Bloom Collective

Have you ever found it difficult to latch your baby to breast when they are crying and hangry? That is because crying is typically a late indicator of hunger! By the time baby is crying, their state is heightened and it can be hard to get them calm enough to effectively latch.

Try to learn your baby’s more subtle hunger cues as early indicators that baby is ready to eat. Early cues include:
🔘Lip smacking, sticking out tongue
🔘Sucking movements of mouth (even when eyes are closed!)
🔘Rooting (turning head and opening mouth)
🔘Hands to mouth
🔘Becoming more active and alert, squirming

Offer baby the breast or the bottle when you notice these subtle cues for an easier and more effective latch!

Baby dribbling milk while bottle feeding? Try these easy switches and you will likely see improvements!

Milk spilling out the front is typically baby showing you something isn’t right. Check babies latch, try slowing down the flow rate, change the bottle feeding position, or give the baby breath breaks by pacing. Still having trouble? Contact us and we can help!

Hand expression is one of the most useful tools in your breastfeeding tool belt. Although it seems self explanatory, there is actually a correct way to successfully hand express your milk!

There are many uses for hand expression but some of our favorites are:

• Expressing colostrum after birth to aid in milk “coming in”
• Helps to prevent/remove clogs
• Can sufficiently remove milk if pump becomes unavailable
• Can be useful in helping baby latch by initiating the let down phase
• Modified version can be used during pumping to increase milk expression

Did you know that you should change your breast pump parts out frequently? Yes, it’s true. The parts all serve a function, and in order for the pump to work at optimal levels, you need to be aware of the shelf life of your pump parts. If pieces are faulty or have run their course, you run the risk of reduced efficiency and suction, resulting in less pull, less suction, and therefore less milk. No one wants that!Below is a general guideline on when to change your parts. Remember that not all pumps are the same, so look at your pumps manufacturing manual as well for reference.

Below are general guidelines:

Duck valves or valve membranes
🔹Pump 2-3x/day: change every month
🔹Pump Less than 3x/day: every 2-3 months

Tubing:
🔹When it becomes damaged ex. immediately if breast milk or moisture gets into the pump because it can damage the motor

Backflow Protectors: 
🔹Every 3-6 months

Breast shields and Connectors: 
🔹 Every 6 months , or immediately after you see tears/cracks 

If you have any questions in regards to your specific pump, contact Bloom for help!

Proper fitting pumping fl**ges are an integral factor in milk volume production and ejection. There are various sizes of fl**ges because one size does not fit all! Why does it matter? If too tight then it adds friction and causes discomfort, plus it could cause a constriction on flow. If it’s too loose, too much of the ar**la is pulled into the tunnel, which can cause inflammation, pain, and a reduction of flow. When it’s a good fit your ni***es should move freely in the tunnel, there should be space around the ni**le, and very little of the ar**la should be drawn up into the tunnel.

Comfort matters too! Feeling comfortable and pain free during pumping is just as important to keep that milk flowing! If you’ve tried different sized fl**ges and still find pumping uncomfortable, try using silicone inserts! is an angled silicone breast pump fl**ge with a curve and tapered tunnel to improve comfort and allow flexibility for improved body positioning for mothers while pumping. Check them out! Not sure what size you need or still having difficulties with pumping, contact Bloom for help!

Another awesome tip from Bloom Collective!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Massage those breasts!!!! Massage works to both empty the milk ducts and encourage the production of more milk. Gentle breast massage (for just a minute or two) before a pumping session helps stimulate your milk-producing glands allowing for a faster let-down. Using breast compression during pumping aids in fully draining all of the milk ducts. This equals MORE milk. We have also found that breast compression during pumping has the added benefit of reducing your total pumping time because it helps drain the milk faster.

How to use breast compression during pumping:
🔘Wear a hands-free nursing bra so that you can use both hands
🔘Gently, but firmly, massage and squeeze your breast starting from the upper chest and working your way towards the ni***es and as close to breast shields as you can get
🔘You can even stop pumping in the middle of a session, or when you see the milk start to slow down, and massage your breasts for a minute or two and then go back to pumping. This helps to stimulate more let-downs!
🔘If you notice any hard plugged ducts, then provide extra massage to work these ducts clear!

Massage those breasts!!!! Massage works to both empty the milk ducts and encourage the production of more milk. Gentle breast massage (for just a minute or two) before a pumping session helps stimulate your milk-producing glands allowing for a faster let-down. Using breast compression during pumping aids in fully draining all of the milk ducts. This equals MORE milk. We have also found that breast compression during pumping has the added benefit of reducing your total pumping time because it helps drain the milk faster.

How to use breast compression during pumping:
🔘Wear a hands-free nursing bra so that you can use both hands
🔘Gently, but firmly, massage and squeeze your breast starting from the upper chest and working your way towards the ni***es and as close to breast shields as you can get
🔘You can even stop pumping in the middle of a session, or when you see the milk start to slow down, and massage your breasts for a minute or two and then go back to pumping. This helps to stimulate more let-downs!
🔘If you notice any hard plugged ducts, then provide extra massage to work these ducts clear!

Check us out!! Bloom Collective❤️❤️

It’s pumping week! Tune in this week as we share some of our favorite tips and tricks for optimizing your pumping experience.

👏👏👏👏

Attention, attention!!! Did you hear the latest news?!

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, mothers can now mix warm freshly expressed milk and cold milk from the fridge, or even consider pooling milk from 24 hours together. This is awesome news!! 👏👏👏 Previously, the AAP recommended that pumped milk of different temperatures could not be mixed (warm milk would have to be chilled in a separate container prior to combining) due to risk of bacteria. Research has confirmed that because of the live antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of breastmilk, mixing the temperatures does not increase the risk. This makes it easier to combine different pumping sessions of milk in your fridge to collect your milk throughout the day. As always, once combined, store according to breastmilk storage guidelines.

Bloom Collective

One of our favorite pumping tools is the HAAKAA - a manual breast pump. Did you know that while you breastfeed on one breast you can suction your haakaa on the other side? This way you don't have to deal with messy bra pads and wet shirts when that pesky let down milk starts flowing. This is a great way to build your supply during the initial postpartum phase without having to use your electric pump. Trust us - the let down milk expressed from the haakaa builds up faster than you think. Before you know it, you are storing ounces away!

We also wanted to include other options for collection cups. These aren’t manual pumps, so they don’t actively suction/express from your breast, but they are very discrete and easy to place in your bra to collect leaking milk. Save that milk mama! 💪🏼