What is the correct way for a mother to express milk?

After giving birth, a mother can produce a large amount of milk for the baby to eat, which is the key food for the baby to grow quickly. Therefore, the quantity and quality of milk secretion are very critical. Some mothers are in very good physical conditions and have a large amount of milk secretion. If the milk is not discharged from the breast in time, it can easily cause breast blockage and induce inflammation. Therefore, correct and timely milk expression is very important. Let’s take a look at the correct method for mothers to express milk.

1. Preparation: First, use the six-step hand washing method to wash your hands thoroughly, prepare a small bowl for collecting milk, a milk remover and other supplies, and clean and disinfect them.

2. Standing posture: You can sit or stand when expressing milk, with your chest slightly tilted forward and the milk flowing towards the nipple. Do what makes you comfortable. Don't lie on the bed because the milk will flow backwards.

3. Milk ejection reflex: Next, stimulate the milk ejection reflex by applying a hot towel to the breasts. After a few minutes, massage the breasts. Hold up the breasts with one hand and use the other hand to slowly rotate and massage from the base of the breast toward the nipple. Apply a little force to any lumps to help keep the milk ducts unobstructed. After the massage, you can gently pat the breasts to help the milk ducts expand and help the milk flow from the base of the nipple to the nipple, and then move the container close to the breasts.

4. Press: When expressing milk, use your thumb and index finger to gently press down towards the chest wall. Do not press too deep, otherwise it will cause blockage of the milk duct. The pressure should be applied on the breast tissue below the areola between the thumb and index finger, that is, it must be pressed on the milk sinus below the areola, repeatedly pressing and releasing. This operation should not cause pain, otherwise the method is incorrect. Press the areola in the same way in all directions to squeeze out the milk from every milk sinus in the breast.

5. Do not squeeze the nipples, as squeezing the nipples will not produce milk. Squeeze one breast for at least 3 to 5 minutes. When the milk is less, squeeze the other breast. Repeat this several times.

6. You can use a breast pump or express milk by hand, but manual expression is the most convenient method. When choosing a breast pump, do not choose the one with a rubber ball on the back, because the rubber ball is difficult to disinfect and can easily cause infection in the child.