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Antenatal Expression of Colostrum - La Leche League GB

Mothers start to produce colostrum (early milk) while pregnant. Being able to express colostrum is a useful skill to have. Saving your expressed colostrum may also be beneficial if your baby is likely to need special care after birth.

Why express while pregnant?

Being familiar with your breasts and how they work will give you confidence for after the birth.

• You’ll be able to express a small amount of colostrum onto your nipple if your baby needs encouragement to feed.
• You’ll be able to express colostrum for your baby if he has difficulty feeding or is cared for in the neonatal intensive care or special care baby unit.
• Being able to hand express will help you avoid problems with engorgement and mastitis.

If your baby doesn’t breastfeed well in the first few days, being able to hand express will help you:

• Express your milk if needed.
• Provide your own milk for your baby to prevent or treat conditions such as low blood sugar or jaundice.
• Avoid the need to give infant formula.

Special circumstances

Learning to hand express while pregnant, and collecting and saving the colostrum can be helpful in some special situations, including:

Planned caesarean or induced birth
Consider expressing the day before birth so your milk is available if you and your baby are separated. This will be especially useful if your baby will be born early.

Babies with a cleft lip or palate
This may be diagnosed during pregnancy. Babies with any form of cleft can find it harder to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is particularly important for the first six months as it helps protect these babies against ear and respiratory infections. When the cleft is repaired, your milk helps promote healing and protects your baby against hospital germs.

Mothers with diabetes
In the first 24 hours after birth, babies of diabetic mothers risk developing low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia). A baby needs colostrum to  maintain his blood glucose levels. Exclusive breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of a baby developing diabetes later in life.

Mothers with breast abnormalities or who have had breast surgery
Stored colostrum can be helpful if you encounter problems establishing milk production.

Other medical conditions
Some medical conditions may make it harder for you and your baby to establish breastfeeding. Or, if you need to start medications that are incompatible with breastfeeding, your saved colostrum can still be given to your baby.

Talk to your midwife

Some NHS hospital trusts already have policies in place for sharing information on antenatal expression. Your midwife and other members of your antenatal care team may have information to share on breast massage and how to hand express. They should also be able to give you small sterile syringes with identity labels in which to save your colostrum.

Do ask if the hospital has an Infant Feeding Specialist who will be well informed about breastfeeding and a source of support in those early days.

A handy technique

Hand expression is a useful technique to learn even though most mothers find they rarely need to express and store their milk. It is effective, convenient and free. You may also find you can express more milk by combining hand expression with pumping than using just a pump.

When to start expressing

Is it safe?

Don’t worry – following the suggestions to express for a few minutes each day is unlikely to trigger labour. Check with your midwife if you are at risk for early labour. If you experience any uterus cramps when expressing, stop immediately and contact your midwife.

Expressing during pregnancy

1. It helps to be warm and relaxed.
2. You could practise in the bath or shower at first. When you start collecting colostrum, express after a bath or shower.
3. Wash your hands.
4. Massage your breasts to help milk flow.
5. Hand express from one breast. Take care NOT to cause pain or discomfort.
6. You are likely to see small droplets or drips of colostrum appear as you express. Express directly into the container so you save every precious drop. If you’ve been given syringes and find it difficult to collect your colostrum, express into a small clean container (e.g. cup) and draw the colostrum up into the syringe.

You can express up to three times in the same day. If you plan to express again that day, store the syringe in the coldest part of the fridge. This is usually at the back.

Once you’ve expressed for the last time that day, seal the syringe in a bag. Label and date it before placing it in the freezer. The colostrum could be kept in the fridge if you’re going to be induced or have a planned caesarean section within a day or two. Fresh colostrum inhibits the growth of bacteria and can be safely refrigerated for 48 hours.

Why hand express?

Hand expression is the best way to express colostrum. It is simple to learn and gets easier with practice. You’ll only be expressing small amounts so using a pump will be impractical and may not be as effective. You may receive information and a demonstration on hand expression from your midwife.

Our article Hand Expression of Breastmilk also describes an effective method. Antenatally, you’ll only need to express for three to five minutes – just until you have a few drops of colostrum. It may not seem very much, but a baby’s first feed is no more than a teaspoon of colostrum. By expressing up to three times in a day, you can express enough for a feed. With practice and regular stimulation, you’ll be able to express more colostrum.

When you go into labour

Take your stored colostrum with you to the hospital in a cool bag. The hospital can arrange to keep your colostrum frozen, possibly in the special care baby unit. Make sure you or your birth partner makes a note of where it is stored and that details are in your notes.

