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Welcome, new moms and seasoned pros alike, to a topic that’s as precious as it is practical: storing pumped breast milk. If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you already know the incredible benefits of breast milk for your baby’s health and development. And if you’re navigating the world of breast pumping, you’re likely finding that your “liquid gold” can sometimes feel more like a science experiment.

Fear not! We’re here to simplify the process and help you make sure that every precious drop of your breast milk is safely stored and ready to nourish your little one whenever they need it. Whether you’re pumping to build a freezer stash, preparing for a return to work, or just looking for some handy storage tips, we’ve got you covered.

Using stored breast milk might seem like a straightforward task, but there are some guidelines that can make the process clearer. Whether you’re planning a night out, heading back to work, or just want to let someone else share in the joy of feeding your little one, we’ve got your back.

Freshly pumped milk
Room temperature: up to 4 hours
Refrigerator: up to 4 days
Freezer: 6-12 months

Thawed, previously frozen
Room temperature: up to 2 hours
Refrigerator: up to 24 hours
Freezer: never refreeze breast milk after it’s been thawed

Left over from a feeding (meaning your baby did not finish bottle)
Room temperature: use within 2 hours after baby has finished eating
Refrigerator: use within 2 hours after baby has finished eating
Freezer: do not freeze

Ready to use that breast milk? Take note of these general guidelines to ensure that your baby’s milk is served up properly!

Thawing frozen breast milk for immediate use

Warm the milk by running warm water over the bag or bottle and use it within the next 24 hours.

Warming refrigerated breast milk

Warm the milk by running warm water over the bag or bottle until it’s at room temperature.

Note: Never thaw or heat breast milk in the microwave.

The information contained here within is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Edwards Health Care Services (EHCS) does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned here within. Reliance on any information provided by EHCS, EHCS employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication here within is solely at your own risk.

Sources:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk

With its four divisions — Edwards Health Care Services, GEMCO Medical, GemCare Wellness, and GEM Edwards Pharmacy — GEMCORE proudly offers a comprehensive suite of value-driven diabetes management solutions designed to lower healthcare costs, enhance efficiencies, and improve patients’ lives. The company employs over 260 dedicated professionals at its local headquarters and was ranked 19 in the Midsize Companies category. For the complete list of 2023 Top Workplace Winners, click here.

The Plain Dealer’s Top Workplaces list continues to reflect companies in the region that cultivate a connection with their workforce. This year’s Workplaces list ranks 433 companies, nonprofits, schools, and other employers. These organizations share a commitment to providing support and an environment that makes employees feel valued and respected.

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Returning to work will mean baby is at breast less, and you will likely have to pump to maintain your milk supply. It is recommended to express milk or pump every three hours while away from your baby. At first you may need to express/pump more frequently if you start to leak or feel uncomfortable. Full breasts and engorgement can slow milk production and are signs you may need to pump more often. Breasts are never truly empty of milk, so pumping and removing even small amounts of milk will increase production.

When you are with your baby, allow him/her to nurse on demand. The “in-between” comfort feeds can help your milk production. Once you are back to work, the first few weeks your baby will likely increase night-time feeds to make up for the lack of nursing during the day. Breastfeeding at night can help increase milk production since prolactin, the hormone that encourages milk production, is higher during night-time feedings. Breastfeeding on demand over the weekends and evening hours can help rebuild your supply, especially if you’ve noticed it decreasing when pumping during the week.

Increasing Milk Supply

• Adding one more pumping session can help with supply; a 5-minute pumping session is better than not pumping at all. If the pumping session you added is not producing milk, continue to pump at the same time each day, and within a few days you will see your supply gradually increase because pumping stimulates milk production.
• Ideally, each pumping session should be about 15 minutes on each breast. Continue to pump for 2-5 minutes after the last drops of milk come out. (Worried about how to store and use your pumped milk? Check out this post.)
• Try cluster pumping instead of pumping or nursing every few hours. Sit down with your pump and baby, and switch between nursing and pumping every half hour for several hours.
• Breast compressions can help stimulate let-downs when pumping and will help to thoroughly drain all milk from the ducts. While pumping, use one hand to massage breast from the armpit towards the nipple, gradually increasing the pressure and finishing with a few firm squeezes of your breast.

Remember it will take time to increase your supply; it will not happen overnight. Maintaining proper hydration, nutrition, and rest are just as important as frequently pumping and nursing to increase your milk supply.

The information contained here within is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Edwards Health Care Services (EHCS) does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned here within. Reliance on any information provided by EHCS, EHCS employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication here within is solely at your own risk.

