Should you express breast milk by hand or by machine?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Pham Lan Huong - Pediatrician - Pediatric Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

1. Should you express breast milk by hand or by machine?

Choosing the method of expressing breast milk should depend on your specific needs. Determining how often to express, how much milk to express, and the budget where you plan to express your milk can help you determine which method is necessary. Also, it depends on the purpose for which you are performing the milking such as whether you plan to feed your baby exclusively from expressed milk or breastfeed most of the time and bottle-feed occasionally.
Is it better to express milk by hand or machine? The article will give a few characteristics of each method to help you choose. The doctor's advice is that in the first six months, babies should be breastfed directly so that they can absorb all the nutrients and antibodies from breast milk, ensure food hygiene and safety, and stimulate the let-down reflex. of mom.

2. When should manual milking be performed?

Before milking machines appeared, mothers used to express milk by hand to feed their babies. Even now that you have a milking machine at your disposal, manual milking is still a useful skill to know and learn.
Some good reasons to apply manual milking:
In the first 3 - 4 days after giving birth, express colostrum by hand for a few minutes after each feeding to further stimulate the breasts, helping Stimulates overall milk supply. If your baby is not suckling well at first, hand expressing is especially important. Babies can drink drops of colostrum that have been expressed to provide adequate nutrients for babies. Babies with low birth weight, premature birth, poor latch on or sick babies who can't get breast milk will need expressed milk until they can suckle. Express milk by hand to reduce engorgement and blocked milk ducts. Because an over-tightened breast can make it difficult for a baby to latch on, expressing some milk helps soften the breast, making it easier for the baby to suckle.

After using the milking machine is a good time to express all the milk by hand and increase milk production. Some nursing mothers find mechanical breast pumps uncomfortable, ineffective, or expensive. Expressing milk by hand is more convenient - no need to carry a lot of equipment or find an electrical outlet. Manual milking is very useful, especially since it is always available and free. Expressing by hand saves you the hassle of deciding which breast pump you should buy. Moreover, how to express milk by hand is easy to do and not difficult to learn.

3. Using a milking machine

Milking machines are divided into two types: manual and electric milking machines. The manual breast pump works without electricity, is operated by hand and is only used for one breast at a time. The pump is placed on the udder and the other hand squeezes the lever to produce the force of extraction. This type of pump is less expensive than electric extractors, light and compact, making it a good choice for people on a budget or limited space. Electric milking machines operate through an electrical outlet or battery. They can squeeze one or both breasts at the same time. The milking hopper is placed on the udder and milked for you, so your hands are free to do other work. For mothers who need to express milk daily or exclusively, an electric breast pump is often essential. Both milking machines can be very effective in expressing milk for storage and bottle feeding. Living conditions, spinning schedule, and budget will determine the type that best suits your needs.
3.1. Electric milking machines Electric milking machines usually give stronger and faster milking power. Most electric milking machines will have many different massage and milking modes for mothers to customize according to their needs.
An electric breast pump is the ideal choice for women who express milk frequently or exclusively as it is faster than a manual breast pump, allowing you to express and store more breast milk in a short amount of time. This is suitable for mothers who are at work and have limited time to express milk.
For women who express milk only occasionally, an electric breast pump may not be necessary, a manual breast pump is more suitable for their needs.
Advantages of electric milking machine:
Powerful - A good electric milker will provide strong milking force to help you express more milk in less time. Fast - The majority of moms who squeeze will quickly find the best mode and speed to squeeze and get the required amount quickly. Efficient - With the right electric breast pump, you'll be able to "stick it to yourself" without fuss, making for a comfortable and efficient milking experience Boost your milk supply - Using an electric pump adds extra stimulation and increase milk production. So, how can you choose the right electric breast pump for you? When choosing an electric breast pump, it is important that you research and evaluate the following:
Cost - Electric milking machines can vary widely in cost. Calculate your budget before shopping and make sure you check what is included in the extractor. Weight - If you plan to express milk frequently, it is easier to use a light weight milking machine. Volume - Some extractors can make noise. Look for a quieter, more convenient milking machine for nighttime or at the office. Milking intensity and mode - Electric milking machines will vary greatly in milking force and mode depending on the type of machine. Choose a machine with strong extracting power with many modes of squeezing and massage. Batteries - Some can only work when plugged into an electrical outlet, while others will have battery packs. The electric milking machine has a single suction mode (1 breast), double suction (2 sides of the breast at the same time) or has both modes available like the MB-029 Moaz BeBé milking machine, helping to stimulate breast milk secretion and protect the mother's milk production. Protect mother's breasts best. The machine operates in 3 stages: massage, milk stimulation, milking with many different levels to bring maximum comfort when using.

3.2. Manual Milking Machines Manual milking machines are a great choice for mothers who express milk occasionally and do not use expressed breast milk as the main source of nutrition for their babies. The manual milking machine takes out just the right amount of milk, limiting excess.
For those who express milk frequently, expressing by hand is not suitable because it is time consuming and causes fatigue on the wrist.
Advantages of manual breast pump:
Light weight and extremely portable - The manual milker is super light, fits inside a bag on the go. Easy to use - No wires needed to connect or adjust modes. Simply attach to your breast and express milk. Budget-friendly - Most manual milkers are more cost-effective than electric ones thanks to their simple design. Ready Anytime, Anywhere - With a manual extractor, you don't need to search for power or batteries. How to choose the right manual breast pump for you? Although a manual extractor is not as expensive as an electric extractor, you still need to consider the following before making a purchase:
Weight and dimensions - One of the biggest advantages of a manual extractor is its ease of use. mobile. Extractors can vary in size and weight and it is important to choose a spinner that you find comfortable and easy to hold while spinning. Easy cleaning of the extractor – Choose an extractor made from a material like food-grade silicone because it is easy to clean, does not leak harmful chemicals, and is resistant to mold and other harmful substances. Remember, every woman has different needs, this method of expressing milk may work for you but not for others. This is completely normal, you should choose the perfect milking method for yourself.
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