How to express breast milk correctly by hand, how much and how to store expressed breast milk?
To express breast milk or not? This issue is one of the most discussed among breastfeeding women. There are doctors who still strongly promote pumping.
The recommendations of the World Health Organization, on the contrary, are based on the refusal of expression, provided that lactation is properly adjusted.
Most experts say that pumping is justified and appropriate only when needed. What are these cases when to express milk and how to do it correctly?
We will understand the intricacies of this procedure and answer the most exciting questions of women who are breastfeeding.
Content:
- When is it necessary to express breast milk?
- Technique for expressing milk by hand
- Rules for expressing milk with a breast pump
- Storing expressed breast milk
- Can breast milk be frozen?
- How to warm up expressed breast milk?
- Hot questions about pumping
When is it necessary to express breast milk?
Consider situations and cases when a woman needs to pump:
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In children born prematurely, the sucking reflex is not developed. They do not know how to suck, but they are capable of assimilating mother's milk. For these children, natural nutrition is vital. Breast milk, rich in beneficial ingredients, accelerates growth and development. |
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| "Lazy sucker" (weakened sucking reflex) | Lazy suckers are babies who suckle too slowly and for a long time while feeding. The reasons for the underdeveloped reflex are quite serious; it can be caused by a variety of pathologies, including diseases of the central nervous system. Problems with the sucking reflex should not be a reason to stop lactation. There is an easier way, you can express milk and give it through a bottle. |
| Reduced (insufficient) lactation | Is it wise to express milk if there is so little of it? In this regard, the recommendations are based on the principle of all means is good. Expressing increases milk production, but with natural feeding, lactation is more stable. And yet, the struggle for it involves any means. Express your breasts with your baby in mind and in his presence. |
| Formation of lactation |
Immediately after childbirth, colostrum is produced in the woman's breast. It's not milk yet, but a great source of nutrition for a baby. Colostrum is healthy, this nourishing substance perfectly satisfies the nutritional needs of a newborn. Milk arrives on the 3rd day. The kid can't handle the volumes. Filled breasts must be emptied, otherwise lactation will decrease. Expression maintains the rate of milk flow. Do not pump until the last drop; stop pumping as soon as your breasts feel soft. Stagnant milk leads to mastitis. Incorrect pumping is considered one of the reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon. A weak sucking reflex of a child can also provoke stagnation. |
| Taking medications that are excreted together with breast milk | When breastfeeding, many drugs are contraindicated. Nursing mothers also get sick and quite often there are situations when you have to resort to medication. The expressed milk must be discarded to maintain lactation. You cannot give it to a child. You can feed with mixtures. If a woman knows in advance about the upcoming medication intake, milk can be stocked up, expressed and frozen. |
| Inverted (flat) nipple | This is a conditional reason, since the problem is solvable. You can use special nipple pads. If this method also does not help, the breast is expressed and the baby is bottle-fed. |
| Separation from the child | Breastfeeding becomes a priority in cases where the mother cannot constantly be with the baby. This could be going to work or the need for treatment. |
| Procurement of milk for future use | This need arises when the mother plans to stop breastfeeding. Not wanting to deprive the child of a valuable product, many make supplies. During storage, milk may lose some of its beneficial properties; the very process of long-term storage of milk in the cold requires compliance with strict rules. |
There are mothers who are frightened and alarmed by the sight of their milk. It doesn't look like a cow. This bluish liquid can be very oily or, conversely, empty, looking like ordinary ghee or water. After several days of storage, the cream peels off in milk. It doesn't matter what picture you see and what feelings you experience at the sight of your own milk, its value does not depend on external attractiveness. It fully meets all the requirements of your child, but on condition that pumping is done according to all the rules.
There are two ways to strain milk, using a breast pump and your own hands. Each woman decides which one to prefer, sometimes on the advice of doctors.
Technique for expressing milk by hand
As with any responsible process, pumping requires preparation. First of all, the emotional attitude is important here. For good lactation, pumping is best done in the presence of your baby. If this is not possible, you can admire the photography. Think constantly about your little miracle, mentally touch it.
About 15 minutes before pumping, massage your breasts with light movements, drink warm water or tea, take a shower, let your baby touch your breasts. Before expressing, be sure to wash your hands and get into a comfortable position.
