There are many reasons and situations why mothers want to express their breast milk for their baby occasionally or regularly. You can find out the reasons for this and the best way to express breast milk below. About the following Storage and use of breast milk you can read more here.
Women's milk is the best nutrition for babies! This is because its composition is always customised to the baby's needs. This is precisely why Breastfeeding so important! The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also renewed its recommendation for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months. However, this does not mean that the breastfeeding mum cannot go away from the baby, or that the mother must be exclusively responsible for feeding the baby. This is because it is possible to express breast milk so that the baby can be fed on demand.
There are many reasons why babies are not always able to feed at the breast exactly when they are hungry or when they need a feed. It is then good to have a supply of your own breast milk to fall back on.
This is why the collection of breast milk can be important
There are various reasons why mothers extract their breast milk or store it for their baby. Here are a few examples:
For premature babies: Breast milk is particularly important for premature babies because of the valuable nutrients and antibodies it contains. However, some tiny babies cannot feed effectively at the breast straight away, for example if their sucking and swallowing reflexes are still immature. However, they should still receive breast milk if possible. In these cases, the collection of breast milk also helps to stimulate or maintain the mother's milk production, especially in the first days and weeks after birth. And even if direct breastfeeding is not (yet) possible, expressing milk still strengthens the bond between mother and baby. After all, the mother continues to play an active role in caring for her baby!
For babies of mothers with gestational diabetes: To ensure that these children can receive sufficient and, above all, exclusive breast milk immediately after birth, it is worth collecting breast milk for these babies at the end of pregnancy. Frozen in small, sealable syringes, the valuable formula can easily be taken to hospital. The supply of colostrum is important because these babies are particularly dependent on sufficient milk to maintain their blood sugar levels. These children often have a little more difficulty sucking at the breast at first. The colostrum obtained beforehand helps to overcome this initial hurdle in a relaxed manner. Feeding breast milk significantly reduces the risk of these children developing diabetes themselves.
For medical reasons: Some babies may have reasons other than premature birth for not being able to suckle at the breast, or not being able to do so at times. Sometimes mother and baby are separated due to illness, hospitalisation or surgery. Nevertheless, nutrient-rich breast milk remains important for the health and development of the child.
In some cases, the need to pump or express breast milk also lies with the mother. For example, in the case of milk stasis, her milk cannot flow out completely, which sometimes leads to swelling and pain. In addition to other measures, pumping or expressing breast milk can help to clear the blockage - especially if the baby is not sucking sufficiently or refuses the affected breast.
To increase milk production: Many mums wonder whether their baby is getting enough breast milk. This is certainly the case if you latch it on regularly, it suckles cheerfully, then lets go of the breast on its own and makes a full, satisfied impression when it gains weight every week and is alert during periods of wakefulness. In only about five per cent of all mothers are there actual medical reasons for insufficient milk production (primary lactation insufficiency). Secondary lactation insufficiency is somewhat more common - i.e. insufficient milk production due to breastfeeding errors or the use of infant formula in parallel with breastfeeding.
You know the principle: the more often the baby is breastfed, the more milk production is stimulated. In this case, demand determines supply. However, babies never empty their breasts completely when breastfeeding, but usually only two thirds. If you want to stimulate more milk production, for example because your child is not drinking enough effectively, the breast can be temporarily emptied more by expressing after breastfeeding. It will then soon produce more milk.
Due to return to work: Some mothers are still breastfeeding when they return to work after maternity leave or parental leave - even if it is only part-time. During this time, the child is looked after by relatives or in a day care centre on an hourly basis. Returning to work is probably the most common reason for obtaining breast milk. It allows the mother to continue to provide her baby with this most precious nutrient even when she is not around. Read here which Rights in the workplace breastfeeding mothers or mothers expressing breast milk.
On the sharing of responsibility: A supply of expressed breast milk also allows other family members, such as the partner or other trusted persons, to actively participate in the care of the baby. This can be particularly helpful if the mother wants a little more "breathing space" for leisure activities or is not available for every breastfeeding session for other reasons.
My tip for this in particular: The baby is only given a bottle of breast milk when mum is not around. Otherwise the breast is given! With this clear rule, the baby won't get confused and you'll prevent any sucking confusion.
To care for the child in public: Nowadays, it is hardly a problem if mothers breastfeed their children in public. That's good and right! They do it in restaurants, on a bench in the park, in the city centre, in shops or in other places. Nobody should take offence. However, some mothers still feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public. That's why they prefer to feed their child with a bottle from their breast milk supply when they are out and about.
