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Breastmilk Storage Bags

What type of plastic are your bags made of?
Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are 100% virgin plastic and contain no plastizers.  Specifically, they are made of FDA approved Food Grade LDPE (low density polyethylene) and LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene), that is 3 Mil Thick. 

Why use virgin plastic?
You take great care to express breastmilk for your baby and we think it is our responsibility to make certain that it is stored in the safest manner possible.  Only when using virgin plastic can we be certain that no undesirable, and potentially harmful, chemicals called plastizers can leach into your milk.  

Are your bags recyclable?
Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags are recyclable. They fall under the #4 recyclable category which includes bags, merchandise bags, pharmaceutical, packaging etc.

 

Can I use them to pump into?
Because Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags have a double zipper closure, they do not fit directly onto a pump cushion but you could use them if you are willing to hold the bag onto the pump with your hand.

What is the best way to store these—in another bag, in Tupperware container, freezer bag?
We recommend laying the storage bags flat to freeze them. You can put the breastmilk storage bags directly into the freezer but because plastic can sometimes stick to the freezer rack (especially if it is even slightly wet), we recommend placing the bags in some type of container or even a freezer Ziploc bag.  That will also protect the bags from knocking together with other frozen items.

How do I thaw my milk if frozen in your bags?
The thing to remember when thawing your milk is to handle it as gently as possible to preserve all the valuable nutrients.  The great thing about laying the bags flat to freeze is that the thawing will take less time. Breastmilk frozen in our bags can be thawed in the refrigerator or at room temperature.  You may also place the sealed bag in a bowl of warm tap water but never use extremely hot or boiling water on a stovetop.  Also, do not microwave the milk to defrost as this process may destroy nutrients in your milk and create “hot spots” that would be dangerous to your baby.  We recommend freezing your milk by laying the storage bag flat because it makes the thawing process quicker and easier. 

Can I microwave my milk while it is in your bags?
No, microwaving is never recommended for breastmilk as it destroys valuable nutrients and vitamins in the breastmilk. Additionally, it can create dangerous “hot spots” that can burn the baby when you are feeding the milk to him or her.

Are your bags sterile?
Yes, our bags are pre-sterilized.

Can I add fresh milk to frozen milk?
No, it is not advisable to layer fresh milk to already frozen breastmilk because, even if the fresh milk is cooled, it could potentially thaw the frozen milk slightly and that can cause it to spoil.

It is fine to layer fresh unfrozen milk with refrigerated milk (NOT FROZEN) and many mothers take advantage of this process when expressing small amounts of breastmilk throughout the day. 

What if my milk smells rotten when I thaw it?   
According to the La Leche League “Breastfeeding Question and Answer” book: In rare cases, some mothers who have meticulously expressed and frozen their milk for later use have discovered  that all their frozen milk has turned rancid.  This happens when a mother produces milk that is high in lipase, the enzyme that breaks down fat in the milk. Depending upon the level of lipase in her milk, some mothers notice this rancid smell after their milk has cooled in the refrigerator; others, notice it only after the milk has been frozen for a while.   

It is suggested that every mother who is planning to freeze her milk should freeze some test batches of milk and thaw it out after a week or so to be sure it has not become rancid.  If it smells rancid, she may need to scald the milk before freezing in the future to deactivate the lipase in her milk.  If the mother finds that after freezing and thawing her milk that it has a rancid smell, she can prevent this from occurring in the future by heating her expressed milk to a scald (bubbling around the edges but not boiling) right after collecting it and then quickly cooling and freezing it.  Scalding inactivates the lipase.  Once the milk has acquired the rancid smell, however, treating the milk will not help. 

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Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin

How is Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin different from other lanolins? 
There are many refinements of lanolin from a crude industrial grade to our ultra pure medical grade.  Lansinoh has been refined by a patented process to remove all allergenic components (identified as the free lanolin alcohols in combination with detergent residues left over from the wool scouring process) and to bring to the lowest level possible any environmental impurities (including pesticide residues).  Because of the purity of Lansinoh, it does not have to be removed prior to breastfeeding.

How can you guarantee your lanolin is the purest?
We routinely test our lanolin to make certain that it conforms to Lansinoh’s specifications with regard to allergenic components and environmental impurities. 
Our specifications far exceed those set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).  Additionally, we are the only company providing lanolin with no preservatives (BHT) or detergent residues (an identified allergenic component) left over from the wool scouring process.  We have never seen documentation from another lanolin provider that approaches our level of purity.  We can provide you with the Certificate of Analysis if you are interested in more details.

