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Tips for Nursing with Inverted Nipples

Mar 1, 2017 | The Breast Advice

In order for your new baby to nurse efficiently, he or she must be able to grasp your nipple as well as some of your areola and breast tissue in his or her mouth. Most women have nipples that protrude, making it easy for baby to suckle. Having flat or inverted nipples can make it more difficult for your baby to nurse effectively, which can reduce your milk supply. However, there’s no need to panic if your nipples don’t protrude. With the right care, you will still be able to nurse your baby.

 

Determining if You Have Flat or Inverted Nipples

Approximately one-third of first-time moms have some degree of nipple inversion. During pregnancy, your skin changes and becomes more elastic. This helps many women’s nipples to protrude by the time their baby makes his or her debut. Approximately 10 percent of women still have some degree of inversion at birth.

To see if you have inverted or flat nipples, gently grasp the breast tissue one inch behind your nipple and gently squeeze it between your thumb and forefinger. If your nipple protrudes, then your baby will be able to easily grasp it. If your nipple remains flat or inverts inside of your breast, you will need to take some steps to help your baby latch on properly.

 

Challenges to Nursing with Inverted Nipples

Because your baby will form a “teat” from your nipple, areola and breast tissue, many women with inverted or flat nipples can still nurse efficiently with little assistance. The problem comes when women have breasts with very little elasticity. If the baby can’t draw enough of the breast into his or her mouth, they won’t be able to latch on and suck properly. This will cause them to become frustrated, refuse to latch on or fall asleep quickly, which will decrease your milk supply. Babies who are premature or who have a low birth weight may have an especially difficult time latching onto an inverted or flat nipple.

 

Tips for Nursing with Inverted Nipples

The good news is that your nipple shape doesn’t affect your body’s ability to produce or dispense your breastmilk. There are a variety of tools and techniques available to help your nipples to protrude and help your baby to latch onto your breast properly.

 

Nipple Shields

Nipple shields are soft, flexible devices that are worn over the breast during breastfeeding. They help to extend the length of the nipple, which will help stimulate your baby’s palate and increase their urge to suck.

 

Breast Shells

Breast shells are made of a more rigid plastic and are designed to be worn under the bra in-between feedings. The shell applies pressure to the nipple, helping to draw it out. They can be worn during the last few months of pregnancy to prepare your nipples for nursing; however, it’s undetermined if this is helpful.

 

The Hoffman Technique

Some women have adhesions at the base of their nipples that keep them inverted. Using the Hoffman technique may help you break up these adhesions. To do the technique, place the thumbs of both of your hands at the base of one nipple. Gently, but firmly, pull your thumbs away from each other. Repeat on the other breast. Begin by doing this technique twice a day and work up to doing it five times a day. This technique is safe to do during the last few months of pregnancy.

 

Pumping

Because some babies have a difficult time latching onto an inverted nipple, pumping with a hospital-grade breast pump while wearing a nipple shield can help. Pumping can both help you maintain your milk supply while your baby learns to latch properly and help draw out your nipple by breaking up any adhesions that are keeping it inverted. Hospital grade pumps are best because they offer the best suction. Many insurance companies cover breast pumps at no cost to you. By filling out Ameda Direct’s simple online form, you can find out if you’re eligible for a free insurance-provided breast pump. We’ll handle all the paperwork so you can focus on the things that matter most.

Inverted or flat nipples do present a unique challenge to nursing, but it is one that can be overcome. With the right tools, your baby will soon be able to latch properly and you can enjoy the special bond that comes with nursing.

Used Breast Pumps: Are They A Safe Or Sanitary Option?

Used Breast Pumps: Are They A Safe Or Sanitary Option?

Feb 22, 2017 | The Breast Advice

When you have a new baby, you will find yourself the beneficiary of many hand-me-downs from well-meaning friends whose children have outgrown common baby items. You might have a relative or friend who is willing to lend you a used pump, but you may not be sure whether using a previously owned breast pump is a good and safe option for you and your baby. Because we are concerned about the health and welfare of mothers and their babies, below is a detailed look at used breast pumps.

Rental vs. Personal Use Breast Pumps

You might have mistakenly assumed that it is safe to share used personal breast pumps because mothers usually share rental breast pumps safely. Unfortunately, this assumption cannot be further from the truth. Rental breast pumps feature a closed pumping system wich allow all the parts that come into contact with a mothers breastmilk to be replaced. The FDA has stringent guidelines on what makes a pump multi-user and most personal electric breast pumps do not meet these requirements.

Rental Breast Pumps

Rental pumps are ideally designed for multiple users and feature special filters and barriers that ensure milk does not enter the pump motor, preventing cross-contamination. Additionally, every single breastfeeding mother who rents a unit will have to use a personal set of breast shields, tubing and bottles to ensure safety. These collection kits are designed such that the milk never comes into contact with a rental pump’s working parts. Such pumps are known as closed system pumps.

