that let you choose from 32 different combinations to customize your pumping experience for the best results every time.
Ameda takes customization a step further with its CustomFit Flange System. Moms need their breast pump flange to fit properly for greatest comfort and better milk flow. Because flange fit can change with birth, breastfeeding and pumping, the three most popular flange sizes are included ensuring a good flange fit as long as you continue to pump.
Purely Yours Ultra includes everything needed to pump comfortably and effectively while on the go.
Includes
- Newly styled Purely Yours Ultra Breast Pump (1 each)
- Ameda HygieniKit Milk Collection System (BPA and DEHP free) with extra valves
- 30.5 mm CustomFit Large Flanges (2 each)
- 28.5 mm Medium inserts (2 each)
- AC Power Adapter (1 each)
- Car Adapter (1 each)
- Cool ’N Carry Tote including three cooling elements and four 4-ounce bottles with lids (BPA and DEHP free)
- One-hand handle assembly for manual pumping (1 each)
- Milk Storage Guide Magnet
- Pumping Pad for a clean pumping surface
- Ultra Suede/Faux Leather Tote/ Shoulder Bag (1 each)
Product Features
Microprocessor Controlled, Piston Driven
Piston-Driven
A piston moving back and forth inside a cylinder is the means by which suction is generated and released in all Ameda electric and manual pumps. This has long been the highest standard in breast pump technology for safe and effective suction.
Adjustable Suction Levels and Cycle Speeds
Lightweight and Portable
Ameda electric breast pumps were designed with today's mobile mother in mind; therefore our pumps are lightweight and easily portable. The Purely Yours breast pump weighs only around 1 lb. (0.5 kg).
Bottle Holders for Bottles/ Freezer Bags
Product Benefits
- Comfortable and effective, with 8 adjustable suction levels and 4 cycle speeds to mimic baby's sucking
- Mothers can pump anywhere with this convenient pump that operates via AC adapter, car adapter, or AA batteries (sold separately)
- Ensures the purity of expressed milk with the patented HygieniKit Milk Collection System
Rebate Form with instructions included with breast pump.
NOTE: Price valid only for US Addresses (48 contiguous states). Contact us for other locations.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Breastfeeding 101: FAQ's
Do breastfed babies need a multivitamin?
Babies very rarely need vitamin supplements. Usually vitamin D is the common concern by moms of breastfed babies. Babies who do need them are babies with lack of sufficient sunlight. Babies who have very limited exposure to the suns natural source of vitamin D are at greater risk.This would include, babies who are always inside or covered at all times outdoors by blankets or high SPF sunscreen. If you live in a far northern latitude or perhaps a very urban area with tall buildings and pollution that limits natural exposure to sunlight your baby too might be at risk of not generating enough of his/her own vitamin D. However, if mothers are taking a good multivitamin such as a prenatal and or getting enough vitamin D through diet and sun exposure she should have enough vitamin D in her breast milk for her child.
What are some complications associated with breastfeeding (i.e. mastitis, plugged ducts, etc.)
As this answer was very detailed and the suggestions/treatments are lengthy, Tamra suggested this website.
Why do I seem to get such a small amount when pumping?
It is normal for moms to get ½ oz to 2 oz from both breasts combined during a pumping session. Very often moms must pump 2-3 times to replace one nursing session. Many moms expect to get 4-8oz when they pump. However, this is an unrealistic expectation. Moms who can get even 4oz from both breasts when pumping are experiencing an unusually large output. Pumping is a very poor indicator of how much milk a mother has. Everyone’s body responds differently to a pump some better or worse than others. Although this is discouraging to many moms who are trying to pump exclusively or even those pumping part time it is a normal occurrence. A baby is almost always better at removing milk than any pump. If you feel it is a recent happening make sure you first check that you have a quality working pump. Secondly has there has been any recent illness for which you are taking medications that can decrease supply, or are you experiencing hormonal changes due to period, ovulation, or birth control? Lastly if the baby is going through a growth spurt or you are feeding more frequently this may explain a noted decrease in output for the pump. Although many things can affect your milk supply, those are the most common culprits of sudden reduction.
What is feeding-on-demand and how frequently will that take place?
Feeding on demand simply means watching the baby and not the clock. Let your baby be your guide. Babies usually eat every 2-3 hours but during growth spurts, this may take place every 30 min to an hour. If this happens and you are feeding on demand you can be sure your baby is getting just what they need as well as telling your body just how much to make.
What is comfort nursing?
Comfort nursing is a special way breastfeeding moms are able to soothe their baby. Your body produces special hormones that help relax and calm both mother and baby. These hormones are passed through the mom into the breast milk. Babies enjoy the closeness and warmth of their mother as well as that warm fuzzy feeling they get when they are nursing. Much like a favorite toy or blanket, babies bond with the special nursing connection they have with their mother. Babies may want to nurse when they are sad, sick, hurting, sleepy or even when they just want to feel close to mommy. Babies have a special suck they use when comfort nursing or pacifying at the breast. This suck, although stimulating mommy’s milk supply, very little milk is actually removed from the breast. You never have to worry that you will over feed a breastfed baby because of this special suck. Some babies who seem to nurse for very long periods may be pacifying at the end of the feeding. With their mother is a very comfortable place for baby to be.
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
Tamra again suggested this website as a great reference.
Can the foods I eat affect my baby?
Each baby is different and what effects one baby may not effect another. Watch your baby for signs of extra fussiness or gassiness, even spitting up excessively after adding certain foods to your diet. Common culprits may be dairy, caffeine, or vegetables such as broccoli. If a baby is having trouble and the mother’s diet is a concern, simply eliminating these foods may help.
Alcohol consumed by a breastfeeding mother can affect the baby. The general rule is if you can feel the effects of alcohol it would be a good idea to wait until you no longer feel those affects to nurse the baby. It is not necessary to pump and dump the milk if you wait until the alcohol has metabolized out of your body.
Should I still breastfeed if I'm sick?
Yes, almost all maternal illnesses are compatible with breastfeeding. Not only is it important to keep your supply up while you are sick through nursing and or pumping but you body is producing antibodies against your illness that will be passed through your breast milk to your baby to prevent them from catching the same illness and if they do get sick it will likely be less severe. Make sure any medication you are prescribed or purchase over the counter is compatible with nursing. If you ask your doctor or a lactation consultant there is almost always an alternative medicine that is safe to take while breastfeeding.
How do I know the baby is latching correctly?
To get very detailed answers as well as illustrations, click here.
When should I introduce a bottle?
Mothers introduce bottles at different times for many reasons. Ideally a baby should learn to nurse effectively at the breast for 3 weeks before any bottles and or pacifiers are introduced. This allows the baby to learn to nurse really well and to regulate moms milk supply to an adequate amount for their personal requirements as it can very baby to baby.
How should I store expressed milk?
Breast milk can be stored in bottles, breast milk bags, even ice cube trays which yield about 1oz per cube. It is important to store breast milk in small amounts so that very little is wasted if it is thawed but not needed. Usually 1-4oz is the most recommended for storing in one container. Storage also depends on the space you have to store it. Understanding where and how long breast milk can be stored is helpful. It is also important to note that unlike formula, breast milk is anti-infective, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
Breast milk storage:
- At room temperature for up to 8-12 hours.
- In the fridge for up to 8-11 days.
- In the freezer, at the back, for 6 months
- In a deep freeze for up to 12 months
My baby seems to nurse constantly, is it a growth spurt?
Growth spurts typically occur at 3-6-8-12 weeks but these can happen more or less frequently depending on the baby. A growth spurt isn’t a time where the baby does not have enough milk, but rather a time in which baby instinctively knows to nurse more frequently to increase supply for future needs. Mom’s should not have to supplement during this time if the baby is exclusively breastfeeding, but rather nurse as much as possible to help baby with the amazing work he/she is trying to do. Your body will instinctively start producing more to meet the needs the baby is signaling it to make.
For more info: Tamra stated that she and her colleagues utilize Dr. Jack Newman's website regularly. Dr. Newman is well known in the world of breastfeeding and has published several books on the subject. The website was already sited several times above, but here it is again.
For a history of breastfeeding, click here.
To read about breastfeeding in modern times, click here.
August 14th, 2009 8:09 am MT.