Do I have to remove it prior to breastfeeding?       
Lansinoh Lanolin does not need to be removed prior to breastfeeding because of the intensive purification process that is used.  We do recommend applying it after breastfeeding instead of before so that it has some time to absorb into your skin.

How does Lansinoh Lanolin work? 
Lansinoh provides a moist healing environment, which allows the skin to repair itself from within by slowing down the evaporation of moisture naturally present in the skin. It is partially occlusive (unlike Vaseline, a hydrocarbon, which is completely occlusive) and allows for the exchange of air (respiration) and moisture (transpiration) so that the skin does not become over hydrated.  The consistency of Lansinoh is part of its effectiveness. 

What if Lansinoh Lanolin is ingested by my child?
Lansinoh is non-toxic and is not listed with Poison Control Center so it is not harmful even if your child ingests it.   If ingested, Lansinoh will pass through the gut harmlessly and the only problem one might have is a loose stool. To be on the safe side, please contact your pediatrician or family physician.

(If pressed by a clinician or similar healthcare provider for more information): Lansinoh does not have an L/D 50 (Lethal/Dose)  literally means the dose at which 50% of a test population using that product would die) which is used by the Poison Control Center to establish the lethal doses of a substance.

I am allergic to lanolin/wool, can I use Lansinoh HPA Lanolin? How is that possible?
That is a logical question as there is some confusion about this issue. 

What is often considered an allergy to wool is actually a contact dermatitis that results from irritation from the wool fiber itself or dyes in the wool as they interact with the skin.  Lanolin, on the other hand, is a by-product of wool washing – the wool is washed and the raw wool grease undergoes a series of refinements that results in our ultra pure lanolin, which is an entirely different material than wool.  

Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin for Breastfeeding Mothers was developed especially for breastfeeding mothers, and is refined by a patented process to remove impurities.  There are many refinements of lanolin in the market and only Lansinoh has been proved to be completely safe for use by mother and baby.  It is the only lanolin available that has had environmental impurities (including pesticide residues) and allergenic components (including detergent residues) filtered to an extremely low level or removed.

Additionally, Lansinoh HPA® Lanolin does not contain preservatives or additives of any kind (including BHT).  People, who consider themselves allergic to wool and may have avoided Lanolin in the past, will be happy to know that they can use Lansinoh with confidence.

In the over 25 years that Lansinoh has been available, the company is not aware of a single  documented case of an allergic reaction to Lansinoh Lanolin.  However, that does not mean that someone somewhere could have a possible reaction. We would suggest that you apply Lansinoh on the inside of your forearm and cover it with a band-aid for 24 hours.  After that time, check and see if there is any redness or itching.  Obviously, if you have an unpleasant reaction before the 24 hours, discontinue any use of Lansinoh immediately. 

Obviously, if you have an unpleasant reaction before the 24 hours, discontinue any use of Lansinoh immediately. 

Where does lanolin come from?
Lanolin comes from the fleece of sheep after shearing. The sheep is shorn, the wool is washed and the raw wool grease remains.  This material undergoes a series of refinements that results in our ultra pure lanolin. One hundred pounds of wool will yield about two to four pounds of lanolin. It is a natural and renewable raw material not a processed synthetic compound.

The term lanolin comes from the Latin lana for wool and oleum for oil, although chemically it is a wax rather than oil. It is the secretions from the sebaceous glands of sheep, which is deposited onto the wool fiber and is nature’s way of protecting the fleece from the harmful elements of the weather.  It is an organic ester and as such is similar to the oil our own skin produces (sebum).  This is the reason it is so beneficial when applied to the skin.

Are any animals hurt when lanolin is produced?
No harm comes to the sheep when extracting lanolin. As stated above, it is a bi-product of wool washing after the wool has been shorn from the sheep.  Unlike sheep that are raised for their meat, sheep that produce high volumes of lanolin are shorn and then returned to the fields to grown another fleece, which will be shorn again for the retrieval of more lanolin. 

Lansinoh Lanolin stained my clothing or bedding, is the stain removable? What works best to remove the stain?
The best thing to do is to treat it like a grease stain before washing and use any products you can that contain a grease-fighting agent.  If you have already washed and dried the items, it will be more difficult to remove the stain, however Lansinoh is an organic ester; and, as such, it will eventually come out, but it may take a special effort.  First you should spot treat the stain; I would recommend using Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, as we have learned over the years that it works very well for this.  Then, you should soak it, the longer the better, overnight if you can in either hot water or some type of soaking agent like Biz.  Finally, wash the stain, as normal and it should come out.   

