I hear this question often from moms who have just started with their Glo. The good news is that a few small changes to session length, suction level and charging can make a big difference to how far one charge takes you.

What a full charge should give you

The Glo does not pump while it is plugged in, so it always needs a charge before you start.

Why your battery runs down sooner

1. Long sessions. The Glo switches itself off after 30 minutes of pumping. If your sessions often run that long, 100 minutes of battery works out to about three sessions. Most moms find 15 to 20 minutes is enough to empty well, so switching off at about 20 minutes gives you more sessions per charge.

2. High suction levels. The higher the level, the harder the motor works and the faster the battery runs down. Stronger suction does not always mean more milk, and too much can be uncomfortable. Ameda’s own advice is to use the highest level that feels comfortable and no higher.

3. The mode you use. The Glo starts in Stimulation mode to help your milk let down, then moves into Expression mode on its own after 2 minutes. Letting it follow this pattern works well for most moms. Massage and Automatic modes change the rhythm more often, which can use more power.

4. Not charging fully. A full charge takes about 2 hours, until the display shows 3 solid bars. Unplugging early means you start the day with less than a full battery. Take the cup off the motor before you charge.

5. The wrong charger. Ameda recommends a standard 1 amp charging block. Fast chargers, like many newer phone, tablet and laptop chargers, can damage the pump.

6. Worn parts or a poor seal. If the diaphragm is not pressed down all the way around the cup, or the valves and diaphragms are stretched or worn, the motor has to work harder to hold suction. That extra effort drains the battery faster.

How to get five sessions from one charge

• Set a timer for 20 minutes and switch the pump off yourself, rather than waiting for the 30 minute switch off.
• Find your comfortable level. Turn the suction up until it feels strong but comfortable, then go down one level. The Glo remembers your last level, so check it before you start.
• Let the pump do the work. Start in Stimulation mode and let it move into Expression mode after 2 minutes.
• Charge fully every time for about 2 hours, until you see 3 solid bars.
• Use a standard 1 amp charging block, not a fast charger.
• Check the assembly before each session. Press the diaphragm down firmly all the way around the cup so it seals well.
• Replace valves and diaphragms regularly. Soft silicone parts stretch over time, and worn parts make the motor work harder.

Looking after the battery

• Unplug the pump once it is fully charged, rather than leaving it on charge for days.
• Keep the pump out of heat, like a hot car or direct sun, while charging and storing it.
• Make sure your hands and the charging port are completely dry before you plug in.
• Never put the motor in water. Wipe it clean and keep the display dry.

A simple battery test

If you are still getting only three sessions, try this for a day to see whether it is the settings or the battery.

1. Charge the Glo for the full 2 hours with a standard 1 amp charging block, until it shows 3 solid bars.
2. Check the diaphragm is pressed down all the way around the cup, and that the valves are not stretched or torn.
3. Pump in Expression mode at a comfortable, moderate level.
4. Switch the pump off yourself at 20 minutes.
5. Count how many sessions you get before it needs charging again.

If you now get closer to five sessions, the settings were the cause. If the Glo still runs flat after three sessions under these gentle settings, contact us at My Breastpump and we will help you look at your pump more closely.

A note from your SACLC

Shorter sessions at a comfortable level are not only kinder to your battery, they are kinder to you too. Pumping should never hurt. If you need high suction or long sessions to get your milk flowing, the fit of your flange may be the real issue. A flange that is the wrong size can make pumping less comfortable and less effective, so come and chat to us about a fitting.

We stock Ameda Glo valves, diaphragms, flanges, collection cups and spares kits, so you can keep your Glo working at its best.

Sources

• Ameda GLO Wearable Breast Pump, product page with FAQ and troubleshooting (Ameda)

The post Getting More From Your Ameda Glo Battery appeared first on My Breastpump.

You chose a wearable pump for the freedom to pump while you answer emails, make a cup of tea or settle your baby. So finding milk soaking into your bra instead of sitting in the cup is frustrating, and losing milk you worked hard for can feel upsetting.

The good news is that a leaking wearable pump is almost always a small, fixable problem. Most leaks come down to one of five things: how the pump is put together, how the flange fits, how upright the pump sits, how full the cup is, or a part that has quietly worn out. This guide walks you through each one, with practical checks you can do today, using the Ameda Glo as our example.

Contents

• Why does a wearable pump leak?
• How to stop your wearable pump leaking: 7 practical fixes
• Where is the leak coming from? A quick troubleshooting table
• Still leaking?
• FAQs

Why Does a Wearable Pump Leak?

Because a wearable pump is small and self contained, every part has to fit together precisely to create a seal. Ameda notes that most wearable pump problems come back to assembly, flange fit, charging or normal pump behaviour, and that leaks in particular are usually caused by positioning or an incomplete seal.

A helpful first question is: what has changed? If your pump was working well last week, think about whether you have just washed and reassembled it, started using a new bra, changed insert size, or simply been pumping for a couple of months on the same set of parts.

1. A Part Is Not Fully Seated

This is the most common cause, especially straight after washing. The valve, diaphragm, flange and collection cup all need to click firmly into place. If the diaphragm is not pressed down all the way around its edge, or the valve sits slightly skew, milk can escape and suction drops at the same time.

2. The Flange or Insert Does Not Fit

If the flange is too big, your breast cannot form a seal against it and milk can track out around the edge. If it is too small, your nipple rubs against the tunnel, which is uncomfortable and can also reduce how well milk flows. Your two breasts may need different sizes, and the size that fitted in the early weeks may not fit now.

3. The Pump Is Tilting

Wearable pumps are designed to work upright. Leaning back on the couch, reclining in a feeding chair, lying down or bending forward to pick something up can all tip milk away from the collection area and out of the pump, especially once the cup is filling up.

4. The Cup Is Too Full

Each Ameda Glo cup holds up to 180 mL. If you are a mother who expresses a lot from one side in a session, the cup can reach its fill line before you expect it to, and any extra milk has nowhere to go.

5. Worn Valves, Diaphragms or Inserts

Silicone parts stretch, thin and lose their shape with daily use and washing, even when you care for them perfectly. Ameda points out that wear is not always visible, but a worn valve or diaphragm can still cause leaking and weaker suction.

How to Stop Your Wearable Pump Leaking: 7 Practical Fixes

Change one thing at a time. That way, when the leak stops, you know exactly what fixed it.

1. Do a “Finger Check” After Every Assembly

Follow the assembly order every time:

1. Insert the valve into the collection cup the right way round.
2. Place the silicone diaphragm in the cup and press firmly all the way around its edge.
3. Line up the groove on the flange with the groove on the cup, then press firmly around the whole flange.
4. Push in your soft flange insert, if you use one.
5. Line up the notch under the motor with the top of the diaphragm and push the motor on until it sits securely.

Then run your finger around every join. Ameda recommends this simple check before the pump goes into your bra, because a loose or misaligned part can cause both leaking and reduced suction.

Practical tip: make sure every part is completely dry before you put it together. A damp diaphragm can slip out of position more easily.

2. Measure, Don’t Guess, Your Flange Size

The Ameda Glo comes with 24 mm flanges plus soft inserts in 17 mm, 19 mm and 21 mm. Ameda’s Universal Soft Flange Inserts are also available from 11 mm to 21 mm, and a 27 mm Glo flange is available for mothers who need a larger size.