These examples alone show that expressing breast milk is a versatile option that offers mums flexibility and control over their breastfeeding routine, as well as the most valuable nutrition for their babies. I would like to emphasise this: There are no "right" or "wrong" reasons for stockpiling breastmilk as long as it works for the mother and her baby and both benefit.
To express your own breast milk, you can express your breast by hand or use a hand pump or an electric pump.
Expressing breast milk by hand
This technique is particularly useful for extracting the rich, somewhat viscous colostrum in the first few days after the birth. However, expressing can also be used if a breast pump is not available or if a gentler and less technical method is preferred.
You can use manual expressing both for initial and later increased milk production as well as in the event that you have too much breast milk. Talk to your midwife about this, she will support you in expressing! This method has several advantages over expressing: you don't need any other aids, just a collection container, you can use this technique anywhere and it doesn't strain your nipples.
Here is a step-by-step guide to expressing breast milk:
Before it starts: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water to remove any germs. Then dry them carefully.
Relax: Find a quiet, comfortable place where you feel at ease. Relaxation is important for the flow of milk.
Prepare the breast: You can preheat them a little so that the milk flows more easily. Use a warm towel or a warm (not hot!) hot water bottle for this.
You can also massage your breasts beforehand: Take them between your hands (first from above and below, then from left and right) and gently 'roll' them between your hands. Then use two or three fingers to stroke from the edges of the breast towards the nipple - in a clockwise direction around your breast. If you find any small areas of hardening, you can also loosen them with a small circular massage. The breast is now ready for the milk to be expressed.
The role of the milk donor reflex: When the baby sucks at the breast, the breastfeeding hormone oxytocin causes the milk ducts to dilate and the breast milk formed and stored in the milk sacs shoots towards the nipple. This milk let-down reflex is also triggered by expressing (or pumping) breast milk, which is encouraged by being close to the baby - even mentally. Some mothers are also better at triggering the reflex by hand than with a pump.
Find the right handle for spreading the milk: Place your thumb above and your fingers diagonally below your nipple. Position all fingers about 2 to 3 centimetres away from the nipple, i.e. virtually at the edge of the areola.
Press Now place your positioned fingers and thumb into the breast (i.e. towards the chest wall) so that the areola tightens slightly. Then gently squeeze the mammary gland tissue and move your fingers towards the nipple (but without pinching it). Use little force for the entire technique, as nothing should hurt!
Repeat this process several times. The "correct" handle therefore moves clockwise or anti-clockwise around the atrium.
Catch the milk in a suitable clean Container. You can find out more about this and its storage here more.
Expressing breast milk by hand takes a little practice, but with patience and perseverance, most mums can successfully express breast milk this way. You will need up to half an hour for a complete breastfeeding session.
Pumping the breast
No matter which method you use, you should always trigger your natural milk let-down reflex. The best way to do this is to cuddle skin to skin with your baby. If your child is not near you, you can sniff the scent of their clothes, think about your child intensely, look at a photo or video of them. Stroking your breast, a gentle breast massage or a warm breast compress can also be helpful.
There are basically two types of equipment available for expressing breast milk: the hand pump or the electric breast pump.
The hand pump is operated manually. It basically consists of a pump piston, a breast attachment and a milk collection container. To create a vacuum that draws the milk from the breast into the container, you squeeze the plunger rhythmically at your own pace. This imitates the baby's sucking action. Hand pumps are handy, easy to use and often practical for travelling. If you only want to express your breast milk from time to time or only want to express small quantities, a good hand pump is sufficient. Breast milk hand pump is completely sufficient. But if possible use none Model with a rubber ball pump. This can injure the nipples and does not guarantee adequate hygiene. It also does not empty the breast effectively enough. It is also important for manual breast pumps that they can fit snugly against the breast. Make sure that the attachment is ergonomically shaped.
The electric breast pump is ideal if you want to express regularly or express larger quantities of milk, especially when supplying your baby with breast milk via a bottle. These are also well suited if you want to increase the amount of milk or if a milk blockage or breast inflammation makes additional breast emptying necessary. There are breast pump models for one-sided use, with which you can alternately express the breast. However, this takes more time than using a Double breast pump for simultaneous double-sided expressing. It has been proven that more milk can be expressed with a double breast pump. The process also takes less time: around 15 - 20 minutes for a complete breastfeeding session. Practical for all applications is the Double breast pumpthat have collection trays for breast milk. A hands-free model is particularly practical in situations where the mother wants to express a lot of breast milk for the baby.
