The first milk you produce after your baby is born is called colostrum. If you need to express milk at this stage it is often easily done by hand. If you need to express for more than a short time your midwife may suggest combining hand expressing and using an electric breast pump.
It is recommended to express antenatally by hand rather than use an electric or manual breast pump. Colostrum will be produced in quite small quantities and can easily stick to the bottles or pump parts and be harder to collect. A pump at this stage is likely to be more uncomfortable than gentle hands.
Compress the breast tissue, hold briefly and then release. Try not to squeeze or pinch the nipple. Collect the colostrum in either a sterile syringe or a clean container. Express each breast twice during each expression.
You can collect your colostrum while you're pregnant by hand expressing in the same way that you will express breast milk when your baby is born. While you're pregnant, you should only use your hands for expressing. Do not use a breast pump until after you have given birth. 1.
After pumping with an electric pump
Hand expressing after using an electric pump is a great way to help stimulate your milk production. Studies have indicated that some women who hand express after pumping may boost their breastmilk output by up to 48%.
Hand expression is the best way to express colostrum. It is simple to learn and gets easier with practice. You'll only be expressing small amounts so using a pump will be impractical and may not be as effective.
I now see hand expression as far more powerful than pumping in many ways. Research has shown that it can be more effective at removing milk in the first days after birth when the colostrum is thick and the breasts are swollen.
In the first few days after birth the amount of colostrum expressed may vary from a few drops to a few mls. As colostrum changes to more mature milk the volume will gradually increase. Expressing frequently (at least 8–10 times in 24- hours, including overnight) will help establish the milk supply.
In the first few days after birth, pump at least 10 to 15 minutes per breast. As you produce more milk, watch for it to slow down or stop. Then restart the pump to trigger another milk release and pump for another few minutes.
On the first day your baby can only take about 5 – 7 mls of milk per feed. This first milk is referred to as colostrum.
Is hand expressing safe during pregnancy? Yes, for many mothers it is OK to hand express colostrum before birth. However, please discuss with your prenatal care clinician before starting. The practice is not recommended for those at risk of preterm labor or other risk factors such as placenta previa.
“It's related to the release of the hormone oxytocin, which also stimulates the gut to get gastric secretions going and has the potential to cause nausea,” she explains.
For these parents, prenatal hand expression can support the baby by getting stored colostrum quickly after birth. Postnatal hand expression is done after the baby is born. Postnatal hand expression has long been found to be an effective way to stimulate the breast and release colostrum.
Freshly expressed or pumped milk can be stored: At room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. In the refrigerator for up to 4 days. In the freezer for about 6 months is best; up to 12 months is acceptable.
You can start hand expressing from 36 weeks. Aim to express by hand for 3-5 minutes each side, up to 3-4 times per day . 5. Store on Ward 96 or Labour and birthing suite in the appropriate freezer.
Expect to pump just a little colostrum (the first milk) at first. As soon as possible, pump 8-10 times every 24 hours. This is how many times each day your baby would typically feed from the breast. In most cases, the more times each day you pump, the more milk you make.
Gently press your thumb and fingers together, release your fingers and repeat in a rhythmic movement. It may take a few minutes so be patient! Gradually your breast milk (or colostrum) will start to slowly drip out. Keep going, try to build up a rhythm – you're doing really well!
How Much Colostrum Does a Newborn Baby Need? New moms may produce anywhere from 10 to 100 milliliters of colostrum per day. Typically, though, it's around 30 milliliters or about an ounce a day, which is right around the amount that your baby needs.
How much colostrum should I harvest for my baby? You will likely only be able to harvest tiny quantities of colostrum milk (sometimes less than a millilitre per feed) particularly the first few times. But any amount you produce is beneficial, so try not to worry about how much you produce.
If you are still unable to express any colostrum, do not worry. You can try again later the same day or leave it until another day when you feel ready to try again.
Expressing breast milk by hand is an important skill for lactating women to learn, especially in case of an emergency. Hand expression can be helpful in emergency situations when you may not have access to a breast pump, electricity for a breast pump or if you are away from your baby unexpectedly.
Hand Expression Versus Pumping
There are two ways to express milk: Use your hands to remove your breast milk. This is called hand expression. Use a manual or electric machine called a pump.
Exclusively pumping is usually harder than breastfeeding. It can feel very time consuming and overwhelming to pump, bottle feed and sterilise equipment while juggling a hungry baby. Being tied to a pump at regular intervals can be limiting especially when away from home.