A good fit looks like this:

• Your nipple is centred in the tunnel and moves freely without rubbing.
• Only a small amount of areola is drawn into the tunnel.
• The flange forms a complete seal against your breast.
• Pumping does not pinch, rub or hurt.

Practical tip: measure the diameter of your nipple at its base (not the areola), ideally just after a feed or pumping session. Measure each side separately, and remeasure every few weeks, because nipple size often changes over the first months. If you are unsure, ask your SACLC to check your fit in person.

3. Centre Your Nipple Before You Switch On

Press the flange against your breast with your nipple in the middle of the tunnel before you press the power button. Once suction starts, it is much harder to adjust. If your nipple is sitting off centre, switch off, release the seal, reposition and start again. It takes ten seconds and saves a lot of lost milk.

4. Choose a Bra That Holds, But Doesn’t Squash

Your bra is part of your pumping system. It needs to hold the cup snugly against your breast so the seal does not shift when you move, without pressing so hard that it is painful or pushes the pump out of place.

Practical tips:

• A bra that is too loose lets the pump drop and break its seal. One that is too tight can tilt it or press on milk ducts.
• Your Ameda Glo comes with bra adjustment straps (extenders). Use them to create a little extra room if your usual nursing bra feels tight with the pumps in.
• Before you get up and walk around, check that both cups feel secure and there are no gaps between the flange and your breast.

5. Stay Upright, and Squat Instead of Bending

Ameda advises keeping each pump upright and avoiding excessive tilting or high impact movement, particularly as the cups fill. A few everyday habits help:

• Sit up straight rather than reclining while you pump.
• If you need to pick something up, bend your knees and squat rather than leaning forward.
• Don’t lie down while pumping, and plan sessions for times when you won’t be doing anything strenuous.

6. Know Your Numbers and Empty Early

Stop pumping before the milk reaches the maximum fill line on the cup. Pay attention to how much each breast usually gives you at each session. If you know your right side often gives close to 180 mL at your first morning session, plan to stop halfway, empty the cup and carry on.

Removing the pump without spilling:

1. Switch the motor off first.
2. Slip a clean finger between your breast and the flange to break the seal gently.
3. Keep the cup upright as you lift it out of your bra.
4. Take the motor off before you pour. Ameda specifically warns against pouring milk out while the motor is still attached, as this can damage it.
5. Pour the milk through the cup opening straight into a clean breast milk storage bag or container.

7. Replace Parts on a Schedule, Not Only When They Break

Ameda recommends replacing Ameda Glo parts on the following schedule:

Practical tips:

• Write the date you opened a new set of parts on your calendar, or set a phone reminder for two months’ time.
• Keep a spare set of valves and diaphragms in your pump bag. A worn valve is one of the most common reasons a pump suddenly loses suction, and swapping it out takes seconds.
• Use only genuine Ameda parts. “Compatible” parts may not seal properly.
• Wash valves and diaphragms gently with your fingers rather than a brush, because brushes can tear these delicate parts.

Where Is the Leak Coming From? A Quick Troubleshooting Table

Still Leaking?

If you have checked your assembly, fit, bra, posture and fill level and the leak continues:

1. Lay every part out and inspect it closely in good light. Look for tiny tears in the diaphragm, a valve that looks stretched, or a chip in the cup or flange.
2. Swap in new valves and diaphragms, even if they look fine. Wear is not always visible.
3. Try one side at a time. If only one pump leaks, swap its parts with the other side to see whether the problem follows the part or stays with that breast. If it stays with that breast, fit is the more likely cause.
4. Check your Instructions for Use for the full assembly and care steps for your pump.
5. Get in touch. If the pump itself does not seem to be working correctly, contact us at My Breastpump and we will help you troubleshoot.

And remember, if pumping is painful, your output has dropped noticeably, or you have a red, hot or painful area on your breast or a fever, please speak to your SACLC or doctor. A leaking pump is a mechanical problem, but pain or a sudden drop in milk deserves a proper look.

FAQs

Is a little leaking normal with a wearable pump?

An occasional drip when you take the pump off can happen. But regular leaking during a session is not something you need to accept. It is a sign that something needs adjusting, usually fit, assembly or position.

Does leaking mean my milk supply has dropped?

Not necessarily. A poor seal can mean less milk ends up in the cup, but that reflects how well the pump is removing and collecting milk in that moment, not how much milk you make. Fix the leak first. If your output stays low or you are worried about your supply, speak to a SACLC.

Can I use a different insert size on each side?

Yes. Many mothers need a different size on each breast. Measure each side separately and use whichever insert gives the best fit on that side.

Can I pump lying down or reclined in bed?

Wearable pumps are designed to be used upright, so lying down or leaning back makes leaking much more likely. Sit up, even if it is just propped against the headboard with your back straight.

My pump started leaking right after I washed it. Why?

This almost always points to assembly. Take it apart and reassemble it slowly, making sure every part is completely dry and the diaphragm is pressed down all the way around its edge.

How do I know if my flange is the wrong size?

Pain, rubbing on the sides of the tunnel, a lot of areola being pulled in, redness or swelling after pumping, or milk escaping around the edge are all signs to remeasure.

Getting to the Bottom of a Leaking Pump

A leaking wearable pump is annoying, but it is rarely a sign that the pump has failed. Work through the basics one at a time: assembly, fit, bra, posture, fill level and parts. Most mothers find the culprit within one or two sessions, and once you know what caused it, you will know exactly what to check if it ever happens again.

If you are looking for a wearable pump, the Ameda Glo comes with three insert sizes and bra adjustment straps in the box, to help you get a secure, comfortable fit from the start. If you only need a pump for a short time, hiring a hospital grade pump can be a practical option too.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

If you have tried everything here and your pump still isn’t working for you, or pumping feels uncomfortable, I offer one on one consultations to check your flange fit, look at how your pump is set up, and build a pumping routine that works for your life. You don’t have to work this out on your own.

The post Why Is My Wearable Pump Leaking? Causes and Practical Fixes appeared first on My Breastpump.

The first twelve weeks after birth are often called the fourth trimester. It is a season of recovery, learning and bonding for you and your baby. More and more parents are searching for honest information about this time, and moving away from the pressure to “bounce back”. Let us talk about what recovery really looks like.

Why the fourth trimester matters

The World Health Organization reminds us that the first weeks after birth are when most maternal and newborn complications happen, yet more than 30% of women and babies worldwide miss out on postnatal care in these critical early days. The WHO recommends that healthy mothers and babies have at least four postnatal contacts:

• During the first 24 hours after birth
• At 48 to 72 hours
• Between 7 and 14 days
• At 6 weeks

These visits are not only about your baby. They are a chance to check your healing, your blood pressure, your mood and how feeding is going. Please go to them, and take your list of questions with you.

Days 1 to 7: the early days

Bleeding (lochia). Every mother bleeds after birth, whether she had a vaginal birth or a caesarean. It starts heavy and bright red, then slowly becomes pink, brown and finally creamy white over about four to six weeks.

Afterpains. You may feel cramps, especially while breastfeeding. This is a good sign. When your baby feeds, your body releases oxytocin, which helps your uterus contract back to its normal size and reduces bleeding.

