Breastfeeding Guide: Expressing Breast Milk

Mothers express milk for several reasons:

- Reduce the feeling of swollen breasts

- To improve lactation in the first months

- To feed a sick or premature baby

- To replace a breastfeed when they are away from baby

How do I prepare to express my breast milk?

Important: 30 to 40 minutes before shooting, drink a large glass of water.

Read the instructions for your breast pump. Wash your hands thoroughly. Find a place where you can relax and sit comfortably to support your back and shoulders.

Center the breast shields well on your nipples. Press them lightly against your breasts to create a cushion of air. You are ready to begin.

How can I make the most of expressing my breast milk?

Very strong suction does not necessarily allow you to express more milk.

Set your breast pump to the highest suction that is comfortable for you. And no harder: pumping should not hurt.

Expressing milk is not the same as sucking through a straw.

With a straw, the more you suck, the more liquid you will get.

When you pump your milk, it is thanks to the physiological ejection reflex that you obtain the maximum amount of milk. Without a physiological ejection reflex and therefore without milk ejection, most of the milk remains in the breast.

How long should I pump my breast milk?

This is something to discuss with your lactation consultant or midwife.

In most cases, 10 to 15 minutes per breast is sufficient.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M USING THE RIGHT SIZE BREAST SHIELD?

Generally, mothers are comfortable with the standard size. If you are having trouble expressing milk, or if you are having pain even with a weak suction, you may need a more suitable nipple.

A larger or smaller breast shield will help you be more comfortable.

Breast shield size check is done while pumping . If you see space around your nipple in the breast shield tunnel, you are using the correct size.

If your nipple sticks or rubs against the edges of the nipple shield tunnel, the nipple shield is too small.

If the areola is sucked into the breast shield , the breast shield is too big.

If in doubt, make an appointment with your breast pump rental company, lactation consultant or midwife.

WHEN SHOULD I EXPRESS MY MILK?

If you are at home, and your baby is full: morning is the time when you have the most milk.

Otherwise, pump 30 to 60 minutes after feeding and at least 1 hour before the next feeding , to save milk for baby's next feeding.

If your baby wants to nurse after you have expressed milk, breastfeed. Babies are patient and will nurse longer in this case to get the amount of milk they need.

If you are pumping for a baby who is not breastfeeding, plan to pump 8 to 10 times a day. Until your lactation is fully established , which is 700 ml to 1 liter per day. Do not leave an interval of more than 5 hours between 2 pumpings.

Then when lactation is properly established, you will be able to sleep 8 hours without having tense breasts. Most mothers manage to maintain their lactation with 6 to 7 feedings per day.

How much breast milk can I expect to get?

It depends:

- the age of your baby

- the time that has elapsed since the last feeding

- the practice you have with your breast pump

- your physical condition.

If you pump for a missed feeding , you can expect to get the value of a full feeding.

When bottle-feeding, babies often take more milk than you can express at one time. Use a nipple, the low-flow horizontal bottle helps baby consume only what he needs.

For more information and personalized advice, see your midwife or lactation consultant.