Place your thumb over the halo, and place your ring and index fingers comfortably under it. The distance to the halo should be at least 3 cm. Squeeze your fingers in the direction of the ribs and slowly roll them forward towards the nipple. All movements must be confident and accurate. Moving the fingers around the halo helps to extract milk from all breast lobules.
- The first time you express, you may feel painful, this is normal and not for long. Over time, the discomfort will disappear.
- Milk pouring out in streams is a sign of correct expression. If it just drips, then your hands are making the wrong movement. Train, learn and be prepared that not everything can work out right away.
- The fingers should not slip on the nipple, as it can be injured.
- When the skin is moistened abundantly, the chest and hands are wiped, after which pumping continues.
- Stop pumping as soon as your breasts feel lighter. It is not recommended to squeeze every last drop and completely empty the chest. Typically, manual pumping techniques are taught in the maternity hospital. If something does not work out, difficulties arise, consult a doctor and consult.
You cannot press on the chest, rub it and massage it during manual expression. Any painful movements reduce lactation.
Rules for expressing milk with a breast pump
Modern breast pumps, assistants to nursing women, allow you to milk quickly, efficiently and without compromising comfort. These handy pumping devices are available in several varieties. They differ in cost, manufacturer and mechanism of action. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages, a woman can choose the most suitable breast pump option. Someone is comfortable using electrical devices, while others choose manual ones. In any case, there are rules of use that must be followed.
Read the instructions, prepare for pumping, and make sure your breast pump is perfectly clean:
- Place the funnel over the breast and make sure that the nipple takes place right in the center.
- To create a vacuum, it is necessary to attach the funnel as tightly as possible to the chest.
- For the pumping process, the start button is turned on on the electric device, on the manual one, the piston is pressed or the pump (pear) is squeezed.
- Manual breast pumps are designed for non-stop hand operation. All movements, actions on the pump, piston handle or pear must be harmonious and rhythmic.
- Electrical devices simplify operation. Only process control is required. The force of expression is regulated independently, as it is convenient for anyone. At the final stage, the breast becomes soft, the milk flow turns into a trickle.
When expressing with a breast pump, monitor the flow of milk, it should be moderately active, and the process itself should be painless.
Storing expressed breast milk
The rules for storing expressed milk should be learned by every mother. Neglect and carelessness deprive milk of valuable qualities, it becomes dangerous for the health of the child.
Like any product, breast milk tends to deteriorate. Disease-causing bacteria develop in it. If the storage rules are violated, the microflora becomes pathogenic.
Where to express milk? Storage containers:
- For one-off occasions, baby bottles are suitable. Conveniently, the expressed milk is stored in them, and then the baby is fed.
- Electric breast pumps are supplied with separate bottle containers. Milk is expressed in these containers, where it is stored, and if necessary, they put on a nipple and feed the baby.
- For long-term storage, from 2 - 3 days, it is convenient to use plastic containers. They are sterile, designed for storing milk, and can be easily placed in the freezer (refrigerator).
- There is a simpler and cheaper option. Breast milk can be stored in baby food jars. It is better to use glass ones, it is enough to sterilize them for several minutes along with the lids. The only thing worth worrying about is storing jars in the freezer, the glass may break.
- Industrial-made bags are practical and convenient. They have a graduation, the date of expression can be fixed in a special place. It is ideal for freezing breast milk.
It is advisable to express milk immediately in the container in which it will be stored. Transfusions are not recommended.
How long can expressed milk be stored?
- Room temperature allows milk storage for 3 - 4 hours. Exposure to direct sunlight is highly undesirable.
- In the refrigerator, the shelf life is up to 4 days.
- In a freezer (at -18 ° C), milk retains its beneficial properties for up to 6 months.
Where to store expressed milk during a long journey when there is no refrigerator?
When you travel, you should take care of storing expressed breast milk in advance:
- Thermos. This is the cheapest option. The thermos keeps warm and cold. Having cooled it from the inside, you can safely pour breast milk, it will not deteriorate. To cool the thermos, you can use ice from boiled water.
- Thermal bag. Ice packs provide the optimum temperature.
- Cooler bag. On the move, this is the perfect solution. The compact bag is indispensable for long trips.
