Keepers at Home-Breastfeeding and Pumping/Expressing Milk

Examples of our foremothers breastfeeding:-

Hannah:-1Samuel 1:20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.

²¹ And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

²² But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.

weaned definition:-accustom (an infant or other young mammal) to food other than its mother's milk. 

²³ And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

²⁴ And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. 

Sarah:-Genesis 21:8 And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned. 

The Mother of seven sons:-2Maccabees 7:27 But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language on this manner; O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee such three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education.

What is breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding, also called nursing, is the process of feeding a mother's breast milk to her infant, either directly from the breast or by expressing (pumping out) the milk from the breast and bottle-feeding it to the infant. Breastfeeding and breast milk provide an infant with calories and nutrients, including macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

Benefits of breastfeeding to baby

Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of certain diseases and helps build a strong immune system. Breastfed babies have a lower risk of:

• Diarrhea, vomiting and preterm necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
• Respiratory infections like pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and whooping cough.
• Ear infections.
• Bacterial meningitis.
• Asthma.
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and infant mortality.
• Childhood obesity.
• Eczema.
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes later in life.
• Leukemia (in childhood).
• Cavities and future orthodontic problems for babies less than one year of age.
• Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting).

Nutritional benefits of breast milk

Breast milk contains everything your baby needs to grow and develop. It provides a unique and specific formula of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. 

Breast milk supports your baby’s health because it:

• Is easy for their immature tummy and intestines to digest.
• Contains antibodies that protect against infection and boost immunity.
• Has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, protein and vitamins for your baby’s development.
• Promotes healthy weight gain.
• Changes in composition to meet your baby’s nutritional needs over time.
• Contains substances that naturally soothe your baby.

Most healthcare organizations recommend exclusively breastfeeding your baby for at least six months. Once your baby is old enough for solid food, you can introduce foods and continue with breastfeeding for up to two years or longer. It’s worth noting that if you exclusively pump, your baby is still getting the nutritional and health benefits of breastmilk. 

Benefits for mom

Breastfeeding offers several benefits for you, too. In the months after delivery, breastfeeding lowers your risk for postpartum depression if breastfeeding is going well and you feel well-supported. It also benefits you much farther down the road with weight loss and lowers your risk of developing:

• Breast cancer.
• Ovarian cancer.
• Endometrial cancer.
• Thyroid cancer.
• Osteoporosis.
• Type 2 diabetes.
• Cardiovascular disease.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.

Besides supporting your long-term health, breastfeeding has many other benefits for you, as well as for your relationship with your baby. These include:

• Quicker recovery from childbirth. Breastfeeding produces the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin helps your uterus contract after delivery. This helps it return to its normal size and reduces the amount of vaginal bleeding after delivery.
• Increasing physical and emotional bonding. Breastfeeding is a special and unique way to feel connected to your baby. Some researchers have found that the bonding from breastfeeding may help reduce social and behavioral problems in both children and adults.
• Establishing trust. Breastfeeding parents learn to read their infant’s cues, and babies learn to trust caregivers. This helps shape your baby’s early behavior.
• Convenience. You can breastfeed nearly anywhere without worrying about preparing bottles or mixing formula. Your milk is available without needing to bring other supplies.
• Low cost. Breastfeeding may have some initial costs like nursing bras and nipple cream, but it’s more affordable than formula in the long run. 

Ensure to burp your baby after every feed, see example below

Ways to increase breastmilk supply

1. Frequent and effective breastfeeding

The most effective way to increase milk supply is to breastfeed your baby frequently and effectively. Breastfeeding stimulates milk production, so try to nurse your baby on demand. That is typically every 2 to 3 hours or more often if your baby shows hunger cues.

2. Proper latch and positioning

Ensure your baby has a good latch and proper positioning during breastfeeding. A deep latch allows your baby to remove milk efficiently, which, in turn, signals your body to produce more milk. Click here to know the signs of a good latch. 

 3. Breast compression

Gently compress your breast to encourage milk flow while nursing. This can help your baby get more milk during a feeding and stimulate your breasts to produce more milk. 

4. Pumping and Pumping between feedings

Besides breastfeeding, you can use a breast pump to express milk after or between feedings. Pumping can help to take out more milk from your breasts and increase milk production. 

5. Stay hydrated and eat well

Proper hydration and nutrition are essential for breast milk production. Drink plenty of water and maintain a well-balanced diet that includes protein-rich foods, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Some foods such as oats and fenugreek may support lactation and can be included in your diet. 