By Abigail Lacert: Tamra Brady, a lactation consultant (and friend of mine) in Oklahoma was nice enough to sit down and answer some common questions related to breastfeeding.Breastfeeding 101: FAQ's
Babies very rarely need vitamin supplements. Usually vitamin D is the common concern by moms of breastfed babies. Babies who do need them are babies with lack of sufficient sunlight. Babies who have very limited exposure to the suns natural source of vitamin D are at greater risk.This would include, babies who are always inside or covered at all times outdoors by blankets or high SPF sunscreen. If you live in a far northern latitude or perhaps a very urban area with tall buildings and pollution that limits natural exposure to sunlight your baby too might be at risk of not generating enough of his/her own vitamin D. However, if mothers are taking a good multivitamin such as a prenatal and or getting enough vitamin D through diet and sun exposure she should have enough vitamin D in her breast milk for her child.
What are some complications associated with breastfeeding (i.e. mastitis, plugged ducts, etc.)
As this answer was very detailed and the suggestions/treatments are lengthy, Tamra suggested this website.
Why do I seem to get such a small amount when pumping?
It is normal for moms to get ½ oz to 2 oz from both breasts combined during a pumping session. Very often moms must pump 2-3 times to replace one nursing session. Many moms expect to get 4-8oz when they pump. However, this is an unrealistic expectation. Moms who can get even 4oz from both breasts when pumping are experiencing an unusually large output. Pumping is a very poor indicator of how much milk a mother has. Everyone’s body responds differently to a pump some better or worse than others. Although this is discouraging to many moms who are trying to pump exclusively or even those pumping part time it is a normal occurrence. A baby is almost always better at removing milk than any pump. If you feel it is a recent happening make sure you first check that you have a quality working pump. Secondly has there has been any recent illness for which you are taking medications that can decrease supply, or are you experiencing hormonal changes due to period, ovulation, or birth control? Lastly if the baby is going through a growth spurt or you are feeding more frequently this may explain a noted decrease in output for the pump. Although many things can affect your milk supply, those are the most common culprits of sudden reduction.
What is feeding-on-demand and how frequently will that take place?
Feeding on demand simply means watching the baby and not the clock. Let your baby be your guide. Babies usually eat every 2-3 hours but during growth spurts, this may take place every 30 min to an hour. If this happens and you are feeding on demand you can be sure your baby is getting just what they need as well as telling your body just how much to make.
What is comfort nursing?
Comfort nursing is a special way breastfeeding moms are able to soothe their baby. Your body produces special hormones that help relax and calm both mother and baby. These hormones are passed through the mom into the breast milk. Babies enjoy the closeness and warmth of their mother as well as that warm fuzzy feeling they get when they are nursing. Much like a favorite toy or blanket, babies bond with the special nursing connection they have with their mother. Babies may want to nurse when they are sad, sick, hurting, sleepy or even when they just want to feel close to mommy. Babies have a special suck they use when comfort nursing or pacifying at the breast. This suck, although stimulating mommy’s milk supply, very little milk is actually removed from the breast. You never have to worry that you will over feed a breastfed baby because of this special suck. Some babies who seem to nurse for very long periods may be pacifying at the end of the feeding. With their mother is a very comfortable place for baby to be.
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
Tamra again suggested this website as a great reference.
Can the foods I eat affect my baby?
Each baby is different and what effects one baby may not effect another. Watch your baby for signs of extra fussiness or gassiness, even spitting up excessively after adding certain foods to your diet. Common culprits may be dairy, caffeine, or vegetables such as broccoli. If a baby is having trouble and the mother’s diet is a concern, simply eliminating these foods may help.
Alcohol consumed by a breastfeeding mother can affect the baby. The general rule is if you can feel the effects of alcohol it would be a good idea to wait until you no longer feel those affects to nurse the baby. It is not necessary to pump and dump the milk if you wait until the alcohol has metabolized out of your body.
Should I still breastfeed if I'm sick?
Yes, almost all maternal illnesses are compatible with breastfeeding. Not only is it important to keep your supply up while you are sick through nursing and or pumping but you body is producing antibodies against your illness that will be passed through your breast milk to your baby to prevent them from catching the same illness and if they do get sick it will likely be less severe. Make sure any medication you are prescribed or purchase over the counter is compatible with nursing. If you ask your doctor or a lactation consultant there is almost always an alternative medicine that is safe to take while breastfeeding.
How do I know the baby is latching correctly?
To get very detailed answers as well as illustrations, click here.
When should I introduce a bottle?
Mothers introduce bottles at different times for many reasons. Ideally a baby should learn to nurse effectively at the breast for 3 weeks before any bottles and or pacifiers are introduced. This allows the baby to learn to nurse really well and to regulate moms milk supply to an adequate amount for their personal requirements as it can very baby to baby.
How should I store expressed milk?
Breast milk can be stored in bottles, breast milk bags, even ice cube trays which yield about 1oz per cube. It is important to store breast milk in small amounts so that very little is wasted if it is thawed but not needed. Usually 1-4oz is the most recommended for storing in one container. Storage also depends on the space you have to store it. Understanding where and how long breast milk can be stored is helpful. It is also important to note that unlike formula, breast milk is anti-infective, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
Breast milk storage:
- At room temperature for up to 8-12 hours.
- In the fridge for up to 8-11 days.
- In the freezer, at the back, for 6 months
- In a deep freeze for up to 12 months
My baby seems to nurse constantly, is it a growth spurt?
Growth spurts typically occur at 3-6-8-12 weeks but these can happen more or less frequently depending on the baby. A growth spurt isn’t a time where the baby does not have enough milk, but rather a time in which baby instinctively knows to nurse more frequently to increase supply for future needs. Mom’s should not have to supplement during this time if the baby is exclusively breastfeeding, but rather nurse as much as possible to help baby with the amazing work he/she is trying to do. Your body will instinctively start producing more to meet the needs the baby is signaling it to make.
For more info: Tamra stated that she and her colleagues utilize Dr. Jack Newman's website regularly. Dr. Newman is well known in the world of breastfeeding and has published several books on the subject. The website was already sited several times above, but here it is again.
For a history of breastfeeding, click here.
To read about breastfeeding in modern times, click here.
August 14th, 2009 8:09 am MT.
By Abigail Lacert: Tamra Brady, a lactation consultant (and friend of mine) in Oklahoma was nice enough to sit down and answer some common questions related to breastfeeding.Breastfeeding 101: FAQ's
Sunday, April 11, 2010
New Rules About Breast Pumps at Work
Writing about the difficulty that hourly workers have finding the time and space to pump breast milk while at work, my colleague Jodi Kantor noted several years ago that while it was admirable that a former Massachusetts governor, Jane Swift, had breast-fed after returning to work, doing so was more complicated for women lower on the ladder — those who work behind fast-food counters, in catalog call centers, on factory floors or as waitresses and soldiers.
“That’s a great thing to do, but she had her own office and could set her own schedule,” one doctor is quoted as saying of Swift. “The one I want to know about is the lady cleaning her office.”
Well, that lady is now guaranteed the right to use a breast pump at work, the result of the health care bill passed by Congress last month. Section 4207 of the bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to include the guarantee of “a reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk,” for nonexempt hourly workers, and also the stipulation that this be done in “a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public.”
There are limits on this newly codified right. Companies of fewer than 50 employees are exempt if the employer can show that this would “impose an undue hardship,” and employees are not guaranteed pay for time spent expressing milk. There also does not seem to be a requirement that employees be given access to a place where the pumped milk can be stored. And it remains to be seen how the Department of Labor will define “a reasonable amount of time” to pump or an appropriate place to do so. It’s likely that the final regulations will be modeled on those in Oregon, thought to have a workable law. In Oregon, a the definition of a reasonable schedule is “a 30-minute rest period to express milk during each four-hour work period, or the major part of a four-hour work period, to be taken by the employee approximately in the middle of the work period.”
And a workable space? The United States Breastfeeding Committee, a nonprofit coalition of 40 organizations, has weighed in with some suggestions, many of which are already in use in the 24 states that have laws protecting breast-feeding workers:
Designated, permanent space, at least 4 by 6 feet with a chair, sink and electrical outlet.
Space designated with a sign or reserved on a calendar that rotates throughout the workspace between offices, conference rooms, clinic rooms, etc.
Temporary use of manager office space in fast-food restaurants, police departments or settings that lack other spaces with a locking door.
A curtained-off area that is nonaccessible to the public and meets privacy threshold because of clear, well-communicated policy with co-workers. This can even mean a chair behind a curtain in an employee-only bathroom lounge, if there is truly no other space available.
