The EcoChic

Today marks the 578th day of breastfeeding my little tot!  Well to be clear – I’m not actually breastfeeding her today because she is at Camp Grandma/Grandma while I am flying (yes – right now) to NYC for #BlogHer10!  But – we are still breastfeeding and my pump (Thanks Hygeia) is packed securely inside my luggage.

Many of you may remember the adventures I had while traveling to Miami for a week – without a tot – and without my handy pump!  I had a mommy moment while packing then and left the pump in my closet all alone!  Enter my introduction to hand expression and jokes from my hubby and friends!

There was a question as to whether I should continue to breastfeed when I returned or let her be weened since she had been off mommy milk for a whole week.  Two hours after our reunion she kindly asked for mommy – and I couldn’t say no.

Once again – I will continue to pump while away and I’ll let her decide if it’s time to ween or not.  It seems almost fitting that she would ween this trip because she is now 19 months AND my son weened while the hubs and I were vacationing in NYC over 6 yrs ago (he was 11 months – 3 weeks – and 3 days!).  It would be kinda neat to have NYC be both of their weening times.  But only time will tell – she is quite fond of our time together.

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week I just wanted to share my (continued) story in hopes that I can encourage you or someone you know to keep it up for as long as it is beneficial for you and your child – whatever age that might be.  While the WABA has their own 10 steps for successful breastfeeding I’m going to give you my modified list!

1.  Have faith in yourself, your body, and your baby – the rest will come naturally.

2.  Trust your instincts – and don’t ALWAYS listen to the ‘professionals’ (i.e., your doctors, nurses, friends, and family).  I remember with my son a nurse ordered me to have a mammogram for a cracked nipple and instruct me to quit nursing immediately! I’m SOOOOO glad I didn’t listen to that nurse and trusted my own instincts instead!

3.  If it hurts or doesn’t feel right ask for help – a certified lactation consultant should be available at your local hospital or birthing center.  Reach out and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

4.  The first month is the hardest!  You are emotionally and physically exhausted – don’t be discouraged in the beginning.

5.  There is nothing easier to do than breastfeed your baby!  No bottles to warm up, no formula to buy, nothing to mix, and no water needed!  Oh – and you can’t leave the milk at home if you breastfeed – one less thing to tote in your diaper bag.

6.  There is nothing more nutritious than mommy milk for your baby – it’s the perfect food for every age!

7.  It’s free!  Whether you have lots of money or no money – breastmilk is always free.  Sure you have to continue to eat a healthy diet but we should all do that anyways – regardless of our financial status.

8. It’s better for the environment – nothing is artificially manufactured, packaged, or shipped to get your baby this perfect food – and there’s no waste!

9.  Yes, even daddy and caregivers can participate.  That’s my breastpumps were invented!  And don’t be scared of those either – you’ll get the hang of it.  It’s worth it!

10.  Lastly – because your baby deserves the very best!  And the breast really is the best!

How many days have you breastfeed your baby?  What problems or misconceptions are you dealing with?  Do you know where to go for help?  Let me know – I can point you in the right direction.

PS – I’m a working mom and I have to travel from time to time without my baby.  If I can make it 19 months I have faith you can make it to your own personal goal!

It is now 382 days (and counting) into our 2nd journey with breastfeeding and things are still going strong.  I’m still excited to have this bond with Lil’ B today.  My journey the 2nd time around has been different than with my oldest.  Primarily because 98% of the time I work at home. 

For the first 8-9 months I was blessed to be able to have Lil’ B home with me at all times.  After I returned to work at 3mo Lil’ B had an amazing nanny part-time.  Whenever she was hungry the nanny would bring her to me and she would eat.  As the months went on I actually decided to start pumping because I had to travel. 

I am an experienced pumper….with my oldest I had to pump everyday since I worked out of the home.  I had a Medela hand-me-down (actually it was only used 1-2 times before I got it) from a friend.  That was one of the items that I kept to use again.  Unfortunately after just a few short months it started to have some issues.  I was frustrated beyond belief…I rarely used the breast pump but I needed to have one for when I traveled for work.  I never leave for long; usually just a day or two.  Either way, a good dependable breast pump is a necessity. 

I decided after one trip to buy a hand-pump because I just couldn’t see spending any more money on a pump that would get used once a day.  That was a disaster…it was horrible!  It took me almost an hour one trip to get both sides expressed and my arms were killing me. 

Then heaven arrived…my Hygeia EnJoye  breast pump!  The EnJoye is slightly larger than my old Medela but is very similar.  It actually looks more like the pumps that the hospital rents than the personal pumps.  It has an internal rechargeable battery which is a blessing.  My old one took 2C batteries which were always dead…and pumping was WEAK!  With the EnJoye I often forget to plug it in because the battery is so strong.  I’m on a business trip right now (just for one night) and I didn’t even bring the plug.

The pump and all of the parts that would come in contact with breast-milk are all BPA/DEHP Free and safe for your baby.  There is also a button on the front that allows you to record your baby’s voice or cry to help with letdown.  I’m not a big fan of the carrying case though…as a parent who is a frequent flier the bag is rather large and awkward.  I always try to fit the pump into my carry on luggage so I don’t have to carry their bag.

