Milk Stork Blog

5/23/22

Pumping & Feeding, Current News

What You Need to Know About Milk-Sharing During the Formula Shortage

In light of the formula shortage, more parents are turning to peer-to-peer milk sharing. The nutritional benefits of breast milk are unparalleled, but if you’re not careful, the risk of milk sharing may outweigh the benefits. Unlike milk banks, which conduct extensive health screenings on donors and serve fragile and ill babies most in need of human milk, peer-to-peer milk sharing is informal and unregulated. So, while it might be more accessible to parents, it is not without risk. Understanding…

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4/22/22

Pumping & Feeding

Finished with Pumping? How to Recycle Your Old Breast Pump

So you’ve decided to stop breastfeeding and you’re considering two options: let your breast pump sit and collect dust, or throw it out hoping that maybe some of the parts are biodegradable (spoiler: they aren’t!). Instead, consider these three environmentally-friendly tips to keep your conscience clear and your breast pump out of landfills. 1. Recycle Medela is one of the most popular breast pump brands on the market. Through its Medela Recycles program, you can ship your personal, electric Medela…

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4/5/22

Pumping & Feeding, Workplace Support, Employers

How to Create a Lactation Friendly Culture at Work

Pumping parents know a thing or two about stress, so this Stress Awareness Month, we want to help you make the transition back into the workplace as painless as possible. A New Mom’s Healthy Returns study revealed that 4 out of 5 employees want better breastfeeding support from their employer. Among the most important: having a flexible schedule upon returning to work and having breastfeeding benefits, such as breast milk shipping and space to comfortably accommodate multiple pumping moms. HR…

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3/2/22

Workplace Support

Your Lactation Rights: Get the Support You Need

It’s on all of us to normalize breastfeeding — whether you’re a brand new parent, a parent who pumped years ago, or an ally to the parent community — speaking out and supporting one another is key for a healthy and safe future. Now more than ever, a lack of lactation support is a growing concern as the pandemic wanes and workplaces begin to reopen. If you’re a pumping parent heading back to the office, it’s crucial to know your…

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1/3/22

Pumping & Feeding

10 Tips for Building Up Your Stash of Frozen Breast Milk

Whether you are stockpiling your breast milk in preparation for returning to work, traveling, or just for the security of having a backup milk supply, here are our ten tips to help you build up your freezer stash while you are nursing. Pump in the morning when your supply is at its highest. After your baby is fully fed, continue to pump off extra milk for another 10–15 mins — it will add up! Stay consistent with your pumping— going…

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12/20/21

Travel Tips, Pumping & Feeding

Tips for Pumping Breast Milk While Traveling

What you need for pumping on the plane: A diaper bag with your pump, bottles, and accessories Comfortable clothing that provides easy access Ziplock bags — these will come in handy when you’re storing your used accessories Wet wipes for easy cleanups Nursing blanket or a coverup to keep things discreet A good cooler bag to store your milk Flying with breast milk is allowed. Know your rights! Here is TSA’s policy for Screening Formula, Breast Milk, and Juice. Printing…

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10/22/21

Pumping & Feeding

How to Donate Breast Milk

If you are producing more liquid gold than your baby can consume, consider this a blessing! As a nursing mom, you already know the benefits of breast milk but did you know you can donate your extra milk and help other families in need? In fact, women have been sharing breast milk for as long as humans have walked the earth. Here’s some info on how, where, and why to donate breast milk! Milk Banks Milk Banks serve as a…

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7/8/21

Travel Tips

7 Best Hotels for Pumping Parents

As COVID-19 restrictions are slowly lifting across the country, pumping parents are once again beginning to take flight. Experts predict the massive surge of travel this summer will continue, with business travel beginning to rebound in the fall. So know before you go! Read THIS helpful article of things you should consider before planning and heading out on your next adventure. Breastfeeding parents know a hotel room can make or break pumping logistics. So with that in mind, here are…

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6/17/21

Family Health, Pumping & Feeding

How Men Can Support Breastfeeding Moms and Be Their Allies

When it comes to breastfeeding, the first thing to know is that it’s not just about feeding a hungry little belly, but also about responsive parenting — allowing and assisting a new mom and baby to develop that trusting bond, reassurance, and closeness during those early weeks. For some parents, nursing comes easy and naturally, while for others, the struggle is very real! Partners play a critical role in breastfeeding outcomes and therefore it is important for them to understand…

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