Contents:
- Medical Video: PUMPING 101: ROUTINE & BOOSTING MILK SUPPLY! | OLIVIA ZAPO
- Why should you pump the milk out?
- How do you pump breast milk?
- With hand massage
- Using an ASI pump (breast pump)
- How to get more milk out?
- How much milk should you pump?
Medical Video: PUMPING 101: ROUTINE & BOOSTING MILK SUPPLY! | OLIVIA ZAPO
For many mothers, how to give ASI is to breastfeed the baby directly in the mother's breast. However, there are times when the mother has to pump breast milk, for example if the baby is premature, or for supplies when the mother is working, or so that the milk does not accumulate a lot in the breast thus preventing the breast from swelling. Mothers can squeeze breast milk through massage directly by hand or use an ASI pump, both manually and electrically.
Why should you pump the milk out?
By pumping breast milk out, you can still benefit from breastfeeding your baby when you cannot breastfeed directly. If your baby is premature, he may not be able to directly suckle in your breast, or your baby has other problems or diseases that make it difficult to directly suckle in your breast. In addition, you can remove breast milk for this reason:
- To stimulate milk production and increase breast milk reserves
- To reduce pain and pressure on swollen breasts
- To keep your breastmilk reserves increased when you are being treated for some time or you work so you cannot give breast milk directly from your breasts at all times.
How do you pump breast milk?
You can pump or remove breast milk by massaging the breast by hand or using a pump.
With hand massage
Removing breast milk through a hand massage may not be an easy way when you try it for the first time. You might be desperate when you have tried many times in a long time and only produce a little milk that comes out even for just a few drops. However, over time you will get used to this, and you will find out how to remove breast milk easily. When a baby suckles in your breast, you will feel the flow of milk smoothly to meet your baby's needs.
Removing breast milk with a hand massage is by pressing the mammary gland behind the nipple, not squeezing your nipples. When removing breast milk through hand massage, you should follow these suggestions:
- Before starting, you should wash your hands with soap and warm water, and massage your breasts gently.
- Hold your breast just behind the areola, the black area on your breast.
- Gently massage using your fingers, the thumb on the top of the breast and the other four fingers at the bottom of the breast form the letter C. This will not cause pain. Avoid squeezing your nipples directly because it will make you sick and the milk cannot come out.
- Release the pressure, then repeat. Try not to shift the position of your finger. Maybe initially only a drop of two drops of milk comes out, but if it continues to do it can help you get more milk out and make more milk production in the breast. With a little practice and time, the milk can come out smoothly.
- If there are no drops of milk coming out, move your fingers around the breast and try different parts of your breast, and keep repeating.
To remove all of the milk in both of your breasts, it might take around 15-45 minutes or maybe it could be more, depending on the amount of milk that is in your breast. We recommend that you empty one breast before switching to another breast.
Using an ASI pump (breast pump)
If you choose to use an ASI pump more easily, you can simply put the suction device in your breast. Press the handle if you use a manual ASI pump, or you just simply turn on the engine for an electric breast milk pump. The ASI pump will compress your breasts and store breast milk in the attached bottle.
If you use a pump to remove milk, don't forget to always keep it clean. We recommend that you wash with hot water and soap before and after the pump is used so that the pump remains sterile.
How to get more milk out?
There are several ways you can use to encourage let-down reflex (Breast milk comes out smoothly), so that more milk comes out when you pump. The following is the way:
- Try to calm down. You can remove the milk in a quiet, comfortable and warm place for you. You can remove the milk in your usual place to breastfeed your baby. When you are removing milk, take a deep breath slowly. To get a calm atmosphere, you can use a method that suits you, listen to music for example. You can also give warmth to your breasts before removing milk to help smooth the milk out. For example, you can take a warm bath or compress your breasts with warm water before you start to remove milk.
- Gently massage your breasts. By touching and massaging the breast, you can trigger let-down reflex, so that later ASI can come out smoothly.
- Think about your baby and the amount of milk you can produce. Both of these can help breast milk come out smoothly. If the baby is premature or sick, you can more easily remove the milk if it is next to the baby. However, when you are away from a baby, seeing a baby photo might help your milk come out smoothly.
- You need someone who supports you. Many mothers find it very helpful when people around him support him to give breast milk to babies. Can be from a husband, parent, in-laws, or even friends. This support makes the mother spirit and confidence to be able to give ASI to the baby.
How much milk should you pump?
How much milk you will spend depends on the reason why you are breastfeeding. If you remove breast milk to relieve swelling in your breasts, maybe you just need to take out the milk until you feel your breasts are better and you feel more comfortable. If you remove breast milk for your premature baby, you may need to spend more and more often on your baby's food.
How much milk you can spend depends on the individual. There are mothers who are able to express breast milk in large volumes every few hours, and there are also mothers who can only remove milk in small volumes but in more frequent times. However, you should not judge your breastmilk production ability from how much you can remove milk. Your baby is better able to get more milk when he is feeding directly on your breast than you are removing milk from your hands. Removing breast milk with your own hands is the second way when you can't breastfeed directly or when you need it.
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