Milk coming in. For the first few days your breasts make colostrum, a small amount of thick, golden milk that is perfectly matched to your newborn’s tiny tummy. Around day two to five your milk increases, and your breasts may feel full and heavy. Feeding often, at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, helps with comfort and builds your supply.

This fullness is partly extra milk, but it is also swelling and inflammation in the breast tissue as blood flow and fluid increase. A cold compress can bring real relief. After a feed, place a cold pack, a bag of frozen peas or a cold, damp cloth on your breasts for 10 to 20 minutes. Always wrap ice or frozen packs in a thin cloth so they do not touch your skin directly. Cold helps to calm the swelling and ease the ache, which makes it easier for your baby to latch at the next feed. Gentle, light strokes towards your armpits can also help move the extra fluid. Try to avoid heat and firm massage, as these can make the swelling worse. If your breasts become very hard, red or painful, or you develop a fever, contact your SACLC or doctor.

Skin to skin. Holding your baby on your bare chest helps regulate your baby’s temperature, heart rate and blood sugar, and encourages feeding cues. It is also wonderful for you.

Weeks 2 to 6: finding your rhythm

By now the bleeding is usually lighter and you may be moving around more easily. Stitches from a tear or a caesarean continue to heal, so keep lifting to nothing heavier than your baby.

Feeding often starts to feel more natural, although growth spurts can bring days of very frequent feeds. This is normal and does not mean you do not have enough milk. If feeding is painful, or you are worried about your baby’s weight gain, reach out to a SACLC (South African Certified Lactation Consultant) early. Small problems are much easier to solve in the first weeks.

Rest. “Sleep when the baby sleeps” is not always realistic, but lying down while your baby naps, accepting help with meals and laundry, and sharing night duties where possible all make a real difference.

Nourishment. There is no special diet for new mothers. Eat a variety of whole foods, eat to your hunger and drink to your thirst. Keep a glass of water and a snack wherever you usually feed.

Weeks 6 to 12: your body and mind

Your six week check is a good time to talk about contraception, returning to exercise, pelvic floor health and how you are feeling emotionally. Remember that “cleared at six weeks” does not mean “fully recovered”. Your abdominal muscles, pelvic floor and energy levels can take many months to return to normal. Gentle walking and pelvic floor exercises are a lovely place to start.

Your emotions matter too

In the first few days, many mothers feel weepy, anxious or overwhelmed. These baby blues affect up to 80% of new mothers and usually settle within about two weeks.

If low mood, anxiety, feeling hopeless or unable to cope lasts longer than two weeks, or feels intense, this may be postnatal depression or anxiety. It affects about 1 in 7 mothers globally, and South African research suggests that it may affect as many as 1 in 3 women in some communities. Partners can be affected too. Postnatal depression is not a weakness and it is very treatable. Speak to your doctor or clinic, or call the SADAG helpline on 0800 567 567.

Warning signs: do not wait

Get medical help straight away if you notice any of these during pregnancy or in the year after birth:

• Heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in an hour) or passing large clots
• A fever of 38 °C or higher
• A severe headache that does not go away, dizziness or changes in your vision
• Chest pain, a racing heart or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of your face or hands
• Pain, redness or swelling in one leg
• A wound that is red, swollen or leaking
• Severe tummy pain
• Extreme tiredness that feels overwhelming
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

Trust your instincts. You know your body best.

A gentle reminder

The fourth trimester is not a test to pass. It is a time to heal, to get to know your baby and to let others care for you. Plan ahead during pregnancy: stock the freezer, line up your support people and save the number of a lactation consultant. You deserve as much care as your new baby.

References

1. World Health Organization. WHO urges quality care for women and newborns in critical first weeks after childbirth. 2022. https://www.who.int/news/item/30-03-2022-who-urges-quality-care-for-women-and-newborns-in-critical-first-weeks-after-childbirth
2. World Health Organization. WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience. 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK579658/
3. Office on Women’s Health. Recovering from birth. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-and-beyond/recovering-birth
4. La Leche League International. Breastfeeding information. https://llli.org
5. KellyMom. Is baby getting enough milk? https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/enough-milk/
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs (Hear Her campaign). https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html
7. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Optimizing Postpartum Care, Committee Opinion No. 736. 2018. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/05/optimizing-postpartum-care
8. Perinatal Mental Health Project, University of Cape Town. https://pmhp.za.org
9. South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). https://www.sadag.org
10. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum. 2022. https://www.bfmed.org/protocols

The post The Fourth Trimester: What Postpartum Recovery Really Looks Like appeared first on My Breastpump.

Why Safe Sleep Guidelines Exist

SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of a baby younger than one year, usually during sleep. It is rare, and it has become rarer since public health campaigns in the 1990s began recommending back sleeping, but it remains one of the leading causes of death in the first year of life. Most SIDS related deaths happen in the first six months, with a peak between one and four months old.

Researchers do not fully understand what causes SIDS, but decades of study have identified sleep practices that clearly lower risk. That is what the guidelines below are built on: not guesswork, but consistent findings across many studies and countries.

The ABCs of Safe Sleep

A simple way to remember the core guidance, used by UNICEF and health authorities worldwide, is Alone, Back, Crib.

Alone. Your baby’s sleep space should be clear of everything except a firm mattress and a fitted sheet. No pillows, loose blankets, cot bumpers, soft toys, or other soft items, since these all raise the risk of suffocation or overheating.

Back. Place your baby on their back for every sleep, including naps, from birth. This single change is credited with a large share of the drop in SIDS deaths since it became the standard recommendation. Once your baby can roll both ways on their own, usually from around 4 to 6 months, you can let them settle into whatever position they land in, but you should still put them down on their back to start each sleep.

Crib. Use a firm, flat sleep surface made for babies, such as a cot, crib, or bassinet that meets safety standards, with a fitted sheet and nothing else. Never let your baby sleep on a sofa, couch, armchair, or beanbag, even briefly and even with you awake beside them. These surfaces are consistently linked to a much higher risk of suffocation and are one of the clearest, most avoidable dangers in infant sleep.

Setting Up a Safe Sleep Space

A few practical details make the biggest difference.

Temperature. Dress your baby for the room rather than piling on blankets, and keep their head uncovered while they sleep. Overheating and covered heads are both linked to higher SIDS risk. A room that feels comfortably cool for a lightly dressed adult is generally about right. If your baby feels sweaty, has damp hair, or has flushed cheeks, they are likely too warm.

Bedding and clothing. A sleep sack or wearable blanket is a safer way to keep your baby warm than a loose blanket, since it cannot ride up over their face. If you do use a swaddle, stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows any sign of trying to roll, since a swaddled baby who rolls onto their front cannot free their arms to help clear their airway.

A smoke free environment. Exposure to tobacco smoke, before birth or after, raises SIDS risk. Keeping your home and car smoke free is one of the most protective steps you can take.

Room sharing. The strongest and most consistent recommendation across health authorities is to keep your baby’s cot or bassinet in your room, close to your bed, for at least the first six months. Studies suggest this can reduce SIDS risk by as much as half compared with your baby sleeping in a separate room, most likely because it makes you more responsive to your baby’s movements and sounds overnight, while keeping your baby off your own sleep surface.

