Breastfeeding

Your maternity leave is about to end. Maybe you need to go on a trip without your baby. You’ve been breastfeeding directly all this while. Time to switch to bottle feeding and your baby outrightly rejects the bottle at your first attempt.

The clock is ticking and your baby still doesn’t want a bottle.

Your resumption date is fixed or your flight ticket has been booked. In fact work has started coming in , in anticipation of your arrival at the office.

Nope.

This isn’t the opening narration of a horror movie. Neither is it the work of your enemies. It’s legit the reality of some working mums in Nigeria.

How do I get back to work and continue feeding a baby that’s rejecting the bottle????

First things first. Please read our guides to selecting bottle teats and how to know if your baby is getting enough milk.

Done?

Now let’s continue the discussion below.

As a mum who want to breastfeed exclusively it’s advisable to delay bottle feeding till your baby is 4 weeks old and you have established breastfeeding properly (gotten your latch right etc etc).

That said…..

Sometimes, you may need to delegate feeding to rest or return to work outside the home when maternity leave ends.

For this, consider selecting a bottle with teats that look similar to your nipples when you are doing your baby shopping.

Despite your best effort, some babies just don’t like bottles .

In this case, consider feeding with any of these alternatives to bottle feeding:

• Cup and spoon
• Small Syringe (without the needle please, ejo, mbok, biko )
• Feeding cup

These methods require that your baby is held a bit upright and fed patiently to avoid choking.
Please delegate this task to someone who is diligent and careful .

If you liked the tips in this article, you’ll love our guide to exclusive breastfeeding with a 9-5 job.

“Maybe you just need to give it a little more effort”

“Have you tried drinking more water?”

“I heard fenugreek helps mothers like you”

Many mothers who have difficulties with milk production receive this sort of advice countless times from family and friends (well, most have good intentions).

While most women produce more than enough milk for their babies, a small percentage of mothers find breastfeeding to be quite challenging.

Why Can’t I Make Enough Milk For My Baby?

Some mothers feel that they can not make enough milk for their babies because they have small breasts.

However, this is not true.

The size of a woman’s breast does not influence how much milk she can produce in anyway. A more reasonable cause for insufficient milk production is insufficient glandular tissue (IGT).

Glandular tissue is the milk-making tissue in a woman’s breast.

Therefore, breast milk production will be low if the glandular tissue present is insufficient to produce enough milk. Women with insufficient glandular tissue struggle with producing enough milk for their babies, even after practicing good breastfeeding management.

A word of caution!

Insufficient glandular tissue is a diagnosis of exclusion. Other factors that can affect breastmilk supply must be investigated first by your health provider or lactation consultant and found to be absent. Some of these include:

• Hormonal imbalances (eg. thyroid or due to retained placenta)
• Previous breast surgery
• Issues with the baby’s ability to suckle and drain the breast (latching, tongue tie, cleft lip)
• Not putting baby to breast enough.

Physical Signs of Insufficient Glandular Tissue 

Signs In Mother

It is important to emphasize that the size of your breast has no bearing on your glandular tissue or ability to breastfeed.

Women with small and large breast can suffer from insufficient glandular tissue. Some physicals signs that can indicate insufficient glandular tissue are;

• Asymmetric Breasts; In this case, one breast being much larger than the other
• Breasts that are tubular shaped (narrow at the base and long instead of round, quite like bananas)
• Very large and bulbous areolae; The areola is the dark skin around your nipple. When this occurs. the areola may look as if they are a separate structure from the breasts.
• Wide-spaced breasts (The gap between both breasts can be up to 4cm )
• No breast changes during or after pregnancy. This is something that should be taken note of during your antenatal. We expected your areola to darken, breasts to become larger and so on.

The more of these signs a woman has, the greater her chances of having insufficient glandular tissue. 