If you and your baby are likely to have difficulties or be separated, one of the containers can be defrosted once you’re close to birth. This is then ready for the first feed, if needed.

When baby arrives

Your baby will need to breastfeed at least 8-12 times in 24 hours. If, for any reason, you are separated or unable to breastfeed your colostrum can be defrosted if needed, one container at a time to avoid waste. Your colostrum can also be used if your baby needs supplements.

The first few days

Frequent breastfeeding and keeping your baby close by will help establish your milk supply and get breastfeeding off to a good start. If you and your baby are separated, express milk eight times in each 24 hours including at least once at night, until your baby is able to breastfeed. Expressing as well as breastfeeding is important if your baby isn’t feeding well, or needs supplements for any reason. This will help establish milk production and provide milk for your baby’s next feed if needed. For any problems, seek skilled help from an LLL Leader – check our website for details.

Written by Karen Butler, Sue Upstone & mothers of La Leche League GB.

Updated February 2022

Further Reading
Beginning Breastfeeding
Caesarean Birth and Breastfeeding
Comfortable Breastfeeding
Diabetes and Breastfeeding
Hand Expression of Breastmilk
Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?
Jaundice in the Healthy Newborn
My Baby Won’t Breastfeed
Sleepy Baby – Why and what to do

LLLI Stories
Cleft Lip & Palate Breastfeeding
Books
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding LLLI. London: Pinter & Martin, 2010
Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple. Mohrbacher, N. Amarillo, Tx: Hale Publishing, 2010.

References

Cox, S. An ethical dilemma: should recommending antenatal expressing and storing of colostrum continue? Breastfeeding Review 2006; 14(3):11-6.
Cox, S. Expressing and storing colostrum antenatally for use in the newborn period. Breastfeeding Review 2006; 14(3):11-6.
Oscroft, R. Antenatal expression of colostrum. Pract Midwife 2001;4 (4): 32-5.
Forster, D. et al. Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing (DAME). Lancet, 2017; 389 (10085): 2204-2213.

This information is available to buy in printed form from the LLLGB Shop

How to use a breast pump | Tips for using your breast pump

It may take some time and patience to learn how to use a breast pump, but the results are well worth the effort. Find tips from Medela experts to help you learn how to pump with a breast pump.

Share this information

Dr Nania Schärer-Hernández, Head of Global Medical Affairs and Education, Medela:
Nania is a mother of two and the world's leading expert on lactation and breast milk composition. At Medela, she leads a team of specialists who prepare educational materials based on the latest research. The group develops guidelines for physicians and educates mothers around the world about the amazing benefits of breast milk.

As with any new business, it may take you some time to get used to using a breast pump. It's important to be patient and not get frustrated if you can't express enough milk right away. After all, a breast pump simply cannot give you the same tender feelings as a baby. However, over time, your body will get used to and learn how to trigger the flow of milk when using a breast pump, and the amount of milk you can express will increase. nine0003

1. No need to rush to start pumping

For the first four weeks, you and your baby will work together to start and build milk production. If the baby is healthy and breastfeeding is normal, you will not need to express any additional milk. Pumping, however, can be very helpful if you need to be away from your baby for a while (see tip below). Otherwise, just enjoy spending time with your baby and be sure that even if you plan to pump regularly in the future, there is absolutely no point in “training” your body by pumping milk in the first few weeks. nine0003

2. Cases where the baby cannot breastfeed

If your baby cannot feed directly on the breast, for example, because he was born prematurely or has special needs, or you have to be separated for some reason, start double pumping as soon as possible before.

Research has shown that starting pumping within the first few hours after birth (when a healthy baby usually breastfeeds for the first time) helps women produce more milk in the first days and weeks ^1.2 and gives the child the maximum chance in the future to feed exclusively on mother's milk.

If your baby is expected to be born prematurely, need intensive care, or otherwise find it difficult to breastfeed, prepare ahead of time. Read up on pumping, stock up on equipment, and seek support from a lactation consultant or specialist.

Your maternity hospital most likely has a clinical double breast pump*, so ask them to show you how to use it. It is very important to express milk at a time when, under normal circumstances, you would breastfeed your baby. In this way, your breasts will receive a signal to continue producing milk. Try to start with 8 to 10 pumps per day ³ , and after the “arrival” of milk, continue to express with the same frequency.

3. Correct time

The first pumping must last at least 15 minutes.
Don't worry if you don't get much milk the first time. Regular use of a breast pump should stimulate your breasts and soon they will begin to produce more milk.

