Giving your baby his first breastfeeding within the first couple of hours of birth gives you the best chance of establishing breastfeeding, as well as giving him the chance to enjoy all the benefits of colostrum – the first milk you produce – as soon as possible. One way of helping to ensure this happens is to include breastfeeding in your birth plan.

Think of a birth plan as a wish list of your options during labour, birth and the time directly afterwards. It might include things like your preferences regarding pain relief and birth position, what should happen in the event of a caesarean section, what to do if complications arise, and, of course, breastfeeding.

Ideally, you should write your birth plan well before your due date so you have a chance to show it to your birth partner and the healthcare professionals who’ll be looking after you.

You can write it any way you like, but it’s probably easiest to start with a simple list that you can expand on after doing a bit of research. Your birth facility may have some samples or templates that you can use, or you could look at birth plan examples online.

Why is it important?

A birth plan provides clarity. It will help guide conversations and build trust between you, your birth partner and healthcare professionals. This is especially important during labour, when you may have other things on your mind! In addition, if there’s a change in staff shifts during labour, a birth plan can help the new staff get up to speed with your history and wishes.

Preparing for breastfeeding

If you’re keen to breastfeed, discuss your plans with your birth partner and healthcare professionals during your pregnancy. Your midwife will make your intentions clear in your medical notes and should be able to suggest useful local sources of breastfeeding support.

Writing a birth plan also provides you with a good opportunity to discuss your breastfeeding wishes in general with your partner, if you haven’t already. Explain that you’d like them to be your breastfeeding advocate, helping your baby to have your breast milk even if the delivery doesn’t go to plan or you’re not actively able to breastfeed straight after the birth. Ask them to have skin-to-skin contact with your newborn if you’re not able to, as this will help your baby feel comforted and calm.¹

Writing your birth plan: What to include

 When it comes to the breastfeeding section of your birth plan, start by simply stating your intention to breastfeed exclusively. Explain that you want the healthcare professionals to do all they can to help you breastfeed your newborn, or give him your expressed breast milk if feeding from the breast isn’t possible, so you can still initiate your milk supply.

Here are examples of the type of statements you can put in your birth plan to make your breastfeeding wishes clear and give you and your baby the best chance of a good start:

• I’d like skin-to-skin contact with my baby directly after the birth, before he is weighed or washed, as long as there are no medical concerns.
• If I’m not able to hold my baby straight away, please place him skin-to-skin with my birth partner instead.
• I’d like support to give my baby his first breastfeeding within the first hour after the birth if possible.
• I’d like my baby to be encouraged to self-latch, or given gentle support to latch.
• If my baby is poorly or we need to be separated, I’d like help expressing my colostrum and feeding it to him from a syringe or cup.
• If my baby is unable to breastfeed for any reason or is not feeding well in the first few hours after birth, I’d like help with double pumping within the first three hours and with feeding him my expressed milk.
• If I need to continue to pump, I want to achieve eight sessions in 24 hours to help initiate my milk supply.
• Please don’t give my baby formula milk without my or my birth partner’s consent, and then only if medically necessary.
• Please don’t feed my baby from a bottle teat or give him a dummy/pacifier without my or my birth partner’s consent.
• I’d like support with breastfeeding from a qualified lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist, if available.

What if the birth doesn’t go to plan?

Even with the most carefully considered birth plan, it’s impossible to predict how your baby’s birth will unfold. This is why it’s also important to be open to changes.

Bear in mind some medications and interventions administered during labour and birth could affect your baby’s ability to breastfeed at first. It’s worth asking a healthcare professional about the effects of different types of pain relief and assisted delivery on you and your baby, as well as any impact they might have on breastfeeding, so you or your birth partner can make informed decisions.

And if you and your newborn aren’t able to breastfeed in that first hour, don’t be disheartened. Many mums and babies manage to establish and continue breastfeeding, despite not having an ideal start. Get as much support as you can from the healthcare professionals around you, and contact a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist quickly if you need help getting breastfeeding back on track.

The post Why breastfeeding should be in your birth plan appeared first on Medela South Africa.

The health benefits of breastfeeding

As well as nourishing him, breast milk protects your baby. Breast milk is full of live ingredients, including stem cells, white blood cells and beneficial bacteria,² as well as other bioactive components, such as antibodies, enzymes and hormones,³ which all help fight infection, prevent disease, and contribute to normal healthy development.

