Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump

The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump is ideal for today's breastfeeding mom. This pump is designed for everyday long term use at home or away. The patented system prevents milk back up in the tubing and pump. Dual independent controls for speed and suction allow for personal settings to simulate your baby's nursing pattern. Universal bottles allow for pumping directly into most baby bottles.

Product Features

* Double Electric Breast Pump
* Mom can set and control Vacuum strength & cycle speed
* Patened closed system prevents milk back up into tubing and pump motor
* Simple to Use - comes pre-assembled, and with few parts

* Easy to Clean - No need to clean tubing because closed system does not allow milk to back flow
* Adjust speed and suction for personal preference
* Lightweight, only 3.5lbs
* Patented system prevents milk back up in tubing and pump
* Pump comes pre-assembled
* Built in Bottle Holders prevent milk spills
* Includes: two bottles, two bottle lids, two extra wide valves and instruction booklet
* AC Adapter or Battery Operated (AA x 6)
* Includes DVD in English and Spanish with instructions and an interview with a board certified lactation consultant
* Product in Inches (L x W x H): 7.0 x 4.0 x 9.5

Product Review :

I have been using this pump for over 4 months now and I have only good things to say about it. It's suction has stayed the same and I use it several times a day while I'm at work. Since my baby tends to prefer the bottle when I am home, a good pump is mandatory. I don't think you could be disappointed. Good price too.
By Lovemybabyboyngm

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Lansinoh 20435 Breastmilk Storage Bags

Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags for Storing Your Breast Milk

Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage BagsThe milk you express for your baby is precious fluid. It combines the best possible nutrition with antibodies, live cells, and other substances that protect babies from infection and help them grow and develop. You'll want to take good care of it and how you store it will affect how well it is preserved.

These pre-sterilized medical grade breast milk storage bags feature a color change zipper seal for proof of closure. Plus, the tissue pack dispenser provides easy access and easy storage in your breast pump case. Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are perfect for storing and freezing you precious breast milk.

Product Features

- Color Change Zipper Seal for proof of closure
- Write-On-Tab outside fill area eliminates potential puncture and ink contamination. This feature also makes it easy to write on even after bag is full
- Stores flat in the refrigerator and freezer taking up less space and making it easier to thaw
- Tamper evident safety seal
- Easily transferable to all style feeding containers
- Tissue Pack Dispenser for easy access and storage
- Contains 25 pre-sterilized 6 oz. Medical Grade Storage Bags
- Bags are made of 100% virgin plastic.
- Bags are 100% Bisphenol-A (BPA) Free.

Special Offers and Product Promotions

* Save $10 when you spend $50 and pay with Bill Me Later. The fast and convenient way to buy without using your credit card. Offer limited to items purchased from Amazon.com between July 14, 2008 and July 21, 2008. One per customer account. Enter code BMLSAVES at checkout.

Important Information

Directions

Breastmilk Storage Guide: At Room Temperature: 66-72 degrees F (19-22 degrees C), store for up to 10 hours. In a Refrigerator: 32-39 degrees F (0-4 degrees C), store for up to 8 days. In a Freezer Compartment Inside a Refrigerator: Temperature varies, store for up to 2 weeks. In Freezer Compartment with a Separate Door: Temperature varies, store for up to 3-4 months. In Separate Deep Freeze: 0 degrees F (-19 degrees C), store for up to 6 months or longer. Open tissue pack dispenser unit by pulling apart at marked perforation in the center. Open individual storage bag by tearing away safety seal and pulling zipper seal apart. Pour Breastmilk into bag. To preserve freshness, squeeze air out of the bag before sealing. Seal the bag. The double zipper seal provides added assurance of an air tight seal. Ensure both zippers are sealed by running your fingers along both zippers. Use a ballpoint pen or pencil (never use felt tip marker), to write in the information boxes. Thawing: Place sealed bag in warm tap water. Do not put in boiling water, microwave, or on stovetop. Milk will separate: this is normal, as human milk is not homogenized. Just swirl after opening. To use with a feeding container, insert sealed bag into the container. Open the bag, stretch and pull down over the side below the threads.

Product Description

Amazon.com

Expressing breast milk from work takes a lot of time and dedication, so anything that will make the process easier is appreciated by moms. Storing milk in bottles takes up valuable freezer space and means that you have to keep purchasing more and more bottles to build up your stash of food for baby. These plastic breast milk storage bags come pre-sterilized, and are easy to carry around--as they’re not much bigger than a travel pack of tissues. In fact, they come in a tissue-style dispenser, making them easy to access and store. Each bag stores up to 6 ounces, or 180 milliliters of milk, and seals tightly to preserve freshness. Bags lay flat in the freezer saving plenty of space for more milk or other foods. Milk transfers easily from bag to bottle with no spillage. A tab above the fill area lets you write the express date, volume of milk, and the name of your child (in case you are handing it off to a busy daycare provider for feedings) on the bag without worry that you may puncture and contaminate your milk with ink. For moms who have to temporarily store their milk in a busy office refrigerator, a tamper-evident safety seal on each bag informs you if someone has been in your supply. Each box includes 25 storage bags. --Cristina Vaamonde

Manufacturer's Description

The milk you express for your baby is a precious fluid. It combines the best nutrition with antibodies, live cells, and other substances that protect babies from infection and help them grown and develop. You'll want to take good care of it and how you store it will affect how well it is preserved. Double zipper seal for extra security. Write-On-Tab outside fill area eliminates potential puncture and ink contamination. Tissue Pack Dispenser for easy access and storage. This feature also makes it easy to write on even after bag is full. Stores flat in the freezer taking up less space and making it easier to thaw. Tamper evident safety seal. Easily transferable to all style feeding containers.