Pacifiers. Offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime is linked to a lower SIDS risk, and this holds even if it falls out once your baby is asleep. If you are breastfeeding, it is worth waiting until breastfeeding is well established, generally around 3 to 4 weeks, before introducing one, so it does not interfere with your baby learning to latch and feed effectively.

Safe Sleep in Winter

Cold weather adds a few extra questions, but the core safe sleep rules do not change. A few winter specific points are worth knowing.

Room temperature. A room kept between 16°C and 20°C is the range most safe sleep authorities point to, since it keeps your baby warm enough without raising the risk of overheating, which is itself a SIDS risk factor. A room thermometer is more reliable than guessing, since a room can feel colder or warmer to an adult than it actually is.

Layering over tog charts. Rather than chasing a specific tog rating, dress your baby in a light, well fitting sleep bag or sleepsuit and check how they actually feel. Feel the back of their neck or their chest rather than their hands or feet, which are normally cooler. If they feel hot or sweaty, remove a layer.

Keep the cot away from heat and cold sources. Position the cot away from heaters, electric blankets, hot water bottles, and direct sun, as well as away from windows and draughts. None of these belong inside the cot itself, and a cot placed too close to a heater can warm a baby well past comfortable without anyone noticing.

Avoid extra blankets as the fix for a cold room. If a room genuinely cannot be kept warm enough, an extra, well fitted sleep bag layer is safer than adding loose blankets, which still carry the same suffocation risk in winter as in any other season.

Room Sharing and Breastfeeding at Night

If you are breastfeeding, room sharing has an added benefit: your baby is close by for night feeds, which supports both your supply and your sleep, since you are not fully waking and walking to another room each time. Keeping your baby’s sleep space right beside your bed, rather than across the room, makes this easier still.

What About Bed Sharing?

Many families end up sharing a bed with their baby at some point, whether by choice or because it happens during a sleepy night feed. It is worth talking about honestly rather than only saying not to, because the evidence here is more nuanced than a blanket warning suggests.

Research reviewed by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has found that bed sharing between a breastfeeding mother and her baby is generally safe when no other hazards are present. The risk rises sharply, however, when bed sharing happens alongside known hazards. If you do bed share, or think you might end up doing so during a night feed, these precautions matter:

• Never bed share if you or your partner smoke, smoked during pregnancy, or have used alcohol, sedating medication, or any other drug that could make you less easily woken.
• Never bed share on a sofa, couch, or armchair. This combination carries a very high risk.
• Use a firm mattress with a fitted sheet only. No thick duvets, soft pillows near your baby, or gaps between the mattress and the wall or headboard where your baby could become trapped.
• Do not swaddle your baby for bed sharing.
• Keep other children and pets out of the bed with the baby.
• Position yourself so your baby cannot be rolled onto or trapped, for example with your arm above your baby’s head and your knees drawn up below their feet, sometimes called the cuddle curl.
• Tie back long hair and remove drawstrings, cords, or jewellery that could wrap around your baby.
• Never leave your baby alone on an adult bed.

If any of the risk factors above apply to your household, room sharing with your baby in their own separate, clear sleep space is the safer choice, and it is worth setting that up deliberately rather than leaving it to chance during an exhausted night feed.

When to Get Medical Help

Most babies sleep and breathe just fine once a safe sleep setup is in place, and the steps above are about lowering an already small risk further. That said, contact your doctor or clinic promptly if your baby has long pauses in breathing, turns blue or very pale, is unusually difficult to wake, feeds poorly, or seems limp or unwell in any way. If you ever find your baby not breathing or unresponsive, call for emergency help immediately and begin infant CPR if you have been trained to do so.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Providing Care for Babies to Sleep Safely.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About SUID and SIDS.
• UNICEF South Africa. Baby Sleep.
• Blair PS, Ball HL, McKenna JJ, et al., for the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Bedsharing and Breastfeeding: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol #6, Revision 2019.
• KellyMom.com. Co-sleeping and Bed-sharing.
• The Lullaby Trust. Room Temperature.

The post Safe Sleep for Newborns: A Simple, Evidence Based Guide appeared first on My Breastpump.

How Milk Supply Actually Works

Breastmilk production runs on supply and demand. Nursing or pumping triggers a rise in prolactin, the hormone that drives the milk making cells, while oxytocin triggers the let down that moves milk through the ducts. The more often and more completely milk is removed, the more the body is signalled to make. This is why frequency and thoroughness of removal, not how full the breasts feel between feeds, is what actually regulates supply over time.

Signs Your Baby Is Getting Enough Milk

These are the measures that actually reflect supply, not the ones that feel most convincing in the moment.

Dirty nappies are the marker to watch in the first days, and the colour tells the story. Your baby’s stool moves through a predictable sequence as feeding becomes established: black and tarry (meconium) on day 1, with one stool that day; brown and less sticky on day 2, with two stools; green and easier to clean on day 3, with three stools; then a change to a mustard yellow, loose, seedy stool from day 4 to 5 onward, with 4 to 5 or more stools a day once your milk has properly come in.

Wet nappies become the more useful marker a little later, once your milk is in. From around day 4 to 5, expect 6 or more wet nappies every 24 hours. In the first few days, while your baby is still mostly taking colostrum, wet nappy counts are naturally low and less meaningful on their own; the stool colour and count above is the better guide in those very first days.

Weight gain: most babies regain their birth weight by 10 to 14 days old, then gain roughly 155 to 240 grams a week up to about 4 months of age. This is the single most reliable indicator of all; a baby gaining well on breastmilk alone does not have a supply problem, whatever the breasts feel like.

Feeding pattern: 8 to 12 feeds in 24 hours in the early weeks, with audible swallowing and a baby who seems settled and alert between feeds.

If a recent weight check is not available, steady wet and dirty nappy counts are a good stand in reassurance while you arrange one.

What Is Normal, But Often Mistaken for Low Supply

A large share of “low supply” worry is actually completely normal baby behaviour. None of the following mean supply is low:

• Cluster feeding. Bunched, frequent feeds, often in the evening and sometimes as close as every 30 to 60 minutes, are a normal newborn pattern, not a sign your baby is not getting enough.
• Growth spurts. Babies commonly nurse longer and more often around 2 to 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. This extra demand is exactly what tells your body to increase production over the following days; it is the system working, not failing.
• Softer breasts or less leaking over time. As supply regulates to your baby’s needs in the first weeks, it is normal for breasts to feel less full between feeds. This reflects your body becoming more efficient, not making less milk.
• A baby who is fussy at the breast. Fussiness has many causes (tiredness, wanting comfort, a fast or slow let down, wind) and is not on its own a reliable sign of hunger.
• Pump output. How much you pump reflects how well you and that particular pump remove milk in that moment, not how much milk your baby gets directly from the breast, which is almost always more.

When Supply May Genuinely Be Low, and Why

True low supply usually has an identifiable cause, and most are things that can be adjusted.

