Expressing breastmilk successfully

Breastfeeding consultants say that you can return to work at midday without leaving bottles of expressed milk, as long as your baby is a minimum of five months old. As she grows towards a year old – from around 10 months on average – you could feed her mornings and evenings only.

If you’re committed to breastfeeding while working, expressing milk is a useful option. Just remember that you should not introduce a bottle before six weeks, as the bond between baby and breast is being established then.

Breast pumps come in all shapes and sizes. Some moms like the manual ones, while others prefer hospital-grade electric ones – these extract milk quickly and efficiently. Alternatively, you can hand express, though, of course, this may take more time.

How to successfully express in a few easy steps?

• Try to breastfeed your baby a little first – this stimulates the let-down reflex, making it easier to get the milk flowing.
• Try not to get frustrated if expressing doesn’t come naturally to you, and make sure that you’re doing it when you have sufficient time.
• Some moms find expressing in front of the television the ideal place – you’ve nowhere else to go and you’re far more relaxed.
• If nothing’s happening, try rotating the pump or your hand at different angles.
• A lactation consultant or La Leche League (a voluntary organisation which provides information and support to women who want to breastfeed their babies) can help with expressing.
• Hospital-grade electric pumps are available for hire – ask your local clinic or hospital.

How to store breast milk: 

• Expressed breast milk must be stored safely and hygienically. Milk can be left in the fridge for up to 24 hours, or you can generate a large store of milk by freezing it for up to three months.
• Store milk in smaller quantities of 50 –100ml and use ice-trays or disposable plastic bags for freezing.
• An ordinary, sterilised bottle is fine for fridge storage.
• To use the milk, thaw it in a container of boiling water until it’s warm enough. Check the temperature by shaking a few drops onto the inside of your wrist. Once you’re ready, shake the milk well.

If your office is close to home, you could pop home at lunch-time to breastfeed; otherwise, use the pump around two to three times a day if you can. Some women don’t use the pump at all – they simply offer a morning and night feed. Remember that any breast milk is better than none!
If you can use the pump at work, take a “breast pack” with you, containing breast pads, an extra top in case of leaking, two plastic packets (one for clean pump parts and the other for used ones) and two bottles for storage (remember to date them).
Feeding at weekends also gives your supply a big boost, so spend ample time with your baby on your days off. Night-time drinking also aids milk production.

By Angela Barry


birth, baby, breastfeeding, Angela Barry