Signs In Baby

In the setting of glandular hypoplasia, the baby will show signs of not getting enough breast milk. Some of these include:

• loosing more than 10% of birth weight,
• failure to return to birth weight by 2 weeks,
• having less than the required number of wet or poopy diapers for their age,
• gaining less than 20g of weight daily between 2 weeks old to 3 months old.

What Can You Do? 

Some mothers who have difficulty breastfeeding can easily adapt to using other measures like formula feeding.

However, for a mother who anticipated breastfeeding as an important part of her mothering journey, the reality of being unable to breastfeed can be a very hard pill to swallow.

Fortunately, there are some things these mothers can do to preserve the breastfeeding experience.

1. Use A Breastfeeding Supplement Tool

One thing some mothers with insufficient glandular tissue can try is using an at-breast supplementing tool.

This tool is made up of a small, thin tube with one end attached to the skin around the mother’s nipple. This is the end that goes into the baby’s mouth. The other end is connected to a container that contains the feeding supplement.

This supplement could be the mother’s own expressed milk, milk from a donor, or infant formula. The amount of supplement required will depend largely on the amount of milk the mother is able to produce on her own. With this method, it is possible for mother who has difficulty with milk production to still experience breastfeeding.

2. Prescribed Medications

Some mothers with insufficient glandular tissue may still be able to breastfeed and produce most of the milk their babies will need.

Certain approved medication can greatly increase their milk supply and reduce the need of supplements to just once or twice a day. Before considering this option, remember to consult your doctor.

3. Bottle Feed First, Breastfeed Later

This is also an effective method of maintaining a breastfeeding relationship with your baby.

Since your body can not produce enough milk, you can feed your child with infant formula first. Then once she is beginning to have her fill, you let her finish at your breast.

A Final Note

No matter how little milk you may be able to make, it is still very precious and valuable to your baby.

Thankfully, most mothers with insufficient glandular tissue find that their breast milk supply improves with subsequent babies. This is because each pregnancy and breastfeeding experience causes an increase in glandular tissue.

We understand that being unable to produce enough milk to breastfeed your child may be difficult to accept.

However, all hope is not lost.

With support from a lactation specialist many mothers with insufficient glandular tissue can still enjoy fulfilling breastfeeding experiences.

“Is my baby getting enough milk? ” New mums all over the world are constantly asking this question. Newborn feeding constantly leads to friction between new mothers and their mothers and mothers-in-law in Nigeria.

The anxiety this causes tempts us to introduce water or formula in the first few days of life when our actual goal was to breastfeed exclusively.  

These conflicts stem from:

• Ignorance of individual and general signs of hunger and feeding patterns in newborns
• Lack of knowledge of the normal progression of weight gain/ fluctuations
• Not knowing the signs that a baby is being adequately nourished.
• Poor infant feeding practices or alternatives when challenges arise

What are the general signs of hunger in newborns?

Babies are usually good communicators.

The trouble is we don’t often pay attention or know what to look out for. The following are common signs that your baby is hungry: 

• Baby keeps opening the mouth
• Sticking out the tongue
• Making sucking movements 
• Your little one is constantly bringing their hands up to their mouth
• Moving their limbs as though crawling or cycling in the air
• Turning their head towards the chest or breast of whoever is carrying them
• Crying and being irritable. When they cry, it is a late sign of hunger. Some may get so worked up that they won’t want to latch onto your breast or teat of the bottle! Alternatively, they could latch onto your nipple in their haste and annoyance.

This, I assure you, will bring you exquisite pain while breastfeeding

Are Preemies Different?

When preemies are hungry they could lick their lips, become restless, stick out their tongue or flutter their eyes.

Conversely, when they have had enough they relax, and their color changes if they are light-skinned). Some of them may change the rhythm of their nursing and they may touch the breast.

A satisfied baby is relaxed with inactive limbs. The baby may turn away from your chest, lets go from breast or bottle feeding and fall asleep.

