I’m looking for suggestions on a breast pump. I’m pregnant with #3 and have yet to find one I like, which is important since our first two kids couldn’t latch, so I solely pumped for six weeks straight. I need one that has the battery power option. I’m tired of being chained to a wall. Also, because I haven’t been able to really breastfeed, any suggestions or thoughts on making the experience any better? I extremely resent my breast pump. It takes time away from being with my newborn and other kids, and so far, I’ve only had pumps that use cords, so I’m stuck in the nursery, and it’s just been a really rough experience with the last two, so anything to make it a better experience would be much appreciated.
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Can’t help with the pump, but wanted you to know my first 2 couldn’t latch on, but with my 3rd latched on straightaway and had no problems so you maybe lucky as well! Good luck x
The medela freestyle is amazing. Can use batteries and has a charging cord. The battery stays charged for quite sometime. I pumped for 6 weeks also as I had a preemie.
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Try a nipple guard, u can breastfeed without the baby technically latching to your nipple
Elvie. Or willow I know someone who uses them at work you still gotta be careful when your moving but it can be done
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Spectra S1 is chargeable. I havnt had my daughter yet so idk how good it is Pumping but I’ve read really good reviews for it.
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This is the one I used with all 5 of my babies while I worked… love it! Battery or cord.
The areola needs to be in his mouth not just the nipple. Squeeze your boob in half. I have a 44 G bra size and it was hard for me but as soon as I realized pushing babies head while squeezing the whole breast in half worked I nursed for almost 2 years. You will be engorged at first so you might self express them before trying because it’s almost impossible to bend the boob in half.
My babies daddy squeezed my boob while I held baby and pushed his mouth against me several times before he finally got it. They actually have videos on the technique at the hospital. Just ask them
you may want to try nipple shields to help your baby latch
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I had to use a nipple shield for all 4 of mine and it helped them latch and I never pumped with either baby
I have no advice on breastfeeding as my son had some issues with that at the beginning then had a hard time trying to continue with it. But the pump I use is the madela swing pump. Can be used as batteries (4x AA) or plugged in. I am just starting to wean from pumping and my son just turned a year. It still works great. It also worked when travelling.
I loved my hand held one and it worked well… it gave me a chance to walk around and not worry about it dropping and breaking and not having to worry if I had batteries all the time
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Lansinoh signature pro is what I had and I LOVED it. It’s corded or battery operated. I got a hands free band to wear with it. You put it around you, zip up the front, and slip the pumps in both sides. You can pump and have your hands free. If you put batteries in the machine then you can walk around with it while it does its thing.
I got medela swing electric. Was fab
Grab a Haakaa as well!
I have the Motif Luna and I love it!! Has great suction and my son loves the bottles it comes with. Comes with connection cord to recharge pump; battery 
lasts a while before needing to be recharged
Nipple shield for both of my Littles and planning on using it again for this new babe 
Used the shield the entire 6 months they both breastfed for
I have a portable medela. It has a wall plug plus the option for battery power. You can easily buy the wrap for it so you dont have to hold the cups in place.
No need for battery or plug. No noise either. Compact easy to carry
Get help from the lactation consultant at the hospital! Every baby is different. Definitely ask for a nipple shield! It was the only way I was able to breastfeed my son, I used it for three months with him. I have a one month old now and she latches perfectly! There are breastfeeding groups you can also join for help. Good luck!
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I had the lansinoh smart pump, but you can also put batteries in it which was super helpful. The pump worked so well for me for over a year of use
I have a spectra and a Medela that has a battery pack… I am not a huge fan of either one honestly. Either way I am tied down and taking time away from my girls. My 2 yr old was tongue tied and we did realize it right away for bf was pretty impossible and with my 3 week old we just flat out struggled to get a good latch and I decided to just pump.
My preemie (born at 32+2) is tongue tied and struggled with latching hospital gave me some ardo tulip nipple shields and hes a pro now I should be 36 weeks pregnant now and hes amazing at it his even taking some feeds without shield now and his only been on boob since Wednesday before that he was tube fed I’ve had some more delivered today aswell if you look on Amazon theres some really cheap one with great reviews I did get a double electric for £20 which was really good but thats a plug in one but almost as God as the hospital one I had whilst in neonatal
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I could breastfeed and I didnt want to be stuck to a pump or a wall so I bottle fed formula to all 3 of my kids and they are happy healthy littles… they all got 1 to 1.5m of exclusive breastmilk from me then went to formula when their weight didnt go back up to birth weight
You can start to work with a lactation consultant now to work on latching and to kind of change the feelings around the pump and breastfeeding. Maybe also speaking to a counselor that deals with perinatal/postpartum mood disorders may help as well.