Feeding pattern factors:

• Supplementing with formula, water, or other liquids, which reduces the demand signal at the breast
• A preference for a fast flowing bottle teat after early or frequent bottle use
• Feeding on a schedule rather than following the baby’s cues
• A sleepy baby who nurses infrequently or falls asleep quickly at the breast
• Feeds that are consistently cut short before your baby comes off on their own, particularly in the early weeks while supply is still being established. For example, watching the clock and moving your baby to the second breast after a fixed 10 minutes, rather than letting them stay on the first side until their sucking and swallowing naturally slow and they come off by themselves, which can take 20 minutes or longer, before offering the second side
• Feeding from only one side at every feed in those early weeks, without the other breast being drained at all that day. This is different from later on: once supply is well established, many babies naturally settle into taking just one side per feed, and that is normal and not a cause for concern, as long as you alternate which breast you start with and both breasts are used across the day

Baby related factors: tongue tie or other anatomical issues that limit an effective latch, or jaundice causing sleepiness.

Maternal factors: anaemia, thyroid conditions, retained placental tissue, previous breast surgery, polycystic ovary syndrome, oestrogen containing hormonal contraception, and smoking can all affect supply.

If several of these apply, or your baby’s weight gain or nappy counts are not tracking as expected, it is worth getting hands on support rather than guessing at solutions. You can also find a SACLC near you through the South African Lactation Consultants Association.

Evidence Based Ways to Increase Your Supply

The underlying principle behind every one of these is the same: remove milk more often and more completely.

1. Nurse or pump frequently. Aim for roughly every 1.5 to 3 hours during the day and around every 3 hours overnight, working toward 8 to 12 sessions in 24 hours.
2. Try switch nursing if your baby is a slow or sleepy feeder. Move your baby to the other breast as soon as sucking and swallowing slow down, then switch back once that side slows too, sometimes two or three times in a feed. This is different from the timed, clock watching switch described earlier: the change of side here is led entirely by what your baby’s sucking and swallowing are doing, not by a fixed number of minutes. It keeps a baby who tires quickly at the breast feeding actively for longer, and gives access to more than one let down per feed. It is a technique for a specific situation rather than something every mother needs to build into every feed.
3. Use breast compression. Once your baby’s swallowing slows, cup your breast with your hand and compress firmly but not painfully for about 4 seconds, then release. Time the compression for a moment when your baby is not actively sucking, and press towards the back of the breast rather than close to the nipple, so your hand does not shift the nipple out of your baby’s mouth. Repeat for as long as it keeps swallowing going, switching sides once it slows again even with compression.
4. Add pumping after or between feeds. A short pump straight after nursing, even if only a small amount comes out, adds an extra demand signal without taking a feed away from your baby.
5. Try power pumping. This is one specific hour, not an extra 2 to 3 days of nursing. In place of one regular pumping session, usually in the morning when volume is highest, pump for 20 minutes, rest for 10, pump for 10, rest for 10, then pump for a final 10, so the full session runs about an hour. Repeat this same hour once a day for 3 to 7 days in a row, then go back to your normal routine. It mimics the rapid, repeated removal of a natural growth spurt and is meant as an occasional reset when supply needs a boost, not a permanent daily routine.
6. Hold off on bottles and pacifiers in the early weeks where possible, so early feeds go to building supply at the breast.
7. Check pump fit and settings if you are pumping regularly. A poorly fitted flange or the wrong suction setting can quietly limit output regardless of how often you pump. Replace the valves and diaphragms (membranes) regularly too. These small parts wear out with everyday use, and a worn valve or diaphragm loses suction just as easily as an ill fitting flange, often without it being obvious.
8. Protect your own rest, food, and fluids. None of these alone will fix a true supply problem, but chronic sleep deprivation and under eating make everything else harder.

Herbal or prescription galactagogues are sometimes used to support supply, but the evidence behind them varies and they are not a first step. Speak to a SACLC or your doctor before starting one, especially alongside any medication.

Choosing a Pump to Support Building Supply

If you are adding pumping sessions to build supply, the pump itself matters. A double electric pump removes milk from both sides at once, which both saves time and gives a stronger hormonal signal than pumping one side at a time. For an intensive stretch like power pumping, a hospital grade pump such as the Ameda Glo, which is also wearable, holds a steady, medical strength vacuum for repeated sessions across the day rather than losing strength as a session goes on. If you only need this level of support for a short period, hiring a hospital grade pump can be a more practical option than buying one outright.

When to Reach Out for Support

Get in touch with a SACLC (South African Certified Lactation Consultant) if any of the following apply: your baby is not gaining weight as expected, wet or dirty nappy counts have dropped and stayed low, you are considering supplementing and want to understand your options first, or you have tried the steps above for a week or two without any change. Caught early, low supply is very often turned around with the right adjustments.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

Worrying about supply is exhausting, and it is not something you need to sit with on your own or try to solve from forum posts and guesswork. I offer one on one consultations (link here to book) to check what is really going on with your supply, get your latch and pump fit right, and build a plan that fits your life. Book a consultation with me, you do not have to navigate this alone.

About the Author

Carey Haupt RD(SA) SACLC is a registered dietitian and South African Certified Lactation Consultant, and the founder of My Breastpump. She works with mothers across South Africa to build confident, well supported breastfeeding and pumping journeys.

References

• KellyMom.com. Increasing Low Milk Supply.
• KellyMom.com. I’m not pumping enough milk. What can I do?.
• KellyMom.com. Perceived Insufficient Milk.
• La Leche League International. Signs Baby Isn’t Getting Enough Breastmilk.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Newborn Breastfeeding Basics.
• KellyMom.com. Breastfeeding Your Newborn — What to Expect in the Early Weeks.
• Office on Women’s Health, womenshealth.gov. Making Breastmilk.
• WIC Breastfeeding Support, USDA. Low Milk Supply.
• WIC Breastfeeding Support, USDA. Cluster Feeding and Growth Spurts.

The post Low Milk Supply: Is It Real, and How to Increase It appeared first on My Breastpump.

When to Start — Hand Expression, Pumping, and Building Your Schedule

Start as soon as you’re able — ideally within the first one to two hours after birth, and certainly within the first six hours. In these very first hours and days, hand expression is often gentler and more effective than a pump, because the volumes are tiny and your breast tissue is soft; a pump has very little to “grab onto” yet. Learning the hand-expression technique (a rhythmic press-compress-release around the areola) is one of the most useful skills you can build in the first 72 hours.

Once your milk begins to increase — usually from around day 3 or 4 — you can move onto a double electric pump for most sessions, continuing to hand-express for a couple of minutes afterwards to fully drain the breast and collect every last bit of that concentrated hindmilk.

How Often

Aim for 8 to 10 sessions in 24 hours — roughly every 2 to 3 hours — including at least one session between midnight and 6am. This isn’t arbitrary: prolactin, the hormone that drives milk production, peaks overnight, so an early-hours session works disproportionately hard for your supply. Frequency matters more than duration in these early weeks — mothers who pump 6 or more times a day consistently go on to produce significantly more milk by six weeks than those who pump less often, even if each session is short.

Building a Simple NICU Pumping Schedule

A schedule takes the decision-fatigue out of an already exhausting time. A simple 8-session pattern, spaced roughly every 3 hours, might look like:

7:00am · 10:00am · 1:00pm · 4:00pm · 7:00pm · 10:00pm · 1:00am · 4:00am

You don’t need to hit these times exactly — build sessions around kangaroo (skin-to-skin) care and NICU rounds where you can, since holding your baby skin-to-skin right before or during a pumping session helps your letdown considerably. What matters is the total number of sessions across 24 hours, not perfect spacing. And if the first few sessions yield only drops, that is completely normal — please don’t read it as a sign anything is wrong.