A designated space that serves employees from several employers, located in the employee-only areas of malls, airports and retail strips.
An agreement between work sites, where a breastfeeding employee can visit a neighboring business to access a designated space within.
Privacy panels to block the windows of work vehicles such as patrol cars or construction vehicles on the road.
Use of city or county buildings by public employees on route, such as police on patrol, bus drivers or meter readers.
A final question is whether employers will embrace the intent of the law or fight its specifics. It’s a good bet that rules like these would have helped Laura Walker, for instance, who filed a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission after her employer, Red Lobster in Evanston, Ind., did not allow her to pump at work, despite a note from her nurse explaining it was a medical need. Instead, as Kantor described it, she was ridiculed. Her hours were reduced, and co-workers jiggled empty milk containers at her, joking they were for her. She settled for an undisclosed sum, and the company has said that they did try to assist her “multiple times.”
Whether the new rules would have protected LaNisa Allen is less clear. When she was was fired from the Totes/Isotoner company in Cincinnati last year, her employer did not argue that that she did not have the right to take a nursing break, but rather that she had not asked proper permission to do so. Is permission still necessary under the new law?
And, well meaning though they might be, these new regulations would probably not have saved the job of Marlene Warfield, a dental hygienist in Tacoma, Wash. When she brought her portable pump to the office, her boss told her to leave it home, and then donned “a Halloween costume consisting of a large silver box — his interpretation of a pump, perhaps — with a cutout labeled ‘insert breast here,’ ” Kantor wrote. Warfield quit, and the local human rights commission ruled that the dentist’s actions were not illegal.
By LISA BELKIN
The National Partnership for Women and Families suggests the following resources for those seeking information on the new law and suggestions of how to implement a lactation policy in their workplace:
To check on what categories of workers are covered, try http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/minwage.htm.
To contact the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division to question specific provisions or report violations, the address is http://www.dol.gov/whd/contact_us.htm.
A primer on breast-feeding at work, including data on how it helps an employers bottom line, visit the Web site of the The United States Breastfeeding Committee.
And for information on low cost ways to buy or rent a breast pump, try the Food and Drug Administration.
Will this law make any difference at your workplace? Will it make any difference to you? If you work someplace with a laudable policy, or if you have personally talked your employer into doing better for nursing mothers, use the comments below to give others advice.
“That’s a great thing to do, but she had her own office and could set her own schedule,” one doctor is quoted as saying of Swift. “The one I want to know about is the lady cleaning her office.”
Well, that lady is now guaranteed the right to use a breast pump at work, the result of the health care bill passed by Congress last month. Section 4207 of the bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to include the guarantee of “a reasonable break time for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for 1 year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk,” for nonexempt hourly workers, and also the stipulation that this be done in “a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public.”
There are limits on this newly codified right. Companies of fewer than 50 employees are exempt if the employer can show that this would “impose an undue hardship,” and employees are not guaranteed pay for time spent expressing milk. There also does not seem to be a requirement that employees be given access to a place where the pumped milk can be stored. And it remains to be seen how the Department of Labor will define “a reasonable amount of time” to pump or an appropriate place to do so. It’s likely that the final regulations will be modeled on those in Oregon, thought to have a workable law. In Oregon, a the definition of a reasonable schedule is “a 30-minute rest period to express milk during each four-hour work period, or the major part of a four-hour work period, to be taken by the employee approximately in the middle of the work period.”
And a workable space? The United States Breastfeeding Committee, a nonprofit coalition of 40 organizations, has weighed in with some suggestions, many of which are already in use in the 24 states that have laws protecting breast-feeding workers:
Designated, permanent space, at least 4 by 6 feet with a chair, sink and electrical outlet.
Space designated with a sign or reserved on a calendar that rotates throughout the workspace between offices, conference rooms, clinic rooms, etc.
Temporary use of manager office space in fast-food restaurants, police departments or settings that lack other spaces with a locking door.
A curtained-off area that is nonaccessible to the public and meets privacy threshold because of clear, well-communicated policy with co-workers. This can even mean a chair behind a curtain in an employee-only bathroom lounge, if there is truly no other space available.
A designated space that serves employees from several employers, located in the employee-only areas of malls, airports and retail strips.
An agreement between work sites, where a breastfeeding employee can visit a neighboring business to access a designated space within.
Privacy panels to block the windows of work vehicles such as patrol cars or construction vehicles on the road.
Use of city or county buildings by public employees on route, such as police on patrol, bus drivers or meter readers.
A final question is whether employers will embrace the intent of the law or fight its specifics. It’s a good bet that rules like these would have helped Laura Walker, for instance, who filed a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission after her employer, Red Lobster in Evanston, Ind., did not allow her to pump at work, despite a note from her nurse explaining it was a medical need. Instead, as Kantor described it, she was ridiculed. Her hours were reduced, and co-workers jiggled empty milk containers at her, joking they were for her. She settled for an undisclosed sum, and the company has said that they did try to assist her “multiple times.”
Whether the new rules would have protected LaNisa Allen is less clear. When she was was fired from the Totes/Isotoner company in Cincinnati last year, her employer did not argue that that she did not have the right to take a nursing break, but rather that she had not asked proper permission to do so. Is permission still necessary under the new law?
And, well meaning though they might be, these new regulations would probably not have saved the job of Marlene Warfield, a dental hygienist in Tacoma, Wash. When she brought her portable pump to the office, her boss told her to leave it home, and then donned “a Halloween costume consisting of a large silver box — his interpretation of a pump, perhaps — with a cutout labeled ‘insert breast here,’ ” Kantor wrote. Warfield quit, and the local human rights commission ruled that the dentist’s actions were not illegal.
By LISA BELKIN
The National Partnership for Women and Families suggests the following resources for those seeking information on the new law and suggestions of how to implement a lactation policy in their workplace:
To check on what categories of workers are covered, try http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/minwage.htm.
To contact the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division to question specific provisions or report violations, the address is http://www.dol.gov/whd/contact_us.htm.
A primer on breast-feeding at work, including data on how it helps an employers bottom line, visit the Web site of the The United States Breastfeeding Committee.
And for information on low cost ways to buy or rent a breast pump, try the Food and Drug Administration.
Will this law make any difference at your workplace? Will it make any difference to you? If you work someplace with a laudable policy, or if you have personally talked your employer into doing better for nursing mothers, use the comments below to give others advice.
Breastfeeding Protection in Health Care Bill
A provision in the new health care reform law (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590) promises protections to working mothers who choose to breastfeed their infants. Section 4207 amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to require that employers provide reasonable break times for breastfeeding mothers and a place, other than a bathroom, for an employee to express breast milk. While some states, such as California and New York, already have similar laws, the majority of states do not. The provision in the Health Care law is a significant step toward closing the gap between breastfeeding recommendations from health officials and legal protections for working mothers.
The infant and maternal benefits of breastfeeding are well-recognized. A mother’s milk can, for example, reduce an infant’s risk of gastrointestinal, respiratory tract and ear infections, and of sudden-infant death syndrome (SIDS). Mothers who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of developing breast, uterine and ovarian cancers. Ultimately, breastfeeding can mean fewer health care visits and fewer hospitalizations, resulting in lower health care costs. Because of these important benefits, a number of health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association, recommend that infants breastfeed for at least twelve months. Despite these recommendations, the United States has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the industrialized world. While 73% of mothers initiate breastfeeding, only 43% continue for six months and only 22% breastfeed for the first full year of their child’s life.
There is no question that breastfeeding is a highly personal decision that can be influenced by a myriad of factors. For many mothers, however, breastfeeding decisions have been dictated by workplace barriers. Inflexible break schedules, inadequate facilities, professional stigma and lack of job security are just some of the job-related reasons why some women never initiate breastfeeding or terminate the process early. Certain workplace challenges (i.e., no private offices or corporate lactation programs) tend to be even greater for low-wage and hourly workers, whom are disproportionally African American and Hispanic.
For years, there has been a glaring disconnect between the national campaign promoting the critical health benefits of breastfeeding and legal protections for working mothers. Just this past August while health professionals were promoting the benefits of breastfeeding during National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, the Ohio Supreme Court held that it is lawful for an employer to fire a woman who takes breaks to express milk. Allen v. Totes/Isotoner Corp. The Plaintiff, LaNisa Allen, nursed her daughter before her 6:00 a.m. shift, but was expected to wait five hours until her 11:00 a.m. lunch break to pump. To prevent mastitis and other infections, women are encouraged to express milk every few hours or as often as their infant nurses. When the company discovered that Allen, an hourly employee, was taking an unauthorized break to pump in the bathroom, she was fired.