For Use: Open tissue pack dispenser unit by pulling apart at marked perforation in the center. Open each storage bag by tearing away the plastic tab pulling the two zippers apart. Pour Breastmilk into bag. To preserve freshness, and avoid freezer burn, squeeze air out of the bag before sealing. Seal the bag. The double zipper seal provides added assurance of an airtight seal. Ensure the bag is completely sealed by running your fingers along each zipper. Use a ballpoint pen or pencil to date bag.

Note: a felt marker can smear when wet.

Thawing: Place sealed bag in warm tap water. Do not put in boiling water, microwave, or on a stovetop. Once thawed your milk will separate. This is normal, as human milk is not homogenized. Transfer milk into desired feeding container using convenient pour spout. Always safely discard Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags and tabs.

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Lansinoh 20265 Disposable Nursing Pads

The natural and healthy way to grow. Nursing Pads. New one-way moisture technology ensures you stay dry. Soft, non-woven fabric wicks keep moisture away from skin. Excess milk is quickly drawn into the core of the pad and absorbed by a special polymer.

Avoid embarrassing leaks with ultra-slim, lightweight Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads. The soft, stay-dry lining draws milk away from your skin and into the core of the pad where it's absorbed by a special polymer, keeping both your skin and clothing dry.

Product Features

* Super-absorbent pads wick moisture away from skin
* Special polymer in core of pad absorbs excess milk
* Unique laminated waterproof backing protects clothes

* Ultra-thin for natural, discreet fit; individually wrapped for hygiene
* Non-slip tape keeps pads in place
* Stay-dry lining helps prevent sore nipples by keeping moisture away from skin
* Special contour and non-slip adhesive tape keep pads in place
* Ultra slim and light; only 2mm thick
* Won't show under clothing
* Individually wrapped for cleanliness and convenience

Product Description

Disposable Nursing Pads

Breastfeeding mothers know that let-down can occur at the most inopportune times. It can be triggered by missing a scheduled feeding, hearing a baby crying (whether your own or someone else’s), or even just thinking about your baby. And, of course, leaks always seems to happen when you’re in the middle of an important business presentation or wearing your best silk dress at a friend’s wedding. These extra absorbent disposable nursing pads have a soft, comfortable lining that rests against the skin. The lining draws excess moisture away from skin and into a polymer core in the center. A laminated waterproof lining against your clothing prevents milk from getting any further. The pads are incredibly thin (2 mm) and contoured like a breast, so they don’t look stiff or unnatural under clothing. Adhesive tape on the back of each pad secures it to undergarments to keep it from shifting during the day. Each pad comes individually wrapped for hygienically transporting them in a briefcase or diaper bag. --Cristina Vaamonde

Product Review :

My Sister recommended these to me after I had my daughter who is now 14 months. I am so glad she did because they are very comfortable, and thin, but still absorbent. I am a large chested woman and can tell you that they are great for this body type. I was worried about others being able to see the outline under my shirt, but you can't at all. They are great....TRY THEM!
By Mommma

These pads are the best. I tried a couple of other brands and these offer the most absorbency. I have a forceful let down that could be very embarrassing if I leak in public due to a poor pad. I have never leaked through to my shirt in these so they get an A++ rating from me!
By armywife84

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Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads Have More Cons Than Pros

When I became pregnant with my twins, I knew that I was going to breastfeed them. I was warned by many people that my breasts would leak and suggested that I get some nursing pads before I found myself with wet bras in a compromising position.

When my mom, sister and I went to a big baby expo held by Babies R Us, I spent a lot of time at the Lansinoh booth. After all, my best friend raved about several of their products. Lo and behold, there were all sorts of samples - including the Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads. Plus, there was a coupon for $1 of a box, so I purchased them to hold on until I needed them.

I never leaked before my twins were delivered. After I delivered them, the nurses in the NICU recommended that I start pumping immediately. So, I got the hospital pump and started. My milk didn't come out well at all, but the material of my bra hurt like heck. So, I broke out the pads and affixed them into my bra.

I immediately found the pads very rough and uncomfortable. They aren't the new Lansinoh Ultra Soft Nursing Pads, which promise to be quite soft. These pads are the originals. They are even more rough than a pantyliner or sanitary napkin, which is both surprising and disappointing. My sensitive nipples went into pain overdrive when rubbing against the rough material.

To counter that, the size and shape is perfect for a breast or nipple of any size. While the pads are one size fits all, they fit perfectly into the bra cup, whether a 44DD or a 32A. Of course, the fit would be a bit different, but there wouldn't be any leakage.

The material, while rough, is quite absorbent. There are several layers and a "thirsty" center to absorb any milk let-downs the expectant or new mother may have. I haven't had any embarrassing moments where I have leaked through clothes. Plus, the thin top layer locks moisture in so that your breasts and bra stay dry.

Unfortunately, the pad does tend to shift around. There is a tiny adhesive strip on the back of the pad which doesn't do much of anything to keep it in place. They shift, wrinkle and fold constantly. I'm shocked that I haven't had them shift so far out of position that I leak through my bra.

Another asset of these pads is that each pad is individually wrapped. You can just grab as many as you need for the day and toss them in your purse or diaper bag, and you are good to go.

For $5.79 per box of 36 pads, it doesn't seem like a lot of money. However, if you are anything like me, you will use at least 4 per day, giving you a supply of 9 days. That's almost $20 for a month's supply of these pads. That can add up to a lot of money, especially if you have a problem with leakage and go through more than 4 pads per day.

