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How Do You Get Breast Milk Out of Your Breast?

Published in Breastfeeding 3 mins read

You can get breast milk out of your breast through hand expression or using a breast pump.

Hand Expression:

Hand expression is a technique that uses your hands to manually extract milk from your breast. Here's how:

  1. Wash Your Hands: Ensure your hands are clean before starting.

  2. Get Comfortable: Find a comfortable position, either sitting or standing.

  3. Prepare Your Breast: Gently massage your breast to stimulate milk flow.

  4. Position Your Hand: Place your thumb and fingers (usually index and middle fingers) on opposite sides of your nipple, about 1-1.5 inches back from the base of the nipple. Imagine your fingers are forming a "C" shape.

  5. Compress and Release:

    • Press: Gently press back towards your chest wall. This should not be painful.
    • Compress: Squeeze your thumb and fingers together. This compression expresses the milk.
    • Release: Release the pressure, allowing your fingers to return to their starting position.
    • Repeat: Continue this press, compress, and release rhythm. Avoid sliding your fingers along the skin, as this can cause friction and discomfort.

  6. Collect the Milk: Express milk into a sterile container.

  7. Rotate Position: After a few minutes, rotate your hand slightly around the areola to express milk from different milk ducts.

  8. Switch Breasts: Once the milk flow slows down, switch to the other breast and repeat the process.

Using a Breast Pump:

A breast pump is a mechanical device that extracts milk from your breast. There are two main types: manual and electric.

  1. Choose the Right Pump: Select a pump that suits your needs and budget. Electric pumps are more efficient for frequent pumping, while manual pumps are more portable and affordable.

  2. Prepare the Pump: Ensure all parts of the pump are clean and properly assembled.

  3. Get Comfortable: Find a comfortable position and relax.

  4. Position the Flange: Center your nipple in the flange (the cone-shaped part that attaches to your breast). The flange should fit comfortably; your nipple should move freely without rubbing against the sides. If the flange is too small or too large, it can impact the milk output and cause pain.

  5. Start Pumping:

    • Manual Pump: Gently squeeze the handle to create suction. Adjust the pressure to a comfortable level.
    • Electric Pump: Start with a low suction setting and gradually increase it until you reach a comfortable level. Many electric pumps have different modes to mimic a baby's natural sucking pattern.

  6. Pump for 15-20 Minutes: Pump each breast for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the milk flow slows down significantly.

  7. Massage Your Breast: While pumping, gently massage your breast to help express more milk.

  8. Switch Breasts: If using a single pump, switch to the other breast after pumping one side. If using a double pump, pump both breasts simultaneously.

  9. Store the Milk: Store expressed breast milk according to recommended guidelines.

Consistent and proper technique with either hand expression or a breast pump will help to effectively remove breast milk. It's important to be patient and find what works best for you. If you encounter problems, consult with a lactation consultant or healthcare professional.

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