Baby’s tend to cluster feed at times when they are experiencing rapid growth. Cluster feeding is characterized by showing signs of hunger more frequently than usual.

This is often observed by mothers who schedule their baby feeding times at intervals (as opposed to feeding baby on demand). A baby who usually feeds every 3 hours may demand food every 2 hours for a span of 3 days. For breastfeeding mothers, it’s nature’s way of increasing your milk supply. Demanding more milk from you in response to your baby’s next stage of growth is characterized by the need for larger quantities of milk. Growth spurts can be observed at 2 days old, 3 months old, and  6- 9 months old

How much milk does my baby need?

Your newborn’s stomach size is really small at first.

At the first to the third day of life, your baby’s tummy is the size of a cherry or 1 grape and can only hold a teaspoon of milk ie. 5-7 mls per meal. By day three to five, it is the size of a table tennis ball or walnut.

From six days old up to 3 weeks old baby’s stomach is the size of an egg and so on.  Knowing this should restrain you from overfeeding your baby which could cause undue discomfort and distract you from the real cause of why our child may be fussy.

All babies lose no more than 10% of their body weight within the first 5-7 days of life before returning to their birth weight by week 2. Baby’s weight should increase by 50% at 6-8 weeks old and double his/her birth weight at 4-5 months old.

This topic, weight gain, is another source of anxiety and potential conflict with loved ones as far as a first-time mum is concerned. Look out for these variations and verify during your first well-baby visit after childbirth. Make sure you use an appropriate infant weighing scale.

Any deviation from this may then prompt investigation of your baby’s nutrition or breastfeeding practices. The weight and length measurements for your baby should be entered in a chart which usually comes with your immunization card. Each entry is benchmarked against the normal range for baby’s age within our environment which is also indicated on the chart. This forms a more objective view of if your baby is being adequately nourished.

Signs That Your Baby Is Being Adequately Fed

A well-fed baby will :

• Have 4 -6 wet diapers (urine) and 3-4 poopy diapers daily. Note that exclusively breastfed babies can go up to 3 days without passing stool at 3 months old. Also, formula-fed babies can get easily constipated if you fail to follow the instructions for proportions of water to formula while preparing their meal.
• Gain weight in accordance with the normal range for his/her age and race as entered in the growth monitoring chart mentioned above

Is there a need for vitamin supplements in infants? Formula-fed babies do not need multivitamins. However, babies being exclusively breastfed are required to get vitamin D drops. There apparently isn’t enough vitamin D in breast milk and babies and mums don’t get as much sunlight as needed.

What Can I do When Challenges Arise

The bedrock of a breastfed newborn getting enough milk from its mother is ensuring your little one is draining the breast adequately. Next mother has to have an adequate supply.

Your infant will drain your breast if he/she latches on properly ie. your nipple and most of the areola complex are in baby’s mouth with the areola in contact with baby’s hard palate and tongue.

If your breast is constantly being drained by the end of each feeding session, the initial increase in milk production and supply which is governed by demand and supply feedback will be activated.

Some structural challenges such as tongue-tie in the baby or a mismatch between the size of their mouth and your nipple-areola complex can hinder adequate feeding. It is important that these are found early and addressed by a trained health professional or lactation specialist.

As mentioned above, it is important that the exact instructions for preparing a baby’s formula are followed. This prevents them from developing hard stools that are difficult to pass out (constipation). Constipation will come up from a concentrated mix of formula. On the other hand, a formula mix that’s too dilute will result in their not getting enough calories.

What if my baby doesn’t like feeding on a bottle?

This is a question that worries mothers who may need to return to work or leave their baby in the care of others for a few hours. If they refuse to breastfeed or accept a feeding bottle, the following alternatives are viable feeding options:

• Cup and baby spoon 
• A small syringe (without the needle)
• Feeding cup 

Feeding a newborn as a first-time mum can seem daunting. It is important to arm yourself with the right information to avoid common mistakes. Furthermore, information gives you the confidence to push back and advocate for yourself and your little one when the need arises. These are tips you should learn during an antenatal visit or birthing and breastfeeding class.