They make one that you can wear now. It’s a little expensive but if you plan to pump exclusively for a while it might be worth it.
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I use nipple shields to help with latching, they help me heaps, breastfed my first son til 10 months and currently breastfeeding my second son (1week old). I also have a medela swing double pump from when I went back to work after my first son, it can be plugged in or use batteries which was good
Elvie amd Willow breast pumps are wearable amd cord free. I think you recharge them but im not sure. Definitely worth looking into! I have 3 medella pumps, one has a battery pack and a car adapter. If I had the money or insurance I would have tried the elvie.
using a nipple shield helps a ton for latching problems. i think pumping is harder than breastfeeding.
I have the Bella baby one from amazon, I think it’s like 70-80$? It works great! I only have to recharge mine about once a week but other than that no cords are needed
There is a battery powered spectra which works really well. Also the freemie
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I have a spectra that I use with the freemie cups and just hang out with the kids in the living room while I pump.
I also would like to recommend using a nipple shield. Due to surgery, my oldest son was given formula for 3 weeks after birth and when i was finally able to nurse him he also had a big struggle latching. I used a nipple shield for about 2 months until he figured it out. I also pumped on the side as well. Definitely try it. Its a good cheap first option.
I personally like modella (sp?) It has a battery option, and a cord option. Very good pump.
Lucky you. I had to hand pump mine
I have the AmedaMya and I love it! It got it through my insurance. Pretty quiet and you can plug it in to charge. Really small too!
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I would get baby evaluated for tongue/lip ties which would effect latching
Freemie or willow wearable these are hands free electric ones but they make pumping a thing in the past, also nippke shields can work wonders I had no problem with my first child as she naturally latched my second on the other hand refused to latch n it took us nearly a week or so to get the latch down n her to get used to the breast , I know it. Is hard n sometimes feels impossible but if u truly want to nurse I would strive anyone to do anything n everything possible to be able to exp experience nursing.i had to pump at first while we were foing anything we could to get her to latch amd I to despise the pump, keep trying mom font give up nippleshield helpto get the latch down n be consistent, offer boob keep trying !!!
Try Dr. Jack Newmans clinic in Toronto? IBC International Breastfeeding Clinic
You should join Exclusive Pumping- Evidence Based Support Group ! Alot of help there and there’s already a variety of topics with many answers
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Colostrum is thicker than breast milk, just keep lightly massaging them with the hot rags on them in the shower to work out the clogs and express it. Easiest way. I would talk to your doctor too about mastitis, over engorgment that really hurts.
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Massage and let baby eat whenever they want your body has to get used to them. Your body is trying to over produce. I had the same problem and couldn’t pump either. I was able to successfully nurse until My daughter was about 16 months when she stopped on her own… Good luck and stay strong you got this mama!!!
Hot shower and massage them. Also when feeding baby you can put a bottle or “milk catcher” to the other side and catch what’s leaking. (Massaging a bit may release pressure from both) You can put it in the freezer for re feeding later when baby is sick.
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When I had my daughter in dec I was engorged as well since she wasn’t feeding as she should she would rather sleep after latching on I would use pump when she napped and froze it now she’s a month so I haven’t been engorged as she’s eating more and more I do have leaks here and there. I’d say do as much pumping as u can to let down best of luck
So the first time that happened to me…i had my ex help me out with that. Once he did his thing, i was gushing milk for several minutes. Its was so relieving
Easier said than done but… relax. My daughter is 7 weeks old and I went through the same thing. A lot of it was because I was so worried about it that the let down just wouldn’t happen. One thing that helps me is I pump after feeding her. That way she is right in front of me so I can look and talk to her while pumping instead of watching and hoping for the bottle to fill. It may sound weird but just having her there with me makes pumping go a lot smoother. Also while pumping I will gently massage the lumpy parts to help with the let down process. You got this momma!
pumping will just cause u to make more milk then u need for bubs. it can be quite painful when your milk is coming in but do keep an eye out for mastitis because this happened with my second and i thought everything i was feeling was normal, and it wasn’t. i had lumps and pain but in saying that my milk did come in very quickly also. panadol and warm compresses may help. some people prefer cold things.
