Instructions to express breast milk by hand to help milk out more, breasts not sag

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Truong Nghia Binh - Obstetrician-Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.
Expressing breast milk can help a mother have more time to rest, eat or when she is not around but still wants to provide her baby with all the valuable nutrients from breast milk. This also means to ensure the regular secretion of breast milk.

1. How to express breast milk?

Expressing breast milk is the best way to do it when a mother is unable to breastfeed. Expressing milk is performed when the mother cannot interact with the baby often due to illness, the premature baby is in need of special care or the mother is too busy with some unexpected work... but still wants to give the baby. Drink breast milk instead of other dairy products.
Expressing breast milk can be done manually or with a milking machine. Mothers can express milk by hand or use a breast pump. There are many types of breast pumps of different sizes and designs to suit the breasts of many women. However, before using it, you should consult the experts. When using, it is necessary to ensure that the container and the vacuum cleaner are always cleaned and sterilized before use.
Usually, many mothers choose to express milk by hand because it is easier and more comfortable than using a pump. However, how to use it depends on your habits and situation.

2. Instructions for expressing breast milk properly by hand

Prepare equipment: Washed cups or bottles of milk, rinsed with boiling water and drained, clean spoons (if expressing milk and feeding the baby immediately after expressing), specialized breast milk bags (if required). Store in freezer or freezer).
Perform milking: The mother needs to wash her hands and use a clean, soft towel to wipe over the breast. You should sit (or stand) comfortably and keep the cup (bottle) close to your breast. Place your index finger below the breast, close to the areola; Your thumb is on the breast, opposite the index finger. Each breast is divided into about 15 parts (milk glands), each with its own milk sac. If the areola is wide, you can place your fingers slightly back inside the areola. If the areola is narrow, you can place your fingers outward. The remaining fingers are placed below to support the chest. Keeping your fingers in place on your chest, gently press your fingers back. Squeeze gently. You should be careful not to let your fingers slip on the skin. The first time expressing milk by hand, only a few drops of milk appeared. Continue to hold the force, pressing backwards. At the same time, use the index finger and little finger at the same time to gently press forward, causing the milk to flow out of the milk bags, overflowing the nipple. Loosen your hand pressure so that the milk glands are full and then repeat the action above. In case the milk does not flow, move the hand closer to the top or further to find the best position. Massage your breasts for a while and try again. Avoid massaging or sliding your fingers along the skin, and avoid pressing on the nipple because pressing or pulling on the nipple causes milk to flow. Express for a minimum of 3-5 minutes from each breast until milk flow slows, then switch to the other side and then express again on both sides.

3. Does expressing breast milk have any effect?

Expressing breast milk by hand offers many benefits for both mother and baby:
Reduces discomfort for the mother due to less engorgement or blocked milk ducts Inexpensive, simple, does not have to be done too many times Save time sterilizing nursing equipment. Convenient, you don't have to carry around heavy, bulky milking tools when you travel and don't need electricity Reduce discomfort when expressing milk This method will help stimulate and accelerate milk reflex down. In addition, regular milking also helps reduce symptoms of breast tightness, milk leakage, blocked milk ducts, mastitis... After expressing breast milk, mothers can store breast milk in the refrigerator. or freezer. The shelf life of breast milk is as follows: For a mini-refrigerator, there is only one door for both the freezer and the cooler, because the opening and closing operation causes the temperature in the freezer to change continuously, so it can only be stored in the refrigerator. 2-3 weeks; For 2-wing refrigerators, with separate wings for the freezer and cooler, expressed breast milk can be kept for 3-6 months. Especially if the mother stores milk in an ice cream cabinet, a dedicated freezer will have Can keep milk for 6 months to 1 year. However, the sooner you use it, the better.
Specialist doctor I Truong Nghia Binh has over 13 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has high expertise and long experience in diagnosing and treating Obstetrics and Gynecology diseases such as: screening for diseases of mother and baby before birth chorionic villus biopsies, amniocentesis.. Ultrasound to screen for fetal malformations (3D, 4D ultrasound) Follow-up, birth control in cases of normal or difficult birth treatment of pre-eclampsia, placenta previa, pregnancy with complicated medical conditions... Cesarean section for 1st, 2nd, 3rd time caesarean section... Examination, treatment treatment of gynecological diseases. Examination and consultation of infertile couples

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