Article about the growth in breast pumps at low prices. Focuses on the technical differences so that you can form an opinion. Continue reading

The current situation regarding the spread of COVID-19 presents us with challenges that we have never faced before. Mothers infected with the virus must above all protect their immediate environment as well as the littlest members of their families. Continue reading

Coronavirus Update

We are all aware of the impact that the Corona Virus (COVID-19), and its counter measures are having on every aspect of our lives at the moment. It is important that companies and individuals follow the Government’s guidelines to reduce the spread of the Corona Virus and to keep people safe.

As ProMed is a distributor of medical devices we are currently open to try and give continuity of supply to all our customers. 

These are exceptional times and circumstances and we are doing everything possible to support our customers and our staff so that we can minimise any disruption.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Breastfeeding please see UNICEF guidelines here

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How should you store your breast milk?

 

Bottles? Containers? Breast milk storage bags?

 

For so many reasons we think that you should be using milk storage bags for your breast milk.

 

The fact is, your breast milk is liquid gold, right? You've taken precious time to express and get a stash that is full of nutritious greatness to feed to your baby so the obvious next step is to keep this liquid gold safe and secure. A good storage solution will do this, avoiding disasters and literally crying over spilt milk.

So keep reading to find out why our Easy Store breast milk storage bags will make your life a whole lot easier. 

 

1. They are designed specifically for storing breastmilk. They are pre-sterilized and BPA free, thick and durable and have a neutral odour and taste. No nasties, no contamination, safe and secure.
2. They have a double zip closure so you don't have to worry about leaking. Honestly- don't overfill past the 180ml line and you will be leak-free!  
3. Freezer real estate is HIGH. We know that finding space in the freezer is tricky when you're competing with frozen peas, endless streams of semi brown bananas waiting for those smoothies you always forget to make and the Kapiti Salted Caramel and Cashew (if you haven't tried this, you must!) So get this- Easy Store bags can be stacked into the smallest of spaces so that you can go ahead and buy that other tub of icecream.

 

So, what are you waiting for- pop some milk storage bags in your shopping cart and see for yourself how great they really are.

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For breastfeeding mums who occasionally need to pump for a feed when they are either away from home or want to hand the feeding duties over to someone else for a well-earned break, the Amaryll manual breast pump is a great low-cost option. 

A big advantage of manual pumps is their simplicity and convenient size which makes them a very travel-friendly pump. They are small and portable, they don't need electricity or batteries and they are a quick and easy setup.

Some mum's can pump on one side while breastfeeding on the other. This actively pumps and collects breastmilk - mimicking your baby.

 

The Amaryll is not just a milk collection device, it is a pump!!

 

Benefits of a Manual Breastpump

Hand pumps are generally an inexpensive option to the electric breast pumps and cost nothing to run after you've bought one. They are compact and easy to fit into your changing bag.

The setup is easy for a manual breastpump. The breast shell connects to the valve and membrane that leads the milk into the bottle. The place where the tubing is present on a double electric breastpump is replaced with the hand pump lever to supply the power for the suction.

To use the Amaryll pump you centre the breast shell over the nipple and start pumping using short rapid movements to begin with until letdown happens and the milk starts to flow. Once this occurs switch to slow pumping movements pressing the lever as far as is comfortable.  The Amaryll can be adjusted for left and right-handed pumping, and due to the handle design is also suitable for mums with small hands. 

A manual pump is very handy, especially when out and about and no electric supply is needed. Finding a power source can be an issue for a mum who is often out, working or needing  to express quickly. 

 

Ardo Amaryll Manual Breastpump

- Can be used by both right and left-handed mums

- Lightweight

- Easy to put together

- Simple to use

 - Made from premium-quality Bisphenol-A free materials

As part of her review on the Amaryll Start an Amazon customer wrote, “Great design means no achy hand! Very lightweight and easily transportable.”

 

A professional reviewer from a mums’ forum wrote the following as part of her review on the Amaryll Manual,

“The Ardo Amaryll pump is simple to assemble and operate. The instructions were clear and easy to follow and I was pumping straight away with no problems whatsoever. It’s a very gentle pump and it allows you to adjust both speed and vacuum to suit your individual needs and mimic your baby’s sucking pattern
It also has a selection of three different breast shells to match your nipple size, and an ergonomic pivoting handle, which is suitable for right and left handed mothers, or for those with small hands.

I liked the flexibility of this pump and the neatness of the design makes it easy to carry about with you and use discreetly when necessary. I experienced no pain whatsoever when using the pump and would happily recommend it to others. 