Personal Use Breast Pumps

On the other hand, the personal use breast pumps available at your local store are considered personal care items, same as a toothbrush. Some breast pumps on the market today are considered “open systems,” meaning the pump’s motor might come into contact with a mother’s milk particles. Some breast pumps feature a “Closed System” which protect breast milk from bacteria, mold and viruses while pumping but are still designated as a single use pump. 

Issues Related To Health and Hygiene

When it comes to health and hygiene, the milk particles of another mother can be harmful to your baby. As a matter of fact, moms are advised to ensure any donor milk their babies receive is pasteurized to kill viruses, be it from another mother or a milk bank. Without a doubt, your milk is the best food for your baby. During pregnancy, your baby was safely exposed to every virus in your system. Unfortunately, another mother might be carrying a virus in her system, one that you don’t. If a virus passes to your baby through the other mother’s milk, it can cause serious illness. Additionally, mothers can have a virus in their milk without knowing they are carriers.

Reusing breast pumps presents certain risks, particularly if the units are not cleaned and sterilized properly. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and HIV (AIDS) are only but a few of the viruses that are potentially dangerous and transmitted through human milk. According to the FDA, cleaning and sterilizing a breast pump properly involves removing every fluid that enters the pumping mechanism. As such, mothers should not share a breast pump if proper sterilization cannot be achieved.

Other Issues

Because they do not want any legal responsibility should a child become seriously ill, most manufacturers don’t sell new collection kits. In fact, they advertise breast pumps as single-user products in their websites and actively discourage the reuse or reselling of previously owned breast pump equipment. Apart from the fact that you might compromise the safety of your breast milk while trying to get a good deal, you should also know that hospital grade pumps are the only ones approved for multiple users.

In addition to their different economic capabilities, every other mother has her own pumping needs. As a result, manufacturers have ensured breast pumps are available in a wide variety of styles and prices. With the Affordable Care Act, private carriers now have to offer breastfeeding insurance coverage for every new mother without cost sharing. In addition to providing breastfeeding education and support each time you deliver, your insurance plan also offers a new breast pump without a co-pay.

What is Mastitis and How to Treat It

Dec 14, 2016 | Mommy Time-Out

As an infection of breast tissue that causes breast pain, warmth, swelling, redness and occasional fevers or chills, mastitis commonly affects breastfeeding women even though it can also occur in those who are not breastfeeding.

Although it can happen much later while breastfeeding, lactation mastitis mostly occurs within the first 6-12 weeks after delivery (postpartum). This condition usually causes you to feel run down, which can make caring for your baby a bit more challenging.

Although mastitis is sometimes known to result in the weaning of children from breastmilk before their mothers intended, continuing to breastfeed your child while taking antibiotics for the condition is better for both of you.

 

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of mastitis can appear suddenly. They include:

  • Tender or warm breasts
  • Swelling of the breast
  • Malaise, a general feeling of illness
  • A continuous pain or burning sensation, especially while breastfeeding
  • Fevers of 101° F or greater
  • Redness of the skin, often in a wedge-shaped pattern

Lactation mastitis tends to affect one breast only, and although it usually happens in the initial weeks after giving birth, it can occur anytime during breastfeeding.

 

When To See a Doctor

You will most likely feel ill with flu-like symptoms for a few hours before you notice that your breast has a tender and red area. You need to contact your doctor immediately if you recognize a combination of these signs and symptoms. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors often ask to see you.

When it comes to treating this condition, oral antibiotics are mostly effective, and your doctor might give you a prescription over the phone if you’ve had mastitis before.

You should see your doctor as soon as you can if your symptoms do not improve two days after you start taking antibiotics. You need to make sure your condition is not the result of a more serious issue.

 

Causes

As you probably know, breastfeeding is a learned skill. Poor breastfeeding techniques can cause the entrapment of milk in the breast, which is one of the primary causes of mastitis. Other causes include:

Bacteria entering the breast: Bacteria from your baby’s mouth or the surface of your skin can enter the milk ducts via a crack in the nipple’s skin or a milk duct opening. A breast that is not emptied sufficiently has stagnant milk, which provides breeding grounds for bacteria. Fortunately, your milk has antibacterial properties that keep your baby protected from the infection.

Blocked milk ducts: One of your milk ducts might become clogged if a breast is not emptied completely, which often causes milk to back up and leads to breast infection.

 

Risk Factors

The risk factors for mastitis include:

  • Sore or cracked nipples
  • Breastfeeding during the first weeks after delivery
  • Using one position to breastfeed, especially since it might not drain your breast fully
  • Pressure that restricts milk flow such as that from using a seatbelt, wearing tight fitting bras or carrying heavy bags
  • Being overly stressed or tired
  • Poor nutrition
  • A previous bout of mastitis

Complications

A collection of pus (abscess) often develops in the breast and forms an area of firmness when mastitis is related to a blocked duct or treated inadequately. An abscess typically requires surgical drainage. If you develop any sign or symptom of mastitis, you should consult a doctor immediately to avoid this complication.