6. Relaxation and stress management

Stress can negatively affect milk supply, so engage in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and gentle exercise to reduce stress levels. Adequate rest and sleep are also important for milk production. But remember increasing milk supply is gradual, and results may vary from person to person. All you need is to be patient with yourself and your body. 

7. Switch your baby from one breast to the other; offer each breast twice.

8. Ensure your breasts are emptied well at each feed or pumping session; you can express after breastfeeds to make sure.

9. Make lactation cookies. 

Some of these include:

• whole oats
• wheat germ
• brewer’s yeast
• flaxseed meal

Easy lactation cookie recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups white flour
• 2 cups oats
• 1 tbsp. wheat germ
• 1/4 cup brewers’ yeast
• 2 tbsp. flaxseed meal
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the flaxseed meal with water in small bowl and let soak for at least 5 minutes.
3. Cream the butter and white and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add egg yolks and vanilla extract. Beat on low for 30 seconds or until ingredients are combined. Stir in flaxseed meal and water.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, and salt. Add to butter mixture, and stir just until combined. Fold in the oats.
5. Roll dough into 2-inch balls and place 2 inches apart onto a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges start to golden. Let the cookies stand on the baking sheet for 1 minute. Cool on a wire rack.

You also can add dried fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts for some variety 

10. There are some foods and herbs that may also increase milk as follows:-

• garlic
• ginger
• fenugreek
• fennel
• brewer’s yeast
• blessed thistle
• Cumin seeds. Mix one tsp of cumin power with one tsp of sugar in a glass of warm water. Drink this daily before going to bed to boost your breast milk supply. 
• Cinnamon. Take a pinch of cinnamon powder and mix with 1/2 tsp of honey. Have it along with a cup of lukewarm milk daily before going to bed. 
• Carrots and Beets. Make a healthy salad or juice of carrots and beetroots and eat them daily to increase the supply of breast milk. 
• Basil. Boil 5-6 basil leaves in a saucepan for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer and let it steep for about five minutes. Strain the water, add some honey and drink it. Drink this twice daily for a few months. 
• Almonds. Soak overnight 5-6 almonds in a cup of water. Eat soaked almonds along with lukewarm water in the morning. This is a very simple and effective way to increase breast milk supply. 

https://kidshealth.org/AllChildrens/en/parents/pump-and-store-video.html

How to use a Phillips Avent single pump

How to use a Harmony manual breast pump

How to use EvenFlo Single Electric breast pump

What is cracked nipples?

Cracked nipples are usually caused by an incorrect latch from breastfeeding, but not always. This painful, uncomfortable condition mostly occurs during the first month after delivery. It will take some time for your nipples to heal, so don’t expect immediate, long-lasting relief right away.

Home remedies for sore cracked nipples from breastfeeding:-

1. Breast Milk:-Dab a few drops of breastmilk onto your nipples after feeding your baby, then let them air-dry 

2. Warm Compress:-In contrast to applying a cold compress before you breastfeed your baby, apply a warm compress afterward. The warmth can give your sore nipples temporary relief. Simply soak a cloth in warm water and wring out the excess. Gently place the warm cloth over your nipples and let it sit for a few minutes. After removing the cloth, pat your nipples dry. 

3. Saltwater rinse:-Rinsing your nipples with saltwater is another way to help the healing process. To make fresh saltwater, simply dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass (six or eight ounces) of warm water. Then apply the saltwater to your nipples using a cotton ball or a spray bottle. You could also put the saltwater in a bowl and soak your nipples for just a minute or two. Rinse your nipples off before nursing if your baby isn’t a fan of the salty flavor. 

4. Aloe Vera:-A 2020 medical study showed that the anti-inflammatory and anti-infection herb aloe vera can improve nipple soreness considerably. It may even be more effective than breastmilk. An aloe plant is great to have in your kitchen anyway, as it can also help heal burns. Simply cut off a piece of aloe, slice the stem open, and apply the gel inside to your nipples. Allow to air dry as with breastmilk. 

5. Ice Cubes:-To ease the initial discomfort of baby latching on, try applying ice to your nipples before breastfeeding. The cold will help numb the area and take the sting off just a bit before you start nursing. Wrap a few ice cubes in a light cloth or towel and gently press them to your skin for a few minutes. You can do this before feeding as well as throughout the day. Cold cabbage leaves are also a great option because they’ve been known to help reduce pain and inflammation. Place a few cabbage leaves on the inside of your nursing bra, or simply lay them on top of your breasts when you lie down. 

6. Change nursing pads:-Change nursing pads as soon as they become damp. Leaving the moisture against your nipples can delay healing. Also avoid nursing pads made with plastic linings. They can obstruct airflow. Look for pads made from 100 percent cotton.