Some mothers are able to express the most milk an hour after feeding, while others prefer to express milk immediately after every second feeding. Try doing this at different times to see what works best for you. Once you have determined the optimal time, stick to this routine,
so that your body gets used to using a breast pump and tunes in to additional milk production. You may want to extend the intervals between pumping so that you can collect more milk later. But if you wait until your breasts are full, you won't be able to completely empty your breasts in one pumping ^3.4 , so you need to express often and regularly.

4. Maintain hygiene

Always wash your hands before and after pumping, rinse all parts of the pump that come into contact with your baby's milk and mouth, and thoroughly sanitize them at least once a day. All parts of the breast pump must be completely dry before being stored in a clean bag or container until next use. nine0003

5. Prepare yourself

Prepare everything you need before pumping so you don't interrupt the process. You may want to drink or eat, you may need a phone or TV remote control, bottles or storage bags to collect your expressed milk, and a diaper in case you spill something.

The specially designed pumping top allows hands-free pumping, making it easier for you to set up your pump and do other things while you pump. nine0003

6. Get comfortable

The best position for pumping is the one you feel comfortable in
. To release the hormone oxytocin, which stimulates the flow of milk, it is very important to relax. Any discomfort or distractions can interfere with this process ⁵ , so choose a comfortable and quiet place to pump, and position yourself so that there is support under your back and shoulders.

If you are not wearing a pumping bustier top, hold the breast pump funnel between your thumb and forefinger and use your other fingers and palm to support your breasts. Carefully apply the funnel to the breast, do not apply too much pressure, as this can lead to compression of the breast tissue and make it difficult for milk to flow. nine0003

Some women benefit from deep breathing, soothing music, visualization of pleasant images, or relaxing back and shoulder massages from their partner.

7. Start a rush of milk

Most Medela* electronic and battery-powered breast pumps feature 2-Phase Expression technology, which mimics a baby's natural sucking rhythm (when quick and light sucking movements are followed by slower and more intense ones) to help trigger the rush milk. Breast massage before and during pumping ⁶ Warming the breasts ⁷ with a warm compress (such as a flannel) before pumping also promotes milk flow and increases the amount received.

Researchers have found that skin-to-skin contact with a baby before and during pumping can also increase milk production ⁸ . This is due to the fact that the warmth and touch of the baby triggers the production of oxytocin in your body ⁹ . Some moms even find that pumping is best when
Feed your baby on one breast and pump from the other at the same time, as this creates additional stimulation.

If your baby is not with you, try looking at a picture or video of the baby while pumping, or smelling his clothes ¹⁰ . Any opportunity to connect with the baby during the pumping process also helps to increase the level of oxytocin and, accordingly, a better milk flow.

8. Take advantage of the rush

Many mothers don't feel the rush, so keep an eye on it while pumping. When milk trickles into the bottle or bag, this means that the rush has begun ¹¹ .

If you are using a 2-Phase Expression technology breast pump, it will have a stimulation mode and a pumping mode. Normally, stimulation mode lasts about two minutes, but as soon as you notice trickles of milk, as described above, you will need to switch to pumping mode. The first flush usually produces about 36% of the total milk volume, so it must be used to collect more milk ¹² .

9. Find the most comfortable level

During the pumping phase, set the vacuum to the highest comfort level, the highest level setting on the breast pump that allows you to pump comfortably. Studies have shown that you can collect almost the same amount of milk as if you were breastfeeding your baby ^13.14 .

To find the right level for you, increase the vacuum gradually until you feel slightly uncomfortable, and then lower it by one notch. nine0003

10.

Once your milk supply is established (after about 4-6 weeks), it will be easier for you to determine how many minutes to pump. This will save time. For some women, pumping takes longer, which is related to the number of hot flashes - it is they who determine how often and for how long milk is produced ^4.15 . Surprisingly, each mother has her own unique “mode” of milk flow, while it remains the same during pumping and breastfeeding ¹⁶ .

How do you define your own mode? Pick a time when you usually express the most milk and watch your pumping, noticing when the milk starts to trickle out of the nipple or when the milk starts to drain into the container.

Women who only have flushes at the start of pumping will be able to express most of their milk within 8 to 10 minutes, and increasing the duration of pumping will have no effect on how much milk they get. In contrast, women who experience multiple flushes or who have hot flashes later on may take 15 minutes or more to completely empty their breasts ¹⁵ .