Establishing Milk Supply for a Preemie: What Volumes to Expect, Day by Day

Every mother’s supply builds at her own pace, but these benchmarks — compiled from published NICU pumping research and clinical lactation resources (see references below) — give you a realistic guide for what “on track” looks like:

Why 500mL by Day 14 Is the Number to Watch

Of all the numbers in that table, day 14 is the one worth circling. Multiple studies of pumping mothers of premature infants point to the same two-week window as the strongest early predictor of long-term supply.

Day 14 isn’t a pass-or-fail exam. It’s an early-warning window, while there is still plenty of time to act. If volumes are tracking below roughly 500mL a day at the two-week mark, that’s the moment to reach out for support — to check pump fit and function, tighten up the schedule, and get hands-on help from an SACLC — rather than waiting to see if things “sort themselves out.” Caught at two weeks, low supply is very often turned around. Caught at six weeks, it’s a much steeper climb.

Why You Won’t Need to Pump More Than About a Litre a Day

It can feel like more milk is always the goal — but there is a natural ceiling worth knowing about, so you’re not chasing a number that doesn’t exist. Research on exclusively breastfed babies shows they take in, on average, about 750mL a day between one and six months old, with a normal range of roughly 570–900mL. That figure holds remarkably steady across babies of very different sizes, because milk intake is driven far more by the baby’s stomach capacity and feeding frequency than by how much is available.

For mothers pumping for a premature baby, once you’re producing in the 750mL–1,000mL range by around a month, you have met — and comfortably exceeded — what one baby needs in a day. There is no extra benefit to pushing volumes higher and higher, and real downsides to it: engorgement, blocked ducts, a higher risk of mastitis, and hours of extra pumping time you don’t need to spend. A useful way to reframe the goal once you’re in this range: not “more, always,” but “enough, comfortably, sustainably.” A little extra for a freezer stash is a lovely bonus — it doesn’t need to be the target.

Choosing the Right Type of Breast Pump for NICU Pumping

• Hand expression — costs nothing, is always available, and is genuinely the most effective tool for colostrum in the first few days. Every mother pumping for a NICU baby should know how to do this.
• Manual (hand-operated) pump — fine for the very occasional single session later on, but not recommended as your main method while you’re establishing supply for a premature or hospitalised baby — it’s designed for light, occasional use, not the sustained, frequent sessions this stage calls for.
• Personal double-electric pump — a good option once your supply is established and, later, once you’re home; portable and more affordable than a hospital-grade unit.
• Hospital-grade (multi-user) pump — the current standard of care for the NICU establishment period. Built for weeks of frequent, sustained use, with a stronger and more consistent motor, vacuum and cycle speed that adjust independently, and a closed system for hygiene. These are usually available to rent for use at home as well as at the hospital.
• Wearable / hands-free pump — convenient for maintenance pumping once your supply is well established, but generally lower suction and capacity than a hospital-grade pump — better as a supplement later than as your primary tool during these first crucial weeks.

Top 5 Tips for Choosing a Pump for the NICU

1. Go hospital-grade for the establishment phase — these pumps are purpose-built for the frequent, sustained sessions of the first weeks, and are usually available on rental from the hospital or a lactation consultant.
2. Make sure it double pumps — expressing both breasts at once stimulates a stronger prolactin release, and cuts a session down to roughly 15- 20 minutes instead of 30–40 for single pumping — real time and energy saved.
3. It’s not just about suction strength — speed matters too, and it works in two directions. Most people only think about how strong a pump feels, but the pump’s speed — cycles per minute (CPM), how many times it sucks and releases each minute — matters just as much, because your breast actually needs two different rhythms at two different moments. At the very start of a session, a faster, lighter rhythm (roughly 100–120 cycles per minute) mimics your baby’s quick first sucks and is what actually triggers your milk to let down. Once your milk starts flowing, a slower, deeper rhythm with stronger suction (roughly 40–60 cycles per minute) removes milk far more effectively than staying on the fast setting would. The right suction level is always whichever feels comfortable, not the strongest one — pain or too much suction can block your let-down rather than help it. Some pumps require you to switch between these two phases yourself; others, like the Ameda Glow, use built-in smart technology that adjusts automatically as your flow changes. Either way — fast to trigger let-down, then slower and deeper to remove milk — is what actually gets milk flowing efficiently, not suction strength alonesuction plus the right rhythm is what actually gets milk flowing, not suction strength alone.
4. Check that correctly-sized flanges are available — a pump is only as good as its fit — make sure the model you choose offers a range of flange/insert sizes, not just the one standard size in the box.
5. Think about practicality — is it rentable and easy to move between hospital and home? Are the parts dishwasher-safe and quick to clean? Is the motor quiet enough for a shared NICU pod, and does it run on battery for round-the-clock, anywhere use?

Top 5 Tips for Pumping Well

1. Get your flange size right — measure your nipple diameter (not the areola) at its base, and add roughly 1–3mm for the flange tunnel. Warning signs of a poor fit include nipple pain, little or no movement in the tunnel, or a ring of white/purple skin (too small); or areola being pulled into the tunnel and very little milk despite high suction (too large). The right size feels comfortable and moves milk effectively — it’s worth having this checked rather than guessing.
2. Double pump, every session — beyond the time saved, expressing both breasts together triggers a stronger hormonal signal for milk production than single-side pumping.
3. Use the correct cycle speed — a good hospital-grade pump cycles at roughly 40–70 times a minute, mimicking your baby’s natural sucking rhythm, typically with a faster “stimulation” phase to trigger letdown followed by a slower, deeper “expression” phase. If your pump lets you switch phases manually, use the faster pattern for the first minute or two, then switch once your milk starts flowing.
4. Actively help your letdown happen — stress blocks oxytocin, the hormone behind your milk ejection reflex, so set the scene: look at photos or videos of your baby, hold something that smells like them, warm and gently massage your breasts beforehand, and — whenever you can — pump during or just after skin-to-skin (kangaroo) time. All of this measurably improves how much milk you express.
5. Turn the suction up for comfort, not for the number — more suction does not mean more milk — past a certain point it can actually compress the milk ducts and reduce flow, as well as cause pain, which itself blocks letdown. Most mothers express most effectively somewhere in a moderate, comfortable range rather than at the pump’s maximum setting. If it hurts, turn it down.

Storing Your Milk Safely

Once you’ve expressed, storing your milk correctly keeps every drop safe for your baby:

One important note: NICU units very often have their own, sometimes stricter, protocols for labelling and storing milk for fragile or very premature babies — always follow your baby’s unit’s specific guidance first, and use the table above as your general, at-home reference.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

If you take one thing from this guide, let it be this: whatever your volumes look like right now, you are already doing something extraordinary for your baby. Supply-building in the NICU has real ups and downs, and small adjustments — a flange size, a schedule tweak, a bit of extra support at exactly the right moment — can make a meaningful difference to how this journey unfolds.

I offer one-on-one consultations to help you build and troubleshoot your pumping plan, fit your pump correctly, and support you through every stage of this journey. Book a consultation with me — you don’t have to work this out on your own.

