5 Tips on Storage and Handling Expressed Breast Milk (EBM)

I was talking to my friend first time mom and preparing back to work. She was asking me few question. There question are:

1. How to keep expressed breast milk (EBM)?
2. How long can the milk been kept? 

Guideline on storage EBM. 

Sources from: KellyMom.com

Tips in Storing EBM

1. EBM plastic bag

I used plastic Autumn EBM plastic bag. I feel Autumn plastic bag is thicker and easily to handle. Other than that we also can use milk bottle. We must keep in small quantity such as 4oz depends on the amount baby drink.

Autumn EBM storage bag

We also can get more in formation on storage and handling EBM in WikiHow.

2. Write date and time 

I write date and time on a sticker and paste on the EBM plastic bag.This is to keep track on expiry of EBM.  The frozen EBM can only be used 6 months (deep frezer).  

3. Melting EBM

Since I am working mom, I used to keep the frozen EBM in fridge on night before go to bed to melt the EBM. I keep the amount need for the day. If I forgot to do so I will ask my baby sitter to keep the amount milk needed on the running water. 

P/s: Avoid from melting EBM on room temperature. 

4. Never mix EBM with different temperature.

EBM is best if we mix with the same temperature. Example. If we have 2 oz of milk expressed in the morning and kept in the fridge. In the afternnon we have another 2oz of expressed milk keep in separate container in the fridge. Wait untill both container have the same temperature (night) than we mix both milk together.

5. Warmup EBM

Warmt up the EBM by using warmer. Since I do not have warmer I placed to bottle in a cup of hot water as the picture below. 

Warm up EBM

For further reading on warm EBM in WikiHow.  

Sharing is Caring.

If you were having drop in breast milk. Shaklee Breastfeeding Set might help in finding solutions.

For more details I can be reach at:    

Logeswary Mariappan
SMS/Whatapp:  012-3612203
Email: logeswary.mariappan@gmail.com
Shaklee ID:955747
COD: Klang (Teluk Pulai, Jalan Yadi, Persiaran Raja Muda Musa, Kampung Jawa)

Traditional Vs Shaklee Confinement Set

I just want to share my experience. My elder 2 daughters I were on traditional method on confinement. My mum doesn't allow me to drink a lot of water afraid of blotted. When doesn't have enough water... OMG I had a bad constipation untill I cry. The bad thing is I didn't breastfeed my baby because of no milk at all.

When I was expecting my 3rd baby, I doesn't want to have the same problem. Therefore I started to GOOGLE information about breastfeed and confinement set. 

I also had discussion with my office mate and my friends who SUCCESSFULLY breastfeed their baby for 2 years. After all the discussion I bought confinement set of brand X (secret) I am very upset with set and not worth with the money I spend. 

During my confinement I try to GOOGLE on other confinement set and I found Shaklee set. The main purpose I took Shaklee Confinement Set is to breastfeed my baby. After that I fall in LOVE with Shaklee and I am still on Shaklee supplement although I have stop breastfeed my due to my health problem.

I stop breastfeeding my baby after 6 months but I still have stock of Breast milk untill my baby is 9 month. I saw a lot difference between breast feed baby and formula milk baby.

Recently I saw a doctor and while talking to him he told when a calf drink cow's milk it start to walk because cow's milk contain of energy. But when a mother breastfeed her baby it contains all the vitamins and minerals which will help to build the immune system and good for babies brain. He advice all the mother should breast feed the baby minimum 6 months.

I am here to help and guide to  SUCCESSFULLY breastfeed with Shaklee Breastfeeding / Confinement set.

The price is expensive, want discount!!

It is very easy just become a member and save up 25%.

How to be a member? 

Contact me!!! 

Logeswary Mariappan
SMS/Whatapp: 012-3612203
Email: logeswary.mariappan@gmail.com
Shaklee ID: 955747

5 Tips to Increase Breast Milk Production

Breastfeeding is one of the best and healthiest things a mom can do for a baby and the mom's body will usually regulate break milk production fairly consistently.

However, there are things that moms can do to increase lactation if the need necessitates, here you will find 5 tips for moms to increase breast milk production.