Babies who are breastfed exclusively for their first six months are less likely to suffer from diarrhoea and sickness, gastroenteritis, colds and flu, ear and chest infections and thrush.⁴ And compared to formula-fed infants, exclusively breastfed babies are half as likely to be victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS or cot death).⁵

Of course, breastfed babies do get poorly sometimes but breastfeeding when your baby is sick has even more benefits: “If a baby gets an illness, or his mother does, the protective components in her milk tend to increase,”⁶ explains Professor Peter Hartmann of the University of Western Australia, an internationally renowned expert on lactation and breastfeeding. “A breastfed baby is likely to recover faster than a formula-fed baby because the mother’s body will produce specific antibodies against whatever infection he’s picked up.”

And it’s not only about nutrition and immunity – breastfeeding when your baby is sick or upset comforts and soothes him, which is not to be underestimated as an important benefit. In fact, studies have shown that breastfeeding reduces crying and provides relief when babies are having vaccinations.⁷

Breast milk benefits for premature babies

Feeding your preemie your milk offers the best protection against potentially fatal conditions including sepsis, chronic lung disease and necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).⁸ Premature babies who are fed breast milk are also more likely to come home from hospital earlier.⁹

“Feeding your premature baby breast milk is the most beneficial thing you can do for him,” Professor Hartmann points out. “Every drop counts.” In fact, healthcare professionals view breast milk not just as nutrition, but as a medical intervention. Read more on how important breast milk is for premature babies.

How breastfeeding benefits your baby’s sleep

You might have heard that formula-fed babies sleep longer, but it seems that’s a myth. Research shows breastfed and formula-fed babies are just as likely to wake for milk during the night.¹⁰ But the difference is breastfed babies get back to sleep sooner. The oxytocin produced in your baby’s body when he breastfeeds makes him feel sleepy afterwards. And other hormones and nucleotides in your milk help your baby develop healthy circadian rhythms (sleep-wake patterns).¹¹

Breastfeeding and baby brain development

Your baby’s first six months are a busy time for his rapidly growing brain – its mass almost doubles during this crucial period.¹² A US study showed that toddlers and preschoolers who’d been exclusively breastfed for at least three months had brains with 20 to 30% more white matter – which connects different regions of the brain and transmits signals between them – than those who’d had no breast milk.¹³

The importance of breastfeeding for baby brain development is reflected in research across the globe. In a UK study,¹⁴ 16-year-olds who’d been breastfed for six months or more as babies were more likely to get higher grades in their school exams. And Brazilian researchers found people who’d been breastfed for at least a year tended to earn more money by the time they were 30.¹⁵

Even when results are adjusted to take factors such as household income and mother’s education into account, it seems infants who are breastfed exclusively are more likely to have higher IQs than formula-fed babies.¹⁶ “There are a few ideas about why this is,” says Professor Hartmann. “One relates to the long-chain fatty acids that are present in breast milk, such as DHA, which has a positive effect on the brain and brain development.”¹⁷

And the latest research suggests breastfeeding has behavioural benefits too. In a study of 10,000 children, those who were breastfed for more than four months were 30% less likely to show problem behaviour at the age of five.¹⁸

The lifelong benefits of breastfeeding for your baby

Breastfeeding doesn’t just benefit your baby for the first six months. The longer he continues to have breast milk, the more advantages there are – especially for his health.

Every nursing session raises the level of oxytocin – the ‘love hormone’ – in both your bodies, encouraging bonding.¹⁹ This can form a firm foundation for future relationships, and may even help your little one cope with stress in later life.²⁰

Research also shows children who were breastfed as babies are less likely to suffer from cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma,²¹ and tend to have better eyesight,²² and straighter teeth²³ than those who had formula milk. Breastfeeding also helps to lower your baby’s risk of becoming obese or developing type 1 or type 2 diabetes^24,25 as an adult.

So if you’re wondering when do the benefits of breastfeeding end, the answer is they last a lifetime. And the longer you continue to breastfeed, the more health benefits there are for you too.

For more information, read our free ebook The Amazing Science of Mother’s Milk now.

The post What are the benefits of breastfeeding for your baby? appeared first on Medela South Africa.

Pregnancy: Where your breast milk starts

Discover what makes your breasts unique human organs, and how it’s only during pregnancy and lactation that they become fully mature. We’ll show you how your breast structure changes, with a complex web of branching milk ducts forming within it, and special tissue converting into milk-producing cells. We reveal just how much your breasts might grow while you’re pregnant – and the truth about the relationship between how much milk you make and your bra size!