11. Choose double pumping

If you plan to express milk regularly, it makes sense to purchase a double breast pump. Double pumping increases the level of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production ¹⁷ . Surprisingly, studies have shown that women who practice double pumping experience an extra boost of milk with each pumping session. This means that they express almost 1/5 more milk and this milk has a higher fat content compared to consecutive pumping from each breast ¹⁸ . In addition to saving time, this creates a tangible benefit: You can get an extra bottle of milk in just a few sessions.

12. Don't be uncomfortable

Expressing breastmilk doesn't have to be painful. If you experience discomfort when pumping, or if your nipples or breasts are blistered or chafed, try changing the pump mode.

Also check the size of the funnel (the bell-shaped part of the breast pump that fits against the breast). The funnel tunnel should fit snugly against the nipple, but leave enough room for the nipple to move freely back and forth without friction. During pumping, the tunnel should not rub against the skin or draw in too much of the areola (the dark area around the nipple) or breast skin around it. A funnel that does not fit well on the breast can result in reduced milk output, which is why Medela manufactures different sizes of breast shields. nine0153 premature infants 9015 3 9015) FASEB Journal. 2017; 31(1 Supplement): 650–19 (Journal FASEB. 2017; 31 (Appendix 1): 650–19).

Parker L. et al. (Parker L. et al.) Effect of early breastmilk expression on milk volume and timing of lactogenesis stage II amongmothers of very low birth weight infants: very low birth weight babies:) a pilot study Prime D.K. et al. (Prime DK et al.) Dynamics of milk removal during simultaneous breast expression in women . Breastf Med. (Breastfeeding Medicine) 2012; 7(2): 100–6.

Ueda T. et al. (Ueda T. et al.) Influence of psychological stress on suckling-induced pulsatile oxytocin release . Obstet Gynecol. (Obstetrics and Gynecology) 1994 Aug; 84(2): 259–62.

Jones E. et al. (Jones E. et al.) A randomized controlled trial to compare methods of milk expression after preterm delivery . Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. (Arch. Children's Diseases Embryo. and Neonatol. Edition) 2001; 85(2): F91–5.

Yiğit F. et al. (Yigit F. et al.) Does warming the breasts affect the amount of breastmilk production? (Does breast heat affect milk production?) Breastfeed Med. (Breastfeeding Medicine) 2012; 7(6): 487–8.

Acuña-Muga J. et al. (Akuna-Muga J. et al.) Volume of milk obtained in relation to location and circumstances of expression in mothers of very low birth weight infants very low birth weight) . J Hum Lact. (Journal of the International Association of Lactation Consultants) 2014; 30(1): 41–6.

Wittner D. et al. (Wittner D. et al.) Increase in Oxytocin From Skin-to-Skin Contact Enhances Development of Parent-Infant Relationship . Biol Res Nurs. (Biological Research for Care) 2018; 20(1): 54–62.

nine0132 Keith D.R. et al. (Keith D.R. et al.) The Effect of music-based listening interventions on the volume, fat content, and caloric content of breast milk–Produced by mothers of premature and critically ill infants music on the volume, fat content and caloric content of breast milk of mothers of prematurely born and critically ill babies) . Adv Neonatal Care. (Advances in Neonatal Care) 2012; 12(2): 112– breast milk J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2) 41(1): 114–21.

Gardner H . and al . (Gardner H. et al.) Milk ejection patterns: an intra-individual comparison of breastfeeding and pumping . BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. (BMC Magazine Pregnancy and Childbirth) 2015; 15(1): 156.

Hill P.D. et al. (Hill P.D. et al.) The effect of sequential and simultaneous breast pumping on milk volume and prolactin levels: a pilot study ) nine0153 . J Hum Lact. (Journal of the International Association of Lactation Consultants) 1996 Sep; 12(3): 193–9.

Prime D.K. et al. (Prime DK et al.) Simultaneous breast expression in breastfeeding women is more efficacious than sequential breast expression . Breastfeed Med. (Breastfeeding Medicine) 2012; 7(6): 442–7. nine0134

Read instructions before use. Consult a specialist about possible contraindications.

* RU No. ФСЗ 2010/06525 dated 03/17/2021

Article "Pumping - when and how?"

There are times in the life of mother and baby when breastfeeding is either impossible or difficult for some reason. For example, a child has to be left without a mother for several hours - which means that a supply of milk is needed for him. Or in the case when the baby sucks badly at the breast, but eats well from the bottle, and pumping is the only way to feed him. nine0003

This can happen if the baby is born prematurely, and the very process of sucking the mother's breast turns out to be hard physical work for him - such an infant can also be offered expressed milk.