My Lansinoh Lanolin expired, can I still use it?
If your tube has expired, we do not recommend using it for breastfeeding. If you have used it before you noticed that it had expired, do not worry, it is ok. Lansinoh Lanolin, because it is ultra purified and bacteriostatic (will inhibit growth of bacteria).  If your tube has been opened and expired, we don’t recommend using it and would recommend buying a fresh tube. 

Where is the expiration date on the tube?
The expiration date can be found at the end of the tube, on the back, where the crimp is.  It will say ‘EXP’ followed by the month and then the year. 

Do you have any clinical evidence about the safety and/or efficacy of your lanolin?
Lansinoh has proven to be clinically effective in treating the skin by establishing a moist healing environment, which allows the skin to maintain more of its own natural moisture and to heal from within, which is nature’s own process. 

We have a number of clinical studies that were done using Lansinoh lanolin that we would be happy to send you (see appendix)

Do you have free samples of Lansinoh Lanolin?
If you are a breastfeeding mother suffering from sore or cracked nipples, your local midwife or health professional should be able to provide you with a sample.

I am a Midwife/Health Visitor — can I get samples of Lansinoh Lanolin?
If you are a qualified health professional, you can sign up to our sampling program which will supply you with 1.5g sachets of Lansinoh Lanolin to hand out to breastfeeding mothers.

My lanolin is so hard I can’t get it out of the tube?   Is that normal?  What should I do?
Yes, this is normal. Lansinoh is a completely natural material and does not contain any preservatives.  As such, it can become hard in cold weather and extremely soft in warm weather.  However, these changes do not compromise its effectiveness.  If it is hard, you may want to knead it in your hand until it becomes soft again or place it in a basin of hot water.  

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Lansinoh Latch Assist^TM 

Engorgement, Flat Nipple and Breastfeeding
• In the early days after birth, mums may experience engorgement or swollen breasts, a temporary condition that can make breastfeeding difficult and uncomfortable.
• When a mum experiences engorgement or swelling, she may also have flat nipples because the skin stretches so much that her nipples, which may normally be everted or protruding, may be flat. 
• Flat nipples may make it difficult for a baby to breastfeed.  In order for a baby to nurse effectively, she must be able to grasp the nipple and stretch it forward and upward against the roof of her mouth.  And because a baby may be unable to get a flat nipple correctly positioned in her mouth she may not receive as much milk despite her best efforts.
• It is important for a mum to be able to gently pull her nipple out so her baby can properly grasp the nipple and areola to establish a good latch.
• Current recommendations and practices include using a manual or electric breast pump to draw out inverted or flattened nipples and there are even some practitioners who recommend using a cut-off syringe to evert the nipple.  
• While those methods can help the situation, they can be cumbersome and time-consuming—valuable time that is being taken away from her breastfeeding baby.
• Furthermore, the recommendation of using a breast pump in this situation may not be the best option for a mum who may not need or want to pump but who needs a solution to address her temporarily flat nipples. 
• Not every mum will experience temporarily flat nipples due to engorgement or swelling but for those mums who do encounter this condition. Lansinoh developed the Latch Assist^TM  to assist with latch-on.

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Disposable Nursing Pads

Why are your pads so absorbent?  What is polymer?
The effectiveness of the Lansinoh pad lies in the construction of the product and the materials used in the production process.  Through a unique process using heat and air, paper pulp is converted to “fluffy pulp”, which is then combined with a super absorbent polymer in the form of a powder. This mixture is sandwiched between layers of paper tissue.  A non-woven fabric is then placed over the tissue to provide a stay-dry lining.  This lining draws breastmilk and moisture away from the skin and into the core of the pad where it is absorbed by the super absorbent polymer, which turns into a gel.  The layers of tissue surrounding the polymer further insure that the moisture is locked within the core of the paper pulp and polymer.   This unique action keeps both the mother’s skin and her clothing dry. 

My baby chewed on the pad and the gel came out - what should I do? 
The material that is used to absorb the milk is a Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP).  It is similar to what is in baby diapers, in that it starts as a powder and once the milk hits it, it turns into a gel.  I can assure you that the SAP is non-toxic, however, it of course is not meant for ingestion.  If you do think there is a possibility that your baby did in fact ingest some of the polymer, I would suggest contacting your doctor and/or your local Poison Control Center.  If your doctor needs any information from us, we would be happy to help in any way that we can. 