As I sit in the hospital cafeteria, awaiting 8pm so that I can return to the NICU, I am very aware of these breast pads. Fortunately, no one can see them through my shirt, although I wouldn't risk wearing anything form-fitting with them. Some cool air is coming in through the window I am sitting next to, and I am painfully aware that my nipples are FREEZING because I leaked at some point, and now the wetness is getting cold. But, hey, I'm cold without being wet. (A little hypernipple-itis never killed anyone before.) I guess the twins will have some chilled milk for their 8pm feeding.

Overall, I simply cannot recommend the Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads to anyone. I asked my mom to pick me up some more breast pads, and requested that she not get Lansinoh. They were a real disappointment.

By Candice Cain

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Lansinoh Breast Feeding Product Review

Breast feeding is a natural decision but with so many products to choose from, it can get confusing to find just the right ones to use. Lansinoh products were developed twenty years ago by a nursing mother, for nursing mothers. This is a review of four of their products, sold at retail stores like Wal-mart and K-Mart. Your job as a new mother is hard enough, pamper yourself with Lansinoh products.

Lansinoh brand Lanolin for nursing mothers:

Lansinoh lanolin is a wonderful invention! If you plan to breastfeed you should probably buy some before the baby arrives. The lanolin can be used during pregnancy to promote healthy, soft skin and lessen nipple dryness. It's 100% natural and hypoallergenic and it works miracles on sore, cracked, and even blistered nipples. You can use it several times a day once the baby starts nursing to soothe nipples and reduce soreness. When applied prior to showering it will help to prevent excess soreness and protect tender, broken skin. The best part? Thanks to its all natural ingredients, it doesn't need to be washed off prior to feeding which is very nice.

Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads:

I don't know why it took me so long to try these after being completely satisfied with the other Lansinoh products that I had used. The first nursing pads that I had tried were very absorbant, assuming that they were all the same I thought I'd continue using them, until I left the house and saw myself in good lighting. You could see the breast pad through my bra and shirt. Not just a little either, it looked like a saucer. I was mortified! So I tried yet another brand; absorbant, soft and much less noticeable than my first try-it added like an entire cup size to my chest. Someone had given me Lansinoh nursing pad samples and luckily I tried them before I went to the store. I was delighted. They were soft like a worn in t-shirt yet as absorbant as the bulkier pads. Made with an absorbant polymer paired with a stay dry lining, Lansinohs nursing pads have a one way moisture lock to not only keep your skin dry, which promotes skin health, but they also help prevent leakage onto clothing. They are individually wrapped to keep them sanitary and come with a stay put adhesive tab. Plus they were very discreet thanks to the natural contouring.

Lansinoh Clean & Condition Cloths:

Although nothing replaces frequent changes and proper baby care, clean & condition cloths are fortified with Lansinoh brand Lanolin to condition and protect delicate skin. Breast milk is a natural laxative and newborns need more frequent changing, this will help protect tiny bottoms between changes. The thin, soft cloths actually clean really well and are alcohol free to prevent drying. They are also lightly perfumed.

Lansinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags:

Claiming to have the "thickest bags available," Lansinoh breast milk storage bags are sold in a package of twenty-five. Costing about a quarter each, they are well worth the money. Not only were they the easiest to fill, they are made with virgin plastic to help promote sanitation and lessen the chance of contamination to expressed breast milk. The bags are safety sealed and pre-sanitized so all you have to do is fill them with up to six ounces of breast milk and squeeze out the extra air. The bags have a double zipper seal and a writable tab for the amount and date to help ensure that your baby gets the freshest milk possible. The bags have a "convenient pour spout," but it takes a little practice to get most of the milk into a bottle.(I used a funnel until I got the hang of it.) To help avoid confusion, there is a time chart on each package to help ensure the quality of the milk. Simply thaw in the refrigerator or run under warm tap water to serve. Human milk will separate and sometimes it will cling to the plastic. This is normal and can be remedied by shaking the bag a little. Do not boil or microwave the bags.

Lansinoh created these products with you in mind. They are the best products I have ever used while breastfeeding and I would recommend them to any one who asks. Although they do cost a little more than other brands, they really do work great. So when your standing in the store trying to find the perfect product, just look for the purple box.

By N.S. Reidnauer

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Breastfeeding Triplets: Advice from Successful Moms

Sheri Ingalls of Port St. Lucie, Florida, nursed her first child for almost two years. Three years later, when she discovered she was pregnant again, she had no doubts about what her feeding choice would be. Then she found out that she was carrying triplets.

Some of Ingalls's healthcare providers were very negative about even the possibility of nursing triplets. Ingalls, however, was determined to breastfeed, and her perinatologist put her in touch with The Triplet Connection www.tripletconnection.com Despite a rocky start--the babies spent two nights on formula in the hospital nursery and then had terrible nipple confusion when they arrived home--Sheri's triplets breastfed happily until weaning themselves between the ages of one and three.

Ingalls and other mothers of triplets report that the most essential factors in breastfeeding success are becoming educated before giving birth about the intricacies of nursing triplets, and receiving information and support from other mothers who have successfully nursed triplets. It is crucial to remember that nursing three children at once, although more difficult than nursing one child, is possible.

Breastmilk works on the theory of supply and demand: The more you nurse or pump, the more milk you produce. Therefore, if you are nursing all three babies at each session, you will make milk for all three. If you nurse two babies and give the third a bottle of formula, you will only produce enough milk for two babies. Pumping after nursing is a great way to increase milk supply, as well as provide reserves for bottle-feeding. Some mothers of triplets have found that this method enables them to pump up to 20 ounces of milk in only 15 minutes!