The same applies to the situation when the baby is ill and feeling unwell prevents him from fully sucking, as he is too weak to make the efforts necessary to "extract" breast milk. In this case, it should be expressed for 2 reasons: firstly, to provide the child with complete and optimal nutrition for him, and secondly, to maintain lactation. nine0003

Situations are different, so it is important to understand why pumping is necessary, how to do it correctly and what are the conditions for storing breast milk.

When and why to express?

Pumping is the process by which a nursing mother manually or with the help of a breast pump extracts milk from her breast.

This is not a mandatory procedure for everyone, and it does not need to be carried out after each feeding, since the milk in the female breast is formed exactly as much as is needed to saturate the baby at a certain age. Those. how much milk the baby ate in one feeding - so much will appear in the breast by the next. nine0003

But if, after applying, you also express the rest of the milk, then by the upcoming feeding it will be produced more than the child can eat - and this often leads to stagnation of milk (lactostasis).

Milk should be expressed when:

• Having to bottle feed or supplement a baby for one reason or another. If at the same time the pediatrician did not forbid the baby to eat breast milk, then the mother needs to feed the baby with expressed milk. nine0003

• The baby is left without a mother for a long time. There are times when a woman needs to go away, and she cannot take the child with her. In this case, you can leave a supply of milk for several hours, after decanting it.

• Mom is sick. It happens that during lactation a woman becomes seriously ill and is forced to take medications that penetrate into breast milk, which is strictly forbidden to give to a child. Medicines contained in milk, once in the child's body, can have an adverse effect on it. To prevent this from happening, the pediatrician will help you choose the milk formula that you need to feed the baby during the mother’s illness. Pumping in such a situation will help a woman maintain lactation until recovery. nine0003

• Mom goes to work. A mother's return to work before the end of lactation can put her before a choice: transfer the baby to formula milk or feed it with expressed milk. Recently, more and more parents are choosing the latter option, since breast milk is much healthier than artificial nutrition.

• Injured nipples. With improper care and attachment of the child to the breast, cracks may appear on the nipples. Feeding in this condition of the nipples becomes very painful for the mother, and then the baby should be briefly transferred to expressed milk from a bottle. This is useful because the nipples are less likely to get irritated when they are expressed than when they are sucked by an infant. In a few days, the nipples will heal, and it will be possible to resume feeding the crumbs directly from the breast. nine0003

• There is a risk of lactostasis. A child, especially in the first days after birth, is not always able to suck out all the milk. To avoid lactostasis, mom needs to express excess milk. If this is not done in a timely manner, stagnation of milk can lead to inflammation of the mammary gland - mastitis. However, you must follow all the rules of pumping and do not resort to it after each feeding: this will only increase the flow of milk.

• nine0002 Not enough milk is produced. Pumping will help normalize lactation, as it leads to an increase in the production of milk in the breast, which can be useful during a lactation crisis.

5 pumping inhibitions

In order not to harm herself and not leave the baby without breast milk, the mother must know and be sure to follow the basic rules of pumping:

1. Do not express more than 3 times a day if pumping is combined with breastfeeding because this will lead to excess milk production. If the mother is sick and the baby is not applied to the breast, it is necessary to express with a frequency approximately equal to the number of feedings (on average, once every 3 hours - 8 times a day). nine0003

2. Do not express immediately after feeding, as this may lead to hyperlactation, ie. increased milk production.

3. Do not express "to the last drop". The main indicator by the end of pumping should be a feeling of relief in the chest. The female body regards the emptying of the breast without a trace as an increased need for milk by the child - and begins to produce more milk, which the baby cannot eat, therefore, there will be a threat of milk stagnation. nine0003

4. Do not express during the night, as this may also lead to the formation of excess milk. The main hormone responsible for milk production - prolactin - has a daily rhythm of formation, most of all it is produced at night, in response to the baby sucking or pumping.

5. Do not express on the first day after the arrival of milk. Usually, when lactation begins, more milk is produced than the newborn needs, and it is necessary to get rid of its excess. Therefore, just at the time of the arrival of milk, you can not express everything without a trace. If the breast is very dense, then it is recommended to express only a small amount of milk so that it becomes softer and the baby can fully capture and eat it. nine0003

Substances that signal that milk is being produced in excess appear in the filled breast after about 1 day. If you express all the milk accumulated in the chest earlier than in a day, then it will be produced in the same amount.