Why do you individually wrap each nursing pad?  Isn’t that bad for the environment?
We individually wrap each pad because it keeps each pad clean and hygienic and allows you to toss them in your bag without worry that they will not be sanitary when you use it.  For moms who prefer to avoid the waste of a disposable pad and the outer plastic, we offer our Washable Nursing Pads which are made of cotton and are reusable.

There was gel on my breast when I went to feed my baby, what is it?
The reason Lansinoh’s breast pads are so absorbent is that they contain a fine powder within the construction of the pad that is a super absorbent polymer (SAP).  When the milk lets down and begins to flow, the powder turns into a gel, which is the action that is keeping you dry.  If you noticed gel on your breast, it probably means that this leaked from the pad onto your skin either because the pad was torn or ripped prior to your using it or because the pad was too saturated with milk.  This could happen after a particularly big letdown or after wearing the pad for many hours. One option is changing your pad more frequently if you think that could be the cause.  Because our pads are so absorbent, it may not seem as though you are leaking a lot of milk but this is sometimes the case.   

Or, it could be the case that the pad was torn or slightly ripped and the polymer gel could have gotten onto your skin.  (If that is the case, we can offer a refund but explore other options first).

Are these recyclable?
While there are components in the pads that are recyclable, the intact pad is not recyclable. We are working towards using more recyclable products. If you prefer to use a reusable product, you may wish to use the washable nursing pads.

Why are the disposable nursing pads so big?
The unique shape is to allow for full coverage for maximum discretion under clothing.  Also, the wider area allows for more absorption as the Super Absorbent Polymer is spread over the entire surface of the pad. 

Do they come in different sizes or colors?
No, they do not. Would you be interested in pads that do?  We consider feedback from our customers the most valuable information that we can ever receive and I would be glad to pass along your suggestions to our product development team.  

Can I sleep with the pads in?
Yes, many mothers find our pads very absorbent, especially at night.  The only thing I would recommend is that you change the pads during the night if they become saturated. 

Are they made of plastic?
The backing of the pad is tissue that has a thin layer of laminate in it. In order for the disposable pads to keep wetness in, this very thin layer of laminate must be used; otherwise, the leaking milk would get soaked in and soak out the back of the pad. 

My pad keeps bunching in my bra, am I wearing it wrong?
If you pad is bunching, I would recommend using the sticky tabs that are located on the back of the pad to keep it in place. You may also wish to completely remove the pad before pulling your nursing bra flap down which can sometimes cause the pad to get bunched and once they are bunched, they are hard to unbunch.

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2 in 1 Affinity^TM Double Electric Breast Pump

Why is your Electric Pump made of clear plastic/Polycarbonate while your manual pump is made of polypropylene? Is this pump more dangerous?
One of our major concerns at Lansinoh has always been to provide the safest, purest products for breastfeeding mothers.  There has been a lot of discussion lately about plastics and specifically plastics that have components that can leach into liquids and foods.  Some research has found that Polypropylene does not contain these components.  While the evidence is not clear at this point, we are looking into the possibility of changing the plastic that we use for our electric pump from Polycarbonate to Polypropylene which is the kind we are using for our manual pump and storage bottles.

What size breast cushions come with the pump? Can I buy bigger cushions?
The cushion that comes included with the pump is considered standard at  25.0 mm.  Larger cushions are available through our website spare parts page and measure at 30.5 mm. To order, look at the Affinity product page. 

What about accessories like extra parts, cooler bag, carry bag?
You can order all extra parts for our Double Electric Breast Pump online from our website on the Affinity product page, if you scroll to the bottom of the page and select the 'parts' tab from the index cards, you can view all the available parts.  To order, please call 0113 2591425.

Why doesn’t it come with a carry bag?
We wanted to be able to offer a quality, high powered double electric pump at under £150 and if we included the accessories, it would have raised the price considerably. We spoke with many mums before coming out with our pump and many commented that because of the portability and size of our pump, they felt as though they had bags that they would be able to use with this pump instead of having to pay more for the pump itself.

We now offer a carry-bag that includes a cooler bag and freezer packs in the spare parts section of our website which is on the Affinity™ product page.

How many times does the Lansinoh Double Electric Breastpump cycle?
The Lansinoh Double Electric Breastpump cycles 30-60 times per minute

What is the suction range of the Lansinoh Double Electric Breastpump?
The Lansinoh Double Electric Breastpump ranges from 100-220 mm HG in 1 second.

