Firstly well done on wanting to continue breastfeeding your baby while you are returning to work. Expressing milk is a bit of extra work that’s for sure, but once you get into the routine it will just be normal. The thing with expressing is that you have to continue doing it as if you were breastfeeding. So on the days and weekends before you start work, you should breastfeed your daughter and note down the times that you do it.  (you probably can tell anyway!). Then when you are at work, you will need to try and express at those same times, which will keep your milk supply up. It’s a great idea to continue to feed at breast in morning and night, and then you still get special cuddles. As for a recommendation, I would more highly recommend the Medela Swing Breast Pump or theAvent Uno.  These are both comparable pumps (well Avent has a few extras like the storage bag etc) but the key for me comes down to the service and availabilty of spare parts. Medela have a full technical team in Auckland, so if something did go wrong with your pump, it would be covered under warranty. The Avent pumps are under warranty too, but they don’t have a service department. And spare parts (like tube, or valves etc) are quick to get. Not that that happens very often, but just something to think about. The Swing is also a bit quieter than the Uno, which is something to be aware of if you are pumping at work. You’ll have to find somewhere with a closed door. You can store your breast pump in a normal backpack, or one of those chilly bags that guys carry their beer in is really good. With some icepacks to keep your milk if you don’t put it in the fridge at work. I would also recommend that in preparation, you start your baby off on a bottle with the Chu Chu teat. This works the SAME as a nipple, baby has to push down and suck to get the milk out. I know a lot of babies get really fussy and wont drink from a teat when you are starting out, and that adds to all the stress. So do try the Chu Chu first, – I love it and I had the worlds fussiest baby but as soon I got these ones he took it.!! These ones fit narrow neck bottles, and are compatible with Medela. You will also need some bottles to store the milk in, when you express it. Medela have the 150ml or 250ml size, but the 250 ml is actually better value for money. As you can still use this when your baby is older and drinking larger volumes. The 150ml only has a limted span due to the smaller size. You will also need a brush to clean the bottles. And a steriliser for the parts, bottles, and teats. You can boil them in a saucepan, or use those sterilisation tablets too (but I tend to think the tablets leave a heavy chemical taste). Breastmates are happy to help you so please let us know if you have any more questions.  Frances McInnes is the owner of Breastmates Maternity Store. Breastmates have gorgeous maternity products as well as tips and advice for parents.
http://www.breastmates.co.nz

Breast feeding is said to be the best nutritional choice for feeding your new newborn baby, but it also has proven health benefits for moms as well. You can lose that pregnancy weight quicker by breastfeeding because it burns extra calories and lowers your body fat content – without exercise! Breastfeeding also releases a hormone called oxytocin which will cause your uterus to contract and return to its normal size more rapidly. It reduces the amount of postpartum bleeding and also improves the storage of minerals in your bones which lowers the risk of osteoporosis. Breast feeding can also help in preventing ovarian and breast cancers. And of course, it’s a wonderful way to bond with your new baby. So if you are a new mom, or mom-to-be who has chosen breast feeding instead of the prepared formula method, you are probably interested in using a breast pump. Breast pumps are especially great for moms who work outside the home or who can’t be available at every feeding time for their newborn. They come in several designs and the two options for usage are either manual or electric. As in most situations, there are pros and cons each method. Following are some details on these two types of breast pumps to help you make an informed decision and prepare before you buy – or rent. Manual pumps are preferred by lots of new moms who say that they appreciate the convenient size. They are simple to use because you control the suction manually. Hand pumps are also more affordable, lighter and quieter than electric pumps, and many new mothers say it is a more natural feeling – closer to how it feels when the baby is feeding directly from your breast. For busier and working moms, an electric pump might be a better choice than the manual kind because they are much faster at pumping and some models even have the option to pump both breasts at the same time. Breast pumps are widely available for purchase and you might also like to know that many hospitals offer the option of renting a top-of-line model directly from them. You’ll have to estimate the cost per day in comparison to the price you would pay if you purchased your own though to make sure that it will work out for you financially. Being a new mom can have its share of challenges, so be nice to yourself and look for a breast pump that best suits your lifestyle. By comparison shopping online or polling some moms who have been though the experience, you’ll save yourself both time and effort that you’ll be able to share instead with your new bundle of joy. Electric breast pump Ease and efficiency are the strengths of these models. Moms who pump often — to provide breast milk exclusively after returning to work or to feed twins, for example — usually opt for the increase in production offered by an electric or battery-powered pump. Most offer the option of pumping both breasts at the same time.spanish mortgages