Hand Expression Technique

There are two ways to express - manually and with a breast pump. Usually, each mother chooses the most convenient option for her. It is better to do it manually at home, when a woman has enough time, since the whole process will take some time. Breast pumps will help a working mother, which greatly facilitate the pumping process. nine0003

Rules for hand pumping

It is best to express milk 10-15 minutes after the end of feeding the baby. Wash your hands thoroughly beforehand. If you use any breast cream, wipe the skin and nipples with a cotton swab or pad soaked in breast milk. Prepare a wide-mouth milk container by first washing it under running water and then sterilizing it (by boiling, in a steam sterilizer or in a dishwasher). nine0003

Sit comfortably, keeping your back straight, because pumping can take some time, and an uncomfortable position can cause back pain.

Gently grasp the chest: the little finger is under the chest at the ribs, the remaining fingers are positioned so as to support the chest from below. The thumb lies on top, about 3-4 cm from the nipple. In this case, the thumb and forefinger are located opposite each other, forming the letter "C".

nine0002 Use your thumb and forefinger to gently press down on your chest and hold this position for a few seconds. In no case do not bring your fingers together, they should remain in the same position, the letter "C".

Repeat pressing, moving the palm in a circle - this way you will use all the ducts of the mammary gland.

Be patient, milk may not come out immediately, but only after a while. If you are pumping for the first time, check with your doctor or lactation consultant beforehand to show you how to proceed. nine0003

Manual pumping errors

Do not squeeze the nipple: this way you will only hurt yourself and injure the breast, and you will not express milk fully.

Do not press the palm too tightly against the skin, moving the hand across the chest so that there is no irritation and microtrauma.

Do not give up at the first unsuccessful attempts, be patient.

Breast pumps

Breast pumps make pumping much easier, because they are designed to fit all the anatomical features of the female breast. nine0003

Which one to choose? Breast pumps are divided into mechanical and electrical. In the first case, the pumping process is carried out manually: by squeezing the “pear”, the woman starts the suction mechanism. Electric models are good because they work independently: from the mains or from batteries (batteries, accumulators) and do not require additional effort on the part of the woman.

Mom usually chooses a breast pump model according to her taste and financial capabilities. It should be borne in mind that devices powered by batteries lose power faster than devices powered by the mains. nine0003

Many women are confused by the fact that electric breast pumps are loud enough. To date, there are a large number of silent devices, which is recommended to pay attention to when buying. The most effective are electric breast pumps that express both breasts at the same time and have the option of adjusting the thrust force and suction speed.

When choosing a breast pump, pay attention to the presence of the “boil and sterilize” marking. There must be the possibility of such heat treatment of parts of the apparatus. If the model cannot be boiled and sterilized, it is better to refuse to purchase it and look for another one. nine0003

Rules for expressing with a breast pump

Before pumping for the first time, carefully read the instructions for the device. Check that it is properly assembled.

Sterilize the funnel and sump (boil or use a sterilizer).

Position the funnel so that the nipple is in the center of the funnel.

The draw should be the lowest, especially at first, until the breast is accustomed to expressing with a breast pump. Each breast must be pumped until a feeling of relief, add 2 minutes to this time. On average, the process will take about 15 minutes. nine0003

Pumping, like manual pumping, should be carried out some time after feeding.

Basic mistakes when expressing with a breast pump

Incorrect position of the funnel of the breast pump can cause pain to the woman. Remember: the nipple should be located strictly in the center of the funnel of the device.

Very long pumping. Do not exceed the time required to collect milk, this can lead to hyperlactation (production of excess milk). nine0003

Very strong traction. If your breast pump has a selectable thrust function, you should use the smallest one so as not to hurt your breasts.

Care of the breast pump. A breast pump, like any machine, needs proper care. It must not be clogged so as not to contaminate the milk.

Each model has a care instruction, which you should definitely read before using the device.

When washing, always disassemble the pump completely, removing even the smallest parts. This will prevent stagnation of milk residues in them. nine0003

Before each use, sterilize all parts of the machine that come into contact with milk. This can be done with a sterilizer.

Milk defrosting

Never thaw or heat breast milk in a microwave oven. When heated in the microwave, the milk warms up unevenly, while feeding the baby can burn. Also, due to the rapid heating of frozen milk when using a microwave, most of the useful properties of this invaluable product are lost. nine0003

To defrost breast milk, place it on the refrigerator shelf, and when it becomes liquid, heat it up. To do this, lower the milk bottle into hot water or put it under hot water. Also, special heaters can be used to warm milk.

If you have questions or don't know how to express, it's worth talking to a specialist.

---

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