Good positioning is crucial for nursing triplets. Some mothers prefer to nurse each baby individually, so that each gets "special time" at least once a day. In the interest of time, many mothers nurse two at once; the third then either gets expressed breastmilk in a bottle or nurses after the first two have finished. Since the composition and amount of breastmilk subtly change over the course of a feeding, always make sure to rotate which baby is first at the breast at each session.

If your third baby will be bottle-feeding while the others are nursing, a hands-free baby feeding system can be useful. Propping a bottle with a towel or one of the specially designed bottle holders that seem to be gaining popularity is greatly discouraged because of the very real possibility of your baby choking on the steady stream of fluid.

Many mothers recommend using nursing pillows like the "Boppy" or the "EZ-2-Nurse" pillow made by the Double Blessings company. Finding positions that work for you and your babies often requires some experimentation. You can try using the "double football" hold, where a baby is tucked under each arm, with only the babies' heads at your breasts. Or one baby can be in the football hold and the other in the cradle hold, with her body across your chest (make sure her tummy is on your chest, not facing the ceiling). You can also try the "double cradle," with the children's legs on each others'.

Sleeping with your babies can be a real sanity-saver. Shari Lynn-Henry Rife, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, found that putting a bedroll in the babies' room was the only thing that allowed her to get some sleep when her triplets were newborns. "When someone woke up to nurse, I would lay down, put them to breast and go back to sleep. When the next one woke up I would put the first one back in bed, put the next one on the other breast, and go back to sleep until baby number three woke up." Other families work to put the babies on the same schedule by waking all three when the first wakes.

Although it may not seem like a specific help for breastfeeding, finding people to assist around the house allows you to use your energy to make breastmilk, not dinner. Shari Rife's mother-in-law helped keep her house clean. Other mothers of triplets have received help from friends and family on everything from taking older children to soccer lessons to dropping off a casserole for dinner. As Sheri Ingalls says, "It will take all of your precious energy to feed and care for your babies. Sleep is so important and laundry isn't! Let somebody else do it!"

Relaxation and good humor will help during the early days of nursing triplets, since, as Rife says, "no one is going to starve if they have to wait a few minutes to eat." Education, perseverance, and mental flexibility are key to adjusting to life with triplets. Looking back, Sheri Ingalls notes, "I have to say it was very tough, but worth it."

Ellen Zagorsky-Goldberg, RN, MSN, is a pediatric nurse, freelance writer, and homeschooling mother of Batsheva (6) and Chana (4). She lives in Boston.

By Ellen Zagorsky-Goldberg

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Breast-Feeding Best Bet for Babies

New parents want to give their babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, the best first food for babies is breast milk.

More than two decades of research have established that breast milk is perfectly suited to nourish infants and protect them from illness. Breast-fed infants have lower rates of hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies, and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies.

"There are 4,000 species of mammals, and they all make a different milk. Human milk is made for human infants and it meets all their specific nutrient needs," says Ruth Lawrence, M.D., professor of pediatrics and obstetrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, N.Y., and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The academy recommends that babies be breast-fed for six to 12 months. The only acceptable alternative to breast milk is infant formula. Solid foods can be introduced when the baby is 4 to 6 months old, but a baby should drink breast milk or formula, not cow's milk, for a full year.

"There aren't any rules about when to stop breast-feeding," says Lawrence. "As long as the baby is eating age-appropriate solid foods, a mother may nurse a couple of years if she wishes. A baby needs breast milk for the first year of life, and then as long as desired after that."

In 1993, 55.9 percent of American mothers breast-fed their babies in the hospital. Only 19 percent were still breast-feeding when their babies were 6 months old. Government and private health experts are working to raise those numbers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is conducting a study on infant feeding practices as part of its ongoing goal to improve nutrition in the United States. The study is looking at how long mothers breast-feed and how they introduce formula or other foods.

Health experts say increased breast-feeding rates would save consumers money, spent both on infant formula and in health-care dollars. It could save lives as well.

"We've known for years that the death rates in Third World countries are lower among breast-fed babies," says Lawrence. "Breast-fed babies are healthier and have fewer infections than formula-fed babies."

Human Milk for Human Infants

The primary benefit of breast milk is nutritional. Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth.

Cow's milk contains a different type of protein than breast milk. This is good for calves, but human infants can have difficulty digesting it. Bottle-fed infants tend to be fatter than breast-fed infants, but not necessarily healthier.

Breast-fed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. About 80 percent of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Breast-fed babies are protected, in varying degrees, from a number of illnesses, including pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections, and German measles. Furthermore, mothers produce antibodies to whatever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well.

A breast-fed baby's digestive tract contains large amounts of Lactobacillus bifidus, beneficial bacteria that prevent the growth of harmful organisms. Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile, never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles, which can also lead to diarrhea in the infant.

Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula. No babies are allergic to their mother's milk, although they may have a reaction to something the mother eats. If she eliminates it from her diet, the problem resolves itself.

Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development as well. It's harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth. The baby at the breast also can control the flow of milk by sucking and stopping. With a bottle, the baby must constantly suck or react to the pressure of the nipple placed in the mouth.

Nursing may have psychological benefits for the infant as well, creating an early attachment between mother and child. At birth, infants see only 12 to 15 inches, the distance between a nursing baby and its mother's face. Studies have found that infants as young as 1 week prefer the smell of their own mother's milk. When nursing pads soaked with breast milk are placed in their cribs, they turn their faces toward the one that smells familiar.

