Time Out For Breastfeeding Mothers

You can express breast milk in order to successfully combine activities outside the home and breastfeeding. A breastfeeding mother may need to express and store breast milk for different reasons:

• you may need to be away from your baby during feeding time.
• you and your baby may have a special condition that prevents you from nursing for a period of time.
• your breasts may become "engorged" making it difficult for your baby to latch on.
• you may need to stimulate your milk supply.
• different discharge dates from the hospital for you or your baby.
• you may need to return to work while still breastfeeding.

There are different ways to express milk:

1. Hand expression
2. Pump (manual or electric)
   If you decide to buy a breast pump consider the following:
   
• Are the directions clear?
• Is the pump easy to clean?
• Ask your health care provider for help and advice.

1. Have your equipment clean and ready for use.
2. Wash and dry your hands.
3. Wash your breasts with clear warm water.
4. Find a warm, comfortable place with the privacy you need to feel at ease. Look at a photo of your baby, or think of your baby nursing. This will help with the let-down reflex. Have a drink available; you need the extra fluids in order to produce breast milk.
5. Gently massage around your breast. Stroke the breast lightly all around from the edge toward the nipple.
6. You may use hand expression. Place your hand on the breast with the thumb above and other fingers below the areola. Press towards the chest, then squeezing your thumb and fingers together just behind your areola. Rotate your fingers and repeat.
7. You may use a pump. Moisten the inside of the breast cup with warm water or the first few drops of milk for good contact. Center your nipple in the cup.
8. Pour your milk into a clean bottle or plastic bag.
9. It is convenient to store the milk in amounts that are right for your baby’s feeding. Don’t be surprised if your milk looks "thin". Breast milk is not supposed to look like cows milk. Always label the container with the date and time of the expression.
10. If the breast milk is to be used within 48 hours, store in the refrigerator. If the milk will not be used within 48 hours, store in the freezer. Breast milk can be frozen for three months and should be placed in back of the freezer. Remember, milk needs room to expand as it freezes, so never fill the container to the top.

• When transporting breast milk be sure to use a thermal carrier with ice to prevent the milk from spoiling.
• Once the breast milk is defrosted, it should not be refrozen.
• Unused portions should be discarded and not reused or re-refrigerated.
• Use the oldest milk first.