Allow your baby to nurse frequently. 
The more often your breasts are stimulated, the more milk your body makes. At least 8 feedings in a 24-hour period is ideal, more if possible. If you normally feed on a set schedule, allow the baby to feed on demand to increase your breast milk production.

Drink Lots of Water
While nursing, it is so important to take care of yourself and treat yourself well. Nursing takes a lot out of the Mom's body so drinking lots of water really helps to replenish loss fluid and keep mom hydrated so that breast milk production is optimum. Along with drinking lots of water, it is important for mom to eat healthy and get lots of rest. Living a healthy lifestyle is very important while nursing and will help to increase lactation.

Pumping
Pumping is beneficial for two reasons:
First, pumping allows you to store breast milk when your baby doesn't need it, allowing you amass and store more expressed milk. 
Second, pumping stimulates the production of more breast milk. 

If you are at work try to pump every 3 hour once. Either that, or pump for 5 to 10 minutes after nursing. Pumping at least 8 times during a 24-hour period will help to quickly increase breast milk production. If you can't pump immediately after nursing, try to pump halfway in between feedings. Pump both breasts at the same time. Pumping both breasts will give you twice as much breast milk twice as fast in addition to helping stimulates more production.

Power Pumping
Power pumping involves using regular pumping techniques and setup, but in a unique way. The idea is to mimic a baby who is nursing frequently to increase a mother’s supply. The best time to do power pumping is at night or early morning because we are more relaxed. (I wake up at 4am to do power pumping)

Note: For more details refer to my entry on Power Pumping

Supplements to increase breast milk
Supplements only effective if the mum is good in direct feeding the baby and do  more power pumping.

The best supplements I recommend are ESP, Alfalfa and Ostematrix.

For those are concern about budget, I will suggest other equivalent set.

Normally I suggest Alfalfa and ESP, total price RM213 for usage of 2 months.

Price of Ostematrix and ESP is only RM221.

The price is not including post charges.

Hope my information might help other mummy out there.

The entire mom can do it…Best of Luck!!!

ENJOY BREASTFEEDING....

For further details contact:

Logeswary Mariappan
SMS/Whatapp:  012-3612203
Email: logeswary.mariappan@gmail.com
Shaklee ID:955747

Breastfeeding Positions

The most important part of successful breastfeeding is the latch.  If your baby is not properly latched on to your breast, feedings could be painful.  There are specific techniques that can be used when latching the baby to the breast.

The position in which you hold your baby is also crucial.  When a good position and latch is obtained, breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience between mother and baby.

Hunger Cues

Your baby may first display some hunger cues, signalling that he/she is ready to feed.  He might suck on his lip, tongue, finger, or fist.  Fidgeting and fussing at this time are also indicators that your baby is hungry.  Crying is a late hunger cue and may make it more difficult to begin breastfeeding. 

Try to pay attention and learn those earlier hunger cues.  Keep in mind that swaddling, pacifiers, and mittens can inhibit the hunger cues, as the baby’s mouth and hands are restricted. 

Latching On

A good latch is vital to successful breastfeeding.  The following techniques used with proper positioning, can help ensure a proper latch: 

• Get in a comfortable chair to feed your baby. One that has great back support is really helpful. Using a stool to rest your feet on will also help with good posture and prevent you from straining your neck and shoulders.
• Use your breastfeeding support pillow if you have one. (and if you don’t, use whatever kind of pillows you can find to help support you and the baby.) A good breastfeeding pillow can make a huge difference in getting the baby in a proper position to latch on well.
• Make sure your baby is tummy-to-tummy with you at all times.
• Make sure you bring baby to you and do not try to lean into the baby. Not only will this cause severe strain on your neck and shoulders, but it can affect the baby’s position.
• Remember to keep your baby’s ear, shoulder, and hip in alignment which will make swallowing easier.
• The baby’s nose should be opposite the nipple.
• You might need to hold your breast to help guide the nipple to your baby’s mouth. Grasp the breast on the sides, using either a “C” hold or “U” hold. Make sure to keep fingers far from the nipple so you don’t affect how baby latches on.
• Aim the nipple toward the baby’s upper lip/nose, not the middle of the mouth. You might need to rub the nipple across the top lip to get your baby to open his mouth.
• The baby’s head should be tilted slightly back. You do not want his chin to his chest.
• When he opens his mouth wide with the chin dropped and tongue down, he should latch on to the nipple. If he does not open wide, do not try to shove the nipple in and wiggle the mouth open. It is best to move back, tickle the lip again with the nipple and wait for a wide open mouth.
• Try to get as much of the lower portion of the areola (the area around the nipple) in the baby’s mouth. 
• The baby’s chin should indent the lower portion of your breast. 
• Look to see if the baby’s bottom and top lip are flanged out like fish lips. If they are not, you may use your finger to pull the bottom one down and open up the top one more.