About the Author

Carey Haupt RD(SA) SACLC is a registered dietitian and South African Certified Lactation Consultant, and the founder of My Breastpump. She works with mothers across South Africa to build confident, well-supported breastfeeding and pumping journeys — including families navigating the NICU.

References

• Hill PD, Aldag JC, Chatterton RT, Zinaman M. Milk volume on day 4 and income predictive of lactation adequacy at 6 weeks of mothers of nonnursing preterm infants. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 2005. (PubMed)
• Chen SW, et al. Successful Full Lactation Achieved by Mothers of Preterm Infants Using Exclusive Pumping. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2020;8:191.
• Stanford Medicine, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine. Breastfeeding Support: Mothers of NICU or PSCN Infants (clinical guidance for professionals). med.stanford.edu
• The Royal Women’s Hospital, Australia. Expressing breast milk for a premature baby.
• HSE Ireland. Hand expressing breast milk for your premature or ill baby.
• KellyMom.com. How much expressed milk will my baby need?
• Office on Women’s Health, womenshealth.gov. Pumping and storing breastmilk.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk.
• Cleveland Clinic. Finding Your Breast Pump Flange Size.
• LA Lactation, LLC. Picking a breast pump: vacuum considerations.

The post Pumping for a Premature Baby: A Parent’s Guide to NICU Breastfeeding Support appeared first on My Breastpump.

The Signs That Actually Tell You Something (Not Guesswork)

You can’t tell how much milk you’re making by how your breasts feel, how much you can pump, or whether your baby wants to feed again 45 minutes later — none of those are reliable indicators. What actually tells you baby is getting enough:

• Nappy output. By day 4–5, expect 6 or more wet nappies and 3–4 or more dirty nappies in 24 hours, with stools turning yellow and seedy by about day 5.
• Weight. A newborn typically loses up to 8–10% of birth weight in the first few days, then regains it by 10–14 days, and gains roughly 150–200g a week after that.
• Feeding pattern. 8–12 feeds in 24 hours is normal for a young baby, with your baby generally settling for a stretch afterward rather than seeming frantic.
• Behaviour. Baby is alert, active, and hitting their developmental milestones at check-ups.

If those boxes are ticked, your supply is very likely fine — even if pumping doesn’t yield much, feeding sessions feel constant, or your breasts don’t feel “full” the way they did in the early weeks (that softening is normal as supply regulates, not a sign it’s dropping).

When It’s Worth Taking Seriously

Some signs genuinely do point to low supply and are worth a same-week conversation with a SACLC or your baby’s healthcare provider: fewer wet or dirty nappies than expected, weight loss beyond the normal range or slow regain past two weeks, a baby who seems constantly unsettled even after long feeds, or very few audible swallows during feeds. None of this is meant to replace a professional assessment — if in doubt, get seen. Catching a real supply issue early makes it far easier to resolve.

If Supply Does Need a Boost

Milk supply works on a demand-and-supply basis — more removal (by baby or pump) signals your body to make more. A few things genuinely move the needle:

Feed or pump more often, not necessarily longer. Frequent, effective removal is what drives supply — adding an extra session or two most days is usually more effective than extending existing ones.

Power pumping. This mimics a baby’s natural cluster-feeding pattern to signal your body to increase output. A standard session: pump 20 minutes, rest 10, pump 10, rest 10, pump 10 more (about an hour total). A shorter version — 10 minutes on, 5 off, 5 on, 5 off, 5 on — works too if you’re short on time. Do it once or twice a day for a week; most people notice a difference within 3–7 days, though it can take up to two weeks for some.

Get a proper pump fit and settings. A flange that’s the wrong size, or a pump that isn’t fully emptying the breast, will quietly cap what you’re able to express — this is one of the most overlooked reasons pumping output looks lower than actual supply. If you’re not sure your flange size is right, it’s worth checking rather than assuming.

Skin-to-skin contact. Regular skin-to-skin time with your baby raises the hormones (oxytocin and prolactin) that drive let-down and milk production — even short sessions before or during a feed or pumping session can help. It’s especially valuable if you’re pumping for a premature baby who isn’t yet nursing directly.

Rest, hydration, and calories support supply indirectly — you can’t pump your way around chronic exhaustion or under-eating.

Where I Can Help

If you’re trying to build supply through pumping — whether that’s for return to work, a premature baby, or simply topping up — having a pump that’s actually suited to the job matters. We stock a range from wearable pumps for discreet, on-the-go sessions to hospital-grade pumps for hire when you need the most efficient option available, plus correctly sized flange inserts, because fit really does change output. And if you want a proper assessment rather than guesswork, that’s exactly what a lactation consultation is for — book a session with me and we’ll look at your specific situation together.

If you’re genuinely worried about your baby’s weight gain or output, please see your healthcare provider or a SACLC promptly — this article is general education, not a substitute for an individual assessment.

The post “Am I Making Enough Milk?” What’s Normal Worry, and What’s a Real Low Milk Supply appeared first on My Breastpump.

Pumping should never be painful. If you are experiencing discomfort, rubbing, or noticing that your milk supply isn’t what it should be, the culprit might be your flange size. Much like finding the right shoe size, using the correct breast pump flange—the funnel-shaped part that touches your breast—is essential for both comfort and efficiency.

Whether you are using a versatile pump like the Ameda Glo or another model, here is everything you need to know about measuring yourself for the perfect fit.

Why Does Flange Size Matter?

Using the wrong size isn’t just uncomfortable; it can impact your breastfeeding journey:

• Too Small: A tight flange causes painful friction and can pinch your milk ducts. This prevents the breast from emptying properly, which may eventually lower your milk supply.
• Too Large: A flange that is too big pulls too much of the areola (the dark circle around the nipple) into the tunnel, leading to swelling, bruising, and discomfort.

When the fit is just right:

• Your nipple moves freely in the tunnel.
• Little to no areola is pulled into the tunnel.
• The breast feels soft and empty after pumping.
• You feel no pain—only a “tugging” sensation.

How to Measure for the Right Flange Size

Step 1: When to Measure

The best time to measure is before you begin pumping. Your nipples can temporarily expand during a pumping session, so measuring beforehand gives you the most accurate baseline.

Step 2: Measure the Nipple Diameter

To find your size, measure the diameter of the base of the nipple (the part that sticks out). Do not include the areola in your measurement.

• Using a Ruler: Use a ruler with millimeter (mm) markings. Measure across the very base of your nipple.
• The South African “Coin Hack”: If you don’t have a ruler handy, you can use common South African coins as a quick reference:
  • 10c coin: 16.00 mm
  • 50c coin: 19.00 mm
  • R1 coin: 20.00 mm
  • R5 coin: 26.00 mm

Step 3: Download Our Sizing Tool

For the most accurate results, we recommend using a dedicated tool.

Print this guide at 100% scale for accuracy. Cut along the dotted lines to measure your nipple diameter easily at home.

Step 4: Choose Your Flange Size

Once you have your nipple measurement in millimeters, you need to add a little bit of “room to move.”

The Golden Rule: Choose a flange size that is 2mm to 3mm larger than your nipple measurement.

• Example: If your nipple measures 19mm, a 21mm or 22.5mm flange will likely be your best fit.
• Example: If your nipple measures 22mm, you should look for a 24mm or 25mm flange.