The post Pregnancy: Where your breast milk starts appeared first on Medela South Africa.

“Of course, being prepared is important and it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with different breast pumps in advance – but it’s only once your baby is here and you know what your breastfeeding situation is that you’ll really know your requirements.”

Every mum and baby has different needs, and these needs can change along the course of your breastfeeding and expressing journey. So let’s start by taking a look at the range of breast pumps on offer, and then delve deeper into which pump suits which situation.

Which type of breast pump should I choose?

As far as breast pump technology is concerned, you have three main choices. Understanding these will help you when you’re deciding what you want from a breast pump.

• A manual or electric pump?
  Manual breast pumps are cheaper than electric models, quiet and handy for occasional expressing. But they can be hard work if used frequently, as you have to keep pumping the handle to create the vacuum. Electric breast pumps are easier and more convenient to use, as the motor does the pumping for you.
  
  2-Phase Expression technology mimics a baby’s natural sucking behaviour. “At the start of each breastfeed, your baby uses short, fast sucks to stimulate your let-down reflex. Once the milk begins to flow, he changes to slower, stronger sucking that takes in as much milk as possible,”¹ Nania explains. “Medela developed 2-Phase Expression technology to replicate this feeding pattern and create an effective and more natural way to express.”^2,3
  
  Conveniently, all Medela electric breast pumps can also be battery operated, either with a rechargeable battery pack or standard AA batteries.
   
• A single or double breast pump?
  A single electric breast pump is ideal for expressing from time to time. A double breast pump (which draws milk from both your breasts simultaneously) is more convenient for expressing regularly – whether for medical reasons or because you’ve returned to work.
  
  As well as halving the amount of time you spend expressing, a double breast pump delivers 18% more milk on average than pumping from each breast in turn. This makes it a great choice for busy mums. And the milk you obtain when double pumping has a higher fat and calorie content too.⁴
   
• Why to rent a Medela Symphony hospital-grade breast pump?
  If you’re expressing frequently each day or relying on a breast pump to initiate and build your milk supply, keep in mind that Medela’s Symphony hospital-grade breast pump can be rented for however long you need it. Symphony has unique research-based suction patterns that have been clinically tested to initiate, build and maintain milk production and it’s especially advisable to use this if you’re pumping in the first five days after your baby’s birth.⁵ So check if there is a rental station near you.

Why choose a Medela breast pump?

“At Medela we believe you get the best results by imitating nature as closely as possible,” explains Nania. “We have an impressive track record of investment in science and research partnerships that have made important new discoveries about the anatomy of the breast and the science of lactation.

“Understanding how nature works helps us make better products to support mums and babies,” she continues. “That’s why our electric breast pumps have 2-Phase Expression technology and why our hospital-grade double breast pumps have an initiation program that mimics the way a newborn feeds.”⁶

Choosing a pump that suits your needs and lifestyle

Which is the right breast pump for you depends on how often you expect to be pumping, and where you are in your lactation journey.⁵ This journey is divided into three stages:

• Initiate – the first five days
• Build – days six to 30
• Maintain – beyond 30 days

Picking a suitable breast pump depends on which stage you’re at, as well as your personal circumstances, your baby’s needs, and your attitude to breastfeeding and expressing. Take a look at the scenarios below and see which one applies to you.

My baby can’t feed from the breast, so I need to express every feed

Some babies can’t breastfeed because they find it difficult to latch or suck, perhaps because they were born prematurely, have special needs, or are poorly. Some mothers and their newborns have to be separated for medical treatment. And some mums want their baby to have the benefits of breast milk but don’t feel able to breastfeed.

“The key to producing sufficient breast milk in any of these situations is to start using a Symphony hospital-grade double electric breast pump with initiation technology within hours of the birth,” says Nania.

Product recommendation

The Medela Symphony double electric breast pump’s unique initiation program mimics a newborn’s feeding pattern during the first few days of breastfeeding, with rapid sucks and longer pauses. Evidence suggests these infant sucking patterns stimulate a mother’s breasts for optimal milk production.⁷ “Starting with the initiation program has been shown to deliver significantly more milk over the first 14 days compared to starting with the standard program.”^5,6 Nania explains.

As well as being the breast pump of choice for a great many hospitals and birthing units, Medela Symphony pumps can also be rented for home use. So when you get home you can use the same pumping technology your body is already used to, and the same pumping accessories too. Find out how to rent a Symphony on our website.