Positioning Your Baby To Feed

There are many different positions that can work while breastfeeding.  It is important to find one that is comfortable for both you and your baby. Make sure to utilize the tips in the above list to help ensure your position is correct.

Cross-Cradle Hold:

This position is often the most helpful for moms right after birth and until they get more confident in getting their baby latched on correctly. It feels awkward for many moms at first, but once they see how it allows them to use both their hands more effectively, moms get more comfortable with it. You will use the arm on the opposite side you will be feeding from to hold and support your baby, while you use the hand on the side you are feeding from to support your breast. Lay baby next to you, tummy-to-tummy, with your opposite hand supporting the back of his head. You want to make sure you are holding at the neck, so you are just guiding the head. You will use the other hand (on the same side the baby is feeding from) to hold and navigate your breast and nipple. Once baby is securely latched on, you can move your arms to the cradle hold.

Cradle Hold:

This position is often used after your baby is a few weeks old and you are more confident in your breastfeeding hold. Your baby lays across your front at breast level with his/her tummy toward your chest.  Your babies head will be resting in the crook of your elbow, on the same side you will be nursing from. You will use the opposite hand to help hold your breast if you need to help get baby latched on properly.  

Football Hold:

Your baby will lay along your side under your arm, with your hand supporting the back of the baby’s neck. The baby’s bottom should bump up against whatever you are sitting in ( back of the chair, couch, etc.) Make sure to bend the baby’s legs at the hip, so that he does not push his feet against whatever your leaning against, as this will affect how he will be able to latch. This hold is really great for a mom who had a cesarean birth and for women with large breasts.

Side-lying:

Lay your baby on his/her side with a pillow behind his back for support.  You should also lay on your side facing your baby.  You might use a pillow behind your back or between your knees for support.  Your baby’s nose should be in line with your nipple.

There are other positions that can work for both you and your baby.  Make sure that you and the baby are comfortable.  If not, try another position.

Signs that confirm a good latch: 

• Tongue is seen when the bottom lip is pulled down
• Ears wiggle
• There is circular movement of the jaw rather than rapid chin movement
• Cheeks are rounded
• You do not hear clicking or smacking noises
• You can hear swallowing
• Chin is touching your breast
• When baby comes off the breast, the nipple is not flattened or misshaped
• Any discomfort ends quickly after getting the baby latched on
• Your baby ends the feeding with signs of satiety/satisfaction.  These signs include: the baby looks relaxed, “falls” off the breast, has open hands, and/or falls asleep.

Remember, breastfeeding should not be painful.  A good latch will help keep discomfort to a minimum.  When the baby has not latched on well, other problems can develop including cracked and sore nipples.  Once you get accustomed to positioning your baby and helping him/her to get a good latch, breastfeeding can be a wonderful, pain-free bonding experience between you and your baby.  ENJOY BREASTFEED…

For further consultation contact:
Logeswary Mariappan
SMS/Whatapp:  012-3612203
Email: logeswary.mariappan@gmail.com
Shaklee ID:955747

Breastfeeding in Public

Most of us will be shy to breast feed baby in public. This is because we are fear that other might be looking at us.

HERE ARE A FEW GUIDE TO BREASTFEED IN PUBLIC.

Dress for Success

Wear a nursing bra or tank - they have clever flaps and latches you can open with one hand. You can also throw a cute cardi or button-down blouse over a regular top to keep your middle covered when you lift your shirt to nurse.

Build Your Confidence

Practice nursing in front of a mirror, both seated and standing (many fussy babies will latch only if Mom is on her feet). You'll get an idea of what passersby will see and can make tweaks if you're giving a peep show.