The greatest eco-features of the EnJoye are 1) it’s approved by the FDA for multi-users, and 2) it’s recyclable!  When you no longer need the pump you can sell or donate it to another mom.  All they need to do is replace the plastic tubing and accessories (Retail $35 for accessories).  I’m actually excited that I’m going to be able to pay-it-forward when I’m done with our breastfeeding journey.  The EnJoye has a 3 year 3-year limited warranty…but never fear…if it can’t be fixed you don’t have to landfill your pump!  Hygeia will recycle your used breast pump for you (only Hygeia brands are accepted for recycling).     

And face it…no one really LIKES pumping!  Hygeia has brought a little Joy back into my life with the EnJoye….Thank You!!!  My journey into breastfeeding wouldn’t have lasted this long without you. 

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Giveaway Alert! Win a Hands-Free Pumping Bra from Easy Expression.  Details at end of post!  ECO-ngratulations!  Ruth is the winner of the Hands-Free Pumping Bra! Check your email for details!

As a working mother of two I have become very intimate with expressing milk (pumping).  With my son I worked out of the home in a traditional office setting and had to pump almost every day once I returned to work.  Each day my Medela and I would make our way to the office.  I was the first pumping momma in my office but I wasn’t the last.  I had a very great group of co-workers who quickly understood that if the door was shut that they shouldn’t open it (unless they wanted to get squirt with milk!).  I kept up with pumping for the entire first year. 

Now it’s 6 years later and I find myself in a different environment.  My full time job takes place right in the comfort of my home.  I have to travel a few times out of the year but for the most part I am a jammie worker (I work in my home office in my jammies!!).  Until about two weeks ago our second child, Lil’ B, was at home with me (and the nanny).  It was a great arrangement because when she was hungry the nanny would bring her to me and I would feed her.  It was very rare that I would pump during the day unless I was swamped with projects and/or meetings.  Now I’m back in the world of pumping during the day.  Lil’ B is now going to an in-home care with a really sweet lady a few miles away.  Her very first day there I came into the harsh realization that I needed to pump…A LOT!  My stock in the freezer had been diminished down to only one or two bags.  I’m finally caught up and have a whopping 4 bags in the freezer right now!  WOO HOO! 

Luckily Lil’ B is also eating solid food so her need for mommy milk is less but I still need to pump for her because I don’t want to quit breastfeeding.  My body is able to provide her the perfect food so I want to continue giving it to her…even if it’s not always convenient.  Pumping is not fun but it’s something you get accustomed to.  You have this wonderful device that you attach to your breasts and presto you become a human milk factory!  Some days I do feel like a cow on a dairy farm. 

Statistics:  Did you know that of the 74% of babies that have ever had breast milk (in the US) that only 21% of them will breastfeed through the age of 1 year?  Did you know that the percentage is even less for working mothers?  Only 10% of working mothers still breastfeed through the first year.  (Source:  Breastfeeding Facts & Figures)

I received a Hands-Free Pumping Bra (halter style) from Easy Expression recently and have a love-hate relationship with it.  I never had a pumping bra with my first child, only nursing bras.  I’ve seen these online but just never invested in one for myself.  The halter style bra is designed to slip on only during the pumping process.  My primary compliant with this style is that it slides on and doesn’t have a zipper, snaps, or hooks.  This is very inconvenient if you are at work or traveling since you have to first take off your shirt to put it on.  It’s not something you would want to keep on all day either since your breasts would not be covered.  It doesn’t seem like the halter style would be very practical to the average working mother so I emailed my contact and asked some questions. 

Easy Expression offers two different styles.  The halter style like I received and the bustier style that has a zipper.  If I were to order one I would definitely go with the bustier style since it would be easier to take on and off without having to undress.  

Regardless of which style you choose the Hands-Free Pumping Bra will make your pumping time more productive.  Your breast shield fits securely into the holes on the front of the bra and allows you to multi-task.  You will no longer have to hold the shields to your breast and watch the clock!  In fact, I was so caught up in an email one day that I actually allowed my bottle to overflow!  It also makes it easier to start and stop your pumping session since you aren’t trying to hold them into place or worry about dripping milk all over the front of you.  After using my Hands-Free Pumping Bra I can’t imagine life without it.  Now…I just need to take some time and order me the bustier style so that I can use it while I’m traveling next month.

Update!  After writing this post Easy Expressions sent me the busiter style Hands-Free Pumping Bra to compare.  I have to say that I am much more impressed with the bustier than the halter style.  The zipper is in the front and it fits quite snug.  I took the bustier style bra with me on my last work trip and it was easy to take on/off over my clothes and fit nicely back into my pump bag.  Well worth the extra few $$ if you ask me!   

Buy It Now!  The halter style Hands-Free Pumping Bra sells for $20 and the bustier style sells for $35.  Trust me when I tell you it’s worth the extra money to invest in the bustier style!  You won’t regret it.  You can buy them from many online retailers; for a complete list visit Easy Expression.  They may also be available at your local lactation center or hospital. 

Win It Now!  To win your very own Hands-Free Pumping Bra visit Easy Expression and leave a comment below telling me one of the 5 Tips to Get the Most From Breast Pumping.  This entry is mandatory to be entered to win. 

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LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY!

Contest will end on Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at midnight (EST). 

Good Luck and Happy (multi-tasking) Pumping!

ECO-ngratulations Ruth! You won! Check your emails!!