As mums, we’ve all heard of the amazing benefits of exclusively breastfeeding our babies. The list ranges from building baby’s immunity, protection from diarrheal diseases to breastfeeding being relatively easier on the pocket compared to breastmilk substitutes.

Going back to your 9-5 job after childbirth.

Breastfeeding is challenging. If exclusive breastfeeding is your goal, the thought of keeping up with it and going back to your 9-5 job can seem daunting. It’s my hope that a few of these tips can help you navigate this.

Building a stash of milk

Start preparing now or at most two months before you are due to return from maternity leave.

Pump a little each day.

I advise you to store your milk in labeled bags or bottles with ice packs in a large plastic container in your freezer to protect it from power outages.

Find out how much milk your baby normally takes at each feeding. This, of course, will vary as your baby gets older.

For our demonstration, let’s say the baby drinks 50mls of milk with each feed. If you are going to be away for 8 hours every day and your baby eats every 2 hours that means your baby will feed 4 times while you are away. Add an extra 50mls (just in case there’s a spill). That means your baby will need 250mls of milk ((4x 50mls) +50mls).

So, to build up a stash that will last 5 workdays you’ll need (5x250mls). That comes to a total of 1250mls of milk.

Ensure your bags or bottles are labeled with the date and time pumped as well as the amount of milk in each bag or bottle. Make sure they are then sealed properly for storage.

How long can I store breastmilk for with the weather in Nigeria ?

In our environment, breast milk can last up to:

• 6 to 9 months in the chest freezer,
• 6 days in a fridge and
• 4 -6 hours out of the fridge at room temperature and
• 24 hours in a cooler with an icepack.

So if you pump milk at work and store it in a cooler bag with an ice pack you are good till you get home.

Please note…

Breast milk separates when stored with a layer of fat at the top. Once thawed gently swirl (don’t shake) the bag or bottle to mix.

What guidance do I give my baby’s carer about thawing breastmilk ?

Breastmilk is liquid gold.

It’s alive. It has infection-fighting cells, protective proteins as well as nutrients. Thawing it the wrong way can destroy all that good stuff. For milk from the freezer, bring it out the night before to thaw in the fridge. Alternatively, dip it in a bowl of tepid water. Please don’t microwave or put your milk in boiling or hot water. Breastmilk stored in bags thaws faster than milk in bottles.

It’s best to store your milk in serving-sized portions that your baby will finish at a go. Any bit of milk left can be stored in the fridge but must be consumed within 24 hours.

Can breastmilk turn sour?

I’ve had mums worry about being engorged by the end of a workday or after a trip out of town but reluctant to breastfeed their babies.

They were told by relatives that their breast milk would have gone sour by then. I’ve also been told of some babies who reject stored milk or mums who noticed that the taste of their milk changed compared to when it was first expressed.

The taste of your breast milk depends on several factors:

• Your diet
• The action of enzymes found in breastmilk
• Where you store it
• What you store beside it in the fridge or freezer.

Milk that is fed to your baby directly from your breast even after a break away from the baby is still good and cannot have “gone off”. Secondly just because the milk that has been stored properly tastes funny at a given point in time does not mean it’s gone off. The only issue is that some babies may reject breast milk at that time because of a change in taste.

Let’s break it down

One of the enzymes (lipoprotein lipase) in breast milk breaks down triglycerides into several fatty acids when it’s stored.

The levels of this enzyme in breast milk are higher right after you have had a meal, especially a high-fat one. These fatty acids can give your milk a soapy, musty, goaty, or metallic taste.
Further breakdown (by oxidation) can give your milk a metallic taste.

Some babies don’t care about this, some do.

