How to express breast milk?

How to Express Breast Milk: A Guide for New Moms

As a new mom, expressing breast milk can seem daunting, especially if you’re not planning to breastfeed in the classical sense. However, expressing milk can be a lifesaver for you and your baby, whether you need to supplement your baby’s diet or if your partner or other caregivers need to assist with feeding. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of expressing breast milk, including the benefits, preparation, techniques, and storage.

How to Express Breast Milk: What You Need to Know

Expressing breast milk is a process of manually stimulating and collecting milk from your breasts, either directly into a bottle or container, or through a breast pump. The process mimics the natural process of breastfeeding, without the need for a baby. Here’s why expressing breast milk might be necessary:

• Supplementation: If your baby is having difficulty latching or is having a slow weight gain, expressing and supplementing with breast milk can help promote healthy growth and development.
• Baby care: If you’re unable to nurse your baby directly, expressing breast milk can be used to feed your baby from a bottle or through a syringe.
• Partner or caregiver involvement: Expressing breast milk can also involve your partner or other caregivers, allowing them to participate in the feeding process.
• Storage and later feeding: Expressed breast milk can be stored in a refrigerator or freezer for later use.

Preparation is Key

Before starting to express breast milk, it’s essential to prepare yourself and your equipment. Here are a few things to consider:

• Select the right equipment: Choose a properly sized breast pump and collection bottles that fit comfortably and ease of use.
• Wash your hands: Before handling any equipment, ensure your hands are clean and sanitized.
• Have a comfortable and private space: Expressing breast milk can be a personal experience. Find a comfortable and private space to allow you to relax and focus on the task.

Techniques for Expressing Breast Milk

There are two main methods of expressing breast milk: hand expressing and using a breast pump.

Hand Expressing

• Getting started: Sit comfortably and supporting your breast with your non-dominant hand. Use your dominant hand to release milk by gently squeezing your areola (the darker circle of skin around the nipple) and simultaneously releasing the milk.
• Techniques: Use a gentle pinch and release motion to simulate the natural sucking motion of a baby. This encourages milk to flow from the gland.
• Tips:

  • Relaxation: Maintain a relaxed state to allow your breast to release milk more easily.
  • Positioning: Experiment with different sitting positions to find what works best for you.

Using a Breast Pump

• Getting started: Attach your breasts to the breast pump, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Techniques:

  • Adjustable cycles: Choose a cycle that suits you best, whether it’s a lower suction for comfort or a higher suction for more efficient milk expression.
  • Breaks: Take regular breaks to change positions, stretch, and rest.
  • Monitoring: Keep an eye on the flow of milk and adjust the suction level as needed.

• Tips:

  • Comfort: Prioritize your comfort while pumping to reduce milk letting down and overall stress.
  • Patience: Be patient and understand that it may take some time to master the art of expressing breast milk with a breast pump.

Storage and Transportation of Expressed Breast Milk

Expressed breast milk can be stored in several ways:

• Labeling: Label stored breast milk with the date, time expressed, and your baby’s name for easy identification.
• Expiration Date: Discard stored breast milk after 3-5 days at room temperature, 5-7 days in the refrigerator, and 3-6 months in deep freeze.

Conclusion

Expressing breast milk requires preparation, patience, and practice. While it may take some time to master, expressing breast milk can be a valuable addition to your breastfeeding journey. Whether you need to supplement your baby’s diet, involve others in the feeding process, or store breast milk for later use, understanding how to express breast milk can be a lifesaver for you and your baby.