Expressing milk
You don’t have to be permanently attached to your baby if you’re breastfeeding. Expressing your milk to be bottle-fed to your baby later by your partner or babysitter, for example, means you can have the best of both worlds.
You can express breast milk by hand or by using a breast pump. If you want to express only occasionally, you may decide to try expressing by hand and save on the cost of a breast pump. To express manually, gently squeeze the area around your nipples, pushing your fingers back towards the chest. Some women find they simply have to massage their breasts to express, while for others it can take time and practice. Wash your hands before you start, and hold a sterilised container underneath your nipple to catch the milk. Try looking at your baby while you’re doing this, or imagine feeding him, to help let down the milk. Expressing manually can be tiring. Massage towards your nipple to help the milk come out. You may find it easier to grasp your breast in one hand and massage the whole thing in a stroking movement towards the nipple.
If you plan to express breast milk regularly or don’t have the stamina to do it by hand, a breast pump may be a good investment. Electric and manual pumps operate on the same principle as hand expressing. Manual ones usually involve you physically squeezing the pump to get the milk out. Electric ones are often faster and more efficient, even if you do start to feel a strange affinity with a dairy cow while you’re using them. A suction cap extracts the milk, which sounds painful, but it shouldn’t be. If it hurts, stop. You may need the help of a breastfeeding counsellor or health visitor. A good breast pump mimics the sucking action of a baby but should not hurt you.
Breast pumps come in all shapes and sizes, and prices vary hugely. New ones come onto the market all the time, claiming all sorts of scientific advances. But don’t just rush out and buy the most expensive, unless you are going to use it frequently. Ask friends or your health visitor what they’d recommend before investing in one.
When you want to express milk, choose a time when you’re feeling relaxed, warm, and comfortable, because expression can take as long as 45 minutes. Whether you express by hand or pump, you’ll need to collect your expressed milk in a sterilised bottle, storage cup, or bag. You can keep expressed milk in this sealed container in the fridge for up to 48 hours – but don’t keep the milk in the fridge door, as it’s not as cool as the main compartment. You can freeze breast milk for up to 6 months at –5°C and then defrost it as and when you need it. Never refreeze breast milk.
After your baby is into a pattern and sleeping for a little longer at night (yes, you probably feel it’s never going to happen, but trust us on this one!) you’re likely to have more milk in the mornings. You may find it easiest to express a good amount of milk at this time, which can be useful to ‘top up’ your baby if he’s been feeding all evening and you want to get him to settle at night.
Posted in Children's Health