5 Things you can do about this change in the taste of your breastmilk

1. Freeze your milk once it’s expressed instead of putting it in the fridge.
2. Thaw your frozen milk gradually in the fridge instead of in warm water.
3. Some advocate scalding your milk at 82 degrees C before storage. This works but destroys protective antibodies in your milk.
4. Adding antioxidants such as Vit E and C to your diet.
5. Cutting down on polyunsaturated fats in your diet.

Exclusive breastfeeding is challenging. However, it can be an immensely fulfilling experience for mums who can pull through. There are situations where it is absolutely impossible to breastfeed or have a good supply, e.g. glandular hypoplasia. These challenges faced can potentially put a mum’s mental health at risk. In such cases be rest assured that as long as your baby is being fed enough (breast milk or formula) all will be well. 

Your ability to breastfeed does not in any way reflect on your ability to be a good mother.

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Breastfeeding is the direct feeding of babies with milk produced from the mother’s breast. And while this may seem pretty commonplace and straightforward, the World Health Organisation says that only about 2 of every 3 children are exclusively breastfed.

How does breastfeeding aid your child’s development?

Breast milk has the nutrients your baby needs.

Breast milk contains the perfect combination of all nutrients that a growing baby can need for proper development. What is even more fascinating is that the composition of breast milk evolves with your baby’s age and needs. Immediately after birth, the mother produces a thick, yellow form of milk called colostrum. It has high protein content, has a lot of beneficial compounds, is low in sugar and helps the baby’s digestive tract develop. As time goes on, the breast then produces more and more milk to boost the baby’s development. Breast milk is also easier for a growing baby to digest than infant feed. This is why the relevant heath authorities recommend six months of pure breastfeeding for your baby and a year of continued breastfeeding as other meals are being introduced into your baby’s diet.  

Breastfeeding reduces your baby’s chances of illness

Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of having ear infections, respiratory illnesses, diarrhoea, Respiratory tract infections, Colds and infections, Gut infections, Intestinal tissue damage, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Allergic diseases, Celiac disease, Inflammatory bowel disease, Diabetes, Childhood leukaemia. This protection means they more likely to have less hospital visits and admissions .

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity

Studies have shown that breastfeeding for the right period of time significantly reduces the chances of obesity in babies. This may be because breastfeeding aides the development of the right bacteria in the baby’s gut. Breastfed babies also have higher leptin, a hormone which regulates fat storage and appetite, than formula-fed babies. In addition to this, babies can regulate how much milk they consume, thus reducing the risk of overfeeding and obesity.

Breastfeeding boosts immunity

Breast milk contains a lot of antibodies which boosts the baby’s immunity. This particularly applies to colostrum, the first milk. Colostrum provides immunoglobulin A (IgA), as well as several other antibodies which protects the baby. The body forms these antibodies when the mother is exposed to an infection and are the body’s means of fighting the infection. During breastfeeding, these antibodies are passed to the child. Formula doesn’t provide antibody protection for babies and in fact, may put babies at risk if the water source is unhygienic and feeding bottles aren’t washed and sterilised with care.

Breastfeeding is linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies. The physical touch also helps to increase the bonding between mother and child, thus making the baby feel safe and warm. Concurrently, breastfeeding also has some important benefits for mothers. It can help you lose pregnancy weight. It also helps reduce the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. Learn about Nigerian foods that improve breastmilk supply If you have a 9 to 5 job click here for some tips on how to cope.

Nigerian Foods That Increase Breast Milk Supply

In Nigeria, traditional postpartum care remains an age-long custom. This celebrated activity is commonly called omugwo in Igbo, ojojo omo in Yoruba and wanka’n jegoin Hausa. As expected, mothers place a lot of attention on Nigerian foods that boost breast milk supply. Thankfully, this article contains the list you’ve been searching for to increase breast milk production.

During this highly anticipated period, new mothers(especially first-timers) are usually encouraged to rest as they ease into their new roles as mothers. An important aspect of this role is child nourishment, new mothers are usually put through indigenous methods to improve milk production.

