Expressing Breast Milk

Milk Expression and Breast Pumps

There may be many reasons for needing to express milk for your infant.

You could have a special occasion coming up that you wish to go to but it is inappropriate to take your little one, or you may simply want a an evening off to spend some quality time with your partner or friends.

There could be an unexpected emergency that take you away from home or you could be contemplating returning to work.

Whatever the reason, practicing expressing and being comfortable with the process will make it easier for you.

How To Choose A Breast Pump

The milk production in the breasts, much like so many other things, works on the principal of supply and demand. The more breast milk your baby consumes, the more your body will need to make.

Breast pumps are generally used to insure continued production of breast milk when you cannot feed your baby - whether you are back to work, travelling, taking medication, or just out of town.

Basic types of pumps

Breast pumps can either be battery operated, hand operated, semi automatic electric, or even self cycling electric.

Hand pumps

Manual hand pumps are designed to use the strength of your hand or arm muscles for pumping one breast at a time. You can also get pumps that will use the leg and foot muscles for pumping both breasts at one time.

Mothers that with carpal tunnel syndrome or neck problems may want to consider using a pump designed for the arm or leg muscles or even an automatic model.

Battery Operated

Battery operated pumps with battery operation are the best for women who have an established supply of milk and want to pump once or even twice a day. These pumps use batteries to create suction, minimizing any type of muscle fatigue.
Most battery type pumps are designed for pumping one breast at a time and are recommended for occasional usage.

Electric Pumps

Even though electric pumps are more efficient than hand or even battery operated pumps; they also tend to be more expensive. You can however, rent them if you need to.

Electric pumps can normally plug directly into an outlet and are designed for pumping both breasts at a time and even frequent use. Hospital grade pumps are the most efficient for initiating and maintaining milk supply, and are available for rent or purchase.

How To Use A Breast Pump

Just like breast feeding, pumping is a skill that you learn. When first trying a breast pump, most mothers are only able to express a few drops of milk. With the proper practice and knowledge, the mother will be more efficient at pumping.

Preparing the breast pump

1. Read all the instructions in the kit very carefully.
2. Every part of the breast pump will need to be sterilized before you begin using it.
3. After use, all the parts of the pump will need to be washed in warm, soapy water, then rinsed with hot water and drained on a clean towel. The plastic tubing doesn’t need to be cleaned unless you get milk into it. If you do wash it, it should be hung to allow time to dry and drain thoroughly.
4. If your doctor feels the need, the entire kit can be sterilized every day.
5. When you first start with an electric pump, the suction level should be on the
lowest possible setting.

Getting Started with Expression

Warm compresses, gentle massages of the breast and gentle nipple stimulation will help to stimulate a quick let down.
You should always relax while doing breast massages during pumping. Some mothers prefer to close their eyes then think about nursing the baby, imagining the baby in their arms. The more relaxed a mother is, the better let down she’ll have and the more milk will be dispensed.
Your first attempts at pumping should be considered practice sessions with learning to use the breast pump as the goal, not how much milk is actually dispensed.
When you use a hand pump, quick, short pumps at the start is stimulating and will imitate more closely the way a baby breast feeds. Once the let down occurs and milk starts to flow freely, long, steadier strokes are more effective and less tiring.
When you learn to pump, you should practice for 5 minutes on a side at least once or twice a day. Always pick the least stressful part of your day for pumping.

Relaxing and realizing that the pump is your friend is the single most important thing that a mother can do. There are several things that a mother can do to help herself relax, such as putting a picture of the baby on the pump, playing cards or a game with friends, watching television, read books, or talk on the phone.

Simply watching the collection bottle is not helpful and will probably put more stress on you than you actually need.

Remember, advance preparation and practice will make this all second nature.