Allen sued for wrongful termination, alleging pregnancy discrimination. The trial court found that Allen’s termination was based on failure to follow company policy and not unlawful discrimination. In a decision drawing national attention, the Ohio Supreme Court agreed. After finding that Allen took unauthorized breaks, the Ohio Supreme court declined to rule on whether pregnancy laws cover workplace lactation. The Court held that Allen missed her chance to put that question to the test by taking breaks to pump without permission.
In the absence of legal protection, working mothers, like LaNisa Allen, have had to choose between optimum health benefits for themselves and their infant or their job. For many women, this has meant no choice at all. The protections in the Health Care Reform law will not only help create real choices for working mothers, but they have the potential to help increase both breastfeeding initiation and duration and to decrease disparities in these rates across all populations. Employers also stand to benefit. According to a study by the National Business Group on Health, creating a breastfeeding-friendly work environment decreases employee absenteeism, promotes an earlier return from maternity leave and increases retention of female employees.
The new law will not apply to employers with less than 50 employees if it would impose an “undue hardship.” Additionally, the law designates the required breaks as unpaid, but does not ensure that they will not be treated less favorably than comparable breaks (i.e., smoking breaks). While there is certainly more work to be done, the breastfeeding protections are a significant step toward closing the gap for working mothers.
by Lisa Kathumbi
Lisa Kathumbi is Senior Legal Counsel to the Ohio Department of Health. Prior to joining ODH, Lisa worked at a private law firm representing companies in employment law matters. Lisa has also worked for women’s advocacy organizations in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Botswana.
The infant and maternal benefits of breastfeeding are well-recognized. A mother’s milk can, for example, reduce an infant’s risk of gastrointestinal, respiratory tract and ear infections, and of sudden-infant death syndrome (SIDS). Mothers who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of developing breast, uterine and ovarian cancers. Ultimately, breastfeeding can mean fewer health care visits and fewer hospitalizations, resulting in lower health care costs. Because of these important benefits, a number of health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association, recommend that infants breastfeed for at least twelve months. Despite these recommendations, the United States has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the industrialized world. While 73% of mothers initiate breastfeeding, only 43% continue for six months and only 22% breastfeed for the first full year of their child’s life.
There is no question that breastfeeding is a highly personal decision that can be influenced by a myriad of factors. For many mothers, however, breastfeeding decisions have been dictated by workplace barriers. Inflexible break schedules, inadequate facilities, professional stigma and lack of job security are just some of the job-related reasons why some women never initiate breastfeeding or terminate the process early. Certain workplace challenges (i.e., no private offices or corporate lactation programs) tend to be even greater for low-wage and hourly workers, whom are disproportionally African American and Hispanic.
For years, there has been a glaring disconnect between the national campaign promoting the critical health benefits of breastfeeding and legal protections for working mothers. Just this past August while health professionals were promoting the benefits of breastfeeding during National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, the Ohio Supreme Court held that it is lawful for an employer to fire a woman who takes breaks to express milk. Allen v. Totes/Isotoner Corp. The Plaintiff, LaNisa Allen, nursed her daughter before her 6:00 a.m. shift, but was expected to wait five hours until her 11:00 a.m. lunch break to pump. To prevent mastitis and other infections, women are encouraged to express milk every few hours or as often as their infant nurses. When the company discovered that Allen, an hourly employee, was taking an unauthorized break to pump in the bathroom, she was fired.
Allen sued for wrongful termination, alleging pregnancy discrimination. The trial court found that Allen’s termination was based on failure to follow company policy and not unlawful discrimination. In a decision drawing national attention, the Ohio Supreme Court agreed. After finding that Allen took unauthorized breaks, the Ohio Supreme court declined to rule on whether pregnancy laws cover workplace lactation. The Court held that Allen missed her chance to put that question to the test by taking breaks to pump without permission.
In the absence of legal protection, working mothers, like LaNisa Allen, have had to choose between optimum health benefits for themselves and their infant or their job. For many women, this has meant no choice at all. The protections in the Health Care Reform law will not only help create real choices for working mothers, but they have the potential to help increase both breastfeeding initiation and duration and to decrease disparities in these rates across all populations. Employers also stand to benefit. According to a study by the National Business Group on Health, creating a breastfeeding-friendly work environment decreases employee absenteeism, promotes an earlier return from maternity leave and increases retention of female employees.
The new law will not apply to employers with less than 50 employees if it would impose an “undue hardship.” Additionally, the law designates the required breaks as unpaid, but does not ensure that they will not be treated less favorably than comparable breaks (i.e., smoking breaks). While there is certainly more work to be done, the breastfeeding protections are a significant step toward closing the gap for working mothers.
by Lisa Kathumbi
Lisa Kathumbi is Senior Legal Counsel to the Ohio Department of Health. Prior to joining ODH, Lisa worked at a private law firm representing companies in employment law matters. Lisa has also worked for women’s advocacy organizations in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Botswana.
Breast-feeding would save lives, money - study
Those startling results, published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics, are only an estimate. But several experts who reviewed the analysis said the methods and conclusions seem sound.
"The health care system has got to be aware that breast-feeding makes a profound difference," said Dr. Ruth Lawrence, who heads the American Academy of Pediatrics' breast-feeding section.
The findings suggest that there are hundreds of deaths and many more costly illnesses each year from health problems that breast-feeding may help prevent. These include stomach viruses, ear infections, asthma, juvenile diabetes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and even childhood leukemia.
The magnitude of health benefits linked to breast-feeding is vastly underappreciated, said lead author Dr. Melissa Bartick, an internist and instructor at Harvard Medical School. Breast-feeding is sometimes considered a lifestyle choice, but Bartick calls it a public health issue.
Among the benefits: Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight infections; it also can affect insulin levels in the blood, which may make breast-fed babies less likely to develop diabetes and obesity.
The analysis studied the prevalence of 10 common childhood illnesses, costs of treating those diseases, including hospitalization, and the level of disease protection other studies have linked with breast-feeding.
The $13 billion in estimated losses due to the low breast-feeding rate includes an economists' calculation partly based on lost potential lifetime wages — $10.56 million per death.
The methods were similar to a widely cited 2001 government report that said $3.6 billion could be saved each year if 50 percent of mothers breast-fed their babies for six months. Medical costs have climbed since then and breast-feeding rates have increased only slightly.
About 43 percent of U.S. mothers do at least some breast-feeding for six months, but only 12 percent follow government guidelines recommending that babies receive only breast milk for six months.
Dr. Larry Gray, a University of Chicago pediatrician, called the analysis compelling and said it's reasonable to strive for 90 percent compliance.
But he also said mothers who don't breast-feed for six months shouldn't be blamed or made to feel guilty, because their jobs and other demands often make it impossible to do so.
"We'd all love as pediatricians to be able to carry this information into the boardrooms by saying we all gain by small changes at the workplace" that encourage breast-feeding, Gray said.
Bartick said there are some encouraging signs. The government's new health care overhaul requires large employers to provide private places for working mothers to pump breast milk. And under a provision enacted April 1 by the Joint Commission, a hospital accrediting agency, hospitals may be evaluated on their efforts to ensure that newborns are fed only breast milk before they're sent home.
The pediatrics academy says babies should be given a chance to start breast-feeding immediately after birth. Bartick said that often doesn't happen, and at many hospitals newborns are offered formula even when their mothers intend to breast-feed.
"Hospital practices need to change to be more in line with evidence-based care," Bartick said. "We really shouldn't be blaming mothers for this."
By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner, Ap Medical Writer – Mon Apr 5, 1:53 pm ET
___
On the Net:
American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org/
Government: http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Pure and Simple - The Purely Yours Breast Pump
Breast pump manufacturers believe their products to be the best – and they should, otherwise their advertising claims are nothing but inflated half-truths told for the sole purpose of making money. Quality pump makers are of course interested in profit, but unlike their "shady" counterparts, quality pump makers also want their products to enhance the lives of breastfeeding mothers and babies.
On my crusade for quality pumps, I have been fortunate to come across more than one quality pump maker. The latest addition to that list is Ameda. For a one-month period in February 2003, I tested the Ameda Purely Yours breast pump (with backpack).
