Teresa asks:
I attended the breastfeeding class at Pennsylvania Hospital last night. The instructor recommended not pumping for three to six weeks after delivery. I would like to pump sooner so my partner is able to feed the baby, too.

Would the Symphony® pump work more efficiently than the Pump In Style®? What is the best pump to use if I want to start pumping as soon as my milk supply comes in? Also, will I be able to set up the rental while at the hospital or should I rent from Solutions for Women ahead of time? Thanks for your help.

Debi Ferrarello, RN, MS, IBCLC, responds:
First, congratulations! Attending the prenatal breastfeeding class was one of your first parenting decisions and it was a wise one.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until breastfeeding is established, usually sometime around four weeks, before giving your baby a bottle or pacifier. Once breastfeeding is well established, meaning you have a full milk supply and breastfeeding has become easy for both you and your baby, it is all right to introduce the bottle.

In most cases, the Medela Pump In Style is more than enough to meet your needs. We do recommend renting a Symphony pump if you have a very early baby or have other special needs, but the Pump In Style will suit you very well and save you money. You can put those savings in the college fund for your baby, as some studies associate breastfeeding with IQ advantages.

Rental of the Symphony and purchase of the Pump In Style are available at Pennsylvania Hospital. Your lactation consultant and/or nurse can help you.

Best wishes for a beautiful BIRTH day!

Christiana asks:
My 7-week-old son has reverted back to tongue thrusting while nursing. It's proving to be quite painful and I'm using a nipple shield again. Is there anything else I can do to help him to re-learn a proper latch?
Also, how can I increase my milk production to help me increase my supply for pumping for when I return to work? What are the hours of your warm line? Thanks!

Debi Ferrarello, RN, MS, IBCLC, responds:
Congratulations on your baby! It sounds like you are doing a great job with breastfeeding and you are right to look for a solution to your problem. If your son has reverted to tongue thrusting, the first step is to determine why. An international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) can help you figure out why he has reverted to tongue thrusting, provide you with “suck training” exercises and communicate with your baby’s doctor. You can find an IBCLC that performs outpatient services at www.pro-lc.org.

To increase your milk supply, I encourage mothers to express and store milk once a day well before the end of maternity leave as opposed to trying to build up a big supply just before returning to work. If you do build the supply right before going back to work, you are likely to be uncomfortable while you are away from your son. Massaging your breasts before expressing and doing breast compressions while pumping can boost your volume significantly. This is something that comes up regularly during our breastfeeding discussion group. The group meets from 12:30 to 2 pm on Mondays in the Child and Parent Center at Hall Mercer on Eighth Street. It is free and you and your son are welcome to attend.

As for our Breastfeeding Warmline, mom’s can call at any time. If we are not there to answer you call, leave a message and an IBCLC will return the call within 24 hours.We look forward to hearing from you!

Rachel asks:
Does Penn Ob/Gyn rent breast pumps? What is the cost?

Debi Ferrarello, RN, MS, IBCLC, responds:
Penn Medicine rents Medela Symphony® electric breast pumps at Pennsylvania Hospital and at Solutions for Women.  Pumps are available for rent at Solutions for Women at 721 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, Monday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm, and 24 hours a day from the maternity unit at Pennsylvania Hospital at 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Rentals are currently $75 for the first month and $60/month thereafter.  If you do not already have the attachments, you will need a pump kit which will be yours to keep and costs $40.  You may be interested to know that we also rent BabyWeigh™ Scales for the same price.

Nicole asks:
I am breastfeeding my 3-week old son and sometimes I get this burning sensation in my breast. If I am breastfeeding him on my left breast at the time my breast starts burning, only the right breast would burn. What does this mean? Could there be something wrong with me? Because the breastfeeding process is going fine.

Debi Ferrarello, RN, MS, IBCLC responds:
Dear Nicole, first let me congratulate you on the birth of your son. It is wonderful that breastfeeding is going well, and you should be proud of yourself.

Many mothers start to experience an overabundance of milk when their babies are three weeks old. Often, when they are breastfeeding on one breast, they experience a short period of burning in the other breast. They feel it because they are so full and find that feeding the baby on that breast gives the relief. Does that sound like it could be what you are experiencing? If not, or if you have more questions, please call our Breastfeeding Warmline at 215-829-3644 and one of our Registered Lactation Consultants will be happy to talk with you.

Of course, if you experience fever, chills, or flulike symptoms, please call your health care provider.

Sylvia asks:
Do you have a milk donation process?

Debi Ferrarello, RN, MS, IBCLC responds:
While we do not have a milk donation process at Penn Medicine, we are happy to guide mothers through the process. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America is the best source of information about donating milk. You will also be able to find more information about who is eligible to donate milk. Donating your excess milk is a great way to make use of a very valuable resource!