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The Care Connection

716.725.6370

3991 Harlem Road Amherst, New York 14226

making milk

Hand Expression

Hand expression of your milk is an important skill to have. Learning to hand express has proven to benefit both mom and baby in many situations.

In the first few days postpartum, hand expression has been shown to be more effective at removing colostrum than a breast pump. Colostrum as well as breast milk can be collected in a bottle or syringe to be given to your baby if needed. Studies have shown that frequent hand expression the first three days postpartum has a positive impact on milk production. The sooner a mother starts doing so the better.

Hand expression can be done anytime you need to empty your breasts, if you’re separated from your baby, or if your baby is unable to feed. It carries no documented risks to mother or baby. Hand expressing milk can protect milk production until baby is ready to latch, promote oxytocin release, and provide thorough breast drainage without the need for any additional tools. We can use hand expression to help provide your baby with breastmilk while assessing the cause of latch issues.

During hand expression a mother’s hands provide the body with the tactile and sensory stimuli it needs to release milk. Warmth and massage from mom’s hands aids in oxytocin and prolactin release. These are two hormones that work to produce milk and release it from the breast. Many mothers find that they can combine a pumping session followed by hand expression to help drain the breast, yielding more milk. Hand expression can often be more comfortable for a mother than pumping.

Learning to hand express your milk can be helpful during times of engorgement, soreness, should you develop a blocked duct or be diagnosed with mastitis. As mentioned previously, it can often drain the breast more comfortably and efficiently.

Hand expression just prior to feeding can help evert the nipple and entice your baby to latch. It can also be helpful in removing milk prior to latching for a baby having difficulty managing milk flow.

Follow these steps below for hand expression:

1. Using clean hands apply warm, moist heat to your breasts and massage

2. Position fingers near your areola.

3. Press back toward your chest.

4. Compress fingers together to express milk, gently rolling downward

5. Be sure to relax and get a rhythm going. It may be helpful to listen to sounds of your baby crying, listen to relaxing music, or look at a picture of your baby.

6. After five minutes move fingers to a different position on the breast and repeat.

You can also view these steps by following this link: http://newborns.Stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html

If you have any questions about hand expression of your milk don’t hesitate to call The Care Connection at 716-725-6370 and speak with one of our lactation consultants.

Making Milk

Having concerns about your milk production and whether or not baby is getting enough are common especially in the early days. Here are some things that you can do to ensure a good milk supply and help you in your breastfeeding journey.

  • Offer frequent feeds at the breast. Try to avoid supplementation with formula. The more often you stimulate the breast the more milk you will make.
  • Remember that up until 6 months all your baby needs as a source of nutrition is breast milk. This is the current recommendation from The American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Feed your baby early and often. Be in tune with your baby. Watch for hunger cues such as sucking on hands, lip smacking, tongue thrusting, and rooting. Offer your baby the breast when you notice these cues. Crying is a late sign of hunger and may result in baby being fussy at the breast.
  • Look and listen. This will help you know that baby is taking in milk from your breast. Watch for deep low jaw movement and listen for swallowing throughout the feed. You should be able to hear swallowing once your milk has come in.
  • Try to avoid pacifiers and bottles for the first 4 weeks. By doing so baby will be at the breast more often and avoid nipple confusion or difficulty with latching/sucking. Sometimes early hunger cues can be missed if baby constantly has a pacifier. If your baby is having issues latching seek help from a lactation consultant before offering bottles/pacifiers/nipple shields.
  • Room in with your baby. Rest while your baby sleeps. You can also try using the side lying position for nursing. This way you can rest and feed your baby concurrently. Frequent skin-on-skin contact will help keep baby alert for feeds and benefits your milk production.
  • Latch and positioning helps to ensure a comfortable feed for you and good milk removal from the breast. Baby should have his mouth open wide like a yawn and lips flanged out. Position belly to belly with his chin touching your breast for a deep latch. Seek help sooner than later if you are having difficulty with either of these.
  • Try to watch your baby and not the clock. Avoid strict timing and scheduling of feeds. Feed your baby when she’s hungry. Switch sides when you notice longer pauses between swallows or if baby takes herself off the breast.
  • Lastly, don’t wait to ask for help. The longer you wait the more difficult it may be to solve the problem. Our lactation consultants are available to help with any breastfeeding concerns you may have. Call The Care Connection at 716-725-6370 to schedule an appointment or speak with a consultant.