Can I pump directly into your bags? Why not?
Unfortunately, you cannot pump directly into our milk storage bags because they have a double zipper closure and therefore, will not fit securely on the pump. 

Is there a warranty on your pump?
The Lansinoh Double Electric Breastpump comes with a 90 day warranty on all pump parts and a 1 year warranty on the base of the pump.  However, you will have to provide a dated proof of purchase to make a claim under this warranty.  

Can it be used with batteries?
Yes, our New Double Electric Breast Pump works with 6 AA batteries.

What is the importance of a closed system?
The closed system protects the milk from potential contaminants in the air eliminates the hassle and risk of milk backing up into the tubing and motor unit. 

Is this pump powerful enough for daily use like for a working mum?
The Lansinoh Double Electric Breastpump has been designed for occasional and./or daily use and it is certainly powerful enough for a working mom or a mom who will be apart from her baby for regular intervals.

Can I use this pump to establish my supply?
The Lansinoh Double Electric Pump, like other non-hospital grade breastpumps, is not made to establish a milk supply. If a mom wants to establish her milk supply, she should speak with a Lactation Consultant about renting a hospital grade breastpump and be closely monitored to ensure she is building an adequate supply.  (FYI—hospital grade breastpumps are much higher powered, for use by multiple users when using different collection kits and are available for rent from the hospital. These can be used to establish and increase a supply.  Our pump is not hospital grade and no pumps sold at retail are hospital grade. Ours and other retail pumps cannot establish supply though they can increase or maintain a supply). 

I have lost my instruction manual, can I download a replacement?
Yes, please click here to download a pdf version of the UK instruction manual for the Lansinoh Affinity pump.

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Manual Breast Pump 

Why is the plastic cloudy?
Our bottles are cloudy because they are made of Polypropylene—a chemical and additive-free, safer plastic for breastmilk storage.

Is it dishwasher safe?
All of the parts in the manual pump are dishwasher safe. To be extra cautious, we recommend hand washing the white valve, silicone diaphragm stem and the ComfortSeal Cushion to prevent loss and to extend their usefulness.

Can I sterilize the manual pump parts by boiling in water?
After undertaking our standard of continuous boiling is for 100 hours, Lansinoh confirmed the Manual Pump parts work properly and that there will be no deformation on bottle or any parts after 100 hours of boiling. 

Do I have to use the ComfortSeal cushion? Can I use it with your electric pump?
While you don’t have to use the ComfortSeal Cushion, it was designed in order to help you create a strong, solid seal which will aid greatly while pumping your milk with this manual pump. If you find that it is easflange ier or more comfortable to use the pump without the cushion, you can pump that way. 

The ComfortSeal Cushion fits on the standard size of our Electric Breastpump (the standard flange is the one that comes with your electric breast pump). 

Can I use your bags to pump into from the manual pump?
Because our bags have a double zipper closure, they will not fit directly on either of our breastpumps.

What is the suction strength of your manual breast pump?
The Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump is designed not to exceed 245mmhg.

Did you test this pump with mums before putting it on the market?
Yes, we tested this pump with breastfeeding mothers and it has been tested to ensure that it complies with the guidelines set by the FDA for a manual pump.

Is there a warranty on this pump? 
The Manual Pump does not come with a warranty and even if it is unopened it cannot be returned to us. If it is unopened, it can usually be returned to the store where it was purchased.  This is a guideline not just set by Lansinoh but by other companies that sell pumps and similar personal hygiene products like breast pumps. Are you experiencing any trouble with your pump? Can you tell me about it?

Please note that this is a personal care product and once opened, cannot be returned for any reason. 

I have lost my instruction manual, can I download a replacement?
Yes, please click here to download a pdf version of the UK in pack instruction manual for the Lansinoh manual breast pump.

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General

What is your mission statement?
The Lansinoh Mission Statement is provided below:
“Lansinoh is dedicated to increasing the incidence and duration of breastfeeding by providing quality products, accurate information and meaningful support to breastfeeding mothers and their families.  LLI has always adhered to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (WHO code) and will never market artificial baby milk (formula)”.

How does Lansinoh guarantee its products?
Some of the Lansinoh products come with some type of warranty. Many of Lansinoh’s products are personal care items and cannot be returned once opened. If the product is defective, Lansinoh will stand behind it by replacing any defective portion or repair the item. We cannot guarantee success or the amount of breastmilk production using any of our products. If you are dissatisfied, we will troubleshoot to see if there is a problem but we do not offer refunds.

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