Note Baby's Feed-Me Cues

Does she turn her head from side to side or put her hand to her mouth? She probably has the munchies. You'll want to nurse before her crying spirals. If you wait until she's wailing, getting her to latch may be tough.p

Position Yourself for Privacy

Find a low-traffic zone, and use your stroller as a barrier to keep people at bay. Once settled, hold Baby in the crook of your arm and bring her close to you, then undo your nursing top and bra, or pull up your shirt.

Have a Stress-Free Latch-Off

Hold Baby's head close to you so she's blocking your breast, then fasten your bra and pull your shirt down. Switching breasts? Position your shirt as if you're closing up shop, re position Baby, and start feeding.

ENJOY BREASTFEEDING... 

For further details contact:

Logeswary Mariappan
SMS/Whatapp:  012-3612203
Email: logeswary.mariappan@gmail.com

Shaklee ID:955747

Jaundice in newborn

A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow colour of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.

Normally, bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Reasons for this include:

·   Newborns make more bilirubin than adults do since they have more turnover of red blood cells.

·    A newborn baby's still-developing liver may not yet be able to remove adequate bilirubin from the blood.

·   Too large an amount of bilirubin is reabsorbed from the intestines before the baby gets rid of it in the stool.

I have experience Jaundice for my 3 kids, mostly for the blood group babies of O '+ve' mothers. These babies are reported to be at high risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia (serum bilirubin level more than 16 mg/dl). When ever the nurse prick the needle for blood on bilirubin test, as a mother I feel the pain. My baby will cry and it makes me feel more sad.

How to avoid from Jaundice on the newborn:

Alfalfa is to revent jaundice in newborn. It can be prevented although the mother is blood group O. It can’t be consumed at the early pregnancy because it can induce contraction. It can be consume after 8 months onwards. 

For order contact:

Logeswary Mariappan

SMS/Whatapp: 012-3612203

Email: logeswary.mariappan@gmail.com

Shaklee ID:955747

 

Increasing Breast Milk Supply-Power Pumping

The benefits for babies of breastfeeding have been well documented and in recent times, significant health benefits for women have also been uncovered. However despite their best efforts, many women experience issues with low supply.

Because breasts work on the principle of supply and demand, using a breast pump is often recommended. Regular pumping delivers to the brain a ‘make more milk!’ message and can be very effective in increasing supply. However despite regular pumping sessions many women do not see results as quickly or as effectively as they had hoped. Enter power pumping!

What is power pumping?

Power pumping is a technique that involves mimicking the frequent feeding of a baby experiencing a growth spurt. During these times your baby’s more vigorous, more frequent and longer suckling triggers an increased release of prolactin from the pituitary gland – the ‘make more milk!’ message.

How do I power pump?

Power pumping is not a replacement for regular breast pumping to increase supply. Instead, power pumping is intended to boost your progress by replacing one regular pumping session with a strategically designed alternative. It works by repeatedly emptying the breast, signalling the body to make more milk, more quickly.

To power pump, pick one hour each day or night (I will do at 4am) and use the following pumping pattern: For double site pump.

1.     Pump for 20 minutes; rest 10 minutes

2.     Pump another 10 minutes; rest for 10 minutes

3.     Pump again for 10 minutes; finish

This provides 40 minutes of pumping in a 60 minute period.

For those using single site pump:

1.     Pump left site 10 minutes

2.     Pump right site for 10 minutes

3.     Follow the steps for 1 hour.

While u are pumping left site, right site is on rest and vice versa.

How do I keep track of the time during power pumping?

The obvious answers would seem to be, have a clock handy or use an alarm. However both low supply and pumping can be stressful, and clock watching or fiddling with an alarm may make the experience even more so. Time keeping strategies which are not quite so accurate time-wise but might be less stressful and ultimately more effective include:

·         Watching a favourite TV program, pumping during the commercials and resting during the show

·         Watching a movie, pumping through one scene and resting during the next

·         Listening to music, pumping during two songs and resting during the next two

·         Reading a book placing your book mark four to six pages ahead – pump until you reach it and then move it ahead and rest until you reach it again

Are there any other ways to increase success?

As mentioned, pumping can be stressful and uncomfortable. Perhaps the key to making any pumping session better (power or regular) is to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. Ensure you have a comfortable place to sit and to put your feet up. Have a rug handy if the weather is cool and a fan if it is warm. Have your breast pump close at hand and ready to go, and a bottle of water handy as drinking water is essential to producing breast milk. Try to view the time as an opportunity to sit down and slow down rather than another task that must be completed.

