When should I start expressing milk?
Expressing breast milk can be a necessity for many breastfeeding mothers, whether to return to work or to increase milk production. Here’s a guide to when and how to start pumping, based on expert recommendations and available resources.
Why express milk?
Expressing milk has several advantages:
- Stimulate lactation: Useful when the baby cannot suck hard enough, especially after birth.
- Return to work: Allows you to continue providing breast milk even in your absence.
- Relieve the nipples: Useful in cases of painful cracks.
- Building reserves: Practical for having breast milk available when needed.
When should I start expressing milk?
After birth
- Premature baby: It is crucial to start expressing colostrum manually until milk comes in to stimulate lactation and meet the nutritional needs of the premature infant who cannot breastfeed effectively. Manually pump the colostrum at least every 2-3 hours during the day and at night for a maximum of 5 hours between two pumps. But of course, the more often the better! When your milk comes in, you can then switch to the breast pump, keeping the same rhythm every 2-3 hours during the day and max. 5 hours at night.
- Full-term baby: No reason to express milk. We recommend shooting from 4-6 weeks when all is well.
After feedings to stock up
- It is often easier to express milk in the morning, because milk production is generally more abundant at that time. You can express milk directly after feeding on both breasts or wait about 30 to 45 minutes after feeding.
In anticipation of absences
- If you plan to be absent or return to work, start expressing your milk a few weeks before this time to build up a reserve of milk while continuing to breastfeed your baby
Drawing techniques and frequency
Manual Expression
- Used mainly in the first days to collect colostrum. This method is simple, economical and can be practiced in maternity wards.
- Manual expression also remains very effective after the milk comes in. It can in fact be practiced anywhere without equipment, just with a container. If you have forgotten your breast pump, use your hands which will be very effective. It takes no more time to express milk by hand than with a simple electric breast pump. But it’s clear, it’s less comfortable!
Manual or electric breast pump
- Manual: Practical for occasional use. Less comfortable and effective in the medium term for regular use.
- Electric: Recommended for regular use, especially double pumping models which allow milk to be expressed from both breasts simultaneously, increasing the efficiency of the process.
- To maintain good milk production, pump approximately 8 times a day, i.e. every 2 to 3 hours, including once during the night. In the second half of the night, hormonal levels are higher, which can further stimulate milk production. Important to specify, because precisely in the first part of the night, there is less prolactin, hence the grouped evening feedings!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ideal time to start pumping depends on your specific situation, whether to meet the needs of a premature baby, prepare for a return to work, or simply increase milk production. By following these recommendations and adapting the frequency and method of pumping to your needs, you can ensure continuous and beneficial feeding for your baby while maintaining good milk production.
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