Many psychologists believe the nursing baby enjoys a sense of security from the warmth and presence of the mother, especially when there's skin-to-skin contact during feeding. Parents of bottle-fed babies may be tempted to prop bottles in the baby's mouth, with no human contact during feeding. But a nursing mother must cuddle her infant closely many times during the day. Nursing becomes more than a way to feed a baby; it's a source of warmth and comfort.

Benefits to Mothers

Breast-feeding is good for new mothers as well as for their babies. There are no bottles to sterilize and no formula to buy, measure and mix. It may be easier for a nursing mother to lose the pounds of pregnancy as well, since nursing uses up extra calories. Lactation also stimulates the uterus to contract back to its original size.

A nursing mother is forced to get needed rest. She must sit down, put her feet up,and relax every few hours to nurse. Nursing at night is easy as well. No one has to stumble to the refrigerator for a bottle and warm it while the baby cries. If she's lying down, a mother can doze while she nurses.

Nursing is also nature's contraceptive--although not a very reliable one. Frequent nursing suppresses ovulation, making it less likely for a nursing mother to menstruate, ovulate, or get pregnant. There are no guarantees, however. Mothers who don't want more children right away should use contraception even while nursing. Hormone injections and implants are safe during nursing, as are all barrier methods of birth control. The labeling on birth control pills says if possible another form of contraception should be used until the baby is weaned.

Breast-feeding is economical also. Even though a nursing mother works up a big appetite and consumes extra calories, the extra food for her is less expensive than buying formula for the baby. Nursing saves money while providing the best nourishment possible.

When Formula's Necessary

There are very few medical reasons why a mother shouldn't breast-feed, according to Lawrence.

Most common illnesses, such as colds, flu, skin infections, or diarrhea, cannot be passed through breast milk. In fact, if a mother has an illness, her breast milk will contain antibodies to it that will help protect her baby from those same illnesses.

A few viruses can pass through breast milk, however. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one of them. Women who are HIV positive should not breast-feed.

A few other illnesses--such as herpes, hepatitis, and beta streptococcus infections--can also be transmitted through breast milk. But that doesn't always mean a mother with those diseases shouldn't breast-feed, Lawrence says.

"Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis with the woman's doctor," she says.

Breast cancer is not passed through breast milk. Women who have had breast cancer can usually breast-feed from the unaffected breast. There is some concern that the hormones produced during pregnancy and lactation may trigger a recurrence of cancer, but so far this has not been proven. Studies have shown, however, that breast-feeding a child reduces a woman's chance of developing breast cancer later.

Silicone breast implants usually do not interfere with a woman's ability to nurse, but if the implants leak, there is some concern that the silicone may harm the baby. Some small studies have suggested a link between breast-feeding with implants and later development of problems with the child's esophagus. Further studies are needed in this area. But if a woman with implants wants to breast-feed, she should first discuss the potential benefits and risks with her child's doctor.

Possible Problems

For all its health benefits, breast-feeding does have some disadvantages. In the early weeks, it can be painful. A woman's nipples may become sore or cracked. She may experience engorgement more than a bottle-feeding mother, when the breasts become so full of milk they're hard and painful. Some nursing women also develop clogged milk ducts, which can lead to mastitis, a painful infection of the breast. While most nursing problems can be solved with home remedies, mastitis requires prompt medical care (see accompanying article).

Another possible disadvantage of nursing is that it affects a woman's entire lifestyle. A nursing mother with baby-in-tow must wear clothes that enable her to nurse anywhere, or she'll have to find a private place to undress. She should eat a balanced diet and she might need to avoid foods that irritate the baby. She also shouldn't smoke, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and restlessness in the baby, as well as decreased milk production.

Women who plan to go back to work soon after birth will have to plan carefully if they want to breast-feed. If her job allows, a new mother can pump her breast milk several times during the day and refrigerate or freeze it for the baby to take in a bottle later. Or, some women alternate nursing at night and on weekends with daytime bottles of formula.

In either case, a nursing mother is physically tied to her baby more than a bottle-feeding mother. The baby needs her for nourishment, and she needs to nurse regularly to avoid getting uncomfortably full breasts. But instead of feeling it's a chore, nursing mothers often cite this close relationship as one of the greatest joys of nursing. Besides, nursing mothers can get away between feedings if they need a break.

Finally, some women just don't feel comfortable with the idea of nursing. They don't want to handle their breasts, or they want to think of them as sexual, not functional. They may be concerned about modesty and the possibility of having to nurse in public. They may want a break from child care to let someone else feed the baby, especially in the wee hours of the morning.

If a woman is unsure whether she wants to nurse, she can try it for a few weeks and switch if she doesn't like it. It's very difficult to switch to breast-feeding after bottle-feeding is begun.

If she plans to breast-feed, a new mother should learn as much as possible about it before the baby is born. Obstetricians, pediatricians, childbirth instructors, nurses, and midwives can all offer information about nursing. But perhaps the best ongoing support for a nursing mother is someone who has successfully nursed a baby.

La Leche League, a national support organization for nursing mothers, has chapters in many cities that meet regularly to discuss breast-feeding problems and offer support.

"We encourage mothers to come to La Leche League before their babies are born," says Mary Lofton, a league spokeswoman. "On-the-job training is hard to do. It's so important to learn how to breast-feed beforehand to avoid problems."

Interested women or couples are welcome to attend La Leche League meetings without charge. League leaders offer advice by phone as well. To find a convenient La Leche League chapter, call (1-800) LA-LECHE.

