In the first 12 weeks of breast pumping you're working with your body to build a great supply of milk and you should be pumping at a MINIMUM 8 times per day. Ideally is every 2-3 hours. To kick start your supply here's what I recommend...

• 0-4 weeks: every 2 hours pumping both sides at the same time
• 4-8 weeks: every 2.5-3 hours pumping both sides at the same time
• 8-12 weeks: every 3 hours pumping both sides at the same time

For the duration of each pumping session I recommend 20-25 minutes.

Around the 10 week mark many moms start to question - how do I do this. Don't worry it's completely normal to think this, you meeting a very demanding schedule and your at what is commonly seen as peak exhaustion for your body trying to adjust to your new "sleeping" or not really sleeping schedule. It gets easier, I promise!

Happy Pumping!

Does this sound familiar... you pump and pump and nothing comes out, or you pump an extra 10 minutes and you still hardly get anything, or you pump and your breasts still feel kinda full when your done?

Clogged or blocked milk ducts happen. There's numerous reasons and at one time or another most pumping moms especially exclusively pumping and ones transitioning from nursing to pumping get one. The key is to get it fixed quick, so it doesn't lead to something else like mastitis.

One old wives tale that I've seen work for some moms that had a clogged milk duct is using cabbage leaves. (ever heard don't ask why just do it - this would be one of them!).

1. Put two cabbage leaves in the freezer for at least a couple hours.
2. About 5 minutes before you're ready to pump, take the cabbage leaves out of the freezer and score the back of the cabbage leave.
3. Place the cabbage leaves over your breasts for about 5-10 minutes.
4. Then go pump all that milk out!

Now... I've heard some moms do the exact opposite to relieve a blocked milk duct. They microwave the cabbage leaves till they're warm and leave them on their breast for 20-40 minutes. I haven't tried or seen this one done. But if the cold way doesn't work you can always try the warm one!

It's no secret that you can find every shape and size imaginable in breasts and the same goes for nipples. That's why they make different size nipple shields for breast pumps.

Your breast shield should fit snug against your breast and when turned on your nipple should pull into the center of the cylinder slightly. If your nipple rubs on the inside of the cylinder when centered your breast shield is too small. If your entire nipple and sometime part of the breast is being sucked into the cylinder the shield is too large.

Most retailers like Target and Babies R Us carry the different size shields.

You want to make sure you have the correct size shield so you can effectively pump all the milk - you don't want to leave any in there! And it can be painful and cause sores and blisters on the nipples if the incorrect size is worn.

If you try a different size and are still having troubles, try contacting your local Lactation Consultant and they can help you get fitted in the right size.

And remember - you nipple can change after you start pumping. So what might have fit at the hospital, many not be the right size 3 weeks later.

Happy Pumping!

One of the many reasons Moms quit breastfeeding is their milk didn't come in right away and their baby was hungry - so they give up on the breast. Sometimes it may take up to a week or longer for a woman's breast milk to come in and their breasts to become fully engorged. It is a stressful time trying to learn the new skill of breastfeeding (for both mom and baby) and create a consistent schedule for your breast while your baby is crying and hungry. However, if you express your breast milk on a consistent schedule (try 15 minutes every 3 hours) your milk will become consistent to that schedule, after a few days your breasts will be filling like clockwork! Many woman who use a breast pump, also breast feed - if you're baby is hungry when it is your time to pump go ahead and breast feed instead of pumping. If you're baby isn't hungry when its your scheduled pump time, simply slip on your Hands Free Pump Bra while relaxing and holding your beautiful baby! (And studies show the endorphin release you get from holding your baby can help with your milk letdown).