Many of these breast pumps have technology that allows you to set an initial stimulation phase and then switch to pumping mode as soon as your milk starts to flow. In a way, this mimics the baby's drinking behaviour. The intensity in pumping mode can be regulated in stages. By slowly and gradually increasing the suction power, each mother must find out for herself which highest pump setting is still okay for her. You should not feel any pain.
You don't necessarily have to buy an electric breast pump yourself if there is a medical reason or if you only plan to use it for a few days. Many pharmacies offer breast pumps for hire. The hire fee for the breast pump and the required accessory set is paid by the health insurance company if prescribed by a doctor.
All breast pumps used must always be carefully cleaned after each use in accordance with the instructions for use!
Otherwise, the following applies to pumping: Wash your hands thoroughly beforehand, only use well-cleaned and dry pump material and always use a pump that is suitable for your size. suitable Breast bonnet. This funnel must neither be too small (so that the nipple does not hit the funnel wall) nor too large (so that no breast tissue is sucked in). Simply rinse your breast with clean water and pat it dry before putting on the breast cup(s).
Also make sure you have a quiet place where you can sit and relax. Many women prefer an armchair that supports both their back and arms. Some mums also wear a special Pump-out brathat gives her hands every freedom.
Also make sure you have everything else you need ready at your workstation. Bottles or Storage bag for your milk, a drink (drinking plenty is important!) and maybe something to nibble on for yourself, possibly a book, your mobile phone or the remote control for the music system or TV. In short: make yourself comfortable and cosy!
My tip: And don't be discouraged if pumping doesn't work the way you thought it would straight away. Sometimes it takes a while for a mum to get used to the process. In my experience, some women find the very idea of being "milked" by the pump like a cow unpleasant. However, such thoughts can also make the flow of milk more difficult. Instead, remember that this is the best way to ensure that your baby receives the precious breast milk from you!
You may also have your midwife or a breastfeeding counsellor instruct you on pumping at the beginning. With their guidance, you will become more confident (and even more relaxed) each time. They can also help you choose a breast pump. You are also welcome to visit me in my online midwife counselling contact. To prepare for breastfeeding your baby, but for the perfect help with breastfeeding problems, the Breastfeeding online course very suitable. In the video lesson on special breastfeeding situations you will find valuable tips on milk production.
The frequency of pumping depend on the intended purpose.
- Breast pumps for Full supply: If you feed your baby exclusively with expressed breast milk from a bottle from day one, you should regularly express both sides every two to three hours, just like when breastfeeding. To build up milk production, you need to pump at least eight times a day for 15-30 minutes on each side of the breast and at least once at night. Once milk production has stabilised after a few weeks, pumping six or even five times a day and once at night is usually enough to maintain it. If milk production decreases, simply pump more frequently again.
I also recommend a pumping schedule, because your milk production adjusts to this rhythm.
Average amount the baby drinks per meal
This is how much milk an infant takes depending on body weight, "drinking appetite" and hunger per meal approximately to itself:
- on the first day of life up to about 5 - 10 ml
- on the second day of life up to 10 - 30 ml milk
- on the third day of life 20 - 50 ml milk
- Gradual increase up to 80 ml by the 6th day
- second to eighth week of life: increase to up to 100 ml
- in the third month of life: up to 130 ml
- in the fourth month: up to 170 ml
- from the fifth month: up to 200 ml
Please note that these figures are only guidelines. Children need different amounts of milk to be full. The amount and frequency of milk children drink also varies throughout the day. Therefore, take your cue from your baby. It will show you when it is time for the next milk feed. It will also show you when it is full.
Breast pumps for occasional supply: If you only want to give your child a bottle of breast milk from time to time, but otherwise breastfeed, you can build up a milk supply. For example, you can express the remaining milk after you have breastfed your child. This also increases milk production. Or you can express smaller amounts throughout the day (e.g. 50 ml). Some mums also express milk about an hour after breastfeeding when their baby has developed a relatively reliable drinking rhythm. Simply try out what works best for you and your child. Then you will build up a supply over time. You can read how and for how long you can safely store and use the breast milk you have collected here. Even if your baby is hungry immediately after pumping, you can breastfeed your baby. Because your breast always has enough milk for your baby.
- With Gainful employment: Many mothers work part-time after giving birth, for example, but would like to continue breastfeeding their child. If this is not possible "at work" for a variety of reasons, they first take a breastfeeding programme before returning to work. Breast milk supply on. Once they are back at work, they pump one, two or three milk feeds during working hours to maintain their supply and milk production, and otherwise offer their child the breast as usual outside of working hours. You can find out what rights and options breastfeeding mothers and mothers who express breast milk have in the workplace here here read more.
Another very important point is how you can portion, store and use your extracted milk. Here I have compiled information about this for you.
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