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Pumping and storing breast milk

 You will need to pump and store your breastmilk,for your baby if you are away for a few hours or when you're going back to work.

PUMPING TIPS
  • Before you pump, wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Make sure the area where you are pumping and your pump parts and bottles are clean. 
  • Thoughts of your baby can help in Milk flow.(If you look at a picture of your baby, listen to a recording of your baby's voice, or think about nursing your baby, it can help you relax and start your milk flow.)
  • Apply a warm, moist cloth to your breasts.
  • Gently massage your breasts.
  • Gently rub your nipples.
  • Visualize the milk flowing down.
  • Sit quietly and think of a relaxing setting.


Ways to express your milk

1.Hand Expression
2.Manual Pump
3.Electric Breast Pump

1.Hand Expression
  • Use your hand to squeeze and press on your breast to remove milk.
  • Gets easier with practice.
  • Good if you are not often away from your baby.
  • Moms should learn how to hand express in case of emergency.

2.Manual Pump
  • You use your hand and wrist to operate a hand-held device to pump the milk.
  • Useful for occasional pumping if you are away from your baby only once in a while.
  • May put you at higher risk of breast infection.

3. Electric Breast Pump
  • Electric pumps require batteries or a place to plug in.
  • Can be easier.
  • Can pump one breast at a time or both breasts at the same time.
  • Double pumping (pumping both breasts at the same time) may collect more milk in less time, which is helpful if you are going back to work.
  • Need a place to clean and store the equipment between uses.

Storage Of Breastmilk

  • To store breastmilk, use breastmilk storage bags, which are made for freezing human milk.
  • You can also use clean glass or hard BPA-free plastic bottles with tight-fitting lids. 
  • Do not use containers which may contain BPA.
  • Do not use disposable bottle liners or other plastic bags to store breastmilk.
  • Label the containers with the date the milk was pumped.
  • Cool down the breastmilk you pump as soon as possible. You can store it in a refrigerator or in a cooler with ice packs. The milk can also be frozen if you aren't going to use it right away.
  • Freeze in small amounts (60ml to 120ml or 2 to 4 ounces) for later feedings.
  • Leave an inch to the top of the container, because it will get bigger when freezing.
  • Store milk in the back of the freezer, not on the shelf of the freezer door, so that it doesn't start to thaw out.

Tips for Thawing and Warming up Milk

  • Thaw the oldest breastmilk first.
  • Breastmilk does not need to be warmed. 
  • Thaw the bottle or bag of frozen milk by putting it in the refrigerator overnight.
  • If you decide to warm the breastmilk:
    • Keep the container sealed while warming.
    • Hold it under warm, not hot, running water, or set it in a container of water that is warm, not hot.
    • Never put a bottle or bag of breastmilk in the microwave. Microwaving creates hot spots that could burn your baby and damage the milk.
    • Test the temperature before feeding it to your baby by dropping some on your wrist. The milk should feel warm, not hot.
  • Swirl the milk to mix the fat, which may have separated. Do not shake the milk.
  • Once breastmilk is thawed to room temperature or warmed after being in the refrigerator or freezer, use it within 2 hours. If you have any leftover milk when the baby is finished feeding, be sure to throw it out.
  • Do not refreeze breastmilk after it has been thawed.

Reference:womenshealth.gov




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