Since 1997, Hollister, Inc. has been distributing Ameda pumps and breastfeeding accessories, yet the Ameda name has been synonymous with breastfeeding products for well over 50 years. Currently, Ameda offers a wide range of breast pumps for rent and for purchase.
Easy-to-use
Comfortable
Instinct told me to be wary of the hard plastic funnel. My past experiences with similar structures left a bad taste in my mouth. But in the spirit of fairness, I did my best to put those thoughts out of my mind. The first two seconds of pumping were uncomfortable, but then I discovered exactly why it is important to have a pump with adjustable settings. I fiddled with both the suction and the speed, and within seconds, I was pumping in pure comfort. My first 15-minute pumping session yielded 4 to 5 ounces.During my research, I discovered that Ameda sells a Flexishield Areola Stimulator, a flexible insert that can be used with the Purely Yours pump. While I can't attest to its effectiveness, Ameda literature claims that the Flexishield mimics Baby and helps stimulate let-down. This could be a nice alternative for pumping moms who are leery of hard funnels.
Convenient
As a bonus, the Purely Yours breast pump with Backpack can be converted to a manual, one-hand breast pump. While I certainly didn't pump nearly as much with the manual pump as I did with the electric, I could see how nice it would be to have the option – especially if you were dealing with engorgement or simply wanted a "no frills" way to pump a few ounces.
The top half of the backpack houses a "cooler" that contains ice packs and six, 4-ounce, clear plastic bottles.
When my month-long trial period had come to an end, I was happy to see that Ameda's advertising claims on the box – easy-to-use, comfortable, convenient and safe – held true off the box, as well.
Pure and Simple - The Purely Yours Breast Pump - Equipment Articles - Breastfeed.com
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Breast Pumps Guide - Everything You Need To Know
As you probably know, these days, "breast is best." The American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as a number of leading professional organizations, including the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and the World Health Organization, recommend breast-feeding for the first six months of a baby's life, unless there's a medical reason not to do so, without supplementing with water, formula, or juice.
If you want to continue breast-feeding nonexclusively after that, these groups say all the better. That's because breast milk--custom-made nourishment specially formulated by Mother Nature--offers so many benefits: It boosts your baby's immune system, promotes brain development, and may reduce your child's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as well as diabetes, some types of cancer, obesity, high cholesterol, and asthma later in life. Breastfeeding helps moms return to their pre-baby weight faster, and may decrease the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and even osteoporosis.
Breast-feeding is convenient--there are no bottles to prepare and warm - and it's free! There's no formula to buy, which can run you up to an average of $124 per month, depending on the type of formula you buy. But unless you plan to take your baby with you wherever you go and the process always goes smoothly, you'll probably need a breast pump. In fact, a pump can be indispensable for nursing mothers in a number of scenarios: You want to continue breast-feeding but return to work; you need to formula-feed your baby temporarily for medical reasons but want to resume breast-feeding when you get the go-ahead from your doctor; or you need to miss a feeding occasionally because you're traveling or otherwise away from your baby.
A breast pump may come in handy during those first few days after you've delivered, when the breasts can become so full that a baby may have trouble latching on. Things can be sailing along in the hospital, but when you get home, supply can outpace demand. The solution is to express some milk with a breast pump--and to have one on hand before your baby is born, so you're ready to go as soon as you return home after delivery. A breast pump also allows you to store milk (in bottles or storage bags) for later, then bottle-feed it to your baby or mix it with a little in cereal when she reaches the "solid" food stage at around 6 months.
You can refrigerate breast milk safely for 24 hours, or freeze it for three to six months. A housekeeping note: Date it when you freeze it and store it in the back of the freezer, not in the door. That's a warm spot that can prompt thawing every time the door is opened. When the time comes to use it, thaw breast milk in warm water. Don't boil or microwave it; both of those heating methods can destroy valuable immunological components that make breast milk the liquid gold it is. Microwaving can create uneven "hot spots" that can scald a baby's mouth and throat.
There are several types of breast pumps available--from large, hospital-grade pumps and midweight personal-use automatic pumps to small, lightweight, and easily portable manual models that work one breast at a time. You'll want a pump that's appropriate to your particular situation. Pumping can be time consuming and just one more thing to do, but it shouldn't be painful or frustrating. Choosing the right pump can make the difference between meeting your breast-feeding goals and having to stop short.
A baby's natural sucking rhythm is 40 to 60 cycles per minute (one pull per second or a little less). Hospital-grade and personal-use automatic pumps typically operate at 30 to 50 cycles per minute. Other pumps are usually less efficient. As a general rule, the more suction and releases per minute a pump provides, the better it will be at stimulating your milk supply. Efficiency is especially important if you plan to save a large quantity of milk. If you're returning to work, for example, you'll need to have much more breast milk on hand than if you stay home with your babies or are supplementing breast milk with formula.
Once you find the right pump, using it will take a little practice. You'll need to learn how to position it correctly and adjust the suctioning to get the best results. Don't worry--with the right pump, you'll soon get the hang of it. Pumps require some assembling and disassembling for cleaning. Wash any parts of the pump that touch your breasts or the milk containers in the dishwasher, or with hot, soapy water. Drain them dry before each use.
SHOPPING SECRETS
Consider renting. To save money (midweight, personal-use automatic pumps can retail for as much as $350), think about renting a pump. "I rented one from a medical supplies store near my home," says Elisabeth Elman Feldman, a mother of one from Old Bridge, N.J., who breast-fed for three months for a total cost of $150. If you plan to breast-feed longer than three or four months, however, buying is the way to go. But check with your rental vendor. Many offer a price break the longer you rent. For information on pump rentals in your area and referrals to lactation consultants who can advise you on the type of pump you need and where to rent it, contact the International Lactation Consultant Association or La Leche League. The hospital where you delivered your baby may have a lactation consultant on staff.
Shop around. You can find deals on new breast pumps online, and at hospital birthing centers. You also can consult a La Leche League leader in your area (check the group's Web site for a leader near you). A little research reveals that there are deals to be had in the online breast pump marketplace once you know what kind of pump you want. (Not sure where to start? Simply type in "breast pump" on a search engine like Google.)
Browse at the hospital. Many hospitals and birthing centers are now in the breast-pump business, offering competitive prices on a variety of pumps, plus advice that can help ensure success. You can also get a recommendation from your hospital's lactation consultant as to the right type of pump for you.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Now that breast-feeding has made a comeback (some hospitals organize human breast-milk banks for babies who, for some reason, can't physically breast-feed), the options in breast pumps are dizzying. The major brands, in alphabetical order, are:
Ameda
Avent
Dr. Brown's
Evenflo
Medela
Playtex
The First Years
Whisper Wear
Whittlestone
Breast pumps come in these basic types: large, hospital-grade, dual-action models, which typically aren't available for sale (you rent them from the hospital where you deliver or from a lactation or rental center); midweight, personal-use, automatic models that are comparable to hospital-grade pumps and can travel with you; small electric or battery-operated units that double- or single-pump; one-handed manual pumps; and "hands-free" pumps that you wear in your bra that pump while you work or do errands.
Here's the lowdown on each:
Hospital-grade breast pumps
These electric powerhouses are about the size of a car battery and can weigh 5 to 11 pounds. Manufactured for users in hospitals and for those who choose to rent, they have sensitive controls that allow you to regulate suction rhythm, intensity, and pressure. Some have a pumping action that's almost identical to a baby's natural sucking, which can help build and maintain your milk supply. A hospital-grade pump can cut pumping sessions in half--to just 15 minutes with a dual pump, which empties both breasts at once. These are expensive to buy, but you can rent them from hospitals, medical-supply stores, lactation consultants, drugstores, and specialty retail stores.
Pros: They're fast and efficient. Many are also light, comparable to a midweight, personal-use automatic pump.
Top brands/models to consider: the Elite Electric breast pump by Ameda; Medela's rental line: Symphony, Lactina, or Classic breast pumps; Whittlestone Breast Expresser (the rental version).
Midweight, personal-use, automatic breast pumps
Usually no bigger than a briefcase and weighing around 8 pounds or less, these electric breast pumps typically are lighter and slightly less efficient than the hospital-grade models. Like a hospital-grade pump, a personal-use automatic can slash pumping time because it has a powerful motor and serious suction. Many personal-use automatic pumps have suction that mimics a baby's natural sucking, which typically begins with rapid, high-frequency suction and changes to a slower, suck/swallow pattern. They're designed to mimic a baby and thereby foster faster milk flow, although some use a constant vacuum, with self-adjusting suction settings. Intermittent action better imitates a baby than a constant vacuum--and it's probably easier on you, too. Some electric breast pumps come with a manual breast pump, so you get two for the price of one.