Breastfeeding set from Shaklee can help in increasing the demand for breast milk.

 For further details contact:

Logeswary Mariappan
SMS/Whatapp: 012-3612203
Shaklee ID: 955747

BREASTFEEDING – EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING

Breast milk contains all the nutrients an infant needs in the first six months of life. It protects against common childhood diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, and may also have longer-term benefits such as lowering mean blood pressure and cholesterol, and reducing the prevalence of obesity and type-2 diabetes.

Exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant receives only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given – not even water – with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines.

WHO recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or more.

My breastfeeding journey was followed by breastfeeding set from Shaklee. I have notice the differences of milk from normal to thicker milk and more rich with nutrition. 

Logeswary Mariappan
SMS/Whatapp: 012-3612203
Email: logeswary.mariappan@gmail.com
Shaklee ID: 955747

IMPORTANCE OF CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM FOR BREASTFEEDING MOTHER

Calcium and Magnesium work together to maintain healthy nerves, strong muscles, and a rhythmic heartbeat. In the brain, they promote neural activity and act as a natural antidepressant. A lack of calcium and magnesium can lead to insomnia, irritability, exhaustion, mental confusion, heart rhythm problems and depression.

Calcium and magnesium may also be crucial to maintaining a good supply of milk in some women. 1000mg of calcium is the daily requirement and 1200mg for breastfeeding women. However, in spite of a diet rich in calcium-fortified foods, many women are deficient in calcium.

Ostematrix is more than calcium, it contains of magnesium, Vitamin D, Zinc, Copper and Maganese. It helps in the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth. Ostematrix also helps in body ache, good and peaceful sleeps at night. It makes me wake up in energetic and stay energy the whole day and sleeps well at the night after a busy day.

Logeswary Mariappan
SMS/Whatapp: 012-3612203
Shaklee ID: 955747

OXYTOCIN & LET-DOWN

Oxytocin – the love hormone is that contribute to Letdown Reflex. If a mother prolactin level is enough, but Oxytocin level is low that causing difficulty in Letdown, then she might not be able to express out her breast milk to her baby.

Milk let down is the term applied to the release of milk into the mother’s breast ducts in response to the baby’s suckling or suckling stimulation. At birth, milk is secreted into the breast alveoli. Suckling stimulates the passage of sensory impulses into the hypothalamus, which orders the posterior pituitary gland to release the hormone oxytocin into the bloodstream. Cells surrounding the outer walls of the alveoli are stimulated to contract, ejecting milk into the ducts. Thirty seconds after the suckling, milk flows into the reservoirs, or is let down.

Regardless of the methods – Direct feed, Pumping, Hand-Expression and so on. When the Oxytocin level is down, without Reflex her breast milk can’t flow out easily. Thus, a mother should try her best to stable her emotion and not to get annoy easily. Grabbing opportunity to have good rest is important. We encourage husband to help up during baby nursing period, as his wife will have enough rest to gain more Oxytocin. Moreover, husband support is very important in encouraging his wife to giving breast milk to their lovely baby.

One important observation that we have is — Mother who strictly opt for direct feed without expressing out the remaining will normally have lower breast milk supply.  For the mother who has too much supply will turn into not sufficient supply, when the breast is not always empty and  plugged duct will exist, eventually breast milk supply will be reduced. When the supply is not sufficient, baby will tend to drink more often or longer duration up to 45 minutes or 1 hour, and mother will get stressed up.

In the end Oxytocin level low, reflex getting difficult, breast milk flow slow and little, baby keep hungry, less rest or sleep, prolactin level starts descending, Plugged Ducts occurs —- and the whole circle repeats scenario getting worse.

Thus getting enough rest and having a stable emotion is very important. There is no 1 method suit all mothers, we need to look for a breastfeeding method that suits our lifestyle which allows us to have enough breast milk to feed our babies meanwhile having enough rest. That’s ENJOYING BREASTFEED

For further consultation contact:

Logeswary Mariappan

SMS/Whatapp:  012-3612203

Email: logeswary.mariappan@gmail.com

Shaklee ID:955747