Steps to HAND EXPRESS Breastmilk

Breastmilk expression with the help of hands is termed as hand express breastmilk. Milk is generally expressed by hand to save it for later purposes or to help relieve breast engorgement. Mostly women find hand express breastmilk much convenient and easy as and when compared with expressing milk with the help of breast pumps. Hand expressing does not require any tool or device.

ADVANTAGES of Hand Expressing

1. Requires minimal effort and is super convenient
2. Milk can be expressed anywhere and at any time
3. Inexpensive method, does not require purchase of breast pumps
4. Saves time and effort of sterilizing the breast pump
5. At times, generates more milk because of skin-to-skin stimulation
6. Does not cause discomfort, which might be case when using electric pumps

Stimulation of Oxytocin Reflex

It is important that mothers are prepared both practically and psychologically:

1. Build her confidence and instill positivity
2. Make her feel more relaxed by trying and reducing various sources of pain and anxiety
3. Good and positive thoughts and feelings about the baby can help to be more calm

Related Article –Basic of Expressing Breastmilk

Points to be considered while preparing them practically:

1. It is noticed that some mothers can express more easily when they are sitting in a group of other mothers who are also expressing milk for their babies. It is suggested that you sit quietly and privately or with a positive and supportive friend
2. Mothers can try and feel their baby around themselves. With this it is meant that they can hold their babies making skin to skin connection like on their lap, or if this is not possible, they can look at their babies from a distance, even if that is also not possible then they can simply look at the picture or photograph of her kid.
3. Warm soothing drink will help, but that should not be coffee
4. Mother can take a warm water 10 minutes bath to warm the breasts
5. A warm wet soothing towel or cloth can also be used to warm up the surrounding areas of the nipple
6. Gently pulling and rolling nipples with fingers helps in stimulating nipples
7. Massaging and stroking breasts lightly can be helpful. Like some women prefer stroking the nipple and areola area gently with their finger tips or with the help of a comb. However, there are various other mothers who prefer gentle rolling of their closed fist on the breast moving towards their nipples
8. A helper can be asked to rub the back. Lean forward while sitting on a chair, fold your hands and rest your head on the folded hands. Helper must rub down both the sides of the spines with the movement of closed fist with the thumbs pointing forward

STEPS

1. Wash hands properly: Preferably do it by warm water. Otherwise, if hands are washed with cold water make sure that you warm up your hand before touching your breast, as cold hands might take longer duration of time as and when compared to warm hands.

2. Keep a warm water moistened cloth over the breast before 2 minutes of initiating hand express breastmilk. Though it is not necessary, but it helps in making the process easier

3. Breast Massage: Massage gently the skin around the nipples with hands or with the help of a soft towel and try relaxing your mind. Stroke from top to the base of your breasts towards your nipple with the winger tips.

4. Next step is to sit up and lean forward: The kind of pictorial representation makes it simpler and easier to express breastmilk and stay comfortable during the process. Standing or lying down position won’t fetch you much milk as and when compared with this position. Think of your baby while expressing.

Read More – Tips For Establishing breastfeeding Practices

5. Position your finger and thumb in “C” form: Place your thumb and two fingers approx. 1 inch above your nipple. It can be done from side or from below as it is felt comfortable. Adjust finger placement as per the comfort zone and breast size. Avoid cupping your breast.

6. Apply gentle inward pressure towards the chest wall: Do not squeeze the breast. Pressure should be gentle and firm. Avoid tightening or stretching the area near areola, as this can cause difficulty in expressing milk. Press back and not out, also do not slide your fingers instead roll them.

7. Squeeze the milk out: Squeeze milk out of the milk sinuses by rolling thumb and fingers forward. Keep your fingers together, as this increases effectiveness. In simple terms just press, compress and relax

8. Collect expressed milk in container: If milk is expressed just to feel comfortable, then it can be expressed in a towel or in sink. However, if it is for feeding purposes it should be expressed in a sterilized container. Milk bags and milk bottles can be used directly to collect milk. Use such container which has wider mouth like a cup or a jar. Store the milk for later purposes.

9. Repeat the process on other breast: Positions can be changed simultaneously as per comfort, also this helps in stimulating more milk.

Related Article – Benefits of Breastfeeding for Both Mother and Baby

Understand that this is a skill-based task on which a mother gains expertise only after a period of time. Therefore, it is advised that mother should never hesitate to ask questions or queries from their treating doctor as and when required.

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