“Definitely get a good double pump, and a hands-free pumping bra too,” says Catherine, mum of two, New Zealand. “My son’s nurse explained that if you pump exclusively you need a hospital-grade double pump to give your breasts a similar level of stimulation to a hungry baby.”

I’m having trouble initiating my milk supply

It’s not unusual for babies to have latching difficulties, or for mums to have concerns about their breast milk supply, in the early days of breastfeeding. “If you and your newborn are struggling to get breastfeeding initiated, seek help from a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist as soon as possible – expert advice on latching and positioning often helps,” says Nania.

If you’re still in hospital, or your baby is in the first few days of life, use a Medela hospital-grade breast pump with an initiate program. This will allow you to initiate and build your breast milk supply and feed your baby expressed milk.

You might need to express for a few days or weeks while your baby and your body get the hang of breastfeeding. Using a double breast pump will enable you to maximise the amount of expressed milk you can obtain in the least amount of time, and the milk will be higher in calories too.⁴

Product recommendation

Because you probably won’t need to pump full-time in the long term, consider renting a Medela Symphony hospital-grade breast pump – the only hospital-grade breast pump with research-based initiation technology – for a month or two.

“The Medela double breast pump was amazing. The midwife encouraged me to use it as often as I could to get my supply up for my twins, which I did,” says Anna, mum of two, UK.

If you don’t need the initiation program and you prefer to have your own breast pump, or want a portable option, choose an efficient double electric breast pump, such as the Medela Freestyle, which has a long-lasting rechargeable battery. Alternatively, check out the Medela Swing Maxi double electric breast pump.

I’m exclusively breastfeeding and want to pump occasionally

If you’ve established breastfeeding and now want to express milk from time to time – perhaps for your partner or a caregiver to feed to your baby while you go out – then a manual breast pump or single electric breast pump should be fine.

Product recommendation

Choose between the Medela Harmony manual breast pump or Medela Swing single electric breast pump.

“I used the Medela Swing single electric pump to help relieve mastitis with my first child, and so my second could have my breast milk while he was in childcare. It was one of the few brands that fitted comfortably over my nipples,” says Victoria, mum of two, Australia. “It was perfect because it was fast and quiet, triggered my let down quickly, and could run on batteries if I couldn’t get to an electrical socket.”

I’m returning to work and want my baby to have expressed milk

As a breastfeeding working mum, you’re likely to be expressing every day for several months, and you may want to take your breast pump to and from work.

Product recommendation

A lightweight portable breast pump is ideal, and a double electric model, such as the Medela Swing Maxi or Medela Freestyle, will enable you to collect more milk in less time, making it perfect for quick pumping breaks.

“I was still breastfeeding when I went back to work, but my boss was very supportive and gave me breaks when I needed to pump milk. I used the Medela Swing Maxi – I even pumped on the tram on the way to work!” recalls Sarah, mum of two, Australia.

Hopefully you now feel a little more clued-up about what type of pump is right for you. “Remember that expressing effectively isn’t only a matter of which breast pump you have. How and when you use your breast pump can make a big difference to the quantity of milk you collect. And correctly fitting breast shields are a must,” says Nania.

Next, read our top breast pumping tips.

The post How to choose a breast pump appeared first on Medela South Africa.

So you’ve packed the teeny-tiny sleepsuits, relaxing music, toothbrush, toiletries and all-important going-home outfit – but does your delivery bag include anything to help with breastfeeding? While the most important things are your breasts and your baby, the right clothing and accessories will give you extra support. Add some of our gallery suggestions to your maternity bag checklist – and good luck with the start of your breastfeeding journey!

1: Nursing bras and vests

You’ll need nursing bras or vest tops in soft, comfortable fabric with no wires that could dig into your breasts, which might soon be feeling rather tender! Buy them on the large side, as your breasts are likely to fill out further once your milk ‘comes in’. And choose a style with clips so you can undo it one-handed, while holding your baby in the other arm.

“I bought nursing tank tops that were quick to unclip, allowing my baby to reach my breasts easily. They had a supportive panel inside that held my breasts very well, and were more comfortable than all the bras I tried.” Peggy, mum of one, Switzerland.

2: Nursing or breast pads

Leaky breasts aren’t typically a problem in the first couple of days of breastfeeding, as your milk hasn’t yet come in properly. But it’s worth packing a few absorbent nursing pads (also known as breast pads) in case your first breast milk – colostrum – leaks from your nipples. Disposable nursing pads are handy for taking to hospital and convenient when you get home.