That happened to me also. Dont give up, let your baby nurse as much as possible. You might be a human pacifier for a while, lol, but it will help your milk come in and it will give you some relief. Make sure you drink and eat alot, because when you’re breastfeeding it takes alot out of you. All your nourishment is going straight to the baby. Also, make sure you continue to take your vitamins every day. That way you will be healthy and so will your baby. If your breast get tender or hurt, get ice packs and put them on there to give you some relief. Girl, my breast hurt so bad and were so lumpy sometimes I had to lean over the sink and release some of the milk out, I couldn’t use the pump it wouldn’t work right for me. But your baby will be the healthiest baby, and will hardly ever get sick. Breastfeeding is the best. But it is hard at times.
Cold cabbage leave in the bra
I follow Exclusively Pumping Mamas - Education & Support Group they are awesome!!! Put this on there and trust me every single question you may have they answer. From first time mamas to seasoned mamas. But since you just gave birth I recommend pumping every 2 hrs for 15 mins. Use warm compression before pumping during and cold compression after. And massage before, during and after. But remember the more you pump the more you tell your body to produce but since you’re just starting its important to build up your supply. And since you’re trying to breastfeed usually you would pump before feeding baby so your flow isn’t so strong and then she drinks when she’s done then you should be good. But its a long road love. 
you can do it. Just remember fed is best!
Engorged is normal. It takes a week or so for this to settle. Dont pump. If baby can’t latch on then seek a lactation nurse. Newborn babies only require about 2oz of breast milk per feed. So your breasts will be hard as they adapt to supply and demand.
Cold cabbage leaves help sooth the tightness.
Don’t panic its normal . You can’t pump away the engorgement.
Don’t wear a bra for a few days as they restrict the swelling.
Just put baby to breast every 3 hours , make sure the baby’s top lip is folded up ,not straight or tucked under. Try feeding baby with her/his body under your arm resting on a pillow.
Your body will adapt so stick with it… just keep an eye out for any sore red patches, otherwise relax and along with baby learn the wonderful art of breat feeding. In a couple of weeks you will be a master. We have to learn by doing to breastfeed.
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I always struggled to Express but had loads of milk
I used plastic nipple shields in my bra and found that when he held my baby I would leak and could then collect it and put in a bottle
Breast shells I think they are called
I called them my spaceships because they look like UFOs
Worth a try …definitely released my spare milk x
I had the same problem. Turns out my lil one was tongue tied. Maybe have the pediatrician check.
Try using some blue vervain herb,helps stimulates lactation
This is a Guyanese trick… u can always take a comb and comb the breast downwards it works
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What do you mean you can’t let down if you are pumping and actually getting output? It’s been 2 years next month for me but from what I remember you have to let down before much of anything comes out…
What pump do you have? Have u tried different settings? If you don’t get any milk out you def can lose your supply.
I used a spectra s2… worse case scenario (and I hope I don’t catch a ban or any stupid crap here because I’m NOT being Pervy or kinky) ask your hubby for some help. I’m sure he will have better suction than a newborn or hand expressing and depending on what pump you have, better than your pump too. Some really don’t work at all
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When you put your baby on, you can rub their cheek or move their hand to keep them awake and drinking . Or look up how to power pump.
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Try pumping until you feel relief. I usually pump for 20-30 minutes. Have your baby in room when pump to help with letdown. Pump at minimum 2x a day once in am when you wake up and once before bed. You should have first appointment with lactation consultant or pediatrician.
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That is your milk coming in
It’s just transitioning from colostrum to milk
I understand I went through the exact same thing and it was painful
Just keep having baby nurses and pump whatever you can
Warm showers help!
Try swapping shield sizes and if don’t have, get one of the hands free pumping bras- I had same problem using same pump with one child to the next child, swapping shield size made all the difference! Also keep pumping and working at the knots, while I know painful, it’ll help and be worth it once worked out!
