BREAST PUMPING AND BREAST MILK STORING-BASIC

There are many reasons why you may not be able to breast-feed your baby but still want your baby to be fed breast milk, which is the best posible food for an infant. Some of the more common reasons are:

o You or your baby are ill.
o You are going to return to work.
o You need to be away from your baby for a period of time.
o You wish to have others feed your baby.

When to begin to pump: If possible, wait to begin pumping until your baby is 3 weeks old. This allows time to establish a good milk supply and for you to feel comfortable about your milk supply. Times you may want to pump:

How long to pump: The average time is 10 minutes on each breast once the milk starts to flow (about 10 to 15 minutes total if double pumping). You may pump longer if you still feel full. Most women pump until they feel comfortable. You will probably notice your milk supply is greater in the morning when you are well rested and your hormone levels are the highest. Before you start to pump: Here are a few hints to make pumping easier:

1. Have all your clean supplies handy.

2. Wash your hands with soap and water.

3. Take a warm bath or shower to help you relax and start your milk flowing.

4. Put a warm, moist cloth on each breast before you pump and during pumping.

5. Relax in a warm, comfortable place.

6. Lean forward and gently shake your breasts. A light fingertip massage or stroking of your breasts may be helpful.

7. Use the heel of your hand to gently stimulate the nipple in a circular motion. This will stimulate a "letdown" of the milk.

8. Massage and express before you pump.

9. Moisten your breast to create a better seal with the shield.

During pumping:

o Look at a picture of your baby or think about your baby to help you relax.

o Drink fluids during pumping. Try nonalcohol, non-caffeine drinks.

o Listen to soft, relaxing music. How to pump: Place the funnel over your nipple and areola.

Hold the pump firmly in place. Sit up and lean slightly forward so the milk will flow into the bottle more easily. Each pump is different. It is important to check the package instructions that come with your pump.

ELECTRIC PUMP:

1. Start on the lowest setting and increase the setting a little at a time.

2. Pump each breast at least 10 minutes, or longer if you still feel full.

3. Break the suction by inserting a finger between the breast and the funnel.

HAND PUMP:

1. Pump 10 to 15 minutes on the first breast.

2. Break the suction by inserting a finger between the breast and the funnel.

3. Pump the other breast for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. You may continue to go back and forth between breasts if you still feel full. Amount of milk pumped: The amount of milk pumped will depend on:

- Your baby's age and strength of sucking.
- Your level of relaxation when pumping.
- Your diet.
- The amount of sleep or rest you are getting.
- The time of day. You will probably obtain more milk early in the day when your hormones are at a higher level. It is common to obtain less milk later in the day.
- How soon you pump after nursing.

REMEMBER: Your baby is the best pump! Babies are better at obtaining milk than any pump.

Milk storage:

o Pump your milk into a clean bottle.

o After pumping, take apart all of the pump parts that came in contact with the milk. Wash the pump parts well. Rinse well and air-dry.

Breast-pumping:

o You may need to sterilize if your baby is sick or premature. Check this with your doctor or nurse.

o After pumping, store the milk in glass or plastic bottles. Fill the bottles only ¾ full, because breast milk expands when frozen. Cap the bottle tightly.

o Milk may be kept at room temperature (78° or lower) for 6 to 8 hours.

DISPOSABLE BOTTLE LINERS:

o Disposable bottle liners can be used, but glass or clear plastic bottles are preferable.

o Place liners in a freezer bag or use Medela bags made for freezing.

Refrigeration:

o Breast milk can be safely refrigerated for 8 days.

o After 8 days, discard unused milk.

o While at work, you can use a small cooler and ice packs to keep the milk cool. When you return home, refrigerate or freeze the milk. Freezing:

o Milk should be frozen within 24 hours after pumping.

o Do not add warm breast milk to frozen breast milk. This will thaw the top layer and allow bacteria to grow.

o Cool your breast milk in the refrigerator for ½ hour before adding to frozen milk.

o Breast milk can be stored for 3 months in a standard refrigerator-freezer with the freezer set at 0°F. Breast milk can be stored up to 6 months in a deep freezer.

o REMEMBER: Your breast milk changes as your baby grows, so milk pumped now won't be as perfect for your baby in 6 months.

o Store milk at the back of your refrigerator or freezer.

o Avoid storing your breast milk on the refrigerator or freezer door. Frequent opening of the door results in warming of the milk and increase in bacterial growth.

o Write the date and time on tape and place it on the bottle or bag. Use the oldest refrigerated milk first. Using your breast milk: o Breast milk can be thawed in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Your milk will be good for 48 hours after thawing if it is kept in the refrigerator. Discard it after 48 hours. DO NOT refreeze unused milk.

o Do not thaw breast milk in the microwave or boiling water. Uneven heating can cause burns in your baby's mouth.

o Warm the milk by placing the bottle in a pan of warm water or run warm tap water on the bottom of the bottle or bag.

o Shake the thawed breast milk to mix the fat into the milk before feeding. Milk separates as it cools and creates a thick, yellow layer of fat on top and a watery layer on the bottom. This is normal. Your milk is NOT SPOILED.

o Check the temperature of the milk by dripping a few drops on your wrist. It should be lukewarm to the touch.

o Any milk left in the bottle at the end of a feeding should be thrown away.

Bottle-feeding your baby:

o If possible, wait 3 to 4 weeks before offering a bottle to your baby. By this time, most babies can switch back and forth from bottle to breast without being confused.

o Babies may not take a bottle offered by their mother. They see only their mother's breast as a source of food, not the bottle. Have someone else offer the bottle while you are out of the room.

o Bottle nipples have different tastes. Try different nipples to find one that your baby likes. A silicone nipple might be taken better because it does not have a rubber taste.

o Babies fed by bottle take in more air than at breast. Burp your baby a couple of times during each feeding.

o Milk flows more rapidly from the bottle. Remove the nipple from your baby's mouth if he/she coughs or chokes from the rapid flow.

o There are many types of nipple. If your baby has trouble with the flow from one type, try another (such as single hole, cross-cut or orthodontic).

o Always hold your baby when bottle feeding. Never prop the bottle because your baby could choke. If you have any questions, call your doctor or your baby's doctor.