3: Breastfeeding nightwear

The nightdresses or pyjamas you pack will need to be ultra-comfortable and allow easy access to your breasts. Many mums also like to wear a comfy night-time nursing bra while sleeping, to support their breasts and keep nursing pads in position.

“I wore stretchy bra tops in bed. I could pull them up easily for night feeds and they also held my breast pads in place.” Julie, mum of one

4: Nursing tops and dresses

Choose clothes that will allow your newborn to feed easily and comfortably,with plenty of room for your post-partum belly and bigger breasts. A couple of specially designed breastfeeding tops or dresses, with discreet flaps, slits or wrap-over panels for nursing, can make breastfeeding easier, especially in the early days.

“Essentials are feeding dresses or tops that are easy to use and don’t need a bra as well. I found these were most comfortable straight after I’d given birth.” Amy, mum of two, Australia.

5: Lanolin cream

Nipple soreness is common in the first few days of breastfeeding, so pack some lanolin cream to soothe and moisturise irritated skin. Pure lanolin is non-toxic and hypoallergenic, so there’s no need to wash it off before breastfeeding your baby.

“The best thing I packed was lanolin nipple cream – along with the knowledge from friends that, even though breastfeeding can be difficult at first, it soon gets easier.” Katie, mum of two

6: Breastfeeding cover or apron

You might want to add a nursing cover, apron or shawl to your hospital packing list if the prospect of breastfeeding when you have visitors makes you self-conscious. This way you can have some privacy while you feed. 

“Second time round I got a cover with a scooped neckline – it made me feel so much more at ease than trying to latch with a bare breast.” Gina, mum of two, Germany.

Other breastfeeding accessories you might need before the birth

It’s a good idea to find out whether your hospital or birth facility has a qualified lactation consultant on the staff. If it doesn’t, get a local lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist’s contact details before the birth so you’re prepared for any potential breastfeeding problems.

To avoid having to rush to the shops with a newborn, it’s worth gathering things that might help you breastfeed at home before the birth too.

A moon- or U-shaped nursing pillow may make breastfeeding your newborn easier and more comfortable once you get home. You may be allowed to take one into hospital but, if not, there might be one in the nursing room you can borrow. “My first child was born by c-section and I found U-shaped pillows helped me feed comfortably.” Gina, mum of two, Germany.

Some mums also find that cooling hydrogel pads can be soothing in the days following the birth, especially when their milk starts coming in.

*Products shown in images may not be available in your country.

The post 6 breastfeeding essentials for your maternity bag appeared first on Medela South Africa.

Wearing a bra that is too small for you can be an uncomfortable experience. It is difficult to know how much your breasts will change throughout the entire maternity and nursing experience as each woman’s body is unique and will change differently: some mums only gain one cup size, while others increase by three or more cup sizes. For this reason it is beneficial to wear well-designed bras and tank tops that will adapt to your body’s changing shape and provide a comfortable experience.

During the day a comfortable wire-free, seam-free and supportive nursing bra is the best option. You can start wearing this type of bra during pregnancy when you outgrow your regular bras. When you begin nursing, bras with full drop cups will allow you to breastfeed your baby easily and discreetly.

For easy feedings at night, you should choose a sleep bra that is comfortable, breathable and keeps breast pads in place.

How to fit your maternity bra in 5 simple steps

What size nursing bra should I buy?

The first step to find the right bra for you is to get accurately measured, which can be done easily in the comfort of your home or by a professional at a shop. Every woman is unique and this calculation is the first and most important step.

After being measured, it is best to try on the bra to ensure a proper fit. This will also allow you to test the different bra features like hooks, full drop cups, clips, material, shape, support, discretion, etc.

While trying the bra, unhook the strap clips using only one hand to ensure ease of use. This is an important feature because you will need to open and close them regularly with one hand only while holding your baby.

Bra size calculator

Step 1: Measure around the fullest part of the bustline, keeping the tape measure level. Enter results in cm here:

Step 2: Measure around your body, just below your breasts. Be sure to keep the tape level all the way around. Enter results in cm here:

Calculate

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Here are your sizing results:

All women are different and Medela embraces this diversity. In case you cannot find your size outlined on our size chart, we advise you to try the closest Medela size to your measurement.

Remember, every woman is unique and this is just a starting point. It is recommended to try on bras before purchasing to determine the best fit for you. There are many styles of nursing bras available, so you are sure to find something comfortable, convenient and classy.

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