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I’ve found that pumping doesn’t really stimulate that let down like actually feeding does! I like to have her nurse for a bit than pump it seems to help get my milk flowing. I also squeeze/ massage my breasts in the hot water of the shower to release some of my milk for relief. Good luck mama! It’s rough in the beginning I don’t envy you!
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For breast pain I use very cold cabbage leaves to help with discomfort. Hot showers with massages and pumping helps me out a lot. I had lumps and it was super uncomfortable even after I pumped when I got home from the hospital but the cold cabbage leaves helped and pumping helped out a lot
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Nurse baby until baby is done. Then pump until you’re empty.
Ice packs before nursing! Take two fingers on each hand and gently press on either side of your nipple for like 30sec it’ll push back fluid to help let the milk through! If all else fails get in touch with a lactation consultant thats who saved me!!
Pump one boob while the baby is on the other. Both boobs let down at the same time. That should give you some relief… Also even if the baby isn’t hungry you can put the baby to the boob to get the letdown and then pump it… and if your pumping and stressing about a letdown it can stop your letdown. …I used to relax close my eyes, take deep breathes and think about how wonderful my baby is and how he/ she smells a while squeezing and massaging the boobies. A picture used to help me too, even more than having the actual baby in the room… and try turning the pump all the way up and message the boobies while relaxing. If you get down to the knots. Message those knots and keep up the pumping. Doing all that I could get 6 Oz out of one boob but it took 30-45 min … another thing is if you can get all that milk out but not the leftover knots the baby can get them. Just massage the knots while the baby is on the nipple… it can take some time but you’ll get the hang of it
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Don’t pump. Just hand express in the shower. Pumping will tell your body to make more milk. Just keep attaching baby your body will regulate
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Contact your insurance company and get a breast pump that is hospital grade. I used one with my last and it helped tremendously.
do not pump with a pump it will make it worse … get a haaka! like 2 now. it will be a lifesaver. i breastfed 3 kiddos for a total of 5 years. attach the haaka and tap/move up and down and the milk will pour out. and then when the baby is feeding attach one to the opposite breast.
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Hot shower and massage boobies!
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Also try changing up positions that you nurse in… I’ll get knots on the bottom of my breast that I can’t get out by pumping. The only way I’ve found that releases that milk is switching up nursing positions. If baby has been laying against me to nurse a lot, I’ll switch it up to the football hold. It’s worth a try!
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Try a hand pump in the hot shower. Hand pumps get stronger suction you can control. I had to do that for clogged ducts and it was the only thing that worked for me.
Place baby on the bed and breastfeed by dangling your boob over him or her works wonders dislodging clogged ducts
When I had the same issue I was told by my lactation nurse to use a small square bucket and put it on a chair(or counter) and fill it with hot water and bend over and submerge my breasts into the water to loosen up the milk. She emphasized that heat and massage is the best thing for engorgement and I had the same problem with my milk coming in, it was like as soon as it came in I was overproducing and constantly engorged. I would massage it in the shower and squeeze out the milk and the submerging in water did wonders because it broke up the tense pockets of milk and allowed them to move and be pumped, expressed or fed to my daughter! Good luck mama
Nurse and pump at the same time. Baby will help stimulate a let down and then pump will pick it up… try not to think about the let down and getting the milk out. Try to relax and maybe read a book or good t.v show? The more u think about it it stresses u out which doesn’t let ur body do what it needs to do.
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A nurse told me 29 years ago, drinking a few beers is great to get it flowing, worked great, feed her for 13 months, good luck…
I used to lay in a warm bath and hand express that way and sometimes it’s just come shooting out. Remember to massage in FRONT of the clog and not behind it, otherwise you won’t break up the clogged duct and it will just be more painful.
You shouldn’t pump before 6 weeks, your supply isn’t established until then. Pumping will tell your body to make more!
Hand express in the shower!
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Call the lactation consultant at your hospital where you delivered. You can relieve some of the engorging by pumping a little bit but if you pump too much you will start over producing causing the engorging. Baby is only drinking a very small amount right now. Get a hakka to catch milk while you nurse on one said it catches on the other and can help with engorging
Honestly, You’re already doing the right things. Sometimes it’s just a matter of patience. Try to relax as it’s easier to express milk. I remember when I would have a hard time. I’d sit in the tub with the shower on and once the tub was filled, I’d turn off the shower and literally pump in the tub… I literally would go from my normal 1.5 ounces to 6 ounces.