 

Tests and Diagnosis

The diagnosis of mastitis is based on a physical exam, which involves considering every sign and symptom including breast pains, fevers and chills. A wedge-shaped area of redness on your breast, one that is tender to the touch and points toward the nipple, is also a clear sign of mastitis.

Your doctor needs to ensure you do not have a breast abscess, a complication that might occur when treatment is delayed. A culture of your breast milk is bound to guide your doctor towards determining the most suitable antibiotic for you, particularly if the infection is severe.

Doctors sometimes recommend a diagnostic mammogram since inflammatory breast cancer, a rare form of breast cancer, also causes redness and swelling. You may also need a biopsy to be certain you do not have breast cancer if the symptoms persist even after you’ve completed a course of antibiotics.

 

Treatments and Drugs

The treatment of mastitis typically involves:

Antibiotics: A 10-14 day course of antibiotics is usually necessary to treat mastitis, and you will most likely begin to feel better 24-48 hours after you start the treatment. However, continuing to take all the pills is important since it minimizes the chances of a recurrence.

Pain relievers: Your doctor might recommend a mild pain reliever.

Adjustments to breastfeeding techniques: Apart from ensuring your infant latches on correctly, you should also empty your breasts completely while breastfeeding. Your doctor could review breastfeeding techniques with you, or refer you to a lactation consultant for assistance and ongoing support.

Self-care: You should continue breastfeeding, drink extra fluids and rest enough to fight off the breast infection effectively. You may need further testing if your mastitis does not improve after you’ve taken antibiotics. As such, it is important that you follow up with your doctor.

 

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

It is not only safe to continue breastfeeding if you have mastitis but it also helps to clear the infection. To ease your discomfort:

  • Keep breastfeeding as often and for as long as your child needs to feed
  • Encourage frequent feedings by resting with your baby as much as possible, preferably in bed
  • Avoid overfilling your breast with milk for prolonged periods (engorgement) before breastfeeding
  • Always alternate your breastfeeding positions
  • Drink lots of fluids
  • Apart from applying warm compresses to your breast, you can also take a hot shower before you breastfeed or pump milk, especially if you find it hard to empty a portion of your breast
  • Wear supportive bras

If you find that the infected breast is too painful to breastfeed or your baby refuses to nurse on it, you can try to hand-express or pump milk.

 

Prevention

You should meet a lactation consultant for advice on how to start off a good breastfeeding relationship with your infant and avoid complications like mastitis. You can also get tips and invaluable advice about proper breastfeeding techniques from a lactation consultant.

To minimize the chances of mastitis, follow the following tips:

  • As you breastfeed, drain all the milk from your breasts
  • Let your child empty one breast completely before switching to the other
  • For every breastfeeding session, change the position
  • Ensure your child latches on correctly during feedings

Always check with your doctor or a lactation specialist if you have any questions or concerns during your breastfeeding journey.

Are High-Suction Breast Pumps Always Better?

Nov 30, 2016 | Breastfeeding, Insurance Breast Pump Tips, We've Got You Covered

The suction strength of your breast pump is an important factor when deciding which pump is for you! You might be thinking, “The more suction, the better!” However, there are many factors to consider when determining which pump will be the most safe, comfortable and efficient.

Fact or Fiction

It’s a common misconception that the higher the suction, the more efficient the pump. Ideally, a breast pump will express the most breast milk possible while remaining safe and comfortable while pumping.

Companies who market “hospital-grade” suction or “extremely high pump vacuum strength” do not highlight that excessive suction can actually cause more harm than good. Studies have shown that too much suction can actually cause breast tissue damage.

A better criterion for choosing your breast pump is efficiency. An efficient breast pump will have the proper combination of comfort, suction strength and cycling speed to closely mimic the way your infant nurses.

Suction v. Speed

The vacuum pressure, or suction, is typically measured in units of milligrams of mercury, abbreviated mmHg. It can also be measured in units of kilopascals, or kPa for short. Most breast pumps have a range of suction, measuring from the gentlest suction to the strongest suction setting.

The speed that the vacuum is applied to a breastfeeding mother’s nipple, is often referred to in units of cycles per minute, abbreviated cpm. Or in other words, the cpm is a unit which measures how quickly the pump sucks over a given time period (one minute).

Flange Fit

If the breast flange is too small, the nipple cannot move freely in the nipple tunnel the way the breast pump was designed, lessening the efficiency of milk expression. A too-small flange can also cause pain as the nipple rubs against the side of the breast flange. If the flange is too large, the nipple and areola get sucked into the flange causing pain and lessening the likelihood of pumping until your breast is emptied.

Efficiency is Key

The most efficient breast pumps are pumps which mimic the natural way that your infant nurses. An infant’s typical nursing pattern is an initial quick and shallow sucking pattern to stimulate the letdown of breast milk, followed by a slower, deeper sucking pattern to express milk once letdown occurs. The breast pump which can successfully mimic your infant’s sucking patterns in both speed and suction, will be the most efficient breast pump for expressing your breast milk.

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