Of course, exclusive breastfeeding is very important for newborns in the first 6 months. Breastfeeding is then continued until the child is 2 years old, accompanied by complementary foods.
Well, a breast pump can be a piece of important equipment for nursing mothers. By expressing breast milk, it will increase the milk supply needed by your little one and also prevent you from developing mastitis in the breast.
For an abundance of dairy milk results, it’s a good idea for you to follow the steps below when using a breast pump.
- Use a breast pump that is as comfortable as possible
Currently, available breast pumps with a variety of options, from manual to electric. The brands also vary. However, you should choose a breast pump that is most suitable and comfortable to use. The thing to pay attention to is to ensure that the pump suction power is as needed and does not hurt when used.
- Manual breast pump
You can choose to use an easier breast pump such as a manual breast pump which simply puts the suction device on the breast and presses the handle. For the best prices on manual breast pumps in Sri Lanka, check out online pages before going to visit a baby shop.
- Electric breast pump
If you use an electric breast pump, you only need to turn on the ON button on the pump machine. Then the breast pump will press the breast and store the milk in the bottle that is attached. But you should choose one that has a quieter voice when in use. Check this site for a wide range of breast feeding products in Sri Lanka including branded breast pumps and feeding bottles.
- Massaging the breast
The next step in using a breast pump is to first massage your breasts. Give a gentle massage to help blood circulation and push the milk out smoothly.
Meanwhile, the way to express breast milk with hand massage is to wash your hands first, then press the mammary glands behind the nipples. Mama can hold the breast right behind the areola, which is the black area on the breast, place the thumb on top of the breast and the other four fingers are at the bottom of the breast forming a letter C. Once it is done, you can then utilize the breast pump.
- Keep your body and mind calm
Third, tips to make breast milk run more smoothly when using a breast pump is to build your body and mind to stay calm. We recommend that you compress the breast with warm water first. Then take a slow, deep breath while pumping the milk.
If you need to find a quiet and comfortable place when expressing breast milk, use a breast pump. Besides that, adjust the sitting position like leaning back while listening to classical music. This method can help you express your milk more smoothly.
- Drink lots of water
The various activities that breastfeeding mothers must do sometimes make you forget to pay attention to the intake of fluids in the body, so they often experience a lack of fluids.
When breastfeeding, it is highly recommended to use the correct method, one of which is to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.
Breastfeeding mothers need to consume more water than before. Whereas much as 90% of the components in breast milk are water, so it is natural that Mama often feels thirsty after expressing breast milk. So make sure you always consume enough water before and after pumping breast milk.
- Determine the schedule for breastfeeding with a breast pump
Mothers who are breastfeeding also need to schedule expressing breastmilk. With a fixed schedule, it helps you form the biological clock in your body to produce and produce more breast milk.
Ideally, the duration of pumping breast milk using a breast pump is between 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, using an electric breast pump for about 20-30 minutes. However, it is better if you stop blushing when your breasts are sore. Not only that, but you can also store breast milk for 1-2 weeks before returning to work.