Rebecca D. Williams is a writer in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

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The Benefits of Breastfeeding

Once thought to be "no longer worth the bother"1, breastfeeding has been rediscovered by modern science as a means to save lives, reduce illness, and protect the environment. Policy makers are increasingly recognizing that breastfeeding promotion efforts can reduce healthcare costs and enhance maternal and infant well-being. Breastfeeding promotion and support has been recognized as a healthcare priority by the World Health Organization 2,3, the United States Department of Health and Human Services 4-7, the American Academy of Pediatrics 8,9, the American Dietetic Association 10, the American Public Health Association 11, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 8, the American Academy of Family Physicians and numerous other institutions and organizations concerned with preventive medicine and the healthcare of mothers and infants.

The current recommendation is that infants be exclusively breastfed for approximately the first six months of life and that breastfeeding be continued, complemented by appropriate introduction of other foods, well past the first year of life and as long as both mother and infant wish 9,12. The Healthy People 2000: National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention objectives call for an increase to at least 75% of the proportion of mothers who initiate breastfeeding and to increase to at least 50% the portion who continue to breastfeed until their infants are six months old 4. Breastfeeding promotion and support has now become a preventive medicine focus of the California Department of Health Services 13.

With the extensive research now available on the benefits of breastmilk and the risks of artificial milks, physicians need to be able to support their breastfeeding patients. Unfortunately most physicians currently in practice have had little to no education in breastfeeding physiology and clinical management. Well researched basic principles and guidelines exist, in addition to well educated lactation professionals and mother-to mother resources, to help the physician help his or her patients. Where are the resources we need to support our patients?

Why is Breastfeeding so Important for Infants?

Human milk is uniquely suited for human infants

* Human milk is easy to digest and contains all the nutrients that babies need in the early months of life.
* 14,15 Human milk contains special enzymes to optimally digest and absorb the nutrients in the milk before infants are capable of producing these enzymes themselves.
* 16 Breastmilk contains multiple growth and maturation factors.
* 16-18 Factors in breastmilk protect infants from a wide variety of illnesses.
* 13,19,20 Breastmilk contains antibodies specific to illnesses encountered by each mother and baby.
* 16,21,22 Research suggests that fatty acids, unique to human milk, play a role in optimal infant brain and visual development.
* 23-25 In several large studies, children who had been breastfed had a small advantage over those who had been artificially fed when given a variety of cognitive and neurologic tests, including measures of IQ.
* 26-29 Breastfeeding saves lives
* Lack of breastfeeding is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
* 30-34 Human milk seems to protect the premature infants from life-threatening gastrointestinaldisease and other illnesses.16,35-42 Breastfed infants are healthier
* Infants who are exclusively breastfed for at least four months are half as likely as artificially fed infants to have ear infections in the first year of life.

Nancy E. Wight MD, FAAP, IBCLC

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding?

The nutritional advantages of breast milk are certainly numerous. The amino acids in breast milk, the building blocks of proteins, are well balanced for the human baby, as are the sugars (primarily lactose) and fats. The baby's intestinal tract is best aided in its digestion by the vitamins, enzymes, and minerals found in breast milk. Breast milk also contains infection-fighting antibodies from the mother, and breast-fed babies are believed to be at a reduced risk for many acute and chronic infections early in life. The cholesterol content is also high in human milk and very low in formulas. Cholesterol promotes brain growth and provides the building blocks of hormones, vitamin D, and intestinal bile.

Breast milk is also the least expensive way to feed an infant. However, the mother must maintain good nutrition and continue taking any vitamin/mineral supplements her doctor recommended during the pregnancy.

Formula-fed babies also have the risk of developing an allergy to a particular formula. When a baby develops an allergy to formula, he or she may have symptoms that include irritability, crying after feedings, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or a skin rash.

Nursing helps most women lose weight (though not fluid) after delivery, as 500 calories or more are used by breastfeeding each day.

There is a well-accepted extra closeness that breastfeeding mothers experience that is both hormonal and emotional in nature.

The only disadvantages for the baby in breastfeeding occur when things are not going well, for example, if there's an inadequate supply of breast milk or an inefficient suck reflex in the baby. However, it is unusual for a mother not to produce enough milk for her baby unless she is not breastfeeding correctly or frequently enough. The disadvantages that most commonly arise involve the rest of the family. Siblings and dad often feel "left out" of baby care since mom is the only one who can do the nursing. However, other family members can be involved in helping with different aspects of the baby's care, and this gives them a valuable feeling of importance and allows mom a chance to rest.

Breast-fed babies eat more often than formula-fed babies since breast milk is more quickly digested and leaves the stomach empty more frequently. This puts a little more stress on the mother because of the potential necessity for more frequent feedings. If the mother develops certain medical conditions, whether or not to continue breastfeeding may need to be reassessed. These conditions should always be discussed with the doctor. However, it is rare that breastfeeding would need to be discontinued completely. In any interaction, the mother's doctor and/or pharmacist should be informed that she is breastfeeding. Some medicines should be avoided during breastfeeding. Numerous other medications have not yet been adequately studied in the context of breastfeeding and the possible effects on the baby. If a breastfeeding mother is required to take a medication which has not been fully studied, she may want to consider discussing this matter with her doctor.

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Common Breastfeeding Concerns

Sore Nipples

Temporary nipple soreness can occur during the first week. Most mothers feel tenderness with the initial latch and first few sucks. The soreness usually peaks between day 3 and 6 and then goes away. Breastfeeding less often or for not as long does not prevent this tenderness.