Believe it or not….

Nigerian mothers depend largely on regular suckling by the infant to boost breast milk supply. That is, the more a baby suckles at its mother’s breast, the more milk is produced. It would interest you to know that this is not just a superstition, it is a known scientific fact.

Therefore, the best way to improve breast milk production is to keep on nursing your baby on demand. To achieve this, moms use the power pumping technique. This is 3-4 intermittent pumping sessions for 10 minutes with breaks in between.

However, for some mothers, this is strategy is often insufficient as they often deal with pain while breastfeeding and struggle daily to produce enough milk for their babies.

If you’re like the typical mom who can’t bear the sound of their lovely baby’s cries of hunger, we’ve got you covered with this list of Nigerian foods that will help you increase the rate at which your breast produces milk.

List of Nigerian Foods That Boost Breast Milk Production

1. Fura de nunu ( Milk and Millet Gruel)

This is a common beverage originating from the Fulani people of West Africa. With Fura de nunu, you have a rich, delicious blend of fermented cow’s milk (nunu) and millet dough (fura).

In addition to refreshing you on a hot afternoon, Fura contains many essential nutrients which improve breast milk production.

It would interest you to know that Nunu is an excellent source of protein, calcium, phosphorous and vitamins A, C, E and B complex. Fura is also contains essential amino acids, phytochemicals, antioxidants, and micronutrients. If taken regularly, this is a sure way to increase the production of very rich breast milk for your little one.

2. Kunu (A Northern Nigerian Gruel)

Another staple beverage that is quite popular in most parts of Nigeria, especially the north, is Kunu. Commonly made from millet, rice, sorghum, tiger nuts, guinea corn, maize, or a mixture of some or all of these, this locally made drink is just the right thing for you!

Furthermore, Kunu contains lactic acid, carbohydrates, proteins, and fat which are essential for normal body function. This drink would definitely leave you feeling nourished.

In addition, you get more breast milk to nourish your baby.

3. Pap

Popularly known as Akamu, Ogi, Eko or its fancier name, African Corn Porridge, this is a fermented pudding cereal made from millet, maize or sorghum. It is a ready-to-eat food packed with numerous essential nutrients like carbohydrate, B vitamins, folic acid, vitamins A and C, potassium, zinc and others.

Considering its highly nutritious content, it is no wonder why so many of our mothers swear by this meal to help increase breast milk production. Please note that Pap is best taken with milk and sugar to give you a satisfying experience.

4. Moringa

This nutrient packed plant is a great source of vitamins and minerals, nursing mothers would get more out of these than most other vegetables. It is a multi-purpose herbal plant, that is, all parts of this plant can be used as it contains varying amounts of essential amino acids, anitoxidants, carotenoids and many other nutrients.

Research has proven that infusing this plant into your meals is an effective means of improving your mother’s milk production. Moringa leaves can be added to soups, salads, or simply taken in juice form.

5. Carrots

Eating carrots is a great way to boost lactation as they contain vitamin A and potassium, both of which help to improve the quality and quantity of breast milk. 

As a plus, they’re a great way to lose that stubborn baby fat. They can be snacked on, juiced or eaten raw in the form of salads. Carrots are available everywhere and may just be the boost your mammary glands need.

6. Kaun (Pot-ash/ Keun / Akanwu)

Potash is a general name for potassium-containing compounds. Kaun, a lake- salt, is an ancient Nigerian food additive used in traditional cooking that has been known to add flavour and improve the taste of a dish. It’s a form of potash. Other sources are from palm kernel shells and dried, roasted unripe plantain peels.

Most women do not know that kaun is also helpful when nursing babies. Its high mineral content can serve a great stimulant for lactation. Potash should be taken in moderation in its cooked form. Excessive amounts (more than a teaspoon daily) can cause upset tummy. It can cause uterne contrations and thus must be avoided in pregnancy,

7.Watermelon

Sweet and juicy watermelons are another great addition to this list of lactogenic foods. This fruit is rich in fiber, fructose and a variety of minerals and vitamins. Additionally, its remarkably high water content would keep you hydrated, get your milk flowing and keep your baby full.

