ABOVE: A Spectra breast pump and a Medela breast pump, along with associated parts, are two of the most popular models of breast pumps covered by health insurance.

FAIRMONT– Public Health and Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties is holding a free come and go event with information surrounding breastfeeding from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday evening at the Martin County Library in Fairmont.

Kylie Saari, a public health nurse and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), said at a recent meeting her office was talking about things they want the community to know and figured this would be good information to share with the public so they reached out to the library.

“Since feeing your baby is super important, especially in light of the formula crisis, we though it would be good to show women how to use them (pumps) in a way that was effective,” Saari said.

She explained that while most pregnant women are given a pump with their health insurance, they’re not often given information on how to use them.

“They go home and try to figure it out, but there are tips and tricks… there’s a way to finesse it to get more milk out and a lot of women don’t know that,” Saari said.

As Saari is also the breastfeeding coordinator for the county, she does a lot of work with women and hears them often say they didn’t know how to use their pumps in a way that was helpful to them.

She said that sometime not knowing how to properly wear a pump could result in hurting your milk supply or even resulting in mastitis.

“If you know what you’re doing, you won’t have these problems,” Saari said.

On Monday women are encouraged to bring their pumps so that they can be checked out by professionals and also so others can see what kinds are all out there. There are many different kinds of pumps, including popular brands Elvie and Willow.

The event aims to be beneficial not just for first time moms, but anyone who might come into contact with a breastfeeding woman and need to know how to put together a pump.

“We would love to see second time moms come out. Their first pump isn’t necessarily the pump they’ll want to use again,” Saari explained.

She said they also want fathers and health care professionals to come.

“Even if you’re a med surge nurse and working with people who have broken a leg or have pneumonia, those patients might be breastfeeding. And you might need to know how to put their pumps together for them,” Saari said.

The class will be led by Saari and several peer counselors through the WIC (Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children) program.

“They’re moms in the community who are interested in helping other women breastfeed,” Saari said.

Saari said that a lot of women also don’t know to have their flange sized and pump suction tested. She said they’ll be offering measuring and testing for both at the event in a closed off area.

“We’re going to have one of the peers talk about the myths of pumping and we’ll have some information about going back to work and how to start pumping after you’ve been home with the baby,” Saari said.

She said that a lot of women believe they need to have a freezer full of milk before returning to work, whereas in reality, they need to have one days worth as they’ll be pumping daily. She said a lot of moms put too much pressure on themselves. Laws surrounding pumping in the workplace will also be discussed.

The event is free testing and sizing is free. Saari said if someone is uncomfortable being sized, they can talk them through how to do it on their own in the privacy of their own home.

Saari will also share some of the services they offer in the maternal child health department within public health.

“If a mom wants a one-on-one, we do that here at no cost. We do lactation consulting and a lot of people don’t know that,” Saari said.