Nipple soreness that lasts beyond the first week indicates that something is wrong. Be sure to get a health care provider who is knowledgeable about breastfeeding to watch you breastfeed and offer assistance. There is always a reason for sore nipples!

Untreated nipple pain can result in cracks and skin breakdown. If you lessen your babys time at breast because of the pain your breasts and nipples can become more painful. Your breasts can become overly full and even engorged. Eventually this lessens your milk supply and you may find that you do not have enough milk for your baby. Untreated nipple pain can also lead to infection.

What you can do:

* Take action! Find a health care provider with knowledge and experience helping breastfeeding mothers. Have them watch you breastfeed. They can help you determine the reason for your sore nipples and offer assistance.
* Respond to your babys feeding cues promptly. Avoid letting your baby become overly eager at feeding time.
* Start the feed with the least sore breast first.
* Consider an alternate position keep babys chin away from the sore part.
* Soak your nipple in warm water to soften before nursing.
* Initiate the milk ejection reflex (letdown) before bringing baby to the breast. Try thinking about your baby, gentle massage, hand expression or pumping.
* Use alternate compression and massage during the feed to help keep your baby sucking and swallowing.
* Do not allow your baby to comfort suck at the breast.
* Promote nipple healing
o Bathe cracks with freshly expressed breast milk.
o Apply a thin coating of purified anhydrous lanolin such as Lansinoh or Pure Lan.
o Be sure to allow air circulation around your nipples eg. avoid plastic lined breast pads,
change breast pads whenever wet.
* Use medication as needed to help relieve pain.
o Apply a topical antibiotic/antifungal and possibly low strength topical steroid if there is
inflammation and severe nipple soreness. Check with your health care provider.
o Some oral analgesics such as acetaminophen are compatible with breastfeeding. Check
with your health care provider
* Resting the nipple by not breastfeeding is recommended only when the pain of breastfeeding is intolerable or when nipple bleeding and skin breakdown are worsening. Milk must be regularly removed from the breast by hand expression or pumping. Feed your baby the expressed breast milk.

Breast Fullness and Engorgement

It is normal for your breasts to become full within the first 4 days after giving birth. This fullness usually subsides on its own as long as you breastfeed or pump every 2 to 3 hours.

Breast fullness, if mishandled, can result in breast engorgement. Allowing your young baby to sleep for long periods and supplementing your baby rather than offering the breast can cause engorgement.

When you are engorged your breasts will be swollen, tight, warm, and painful. Your breast tissue can feel hard and look shiny. You may have a fever. Your baby will likely have difficulty latching. Under such conditions the breast will not even leak milk. Some mothers even find that they have numbness and tingling of their hands.

What you can do:

* If your milk will leak, apply warm moist compresses or soak your breasts in a warm bath, lean over a large bowl of warm water and submerge your breasts, or stand under a warm shower (back toward water source and water running over shoulders and breasts).
* If your milk will not leak, lie on your back and apply cold compresses or chilled, clean, raw cabbage leaves to your breasts.
o If using cold compresses place a clean cloth between your skin and the compress.
Remove the compress after 20 minutes.
o If using cabbage leaves be sure to cut a hole for your nipple. Remove the cabbage after it
wilts (about 20 minutes).
* Attempt milk removal.
* Offer your breast to your baby at least 8 times in 24 hours. Breastfeed at least every 3 hours, around the clock.
* If your baby is unable to latch and suckle, remove some of your milk with hand expression or a good quality breast pump. A fully automatic hospital grade electric breast pump is most effective. Pumping should be limited to 10 15 minutes. The breast should be massaged working toward the nipple while breastfeeding or pumping.
* Wear a well fitting, nursing bra 24 hours per day.
* Take pain relief medication compatible with breastfeeding eg. acetaminophen, acetaminophen with codeine, ibuprofen. Check with your health care provider regarding which medication you should try.

Letdown (Milk Ejection Reflex)

The success of breastfeeding depends on the ejection of milk. A mother may produce breast milk, but if the milk is not released or removed from the breast, further milk production stops.

A hormone called oxytocin stimulates the breast to eject milk. This ejection of milk is called a letdown. Letdowns are important because they provide for the free flow of milk. Your baby would receive only about one third of your milk if you had no letdowns. Furthermore, letdowns are necessary for your baby to receive the fat rich hind milk.

Some mothers feel a tingling or tightening sensation when letdown occurs. Uterine cramps can often be felt during letdown in the early postpartum period. Increased thirst or sleepiness/relaxation while breastfeeding are also signs that your letdown reflex is working.

Most mothers have several letdowns during a feeding. The first letdown is often the only one you will feel. Some mothers dont feel any of their letdowns.

Babies usually respond to the letdown of milk by drinking more quickly, gulping, or pulling away from the breast. If your baby pulls away from the breast you may see milk dripping or spraying from the nipple.

Many mothers find that when they think about breastfeeding they have a letdown. Please see the section re: milk leakage. Your letdown reflex can be inhibited by cold, pain, and emotional stress. It can also be reduced by large amounts of alcohol.

Leaking

Leaking is common during the early weeks of breastfeeding. Leaking usually lessens over time.

Leaking may occur during a feed from the breast not being nursed, just before a feed when the breasts are full, or if a feed is missed. Many stimuli can result in leaking - the sound of your baby stirring or crying, the scent of your babys clothing, thinking about your baby, listening to sound of a breast pump, listening to music that you listen to while breastfeeding, sitting in the chair that is used for breastfeeding and so on. Leaking can also occur in response to lovemaking.

Many mothers do not experience leaking. The absence of leaking does not mean that you have a low milk supply.

