You know breast milk is best for your baby,  but sometimes you need to use a bottle. Expressing milk from your breasts and storing it in baby bottles can, at times,  be difficult for many mothers.  Luckily, it doesn’t have to be. Following the preparations below may assist you in this process:

1.  Select the time of the day when your breasts are at their fullest to express your milk.  Usually, morning seems to be the best time for most women.  Expect to collect milk about every three hours for about 30 minutes each time.

2.  Carefully wash all of your breast-pumping equipment as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Make it a standard habit to clean the equipment immediately after each use.  This usually helps keep the items easier to wash each time.

3.  If you are new to expressing breast milk, it may help to choose a quiet and comfortable place that has few distractions.  You will want privacy, so, if you are at work, make  sure that you have a private room that you can use.

Mom breastfeeding her child

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4.  Drink a full glass of liquid before starting each time.  Milk, tea, water, soup,   — all of them work fine.  Warmer drinks, however, may be more beneficial in stimulating your milk to let-down.  Although alcoholic drinks are not indicated for use before expressing, if you need help relaxing, they may be an alternative for you.  If this is the case, then be sure to consult your physician.

5.  A relaxation technique of your choice or meditation can help relax your body. It is useful if you do it immediately before extracting the milk.  Even listening to calming music or watching TV is helpful.

6.  If you are having trouble stimulating a let-down, then you may want to view something that puts your mind about your baby.  Look at a picture of your little baby, have your baby in the room with you, etc.

7.  Other women have difficulty in getting pumping results.  If this is the case for you, request your doctor about a nasal spray containing oxytocin.  This spray aids to induce a let-down.

Expressing your breastmilk, in fact, does not have to be an ordeal. Just follow these simple procedures. If you still have trouble expressing breastmilk after you’ve given these a try, consult your doctor or a trained breastfeeding consultant.

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