Recent Articles
Hands-Free Breast Pumps: A Guide to the Best Options
Hands-Free Breast Pumps: A Guide to the Best Options
There are many different hands-free breast pumps on the market, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. This article provides a guide to some of the most popular options, including the Willow, Elvie, Baby Buddha, MomCozy M5, and Medela Freestyle Hands-Free. When choosing a hands-free breast pump, it's important to consider your needs and budget. If you're looking for a discreet pump that you can use in public, the Elvie or Willow are great options. If you need a powerful pump that can help you pump a lot of milk at once, the Baby Buddha is a great choice. And if you're on a tight budget, the MomCozy M5 is a great option. No matter which hands-free breast pump you choose, make sure to do your research and read reviews before you make a purchase.
Which Breast Pump Is Best For Me?
Best Breast Pumps for New Moms: A Comparison
There are many different breast pumps on the market, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. This article compares five of the most popular pumps, including the Medela Pump In Style, Spectra S2 Plus, Motif Luna, Evenflo Advanced Double Electric Breast Pumps, and Lansinoh Smartpump 2.0. We look at factors such as price, features, ease of use, and customer reviews to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Read on to learn more about the best breast pumps for new moms!
Updated Research: How to Manage Engorgement
Breastfeeding can be as challenging as it is beneficial for mother and child, particularly in the first few weeks. One of the greatest challenges that a breastfeeding mother can face is engorgement. Most breastfeeding mothers will have experienced engorgement at some stage in their breastfeeding journeys.
Updated Research: Do I have Mastitis?
Previously, mastitis was always associated with a bacterial infection. However, science has taught us that it can occur because of several factors, including ductal narrowing, inflammation, edema, disruption of the microorganisms in the milk, and bacteria. Mastitis often occurs in the first three weeks after childbirth, but may occur at any stage of lactation.
When Should I Start Eliminating a Feed?
Nursing strikes, introducing solids, and spacing out feedings can all be tricky when nursing your baby. In addition, as they grow, the schedule you were accustomed to is suddenly different. So, when do you start eliminating feeds?
Cancer, Donor Eggs, and a Successful Feeding Journey
I always knew I wanted to breastfeed. When I envisioned motherhood, breastfeeding was an important aspect of that. My journey did not turn out the way I initially wanted, but I am proud of how far we made it and proud of my body. To understand my experience fully, let me provide some background.
My Breastfeeding Journey - Dealing With Diabetes and Low Supply
I recently gave birth to my second son, who was born at 35 weeks. In the months leading up to his birth, my prayers were for a healthy baby AND a beautiful breastfeeding journey. I was DETERMINED to breastfeed him no matter what. The journey thus far has not been easy, but worth it!
My Breastfeeding Journey - Balancing a Career, Difficulty Breastfeeding, and Motherhood
Despite her challenges, Grace remained determined to be the best mother and professional she could be. Now the mother of three, she still continues to pursue her passions for running, yoga, and weightlifting, and enjoys hobbies like SCUBA diving and collecting sea glass. Grace continued to excel in her career, using her expertise in therapeutics, medical devices, and more to make a positive impact in the biotech industry.
Surviving the Holidays
As a mother, this exciting and busy time of the year can be a bit anxiety-evoking or worrisome as we gather with family and friends. Often this means that we need set boundaries for our children, ensure their safety, and remind them not to upset Aunt Jo. These extra chores all add to our already-full plates.
My Breastfeeding Journey - Dealing With a Tongue Tie and High Palate
With little National Health System (NHS) support, I hired a private lactation consultant to visit our home and watch a feed. I will never forget the devastation I felt when we learned my son had a tight posterior tongue tie and high palate (which was missed by several healthcare professionals). No wonder he couldn’t extract milk and was so distressed at the breast!
My Breastfeeding Journey - Nipple Shields to the Rescue
For me, breastfeeding was the hardest part of becoming a mom. I wasn’t prepared for it at all. All the books I read and all the videos I watched made it seem like this blissful bonding experience for mom and baby. Until my turn came, and it just wasn’t at all.
My Breastfeeding Journey - Vasospasms and D-MER
Bad mother. The last thing any woman wants to hear. The one thing that she's trying not to be. Yet that's what I was told by my sister-in-law when I told her that I didn't know if I wanted to breastfeed. It is drilled into us as women that we are supposed to do certain things and be a certain way when we become mothers- not just by strangers and "society "but from family, friends, and other women who are supposed to be an ally and support systems.
My Breastfeeding Journey - How We Dealt With Bladder Exstrophy
I learned immediately after my son was born that this would not be as easy as I had imagined. My sweet boy was born with a rare condition called Bladder Exstrophy, and we didn't know anything about it until I delivered him. In short, his bladder was on the outside of his body. Doctors rushed him to NICU at a hospital an hour away immediately after I gave birth. My husband joined him, and I was left to begin this breastfeeding journey alone without my baby.
Breastfeeding and Mental Health
If you've experienced anxiety or depression in the past, you may have learned coping skills and be better prepared for dealing with postpartum depression. Unfortunately, sometimes mothers who have never experienced anxiety or depression find themselves in the depths of postpartum depression when their babies arrive. It has been found that up to 80% of women experience "baby blues" postpartum.
My Breastfeeding Journey - Why I Became an IBCLC
Following a STAT Primary Cesarean Section, something that upset me greatly, I was DETERMINED that my breastfeeding journey would be a success. We made it 15 months with what I now believe was a posterior tongue tie, suck blister, excessive spit-up (due to a milk allergy we only discovered after weaning), mastitis SIX times, oversupply issues, and pumping while away from my baby during my 12-hour shifts.
My Breastfeeding Journey in NICU During COVID
I promised myself that it would be different this time - that I would be calm and allow my baby to feed wherever and whenever he needed. I would avoid all that time and stress expressing and sterilizing bottles. However, our plans rarely go according to plan. Never did I imagine that the journey would be this difficult.
Plus-sized Breastfeeding
It's no secret that everyone's anatomy is different. Each breast, areola, and nipple have unique characteristics. Women labeled "plus-sized," or those with larger breasts, often have concerns about their ability to breastfeed their babies. Read on to learn more about breastfeeding your baby as a plus-size.
But I’m Not Ready To Wean
Some women struggle to breastfeed for six months, while others hold tight beyond a year, and some moms are happy to make it long enough to return to work. Whether you set a goal for you and your baby or just went with the flow, we can all agree how disheartening it is when your baby starts weaning before you planned.
BenefitBump Bumpinar Q & A
If you watched our Breastfeeding 101 Bumpinar with BenefitBump, thank you! We hope you learned something valuable to help you reach your breastfeeding goals. We know that it was quite a bit of information packed into a short session, so we had a quick Q&A at the end.
Why Can’t You Just Breastfeed?
We all truly want what is best for our children. If you ask me, the biggest divider in our motherhood community is the breast vs. formula groups. With the recent shortage of formula across the US, the same question continues on social media forums, in conversations at the park, and even in the grocery store aisles, "Why can't you just breastfeed?"