Expressing Breast MilkExpressing breast milk is essential to a allowing a lot of moms to continue breastfeeding longer than they otherwise would. Some moms will try to make you feel guilty about this one, but expressing breast milk with a breast pump was absolutely necessary in my breastfeeding journey. Remember, no one can make you feel guilty unless you let them. So always do what is best for you and your baby in your life and your situation. Why Choose to Express Breast Milk?
There are a number of reasons. Here are some of the situations when breastfeeding moms might wish to express milk rather than feeding the baby directly from the breast:
* Your baby may be born prematurely and need special care or be too small to suck properly. Your baby may then need to be fed through a tube until he is ready to try feeding from your breasts. * If your baby is born with a cleft lip or palate, she may find it difficult to suck and need to be fed expressed milk with a special bottle or specially shaped teat for a period of time. * You may wish to leave your baby with someone else. Your expressed milk can be fed to your baby via a bottle, a cup, an eyedropper or a spoon. * You may want to return to work outside the home and wish to provide breast milk for your baby when you are at work instead of formula. * You may simply wish to express a small amount of milk to mix with your baby’s first solid foods. * To relieve engorgement. * To help relieve sore or cracked nipples or provide relief during a breast infection. * You may need to prepare for surgery or require medication that will require you to discontinue breastfeeding for a period of time. * To maintain or stimulate lactation or build up a supply of stored milk.
How Can You Express Breast MilkYou have several options for expressing breast milk. Visit our How to Express Breast milk page for help and tips.
Need instructions for your breast pump? Here is help! Looking for a Good Breast Pump?We have outlined some steps you can take to determine what is the very best breast pump to buy for your you and your situation. Click here to find out more or click here to see what pumps that we recommend.Storing and Saving Breast MilkYou can store expressed breast milk to use later. If you are planning on returning to work or just taking a night away with your hubby, visit our Storing Breastmilk page for more information.Want to see our top storage choices? Click here. Finding Help if You Need ItThere are lots of mommies who can help you learn to express breast milk painlessly and efficiently. If you don’t know anyone who has experience with this, you might try contacting a lactation consultant, a community child health nurse, your doctor or your local Le Leche League.
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