Many models come housed in a black microfiber tote bag or backpack, which is ideal if you're working outside your home. They're often equipped with an adapter for your car's cigarette lighter or a battery pack for times when you're not near an electrical outlet. Most come with all necessary attachments, including removable cooler carrier and cooling element, battery pack, AC adapter, and collection containers, lids, and stands.
Pros: This is a quick and portable way to double-pump and fill up a bottle in minutes.
Cons: It's probably more than you need if you plan to pump only occasionally.
Price: $195 to $350 to buy.
Choose this option if: You'll be returning to work full- or part-time and you need to pump throughout the day to maintain your milk supply and express milk for missed feedings.
Top brands/models to consider: Ameda Purely Yours Electric breast pump; Avent Isis IQ Duo or Uno; Evenflo's Elan Feeding System (http://www.evenflo.com/); Medela Pump in Style Advanced or Original; Playtex Embrace Electric Double Breast Pump, Whittlestone Breast Expresser (the personal-use version).
Small electric or battery-operated units
Using widely available AA or C batteries or household current, these lightweight, compact devices can fit discreetly in your purse or briefcase. They're relatively quiet, but the suction can be sluggish, although the vacuum on some models can be regulated for maximum comfort. Others, though, have a constant vacuum that can cause nipple discomfort.
Pros: They are relatively inexpensive and portable. With the battery pack, you can pump anywhere, anytime.
Cons: If you use this pump more than occasionally, you may find that pumping takes too long. Consider one of these for occasional use only.
Price: $65 (single pump) to $130 (double pump) to buy.
Choose this option if: You need to pump only occasionally because you'll be away from your baby now and then, for a night out or a couple of hours during the day.
Top brands/models to consider: Medela Single or Double Deluxe breast pump.
Manual breast pumps
With these small pumps, you produce the suction yourself by squeezing a bulb or lever or by manipulating a syringe-style cylinder. There are many designs of manual pumps on the market. Cylinder, or piston-style, pumps usually allow you to control pressure and minimize discomfort. Some manual models can be operated with one hand. They're easier to use than those requiring one hand to hold, one to pump.
Pros: They're less expensive than electric models and don't need an electrical source or batteries, and often are compact enough to fit in a tote or purse.
Cons: Manual pumps often are markedly slower than other pumps. We recommend these only for occasional use, such as when you're traveling.
Price: $35 to $50 to buy.
Choose this option if: You're a stay-at-home or work-from-home mom and you need to miss only a rare feeding because of a night out; you're traveling or you have plugged milk ducts or sore nipples. A manual pump is also ideal for pumping on the go, in places where electricity may not be available. Look for one with an ergonomic handle, not a bulb, though any small pump could tire your hand and arm and cause repetitive strain injuries if you use it frequently.
Top brands/models to consider: Medela Harmony; Avent's Isis manual pump; Dr. Brown's manual breast pump.
Hands-free pumpsPlaced inside your bra, this battery-operated pump, which is no bigger than a bagel and comes with an AC adapter, mimics the feel and sucking pattern of a baby. Milk travels through a flexible stem and collects in a self-sealing, spill-proof bag.
Pros: You don't have to drop everything you're doing. You can pump while you're reading, working, or talking on the phone. It's the ultimate in multitasking.
Cons: Some women report that you need a super-tight bra and must position the pump exactly to work this pump. Otherwise, milk won't collect properly. Since you place the pump inside your bra, your chest size will expand considerably, so you may need to wear a large sweater or blazer to camouflage the fact that you're pumping, if you do so in public. We also hear this option isn't quiet, so you'll probably want to pump in private. Moreover, the milk collection is relatively slow. It takes three to five minutes for milk to begin collecting in the bag. In the world of breast pumping, that's an eternity.
Price: $110 (for a single pump) to $200 (double pump) to buy.
Choose this option if: Your schedule is hectic and you'll be pumping only occasionally.
Top brands/models to consider: Whisper Wear is the only brand of hands-free pump we know of on the market.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Consider renting a hospital-grade breast pump if you're not sure how long you'll need to use a pump or if you know you'll need to pump for only a short time and you plan to be home with your baby. If you expect to use a breast pump regularly, especially if you plan to return to work, buy a top-quality midweight, personal-use, automatic model at the best price you can find. This caliber of pump will help you get a significant volume of milk in a given time and will be your best bet for maintaining your milk supply. If you plan to use a breast pump only occasionally, a manual pump or a small electric or battery-operated one will probably be all you need. They're appropriate and made for occasional use only.
Since using a breast pump can be tricky, most manufacturers now supply informational brochures with their units. You also can call manufacturers' customer-service lines if you encounter problems with a specific pump. Many manufacturers offer a 90-day warranty on parts and will repair or even replace a product without charge. But keep your receipt or the printout from your baby registry as proof of purchase.
There's a host of information on the Internet about breast-feeding in general and specific guidance on such issues as how to get into a pumping routine after you return to work. The La Leche League, is a good place to start. This Web site offers a breast-feeding bulletin board, an online community of other mothers you can turn to for ideas on how to overcome breast-feeding obstacles, answers to your most pressing questions, and podcasts on breast-feeding and parenting.
Features to consider Breast pumps
Suction settings. The best pumps mimic a baby's natural nursing rhythm by automatically pumping in two distinct modes: rapid, to simulate a baby's rapid sucking to begin fast milk flow, and slower, to simulate a baby's deeper sucking to produce the most milk flow. Together, the two phases offer a more authentic breast-feeding experience with greater comfort, increased milk flow, and quicker nursing time. "Closer to Nature" brands/models on the market that purport to pump more like a baby include Medela's Pump In Style Advanced shoulder bag or backpack, its hospital-grade Symphony, and its Harmony manual breast pump. Others, such as Avent's Isis iQ Duo and Isis iQ Uno electronic dual and single breast pumps, allow you to automate the pumping rhythm, speed, and suction at the touch of a button instead of relying on pre-set controls.
Warranty. If you'll be using your personal-use breast pump every day, look for a pump that has at least a one-year warranty on the motor. A generous warranty typically is a sign of quality and durability.
Adapter/ batteries. If you're pumping on the road or you don't have access to an electrical outlet (say, for example, you don't have a pumping room at work and you're relegated to a restroom stall), look for a pump that can run on batteries or that includes an adapter that can attach to your car's cigarette lighter. However, even if you have a "hands-free" model, we don't recommend pumping while driving because pumping can be distracting.
Double-pumping. If you'll be pumping at work or pumping often, get a double hospital-grade or midweight, personal-use, automatic pump. By expressing both breasts at once, you can complete a pumping session in 10 to 15 minutes. Besides being fast, double pumps are better for milk production. Double-pumping increases levels of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. Smaller pumps or a single pump may not be able to maintain your milk supply long-term and can quickly become frustrating to use.
Carrying case. If you'll be commuting or traveling, a professional-looking pump "briefcase" or sporty backpack is the way to go. Most models, other than the hospital-grade ones, come in a chic, black microfiber case with a shoulder strap. Some models, such as Evenflo's Elan Feeding System and Medela's Pump in Style Advanced, also feature a removable cooling compartment and pump motor, so you can lighten your commute by leaving a section at work.
Insulated storage compartments. Look for compartments in the pump's carrying case if you'll be pumping on the go and need to store your milk for later. But be sure to keep an ice pack or two with your breast milk in the storage compartment.
LCD display. Some breast pumps have gone high-tech, such as the Evenflo Elan, offering an LCD panel that displays speed and suction settings as well as the time and length you last pumped--even which breast you pumped last.
What not to buy: A used personal-use breast pump
Tempted to borrow your best friend's breast pump, or pick up a preowned one online or at a yard sale? Think again. Buying a used electric personal-use pump or borrowing a friend's can put your baby's health at risk because breast milk can carry bacteria and viruses. These potential contaminants can travel through the tubing and lodge in the pump's internal mechanism--the part that connects to the tubing--which can't be removed, replaced, or fully sterilized. With each suction and release, these contaminants can be microscopically blown into the milk you're expressing and possibly infect your baby, says Nancy S. Mohrbacher, a lactation consultant with Hollister Incorporated in Arlington Heights, Ill., the maker of Hollister and Ameda breast pumps. That's why manufacturers encourage nursing moms to think of a breast pump as a toothbrush or lipstick--like any personal use item you wouldn't share with a friend.