Can breast milk be frozen?
The answer is unequivocal, you can freeze. Modern mothers are lucky, before the advent of refrigeration devices, the problem of milk storage caused a lot of inconvenience. Nowadays, milk can be stored for six months, the margin of time ensures low-temperature pressure.
How to freeze breast milk?
Milk must be refrigerated before freezing. This should be done in natural conditions, that is, without getting out of the refrigerator. It is not recommended to change containers or pour milk.
To maintain sterility, refrigerate and freeze in the same container. The freezing mode is activated after placing milk in the freezer. A separate shelf is highlighted, there should not be other products in the neighborhood, all contacts must be excluded.
Be sure to sign the containers, indicate the date of freezing. This is important, since milk cannot be stored longer than the prescribed period. Elementary forgetfulness can lead to unpleasant consequences, and if we consider that we are talking about the child's health, it is advisable to exclude all risks.
How to warm up expressed breast milk?
Before giving the baby expressed milk from the refrigerator, it is warmed up in a bottle warmer. You can heat it in a water bath or just hold it in hot water. Before heating milk from the freezer, it is first thawed in the refrigerator to a liquid state.
Do not heat breast milk using boiling water or microwave ovens. By changing the structure, such methods kill all nutrients and useful substances and can harm the baby's health.
Warmed milk is not reusable. It doesn't matter where it was stored, in the refrigerator or freezer, it is better to get rid of the leftovers. During storage, the milk is divided into fractions to achieve integrity, the bottle is shaken well before feeding.
Breast milk is used as the main and additional food. The benefits are preserved until boiling, so if you decide to cook porridge on it or make an omelette, keep in mind that all the best qualities of breast milk will be destroyed by high-temperature processing. There will be no minerals and vitamins left in it, the protein will necessarily curdle and will be poorly absorbed.
Hot questions about pumping
- Should breast milk be expressed from both breasts at once? This need is assessed depending on the time of separation of the mother and baby. With a prolonged separation, two breasts are expressed. When mom is away for a couple of hours and fed the baby before going out, there is no need to make large supplies.
- How often should you express? The norm is 1.5 - 3 hours. Frequent pumping is not recommended, one breast is drunk by the baby, the other is pumped.
- How many times to express? It all depends on the situation. By pumping regularly, the woman is guided by the feeding time. We must count on enough expressed milk for the duration of the mother’s absence.
- Should I express my breasts at night? Expressing at night keeps you lactating. This is true for cases when, due to circumstances, the mother is separated from the child. Strain regularly, once every 3 hours. There may be more breast milk than the baby drinks, but this is better than a shortage of it. You can procure for future use and make stocks in case of need. If mom is not a supporter of frozen milk, you can simply pour it out. The process itself is important, expressing stimulates the production of milk in sufficient quantities. If you stop breastfeeding at night, you do not need to express at night.
- How long does it take? Hand pumping takes about an hour. It will take no more than 15 minutes to express with a breast pump.
- Can I mix milk portions expressed in multiple approaches? Doctors do not recommend doing this. Even if serving sizes are very different, refrain from mixing.
- Can I give milk that has been stored without cold for more than 4 hours? In the summer, it's best not to take risks and be careful when handling breast milk. If the bottle has been exposed to the sun, the shelf life is reduced. Under optimal storage conditions, the milk will not spoil; it will be suitable for feeding for 5-6 hours.
- Can I breastfeed and express my second breast at the same time? It is possible that there are moms who manage to combine breastfeeding with pumping, believing that more milk is released this way. This fact has not been proven, just an observation, but the fact that mother and child are constantly distracted is very bad. When feeding, the environment should be as calm and comfortable as possible for both.
- Which is better - a breast pump or hand pumping? Everything here is individual. A breast pump is safer and more reliable than hands, its sterility, with proper care, should not be in doubt. There are no problems with manual pumping, if the skills and techniques are worked out.
- Is breast milk that has been frozen good for you? Mother's milk in any form is healthier and better than adapted milk formulas. Freezing requires strict adherence to storage rules. Temperature and time must be controlled. Repeated freezing and temperature changes are unacceptable. Having provided milk with good conditions, you can be sure of the preservation of its properties and unconditional advantages over mixtures.
The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist
Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.
