Breastfeeding is a rewarding experience, but you may face challenges when it comes to expressing milk. This is especially true when you need to return to work and manage a busy schedule. How to express milk effectively becomes a question you need to think about.

Here are some tips for expressing breast milk to help you maximize your milk supply and store breast milk safely. With these right tips, you can make expressing milk a successful part of your breastfeeding journey.

Why Am I Not Getting Much Milk When Pumping?

If you're not getting much milk when you pump, factors like stress, not drinking enough water, and not pumping often enough may be affecting your milk supply. Also, a pump with the wrong dynamics or an uncomfortable environment can prevent you from expressing effectively.

It’s therefore important to make sure your breast pump is the right fit for your body and that you use the correct technique. Also, if you’re still concerned about your milk supply, consider speaking to a lactation consultant for advice and support.

What Types of Breast Pumps Can I Use to Express Milk?

1. Manual Breast Pumps: Manual breast pumps are more affordable and easy to clean, and you can adjust the suction to suit your needs, but they require some hand strength and patience.

2. Electric Breast Pumps: Electric breast pumps come in single-suction and double electric breast pump models, which provide a more efficient pumping experience. They are suitable for you if you need to pump frequently.

3. Battery-Powered Breast Pumps: These types of breast pumps do not need to be plugged into a power source to provide electric suction. In addition, they are lightweight and easy to carry in the car or other places.

4. Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps: It is a breast pump designed for multiple users. It can help you if you have special needs, such as premature labor or milk supply problems. However, they are more expensive.

5. Wearable Breast Pumps: Wearable breast pumps are designed to be worn discreetly and fit inside a bra, allowing you to pump on the move while easily carrying out daily activities.

What Breast Pumping Tips Get More Milk?

When we use a breastfeeding product - a breast pump to express breast milk, we need to know some pumping techniques to have a more comfortable breastfeeding experience. Here are some tips for getting more milk when pumping.

Relax Before You Pump

Before you start pumping, find a quiet place and listen to soothing music or a podcast to relax. You can also try to visualize your baby to trigger the letdown response. Stress can inhibit milk flow. A few minutes of mindfulness or deep breathing can have a great effect on pumping.

Pump at the Right Time

Try to pump when your breasts feel full, which is about 30 minutes after a breastfeeding. Also, if you feed your baby at 2 p.m., consider pumping around 2:30 p.m. This can increase your milk production because your body is already in milk production mode.

Use a Quality Breast Pump

You can choose to invest in a quality breast pump to pump milk. For example, electric and hospital-grade breast pumps, both of which provide greater suction and efficiency than manual breast pumps. If you are a working mother, a double electric breast pump can save you time during your break time, allowing you to pump both breasts at the same time and get back to work faster.

Adjust Settings

You start by trying different suction levels and speeds. Start with fast, gentle sucking and then transition to slower, deeper sucking to see which mode works better for you. Whether you are a mom who prefers higher suction and quick milk ejection, or a mom who prefers gentler suction. There is always a mode that suits you.

Perform a Breast Massage

Before and during expression, you can gently massage your breasts to stimulate milk flow. You can do this while the breast pump is on. So, while you sit comfortably, use your fingertips to massage in a circular motion, focusing on the areas that feel full or lumpy. It can help trigger the milk ejection reflex and increase your milk ejection.

Stay Hydrated

While you are expressing, you can keep a bottle of water nearby and get in the habit of drinking water throughout the day. So, you can have a bottle of water ready when you are taking a break or preparing a meal. Some moms find that drinking a glass of water or herbal tea before each expression helps remind themselves to stay hydrated.

Use Both Breasts

If you are using a double breast pump, you can express at the same time. If you are using a single breast pump, you need to switch between them during the expression process. Keep both breasts stimulated to increase overall milk production. With a single breast pump, you can set a timer on your phone to remind you to alternate pumping.

Add Heat Before Pumping

You can use a warm washcloth or microwaved rice bag to apply heat before pumping. For example, place a hot compress on your breast for a few minutes while you prepare the pump to allow the warmth to stimulate milk secretion.

Pump Regularly

You can set a pumping schedule to mimic your baby's feeding pattern. If your baby feeds every three hours, you can pump at about the same time. This will allow your body to produce more milk.

How to Store Breast Milk After Pumping？

Storage Containers

• Breast Milk Bags: Milk storage bags are designed to store breast milk, and they are double sealed to prevent leaks. They can also be frozen, making them a convenient option for storing large amounts of breast milk, which is why many nursing parents like them.

• Glass or Bpa-Free Plastic Containers: It is recommended to choose containers that are labeled breast milk safe, whether they are glass containers or BPA-free plastic containers. Note that you need to make sure they have tight-fitting lids to keep the breast milk safe and uncontaminated.

• Bottles: If you plan to feed your baby directly with breast milk, clean, BPA-free bottles are an ideal storage option. Because they can easily transition from expressing milk to feeding while keeping the breast milk safe.

Storage Locations

• Refrigerator: Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. However, you need to store the breast milk in a place with the most stable temperature, not in the door.

• Freezer: You can also freeze breast milk for up to 6 months for the best quality, or up to 12 months if needed. You put it in the back of the refrigerator and label the container for easy inspection.

• Cooler with Ice Packs: When traveling, a cooler with ice packs will keep your breast milk fresh for up to 24 hours. Make sure to transfer your breast milk to the refrigerator or freezer as soon as you get home to preserve its quality.

Conclusion

In this article, you've learned the essential tips for expressing breast milk successfully. From understanding the different types of breast pumps to tips for maximising your milk supply. By understanding these key points, you can ensure your breast milk is safely stored and always available to your baby, making your breastfeeding experience both fulfilling and manageable.

Related reading: How to Combine Breastfeeding and Pumping?