However, hospital-grade rental pumps, such as Hollister's Elite, SMB, and Lact-e Electric Breast Pumps and Medela's Symphony, Classic, and Lactina, are designed for many users and are built to last for years. They may prevent cross- and self-contamination with a special collection filter that prohibits milk from entering the internal diaphragm. Or they're designed so that the milk comes in contact only with the bottles and tubing that attach to the pump, so there's no cross-contamination.
The Purely Yours Breast Pump by Ameda is the only personal-use pump on the market to date that features a patented silicone diaphragm that provides a barrier so there's no air exchange between the pump tubing and the breast flange--so you never have to clean the tubing. The diaphragm protects expressed milk from contamination that may exist in the pump and protects the pump from any contamination in the milk. It also prevents self-contamination, which can occur when moisture and/or milk particles enter the pump tubing and organisms, such as bacteria and mold, grow there and get blown back into the milk. (The risk of self-contamination is why most other brands of pumps will instruct you to examine the tubing after every pumping and to clean or replace tubing if you see milk or moisture there.) Still, even with its unique milk collection system, the Ameda Purely Yours Pump isn't marketed as a multi-user pump because it's much lighter and more portable than Ameda's rental pumps. These have the same internal diaphragm as its personal-use pumps, but with a heavier-duty, "industrial-strength" motor, says Mohrbacher.
Breast pumps
If you want to continue breast-feeding nonexclusively after that, these groups say all the better. That's because breast milk--custom-made nourishment specially formulated by Mother Nature--offers so many benefits: It boosts your baby's immune system, promotes brain development, and may reduce your child's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) as well as diabetes, some types of cancer, obesity, high cholesterol, and asthma later in life. Breastfeeding helps moms return to their pre-baby weight faster, and may decrease the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and even osteoporosis.
Breast-feeding is convenient--there are no bottles to prepare and warm - and it's free! There's no formula to buy, which can run you up to an average of $124 per month, depending on the type of formula you buy. But unless you plan to take your baby with you wherever you go and the process always goes smoothly, you'll probably need a breast pump. In fact, a pump can be indispensable for nursing mothers in a number of scenarios: You want to continue breast-feeding but return to work; you need to formula-feed your baby temporarily for medical reasons but want to resume breast-feeding when you get the go-ahead from your doctor; or you need to miss a feeding occasionally because you're traveling or otherwise away from your baby.
A breast pump may come in handy during those first few days after you've delivered, when the breasts can become so full that a baby may have trouble latching on. Things can be sailing along in the hospital, but when you get home, supply can outpace demand. The solution is to express some milk with a breast pump--and to have one on hand before your baby is born, so you're ready to go as soon as you return home after delivery. A breast pump also allows you to store milk (in bottles or storage bags) for later, then bottle-feed it to your baby or mix it with a little in cereal when she reaches the "solid" food stage at around 6 months.
You can refrigerate breast milk safely for 24 hours, or freeze it for three to six months. A housekeeping note: Date it when you freeze it and store it in the back of the freezer, not in the door. That's a warm spot that can prompt thawing every time the door is opened. When the time comes to use it, thaw breast milk in warm water. Don't boil or microwave it; both of those heating methods can destroy valuable immunological components that make breast milk the liquid gold it is. Microwaving can create uneven "hot spots" that can scald a baby's mouth and throat.
There are several types of breast pumps available--from large, hospital-grade pumps and midweight personal-use automatic pumps to small, lightweight, and easily portable manual models that work one breast at a time. You'll want a pump that's appropriate to your particular situation. Pumping can be time consuming and just one more thing to do, but it shouldn't be painful or frustrating. Choosing the right pump can make the difference between meeting your breast-feeding goals and having to stop short.
A baby's natural sucking rhythm is 40 to 60 cycles per minute (one pull per second or a little less). Hospital-grade and personal-use automatic pumps typically operate at 30 to 50 cycles per minute. Other pumps are usually less efficient. As a general rule, the more suction and releases per minute a pump provides, the better it will be at stimulating your milk supply. Efficiency is especially important if you plan to save a large quantity of milk. If you're returning to work, for example, you'll need to have much more breast milk on hand than if you stay home with your babies or are supplementing breast milk with formula.
Once you find the right pump, using it will take a little practice. You'll need to learn how to position it correctly and adjust the suctioning to get the best results. Don't worry--with the right pump, you'll soon get the hang of it. Pumps require some assembling and disassembling for cleaning. Wash any parts of the pump that touch your breasts or the milk containers in the dishwasher, or with hot, soapy water. Drain them dry before each use.
Consider renting. To save money (midweight, personal-use automatic pumps can retail for as much as $350), think about renting a pump. "I rented one from a medical supplies store near my home," says Elisabeth Elman Feldman, a mother of one from Old Bridge, N.J., who breast-fed for three months for a total cost of $150. If you plan to breast-feed longer than three or four months, however, buying is the way to go. But check with your rental vendor. Many offer a price break the longer you rent. For information on pump rentals in your area and referrals to lactation consultants who can advise you on the type of pump you need and where to rent it, contact the International Lactation Consultant Association or La Leche League. The hospital where you delivered your baby may have a lactation consultant on staff.
Browse at the hospital. Many hospitals and birthing centers are now in the breast-pump business, offering competitive prices on a variety of pumps, plus advice that can help ensure success. You can also get a recommendation from your hospital's lactation consultant as to the right type of pump for you.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Now that breast-feeding has made a comeback (some hospitals organize human breast-milk banks for babies who, for some reason, can't physically breast-feed), the options in breast pumps are dizzying. The major brands, in alphabetical order, are:
Ameda
Avent
Dr. Brown's
Evenflo
Medela
Playtex
The First Years
Whisper Wear
Whittlestone
Breast pumps come in these basic types: large, hospital-grade, dual-action models, which typically aren't available for sale (you rent them from the hospital where you deliver or from a lactation or rental center); midweight, personal-use, automatic models that are comparable to hospital-grade pumps and can travel with you; small electric or battery-operated units that double- or single-pump; one-handed manual pumps; and "hands-free" pumps that you wear in your bra that pump while you work or do errands.
Here's the lowdown on each:
Hospital-grade breast pumps
These electric powerhouses are about the size of a car battery and can weigh 5 to 11 pounds. Manufactured for users in hospitals and for those who choose to rent, they have sensitive controls that allow you to regulate suction rhythm, intensity, and pressure. Some have a pumping action that's almost identical to a baby's natural sucking, which can help build and maintain your milk supply. A hospital-grade pump can cut pumping sessions in half--to just 15 minutes with a dual pump, which empties both breasts at once. These are expensive to buy, but you can rent them from hospitals, medical-supply stores, lactation consultants, drugstores, and specialty retail stores.
Pros: They're fast and efficient. Many are also light, comparable to a midweight, personal-use automatic pump.Cons: Even though some come with a rechargeable battery and an adapter for use in a vehicle, many don't come with a discreet carrying case. You wouldn't want to lug one to and from work every day because they can be awkward and heavy.
Price: Expect to pay around $45 a month to rent one. You may also need to purchase your own breast shields, containers, and tubing, which can run an additional $35 or so.
Choose this option if: Nursing is difficult because your baby has trouble latching on; you're not sure how much you'll need a breast pump, but you want one on hand just in case; you plan to pump for three months or less; you must dramatically increase your milk supply and need the power of a hospital-grade pump.
Choose this option if: Nursing is difficult because your baby has trouble latching on; you're not sure how much you'll need a breast pump, but you want one on hand just in case; you plan to pump for three months or less; you must dramatically increase your milk supply and need the power of a hospital-grade pump.
Top brands/models to consider: the Elite Electric breast pump by Ameda; Medela's rental line: Symphony, Lactina, or Classic breast pumps; Whittlestone Breast Expresser (the rental version).
Midweight, personal-use, automatic breast pumps
Pros: This is a quick and portable way to double-pump and fill up a bottle in minutes.
Cons: It's probably more than you need if you plan to pump only occasionally.
Price: $195 to $350 to buy.
Choose this option if: You'll be returning to work full- or part-time and you need to pump throughout the day to maintain your milk supply and express milk for missed feedings.