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Pump! And try to do so before getting too engorged. You can save it. Decrease as needed over time so that you don’t have to anymore. It may be feeding baby from just one side, and pumping the other. This can be so hard. I would recommend contacting your consultant, but sometimes it seems like they shame pumping. If it miserable, you’re more likely to throw the towel in.
Hang in there, Momma. This will pass. Do whatever works for you. Even if it means only pumping for a day or so.
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See a Lactation consultant, but also make sure you’re not getting mastitis. If you’re getting infection it might have an affect on how the milk tastes.
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Pump and pump and pump. Also try vibration for your knots. This will help a lot. I’m sorry I know it hurts. Try and get a hospital grade pump. I got one at the health department through the WIC office. I hope you get some relief.
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You’ve got this momma. I had the same and found the pump i was using just sucked (well, didn’t suck well enough), had to get a good one. I would pump after feeding. My son would latch, the fall asleep! I got mastitis twice, so painful. You can even hand express. Rooting for you!
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I really regret that I didn’t see a lactation consultant… I think you should find one if your peds office doesn’t have one
They sell these hot/cold packs that can go on around the pump Walmart purple box I can’t remember the brand) I found those helped me unclog ducts and express more. I would also try pumping on one side while the baby nurses on the other.
Hand express just enough to relieve them, if you pump you’re just telling your boobs to produce more. Stop pumping.
Feed baby as often as needed. Cluster feeding is absolutely normal during this time
The uncomfortable engorgement in the beginning is very normal and it does settle soon.
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I used a hand pump while standing under the hot shower, i always pumped after feeding and that seemed to help keep me from feeling so engorged. I could fill a gallon a day we had to buy a deep freezer to hold all the milk…oddly enough one night i said im taking a break from pumping tonight…I went to feed my girl and she just kept fussing so I got a bottle going for her and went to pump and i got nothing…i dried up over night just like that…didnt even leak a drop…but from where I had had so much milk I was able to bottle feed for 6m from my stock in the freezer
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Drink a half of beer beer before nursing and pumping. It may help.
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See if there is a lactation consultant near you! I went once a week for about two months and worked with her. It really helped. Try calling tomorrow! But keep doing what you’re doing to try and alleviate some pain
Drink a beer or a glass of wine and relax. You’re doing such a good job! Put baby to breast if they seem hungry. It may take an hour to feed, it may take 10 minutes. You can and will get through this!
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Do NOT do cabbage leaves. Idk why so many are saying that, cabbage leaves DRY YOU OUT. Completely. You will not be able to feed. Unfortunately this is just part of your body figuring it out. Definitely see a consultant. And try ice packs. Past that, power through!!! You got this mama!
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Every time you pump it’s going to tell your body to make even more milk, don’t pump…latch baby as much as they want and your body will adjust to what your baby is demanding. It sucks so bad in the beginning but should ease up soon. Take sunflower lecithin vitamins that will help ease the clogged ducts. You will get through this, you got this👍
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Ok!!! So idk if its just me but when i would feed the other boob would just be leaking! I would pump at the same time as feeding cuz i noticed it helped get rid of milk! I would switch sides too! It helped me!!
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My midwife told me to put wet tea bags on my breasts to help with engorgement pain. It really worked. Pump while feeding and keeping switching sides. Good luck momma.
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Pump enough to relieve the engorgement so you baby can latch on more easily. Don’t over pump. Your body and baby need to figure out how much milk the baby needs. If you over pump your body will continue to produce large amounts. But most of all try not to stress
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Where there are lumps, massage those areas as you pump. That will help loosen the clogs and bring the milk down at the same time. And do the same when baby is nursing. I had this same issue with my kids.
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I was told to nurse first then pump, each and every time. I had a freezer stash and babe eventually was eating more and it balanced itself out. I would massaged my breast as babe would eat and the lumps would go away. This can help while pumping as well. I still do this 6 months later. I can tell when there’s a block and I’m able to work it out. I know everyone is different but this did help me. Good luck, mama!!! Don’t give up!!!
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My lactation consultant said that your boobs get swollen when your milk is coming in since it comes in so fast and your boobs aren’t use to it. She said to use a cold pack to help with the swelling. Also pump after every feeding. Baby tummy grow every day so it will help with supply and having a stock of milk.
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