Sources:
• https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pregnancy-weight-gain.htm
• https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/pregnancy-weight-gain/
• https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm

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Medtronic MiniMed™ 770G™ Insulin Pump System

The Medtronic MiniMed™ 770G™ insulin pump system is the technology that adapts to you! Approved for ages 2 and up, this new, FDA-approved system connects directly with a compatible smartphone, allowing you to view sugar trends and insulin delivery on the go.

Ready to Upgrade?

The MiniMed™ 770G™ system gives you the flexibility to continue living your life while managing your diabetes! Sometimes referred to as a hybrid closed loop system, it automatically adjusts delivery of basal (background) insulin based on CGM sensor glucose values. This means that the pump gets glucose readings from the CGM automatically, and then delivers a variable rate of insulin 24 hours a day based on your personal needs.** This integrated system – meaning having a pump and a CGM that speak to one another – may help reduce both high and low glucose levels.**

You can even stay up-to-date on your glucose trends and insulin delivery 24/7 using the MiniMed™ Mobile app for iOS and Android. This system adapts to your unique needs, so you can focus on living your life and worrying less about managing your diabetes!

Multiple Features Make Managing Your Diabetes Easier:

• Data-sharing capability makes virtual and in-person doctor’s appointments easier

• Smartguard™ Auto Mode helps prevent glucose highs and lows

• MiniMed™ Mobile App allows you to discreetly check your numbers

• Carelink™ Connect App brings more peace of mind for care partners

• Exercise setting may reduce lows during activities

Now may be the best time to upgrade to the 770G system, and get access to Medtronic’s MiniMed™ 780G* software upgrade at no cost, when available. Software upgrades provide the latest pump features without having to switch your physical pump!

*Investigational. Not approved by the FDA for any use and not commercially available in the US. We will let you know as soon as the software upgrade is available with the option to add our future CGM!

**Refers to SmartGuard^™ Auto Mode. Some user interaction required. Individual results may vary.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: MINIMED™ 770G SYSTEM WITH SMARTGUARD™ TECHNOLOGY

The MiniMed™ 770G system is intended for continuous delivery of basal insulin (at user selectable rates) and administration of insulin boluses (in user selectable amounts) for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons two years of age and older requiring insulin as well as for the continuous monitoring and trending of glucose levels in the fluid under the skin. The MiniMed™ 770G System includes SmartGuard™ technology, which can be programmed to automatically adjust delivery of basal insulin based on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor glucose values (SG) and can suspend delivery of insulin when the SG value falls below or is predicted to fall below predefined threshold values.

The Medtronic MiniMed™ 770G System consists of the following devices: MiniMed™ 770G Insulin Pump, the Guardian™ Link (3) Transmitter, the Guardian™ Sensor (3), one-press serter, the Accu-Chek® Guide Link blood glucose meter, and the Accu- Chek®Guide Test Strips. The system requires a prescription.

The Guardian™ Sensor (3) has not been evaluated and is not intended to be used directly for making therapy adjustments, but rather to provide an indication of when a fingerstick may be required. All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using a blood glucose meter and not on values provided by the Guardian™ Sensor (3).

All therapy adjustments should be based on measurements obtained using the Accu-Chek® Guide Link blood glucose meter and not on values provided by the Guardian™ Sensor (3). Always check the pump display to ensure the glucose result shown agrees with the glucose results shown on the Accu-Chek® Guide Link blood glucose meter. Do not calibrate your CGM device or calculate a bolus using a blood glucose meter result taken from an alternative site. It is not recommended to calibrate your CGM device when sensor or blood glucose values are changing rapidly, e.g., following a meal or physical exercise.

WARNING: Do not use the MiniMed™ 770G system until appropriate training has been received from a healthcare professional. Training is essential to ensure the safe use of the MiniMed™ 770G system.

Pump therapy is not recommended for people whose vision or hearing does not allow recognition of pump signals and alarms. Pump therapy is not recommended for people who are unwilling or unable to maintain contact with their healthcare professional. The safety of the MiniMed™ 770G system has not been studied in pregnant women. For complete details of the system, including product and important safety information such as indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions associated with system and its components, please consult http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/important-safety- information#minimed-770g and the appropriate user guide at http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/download-library. 

Home          Available Breast Pumps          Support for Moms          FAQs          Why Choose EHCS         

Home          Available Breast Pumps          Support for Moms          FAQs          Why Choose EHCS         

Home          Available Breast Pumps          Support for Moms          FAQs          Why Choose EHCS         

Home          Available Breast Pumps          Support for Moms          FAQs          Why Choose EHCS         

Home          Available Breast Pumps          Support for Moms          FAQs          Why Choose EHCS         

Home          Available Breast Pumps          Support for Moms          FAQs          Why Choose EHCS         

Home          Available Breast Pumps          Support for Moms          FAQs          Why Choose EHCS         

Home          Available Breast Pumps          Support for Moms          FAQs          Why Choose EHCS