You can slice, dice or even blend this it in addition to other fruits to make a delicious smoothie. In addition, watermelons can be grilled.

8. Ofada Rice

Known globally as brown rice, locally grown Ofada /Abakaliki Rice is an effective addition to your diet as a nursing mother because it contains a variety nutrients like minerals, vitamin B and E. It also contains hormonal stimulants that help to improve lactation and increase breast milk production.

If you’re also planning to lose that persistent baby fat, you should definitely switch white rice for a well prepared bowl of ofada rice and sauce.

9.Garlic

Garlic is popular for improving the immune system but do you know that it can also help improve breast milk production? Commonly used as a seasoning or spice in traditional cooking, garlic has a rich supply of enzymes, vitamins and minerals that help improve milk production.

But remember to go easy on this one, it’s notorious for causing body odours, especially when taken in large quantities. Therefore, its best to approach this with necessary caution.

10.Water

Breast milk is essentially made up of water. Therefore, staying hydrated is crucial to breast milk production. And what better way to stay hydrated than to drink lots of water? 

A minimum of 8 glasses per day is the target! Remember, the goal is not only to increase the quantity of breast milk you produce, but also to improve its quality.

Yeah…we know we said 10 but there’s more……

• Ewe bombo (awalagbo in Yoruba)
• Uda and other herbs used to make pepper soup for pregnant women
• Tiger nuts and dates
• Ginger ( preferably freshly grated in warm water)
• Cumin
• Fenugreek (It’s called “hulba” grown in Northern Nigeria ladies!)

Finally, an overall healthy diet is key, not only to help nourish your newborn, but also to nourish you.

Getting The Best Out of Your Breastfeeding Journey: The Bras You Need.

A good nursing bra...

Pregnant mums will often tell you how tight the band of their regular bras get as pregnancy progresses and their chest expands.

It’s like being in bondage, to be honest. Add heartburn to the mix and these make you feel like going without a bra. If you will have to wear a nursing bra 24 hours a day for 6months just to make breastfeeding your infant seamless and hold nursing pads in place you are better off with a comfortable one. A nursing bra should be soft yet supportive making you forget you are wearing a bra at all.

How to get your correct bra measurements

• First, wear your most supportive regular bra
• Using the side calibrated in inches and ensuring it is parallel to the floor, take a tape measure and measure the diameter around the area just under the fold of your bust.
• Whatever figure you get, round off to about the nearest even number. This is your band size. So, if you get 33” use 34”; if you get 29”, use size 32” and so on
• While still wearing the bra, using the same tape measure, get the diameter of your chest at the fullest part of your bust.
• Find the difference between this measurement and your band size ie. if you got a measurement of 36 and your band size is 34 , the difference (36-34) is 2. This is a B cup so your measurement would be 34B

You’ll want to look for a bra with no underwires, a smooth silhouette, extra rows of hooks and eyes at the back to accommodate changes in your chest size during pregnancy and breast feeding.

A good pumping bra……..

If you intend to build a stash of milk for storage you don’t have to hold on to your breast pump against your chest throughout your pumping session. You are bound to get tired and shift your hands loosing some of that suction pressure. Get a pumping bra that’s soft, but firm and stretchy enough for you to hold your breast shields firmly in place.

Some bras have a figure of 8 opening instead of a slit. This means you can feed your baby through there and need not go through the ceremony of taking off your pumping bra if your little one wakes up and needs to be breastfed while you pump from the other breast.

Biamo designs nursing and pumping bras can be purchased from our online store.

If you are on a budget, you could convert an old sports bra to a pumping bra. Check out a demonstration we did on how to make one.

Learn more about how the right bra can help you during weaning ?