What you can do:

* Apply gentle pressure to the leaking breast. Some mothers press their arm or elbow against the breast. Other mothers cross both arms over their chest and press gently.
* Breast pads can provide some protection. Mothers generally want breast pads that are comfortable, absorbent, and affordable.
* Patterned clothes can help to camouflage leaking. Some mothers also carry a sweater to conceal milk leakage.
* Breastfeed before lovemaking, cover the bedding with towels, and remember that a sense of humour can help.

Plugged Ducts

A plug or blockage can occur in a duct of your breast. If the plug is located close to the skin you can feel a lump. The area can feel tender and there may be redness and heat at the site.

Plugged ducts are more common in mothers who have an abundant milk supply and inadequate milk removal during feedings. Pressure from a tight bra, underwire bra, seam in your bra, or the straps of your baby carrier digging into your breast can result in a plug. Sleeping in a position that puts pressure on one area of your breast or pressure from a breast pump that doesnt fit properly are other possible triggers.

Try to remove the plug quickly because plugged ducts can develop into larger blocked off areas of the breast and eventually lead to a breast infection.

What you can do:

* Take pain relief medication as needed. Check with your health care provider regarding which medication you should take (eg. acetaminophen, ibuprofen).
* Continue breastfeeding often. Ensure that your positioning and latching are correct. If the breast with the plug is especially tender, begin to breastfeed on the other breast to allow the affected breast to letdown without the pressure of suckling. When nursing on the affected breast try to position and latch baby so that the babys chin points to the area of blockage.
* Apply moist heat before feeding. Warmth can be soothing and promote milk flow.
* Manually massage the area to promote breast drainage. Work from behind the plug moving toward the nipple.
* If the plug fails to resolve after 48 hours talk to your health care provider about ultrasound treatments. Usually one treatment is all that is required. Sometimes a second treatment can be helpful.
* If you continue to have problems with plugged ducts be sure to talk to a health care provider who has knowledge and experience helping breastfeeding mothers.

Illness

If your breastfeeding problem seems to be getting worse be sure to call your health care provider right away.

Sometimes breastfeeding mothers feel sick, excessively tired, overly warm, shaky or achy. This could indicate that you have an infection. If this happens call your health care provider and explain how you are feeling. Be sure that your health care provider knows that you are breastfeeding. Often you can continue to breastfeed while having your problem treated. If it is necessary for you to stop breastfeeding for a short time, talk to a breastfeeding expert about ways to maintain your milk supply and how to continue breastfeeding.

When feeling unwell it is important for you to rest, try to eat nutritious meals, and drink plenty of fluids. Breastfeed often because you may have less milk. Try to get others to look after meals and household chores. Focus on yourself and your baby.

For more information call the Health Connection at the Middlesex-London Health Unit at 519-850-2280.

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The Breastfeeding Protection Initiative

Every mother should have the right to breastfeed her child Anywhere, Anyplace, Anytime with confidence and without harassment. Yet today, there are still many places that do not offer mothers this protection. There is so much to be done to change the way society views breastfeeding.

To try to raise funds to combat these types of situations through education and awareness of breastfeeding rights, La Leche League International and Lansinoh Laboratories have partnered for the the launch of The Breastfeeding Protection Initiative with the Encourage, Support, Protect Breastfeeding cause bracelets.

Funds raised for The Breastfeeding Protection Initiative will be specifically earmarked and used by La Leche League to continue to provide people with current information on breastfeeding rights and legislation. Materials, such as letters to governmental representatives and business leaders, will also be made available to enable citizens to enact change in their communities. In addition, they will continue to provide information, links, and resources on their website at www.lalecheleague.org

Why The Breastfeeding Protection Initiative Is Needed

There is growing scientific evidence documenting the protective health, economic and societal benefits of breastfeeding. Yet, mothers are still not able to breastfeed freely anywhere, anyplace, or anytime their babies are hungry.

It is difficult to believe that mothers and children are subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, especially when breastfeeding in public. While there has been progress in proposing and passing breastfeeding legislation, there is a general lack of awareness and serious misinterpretation of those rights and laws.

Because even where there are laws, there are still incidents when mothers are asked to stop breastfeeding in public or told to breastfeed their children in the restroom. It is not enough to propose or enact legislation. Education, awareness, and implementation are key in ensuring that rights are enforced, pending legislation is passed, and future legislation is proposed.

We are hopeful that The Breastfeeding Protection Initiative will be instrumental in supporting and expanding these activities.

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About Lansinoh

Our company was founded by a breastfeeding mother more than 20 years ago, and, our mission remains the same today. Lansinoh is dedicated to providing real solutions that encourage you to nourish your child naturally.

As natural as breastfeeding is, it isn't without some challenges. Lansinoh believes a successful breastfeeding experience starts before the baby is born and is offering the Lansinoh Pre-Natal Nurture Notes, special e-messages, sent twice a month during the last trimester. The Pre-Natal Nurture Notes, written as a resource for pregnant women in their third trimester, are designed to answer some of the concerns or questions moms-to-be might have, especially related to breastfeeding preparation.

Following the birth of the baby, moms who sign up for the Pre-Natal Nurture Notes will automatically receive the popular Nurture Notes, a free weekly e-message with words of encouragement, support and helpful information for the first 12 weeks of breastfeeding and once a month until the baby’s first birthday.

At Lansinoh, we feel that mothers deserve encouragement, support and accurate information. They also deserve superior products to make breastfeeding more convenient in today's busy environment.

Enjoy the special bond that starts with breastfeeding...and lasts a lifetime.

www.lansinoh.com

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