How Do I Pump And Store Breast Milk?
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Expressing milk regularly is the key to stimulating and maintaining a milk supply. Pumping routines should simulate a baby's feeding schedule. Working mothers will need to express milk at times when baby would usually be fed.
Preparing to pump
Wash hands before handling any of the breast pump parts, the breasts or expressed breast milk.
Wash the parts of the breast pump that touch the breast or the expressed milk with hot soapy water and rinse.
Read the instruction in the pump accessory kit before using the pump. Center the breast shield over the nipple so the nipple can move in and out without rubbing against the sides. Turn on the pump after positioning the kit.
If using an electric pump, always begin pumping with the suction regulator on minimum.
Make yourself comfortable before pumping. Sit with your shoulders relaxed and back supported. Have everything you need, including something to drink, within reach.
Relax to help your milk "let-down." Many women find that their milk lets down when they think about their baby or look at a picture of their baby while pumping.
Try breast massage or warm compresses on the breasts before pumping. some women gently stimulate ht nipple before using the pump. moisten the breast before placing the shield on the breast to create a "seal."
Double pumping (pumping both breast at the same time) is effective for mothers who have limited time available for pumping breaks. This option can cut pumping time in half an some believe that milk production is stimulated more effectively.
Pumping breast milk
Pump about 15-20 minutes at a time when using a single pumping it. Switch breasts when the milk flow decreases (or about every five minutes). If double pumping, expect to pump for around 8-10 minutes.
Human milk can vary in color, consistency and smell depending upon the time of day the milk was expressed and the age of the baby at the time of pumping.
Good times to express milk are upon awakening in the morning or when the baby has not completely emptied the bras. If the baby is sleeping for long periods (4-6 hours) try pumping after baby has been asleep for one-two hours.
Remember that pumping and/or hand expression is a learned skill. Effectiveness improves with practice.
The amount of milk pumped depends on many things: how long it has been since baby nursed, how practiced the mother is at pumping, how comfortable she is in her pumping setting, the time of day, how established is her milk supply, and her level of stress.
A nursing baby will always be more effective at emptying the breast than a pump. If the amount pumped in the beginning is small, that does not necessarily reflect the mother's milk supply.
Storing breast milk
Fresh milk should be stored in hard plastic or glass containers or special mother's milk freezer bags.
Freeze milk in small quantities (2 oz.) to minimize waste and for easier thawing. Cool freshly expressed milk in the refrigerator before adding to a container of frozen milk.
Us a non-toxic marker to label containers with date/time pumped. Add baby's name if taking milk to day care center, sitter or hospital.
Recommended Storage Time For Breast milk
Up to 5 days in refrigerator (40 F or below)
Up to 3 months in the refrigerator freezer (20 F or below)
Up to 6 months in the deep freezer (-0 F or below)
Use thawed previously frozen breast milk within 24 hours
Do not refreeze previously frozen breast milk
Deciding how much milk to leave for baby
To help calculate how much milk to leave for feedings, the following formula is helpful. A baby will usually consume approximately 2.5 ounces of milk per pound of body weight in a 24-hour period, up to a total of 32 ounces. For example, a 12 lb. baby will need a total of about 30 oz. of milk in a 24-hours period, which equals about 3 to 3.75 oz. per feeding for 8-10 feedings.
Thawing frozen breast milk
Do:
Thaw frozen milk in its container under cool running water, gradually adding warmer water until the milk is thawed.
Gently shake the container of thawed milk before feeding to baby to mix the layers that have separated.
Thaw in a refrigerator.
Don't:
Defrost breast milk under hot running water or in boiling water.
Defrost milk in the microwave. Uneven heating patterns may alter the composition of the milk and can create "hot spots" that can burn the baby's mouth.
This information applies only to mothers who are pumping
for healthy full-term babies. Mothers who are pumping
for a premature or hospitalized baby should contact
the hospital for individual guidelines.
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