I think it represents good value for money and the company ethos and philosophy is reassuring for new mothers.”

 

Sources:

http://www.lllc.ca/

http://www.nature.com/jp/journal/v29/n11/full/jp200987a.html

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Hire an Hospital grade breastpump

 

If you have a little one in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) or in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), or if you are planning on exclusively pumping it has probably been suggested that you need a hospital-grade breast pump.

 

The Carum may be perfect for you and we're going to tell you why!

 

1. We Have Hospital Credentials 

Ardo is an approved supplier to all of the hospitals around the country. 

2. Ardo Helps To Establish and Maintain Your Milk Supply

Hiring a hospital grade breastpump is the most effective machine to use if you require efficient pumping.

If you have a low milk supply, a premature baby, a baby that is unable to breastfeed, or if you have twins and need to produce double quantities then hiring the Ardo Carum with two pistons can be a huge help! 

If you are planning on exclusively pumping or are trying to induce lactation- then this is the perfect pump for you. 

3. Ardo is Used by Health Care Professionals Around The World 

Not only is Ardo used in New Zealand but also in over 45 countries worldwide. In the UK, Ardo is used in NHS hospitals and it a preferred supplier. A little closer to home, in Australia Ardo is endorsed by the Australian Breastfeeding Association. 

4. Ardo is in Compliance With The WHO Code & Strongly Promotes Breastfeeding

The World Health Organisation Code on the marketing of mother's milk substitutes protects and supports breastfeeding. The Code determines how mother's milk substitutes may be marketed without endangering the practice of breastfeeding. The International Code makes reference to each product which is marketed as a partial or total replacement for mother’s milk, including feeding bottles and teats. Ardo is completely committed to observing absolutely each and every WHO Code.

5. The Carum is Safe, Sealed & Secured

The ‘Vacuum Seal’ technology in all Ardo Pumpsets provide a 100% barrier between the milk and the pump. (This is the part under the green cap).

 

This protects against bacteria and ensures that no breastmilk or impurities can enter the connecting tube or pump and provides reliable protection against contamination of the breastmilk.

 

The pump is cleaned in between mothers and each time the pump is loaned out- a new pump set needs to be purchased.

6. The Carum is BPA Free

All Ardo breastfeeding products are manufactured in Switzerland and are made from materials that are free from Bisphenol A.

7. The Carum is Easy to Use 

The Carum has stimulation and expression mode. You are able to move between modes at the push of a button. The vacuum strength and the cycles speed can be altered in both modes to get the levels right for you and mimic your baby. This means you can make your breast pumping efficient and effective.

 

8. The Carum Has a Sensitive Mode

Are your nipples sore or damaged? Or perhaps you have Raynaud's of the nipple. The Carum can be put into a sensitive mode so that it doesn't hurt when you express. The vacuum strength starts off really low and so does the cycles speed, it can then be increased incrementally to get the levels most comfortable for you.

 

If this sounds as good to you and it does to us then head across to hire your Carum today! If you have any questions about hiring a Carum, contact us here.

 

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Some want to use a breast pump if they're going back to work or needing to leave their baby for a short while. 

No matter what the reason for expressing breast milk, it's the same question arises: How Do I Do It? 

We've got some top tips to use alongside the instructions on your pump to get you pumping like a pro. 

 

1.  Breast Massage

• Massaging 2-5 minutes before putting the pump on should be enough to help stimulate the breast, especially those firm areas.
• Try circular movements around the whole breast and some gentle hand expressing.

2. Get Comfy

• Choose a comfortable position for pumping where you have a water bottle and some snacks at hand.
• Pumping should never be painful!

3. Warmth

• Use warmth to help the let down. You can use a warm flannel, warm compress or stand under a warm shower.
• You can also warm the funnel of the flange. 

4. Mimic Your Baby

Using the Calypso or the Carum you are able to alter both speed (cycles) and vacuum (strength) in order to mimic your baby and express the most milk.

• To get the milk to start to flow, set the cycles high and the vacuum low.
• Once the milk starts to flow set the vacuum high and the cycles low. 

 5. Pump Near Your Baby

• If you can- pump whilst breastfeeding. The baby is able to stimulate the let down whilst you are pumping on the other side. This will really maximize your milk volume.
• If you are with your baby holding her skin to skin or just looking at her will help the oxytocin to start flowing. 
• If you are away from your baby looking at a photograph or video as you express really seems to help. 

6. When To Pump

• Many women find it useful to express straight after a feed.
• Generally, first thing in the morning is when a woman's milk supply is at its highest so this can be the best time to express. 