Top brands/models to consider: Ameda Purely Yours Electric breast pump; Avent Isis IQ Duo or Uno; Evenflo's Elan Feeding System (http://www.evenflo.com/); Medela Pump in Style Advanced or Original; Playtex Embrace Electric Double Breast Pump, Whittlestone Breast Expresser (the personal-use version).
Small electric or battery-operated units
Pros: They are relatively inexpensive and portable. With the battery pack, you can pump anywhere, anytime.
Cons: If you use this pump more than occasionally, you may find that pumping takes too long. Consider one of these for occasional use only.
Price: $65 (single pump) to $130 (double pump) to buy.
Choose this option if: You need to pump only occasionally because you'll be away from your baby now and then, for a night out or a couple of hours during the day.
Top brands/models to consider: Medela Single or Double Deluxe breast pump.
Manual breast pumps
Pros: They're less expensive than electric models and don't need an electrical source or batteries, and often are compact enough to fit in a tote or purse.
Cons: Manual pumps often are markedly slower than other pumps. We recommend these only for occasional use, such as when you're traveling.
Price: $35 to $50 to buy.
Choose this option if: You're a stay-at-home or work-from-home mom and you need to miss only a rare feeding because of a night out; you're traveling or you have plugged milk ducts or sore nipples. A manual pump is also ideal for pumping on the go, in places where electricity may not be available. Look for one with an ergonomic handle, not a bulb, though any small pump could tire your hand and arm and cause repetitive strain injuries if you use it frequently.
Top brands/models to consider: Medela Harmony; Avent's Isis manual pump; Dr. Brown's manual breast pump.
Hands-free pumpsPlaced inside your bra, this battery-operated pump, which is no bigger than a bagel and comes with an AC adapter, mimics the feel and sucking pattern of a baby. Milk travels through a flexible stem and collects in a self-sealing, spill-proof bag.
Pros: You don't have to drop everything you're doing. You can pump while you're reading, working, or talking on the phone. It's the ultimate in multitasking.
Cons: Some women report that you need a super-tight bra and must position the pump exactly to work this pump. Otherwise, milk won't collect properly. Since you place the pump inside your bra, your chest size will expand considerably, so you may need to wear a large sweater or blazer to camouflage the fact that you're pumping, if you do so in public. We also hear this option isn't quiet, so you'll probably want to pump in private. Moreover, the milk collection is relatively slow. It takes three to five minutes for milk to begin collecting in the bag. In the world of breast pumping, that's an eternity.
Price: $110 (for a single pump) to $200 (double pump) to buy.
Choose this option if: Your schedule is hectic and you'll be pumping only occasionally.
Top brands/models to consider: Whisper Wear is the only brand of hands-free pump we know of on the market.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Consider renting a hospital-grade breast pump if you're not sure how long you'll need to use a pump or if you know you'll need to pump for only a short time and you plan to be home with your baby. If you expect to use a breast pump regularly, especially if you plan to return to work, buy a top-quality midweight, personal-use, automatic model at the best price you can find. This caliber of pump will help you get a significant volume of milk in a given time and will be your best bet for maintaining your milk supply. If you plan to use a breast pump only occasionally, a manual pump or a small electric or battery-operated one will probably be all you need. They're appropriate and made for occasional use only.
Since using a breast pump can be tricky, most manufacturers now supply informational brochures with their units. You also can call manufacturers' customer-service lines if you encounter problems with a specific pump. Many manufacturers offer a 90-day warranty on parts and will repair or even replace a product without charge. But keep your receipt or the printout from your baby registry as proof of purchase.
There's a host of information on the Internet about breast-feeding in general and specific guidance on such issues as how to get into a pumping routine after you return to work. The La Leche League, is a good place to start. This Web site offers a breast-feeding bulletin board, an online community of other mothers you can turn to for ideas on how to overcome breast-feeding obstacles, answers to your most pressing questions, and podcasts on breast-feeding and parenting.
Features to consider Breast pumps
Suction settings. The best pumps mimic a baby's natural nursing rhythm by automatically pumping in two distinct modes: rapid, to simulate a baby's rapid sucking to begin fast milk flow, and slower, to simulate a baby's deeper sucking to produce the most milk flow. Together, the two phases offer a more authentic breast-feeding experience with greater comfort, increased milk flow, and quicker nursing time. "Closer to Nature" brands/models on the market that purport to pump more like a baby include Medela's Pump In Style Advanced shoulder bag or backpack, its hospital-grade Symphony, and its Harmony manual breast pump. Others, such as Avent's Isis iQ Duo and Isis iQ Uno electronic dual and single breast pumps, allow you to automate the pumping rhythm, speed, and suction at the touch of a button instead of relying on pre-set controls.
Warranty. If you'll be using your personal-use breast pump every day, look for a pump that has at least a one-year warranty on the motor. A generous warranty typically is a sign of quality and durability.
Adapter/ batteries. If you're pumping on the road or you don't have access to an electrical outlet (say, for example, you don't have a pumping room at work and you're relegated to a restroom stall), look for a pump that can run on batteries or that includes an adapter that can attach to your car's cigarette lighter. However, even if you have a "hands-free" model, we don't recommend pumping while driving because pumping can be distracting.
Double-pumping. If you'll be pumping at work or pumping often, get a double hospital-grade or midweight, personal-use, automatic pump. By expressing both breasts at once, you can complete a pumping session in 10 to 15 minutes. Besides being fast, double pumps are better for milk production. Double-pumping increases levels of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. Smaller pumps or a single pump may not be able to maintain your milk supply long-term and can quickly become frustrating to use.
Carrying case. If you'll be commuting or traveling, a professional-looking pump "briefcase" or sporty backpack is the way to go. Most models, other than the hospital-grade ones, come in a chic, black microfiber case with a shoulder strap. Some models, such as Evenflo's Elan Feeding System and Medela's Pump in Style Advanced, also feature a removable cooling compartment and pump motor, so you can lighten your commute by leaving a section at work.
Insulated storage compartments. Look for compartments in the pump's carrying case if you'll be pumping on the go and need to store your milk for later. But be sure to keep an ice pack or two with your breast milk in the storage compartment.
LCD display. Some breast pumps have gone high-tech, such as the Evenflo Elan, offering an LCD panel that displays speed and suction settings as well as the time and length you last pumped--even which breast you pumped last.
What not to buy: A used personal-use breast pump
Tempted to borrow your best friend's breast pump, or pick up a preowned one online or at a yard sale? Think again. Buying a used electric personal-use pump or borrowing a friend's can put your baby's health at risk because breast milk can carry bacteria and viruses. These potential contaminants can travel through the tubing and lodge in the pump's internal mechanism--the part that connects to the tubing--which can't be removed, replaced, or fully sterilized. With each suction and release, these contaminants can be microscopically blown into the milk you're expressing and possibly infect your baby, says Nancy S. Mohrbacher, a lactation consultant with Hollister Incorporated in Arlington Heights, Ill., the maker of Hollister and Ameda breast pumps. That's why manufacturers encourage nursing moms to think of a breast pump as a toothbrush or lipstick--like any personal use item you wouldn't share with a friend.
However, hospital-grade rental pumps, such as Hollister's Elite, SMB, and Lact-e Electric Breast Pumps and Medela's Symphony, Classic, and Lactina, are designed for many users and are built to last for years. They may prevent cross- and self-contamination with a special collection filter that prohibits milk from entering the internal diaphragm. Or they're designed so that the milk comes in contact only with the bottles and tubing that attach to the pump, so there's no cross-contamination.
The Purely Yours Breast Pump by Ameda is the only personal-use pump on the market to date that features a patented silicone diaphragm that provides a barrier so there's no air exchange between the pump tubing and the breast flange--so you never have to clean the tubing. The diaphragm protects expressed milk from contamination that may exist in the pump and protects the pump from any contamination in the milk. It also prevents self-contamination, which can occur when moisture and/or milk particles enter the pump tubing and organisms, such as bacteria and mold, grow there and get blown back into the milk. (The risk of self-contamination is why most other brands of pumps will instruct you to examine the tubing after every pumping and to clean or replace tubing if you see milk or moisture there.) Still, even with its unique milk collection system, the Ameda Purely Yours Pump isn't marketed as a multi-user pump because it's much lighter and more portable than Ameda's rental pumps. These have the same internal diaphragm as its personal-use pumps, but with a heavier-duty, "industrial-strength" motor, says Mohrbacher.
Breast pumps
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