Signs of a Good Fit vs. a Poor Fit

Observe how your body responds during a pumping session:

A Note on the Ameda Glo

One of the reasons many mothers prefer the Ameda Glo is its compatibility with a wide range of flange sizes and inserts. To ensure that most mothers can find their perfect fit right away, the Ameda Glo conveniently comes with four different flange sizes included in the box. Because every mother is unique—and because your size can actually change throughout your journey—it is incredibly helpful to have a pump system that offers these various options to adapt to your needs from day one.

Final Expert Tips

1. Check Both Sides: It is very common for your left and right nipples to be different sizes. Always measure both!
2. Re-measure if Pain Starts: Your body changes as your milk supply stabilizes. If pumping becomes uncomfortable after a few months, take a moment to measure again.
3. Consult a Professional: If you are struggling to find a comfortable fit or are worried about your supply, a certified lactation consultant can provide a personalized fitting and support.

By taking five minutes to measure correctly, you ensure that your pumping journey is as productive and comfortable as possible. Happy pumping!

The post Finding the Best Fit: Why Breast Pump Flange Size is Important appeared first on My Breastpump.

Here is everything you need to know about keeping your milk safe, fresh, and ready for your little one.

The Gold Standard: Temperature & Storage Guidelines

While international CDC guidelines provide a great baseline, we have to consider our local temperatures. In South Africa, our “room temperature” is often much higher than the 25°C standard used in many studies.

The Golden Rule: It is always better to put your milk in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible.

Pro Tip: Don’t store your milk in the fridge door! The temperature fluctuates every time the door opens. Instead, tuck it right at the back where it’s coldest.

Maximize Space with the Right Tools

When it comes to freezing, space and safety are your top priorities. We highly recommend using high-quality bags like My Breast Milk Storage Bags.

Why these bags?

• Independently Tested: These bags have been rigorously tested and are proven safe for infants.
• Space Savers: They are designed to lay flat, allowing you to stack them (like a “milk library”) and maximize your freezer space.
• BPA-Free: You can rest easy knowing no harmful chemicals are leaching into your milk.

The Pitcher Method & Pooling Milk

If you are pumping multiple times a day, you don’t need to use a new bag for every small session. Modern research and updated clinical protocols (including recent updates from the AAP and ABM) have simplified the process of “pooling” your milk.

• Combine Directly: You can now safely add freshly expressed (warm) milk directly into a container of previously chilled milk from the same day. The previous advice to cool the new milk separately is no longer a requirement for healthy, full-term infants.
• The 24-Hour Pitcher: Simply keep one clean glass or BPA-free pitcher in the fridge and add to it throughout the day.
• Freeze at Night: At the end of the day, portion the pooled milk into your storage bags. This ensures your baby gets an even distribution of the nutrients and fats produced throughout the different times of the day.

Donating Your Liquid Gold

If you are lucky enough to have an oversupply, consider donating to a breast milk bank like the South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR). These banks support vulnerable babies in NICUs across South Africa.

Storage for Donation:

• Sterility is Key: Banks require strict hygiene during pumping to protect immunocompromised infants.
• One Session, One Container: Unlike home use, most milk banks require that each container donated contains milk from only one session.
• Direct to Freezer: Milk intended for donation should be frozen immediately after expression to maintain the highest quality.
• Label Clearly: Ensure your bags are labelled with the date and time of expression.

How to Defrost and Warm Milk

Safe handling doesn’t stop at the freezer! To preserve the living nutrients and antibodies in your milk, follow these steps:

Defrosting:

• The Slow Way: Move the bag from the freezer to the fridge the night before.
• The Fast Way: Place the sealed bag in a bowl of lukewarm water.
• Never Microwave: Microwaves create “hot spots” that can burn your baby’s mouth and destroy the delicate proteins in the milk.

Warming:

Once defrosted, gently swirl the bag (don’t shake it) to incorporate the fats. Place the bottle or bag in a container of warm water until it reaches body temperature.

Remember: Once milk has been thawed to room temperature or warmed, it must be used within 2 hours. If your baby doesn’t finish a bottle, that leftover milk should be discarded after that 2-hour window.

References & Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk. Link
• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM). (2017/Revised 2021). Clinical Protocol #8: Human Milk Storage Information for Home Use for Full-Term Infants.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2022). Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk.
• South African Breastmilk Reserve (SABR). (2026). Donor Guidelines and Safety Protocols. Link
• Vuk’uzenzele. (2024). Donate breastmilk to save a baby’s life. Link

The post Managing Your Expressed Breast Milk: A Guide for the South African Mom appeared first on My Breastpump.

While research shows that moms who have had GDM sometimes face a few extra hurdles in the early days, the long-term rewards for both you and your little one are truly remarkable. Here is what you need to know to feel empowered and prepared.

Why Breastfeeding is a “Health Superpower” Post-GDM

Breastfeeding isn’t just about nutrition; for mothers who had GDM, it acts as a vital metabolic reset.

• For You: Breastfeeding for more than 10 months can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by over 50%. It also significantly lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension later in life.
• For Your Baby: It helps regulate your baby’s growth, reducing their future risk of childhood obesity and metabolic challenges.

Understanding the Early Hurdles

It is helpful to know that GDM can sometimes impact the first few days of breastfeeding. Knowing this isn’t meant to discourage you, but to help you prepare:

1. The “Milk Arrival” Delay: Moms with GDM may experience a slight delay in their full milk supply “coming in” (lactogenesis II). This is often due to hormonal shifts or medical interventions like a C-section.
2. Baby’s Blood Sugar: Babies born to moms with GDM are at a higher risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) right after birth. In many hospitals, this leads to early formula supplementation.
3. Confidence Gaps: Because of these technical challenges, many moms feel less confident in their ability to provide enough milk, which can lead to a “supplementation trap.”

Proactive Steps for a Successful Start

The good news is that with a little proactive planning, you can navigate these challenges effectively.

1. Antenatal Milk Expression (The “Liquid Gold” Insurance)

One of the most effective tools is hand-expressing and storing colostrum starting around 36 or 37 weeks (always consult your healthcare provider first). Having a few syringes of your own colostrum ready at the hospital means that if your baby’s blood sugar drops, you can treat them with your own milk rather than reaching for formula.

2. The Power of Skin-to-Skin

Immediately after birth, keep your baby skin-to-skin as much as possible. This helps stabilize the baby’s blood sugar naturally, reduces stress for both of you, and sends the necessary signals to your body to start milk production.

3. Focus on “Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy”

Confidence is key! Surround yourself with a support system—lactation consultants, supportive partners, or specialized groups—who understand the specific needs of GDM recovery. Knowing that a slight delay in milk arrival is normal can help you stay the course during those first 48 to 72 hours.

Closing Thoughts

Your body has already done something amazing by growing and delivering your baby while managing GDM. Breastfeeding is the continuation of that care. By understanding the science and preparing early, you can give both yourself and your baby a healthy, vibrant start.

Are you preparing for birth after a GDM diagnosis? Contact us to learn more about colostrum harvesting kits and specialized lactation support!

References:

• Birukov A, et al. Diabetes Care. 2024.
• Doughty KN, et al. Nurs Womens Health. 2025.
• Forster DA, et al. Lancet. 2017.

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