 

7. Single or Double Pumping

•  If single pumping, you will generally get a better result if you express from one breast for a few minutes, switch breasts when you notice the flow milk slowing, then switch back again and again. Experiment to find out what works best for you. Remember, if you are using an electric breastpump turn off the pump before moving to the other breast.

•  For quicker and more efficient pumping, try double pumping – expressing both breasts at once, with a pumpset for each breast. 

•  Whatever pump you are using, to increase flow you need to express at least as often as your baby would feed. In practical terms this means at least 8 times in 24 hours. It is more effective to pump more frequently than to pump for a longer period of time.

 

8. Use the Correct Breast Shell Size

•   Check the breast shell size, all nipples aren’t the same size so try out different size to find out what works for you. 

This is how your nipple should move in the flange. Sitting forward can help to prevent milk from leaking.

 

 

 

9. Storing Breastmilk 

• You can pump into bottles and store or straight into our Easy Freeze bags.
• Label and date expressed breast milk before putting it in the fridge or freezer so that you, your partner or your childminder knows which one to use first. 

 

• You can store your breast milk in the fridge for up to 48 hours at 2 - 4 degrees C (usually at the back in the lower half of the fridge, never in the door).
• You can keep breast milk at room temperature for up to 4 hours.
• Your breast milk can be stored for up to 3 to 6 months in a freezer.
• Allow your frozen breast milk to defrost itself in the fridge. When it is thawed, use it straight away.

10. Clean Your Pump

• Take apart breast pump tubing and separate all parts that come in contact with breast/breast milk. Rinse breast pump parts that come into contact with breast/breast milk by holding under running water to remove remaining milk. 
• Clean pump parts that come into contact with breast/breast milk as soon as possible after pumping. You can clean your pump parts in a dishwasher or by hand in a wash basin used only for cleaning the pump kit and infant feeding items.
• To sterilize use our Easy Clean Microwave Bags 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any top tips for expressing mums? If so, let us know!

 

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Congratulations on your new little one!

You may be surprised to find that your first day at home will probably be remarkably quiet and your baby very sleepy. Your newborn will be recovering from the birth and adjusting to life outside the womb.  Because their stomach is so tiny, only the size of a marble, your newborn will need to feed often. You'll probably find your baby wants between eight and twelve feeds for the 24 hours.

Some newborns are excessively sleepy. Wake your baby to have a feed if two hours have passed without feeding and four hours at night.

If breastfeeding seems tricky at first, there's no need to feel down-hearted. Many new mothers and babies take a while to get the hang of it. You will both get better at breastfeeding with time, it takes practice and co-ordination! Lots of skin to skin during these first few days (as well as the coming weeks) will help with feeding, bonding and calming baby.

You should be offered advice on how to best position your baby and yourself for breastfeeding. This will help to ensure your baby latches correctly and that you are both comfortable. You should be reassured that you may experience brief discomfort when you start a breastfeed, but this should not persist.

You may find that one position works well when you're feeding on one side and a different position works better on the other- this is fine, do what works for you. If you have just had a caesarean section then you may find that feeding baby in the football hold or lying down works well for you as there is less pressure on the wound. 

Keeping your baby near you will help you to learn her cues for feeding.Early cues include licking her lips, opening and closing her mouth, sucking on her lips, tongue and hands. Active cues include rooting around, trying to position for nursing- pulling back, head bobbing, fidgeting, and fussing.Try to feed your baby when you see these early and active cues so that she is calm going to the breast.

If these cues have been missed she may be moving her head frantically side to side and may be crying- calm her first and then put her to the breast. 

Colostrum is the first milk that comes in and gradually changes over time. It is rich in fats and protein, and helps protect babies against infection. Your baby's first feeds will probably take 40 minutes or longer. Your breasts will be producing the thick, antibody-richfood, colostrum. After a few days your milk will come in, and your baby will usually feed for between 5 minutes and 30 minutes.

Try not to worry if your baby doesn't spend long feeding. Some babies can take their fill in just a few minutes, while for others it takes far longer. As long as your baby is latched on properly, she should get all of the goodness she needs. Signs of a satisfied baby include wet and dirty nappies, a settled baby and weight gain. 

If you need to build up your milk supply, it is recommended you do so with a hospital-grade breastpump. For example, the NHS recommends that mothers of premature babies express eight to 10 times a day, including at least once at night, to keep milk supply up. For more info on expressing breastmilk to build up supply, you can read: Top Tips for Expressing Breastmilk – The Ultimate List to Help You Succeed

 

Enjoy these first few days in the sleep deprived haze that you will be in. You're amazing!

 

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