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Another 2 weeks plus to go back to work. I was surfing online and found this article on Manual Breastmilk Expression. Basically, I have prepare myself to express breast milk by using Medela Mini Electric breast pump. However, I found this method is very useful besides using a breast pump. Let's learn how it goes...
MARMET TECHNIQUE
The Marmet Technique of manual expression and assisting the milk ejection reflex (sometimes called the let-down reflex) has worked for hundreds of mothers - in a way that nothing has before. Even experienced breastfeeding mothers who have been able to hand express will find that this method produces more milk. Mothers who have previously been able to express only a small amount, or none at all, get excellent results with this technique.
The Marmet Technique of manual expression and assisting the milk ejection reflex (sometimes called the let-down reflex) has worked for hundreds of mothers - in a way that nothing has before. Even experienced breastfeeding mothers who have been able to hand express will find that this method produces more milk. Mothers who have previously been able to express only a small amount, or none at all, get excellent results with this technique.
TECHNIQUE IS IMPORTANT
When watching manual expression the correct milking motion is difficult to see. In this case the hand is quicker than the eye. Consequently, many mothers have found manual expression difficult - even after watching a demonstration or reading a brief description. Milk can be expressed when using less effective methods of hand expressions. When used, however, on a frequent and regular basis, these methods can easily lead to damaged breast tissue, bruised breasts, and even skin burns.
When watching manual expression the correct milking motion is difficult to see. In this case the hand is quicker than the eye. Consequently, many mothers have found manual expression difficult - even after watching a demonstration or reading a brief description. Milk can be expressed when using less effective methods of hand expressions. When used, however, on a frequent and regular basis, these methods can easily lead to damaged breast tissue, bruised breasts, and even skin burns.
The Marmet technique of manual expression was developed by a mother who needed to express her milk over an extended period of time for medical reasons. She found that her milk ejection reflex did not work as well as when her baby breastfed, so she also developed a method of massage and stimulation to assist this reflex. The key to the success of this technique is the combination of the method of expression and this massage.
This technique is effective and should not cause problems. It can easily be learned by following this step by step guide. As with any manual skill, practice is important.
This technique is effective and should not cause problems. It can easily be learned by following this step by step guide. As with any manual skill, practice is important.
ADVANTAGES
There are many advantages to manual expression over mechanical methods of milking the breasts:
Some mechanical pumps cause discomfort and are ineffective.
Many mothers are more comfortable with manual expression of breast milk because it is more natural.
Skin to skin contact is more stimulating than the feel of a plastic shield. So manual expression usually allows for an easier milk ejection reflex.
It's convenient.
It's ecologically superior.
It's portable. How can a mother forget her hands?
Best of all it's free!
HOW THE BREAST MAKES MILK
The milk is produced in milk producing cells (alveoli). A portion of the milk continuously comes down the ducts and collects in the milk reservoirs. When the milk-producing cells are stimulated, they expel additional milk into the duct system (Milk rejection reflex or Let-down reflex)
There are many advantages to manual expression over mechanical methods of milking the breasts:
Some mechanical pumps cause discomfort and are ineffective.
Many mothers are more comfortable with manual expression of breast milk because it is more natural.
Skin to skin contact is more stimulating than the feel of a plastic shield. So manual expression usually allows for an easier milk ejection reflex.
It's convenient.
It's ecologically superior.
It's portable. How can a mother forget her hands?
Best of all it's free!
HOW THE BREAST MAKES MILK
The milk is produced in milk producing cells (alveoli). A portion of the milk continuously comes down the ducts and collects in the milk reservoirs. When the milk-producing cells are stimulated, they expel additional milk into the duct system (Milk rejection reflex or Let-down reflex)
EXPRESSING THE MILK
Draining the Milk Reservoirs
Draining the Milk Reservoirs
1) POSITION the thumb and first two fingers about 1" to 1 1/2"
behind the nipple.
behind the nipple. * Use this measurement, which is not necessarily the outer edge of the areola, as a guide. The areola varies in size from one woman to another.
* Place the thumb above the nipple and the fingers below, in a 12 o'clock and …….. 6 o'clock position, as shown.
* Note that the fingers are positioned so that the milk reservoirs lie beneath them.
* Avoid cupping the breast. The fingers should NOT be in a …….. 12 o'clock and 4 o'clock position.
* Place the thumb above the nipple and the fingers below, in a 12 o'clock and …….. 6 o'clock position, as shown.
* Note that the fingers are positioned so that the milk reservoirs lie beneath them.
* Avoid cupping the breast. The fingers should NOT be in a …….. 12 o'clock and 4 o'clock position.
Note the moving position of the thumbnail and fingernails shown in red in illustration. The arrows on the show the direction of the pressure the fingers apply. See that the fingers under the breast start with the pressure on the back most finger in the 'Push' and moves to the front most finger in the 'Roll'.
4. REPEAT RYTHMICALLY to drain the reservoirs.
Position, push, roll; position, push, roll.
5. ROTATE the thumb and finger position to milk the other reservoirs. Use both hands on each breast. The fingers will move from the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, to 11 and 5 o'clock, 2 and 8 o'clock, 3 and 9 o'clock. These pictures show hand positions on the right breast.
Position, push, roll; position, push, roll.
5. ROTATE the thumb and finger position to milk the other reservoirs. Use both hands on each breast. The fingers will move from the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, to 11 and 5 o'clock, 2 and 8 o'clock, 3 and 9 o'clock. These pictures show hand positions on the right breast.
AVOID THESE MOTIONS
ASSISTING THE MILK EJECTION REFLEX
This will help with relaxation and will help stimulate the milk ejection reflex.
ASSISTING THE MILK EJECTION REFLEX
This will help with relaxation and will help stimulate the milk ejection reflex.
PROCEDURE
This procedure should be followed by mothers who are expressing in place of a full feeding and those who need to establish, increase, or maintain their milk supply when the baby cannot breastfeed.
* Express each breast until the flow of milk slows down.
* Assist the milk ejection reflex (massage, stroke, shake) on both breasts. This can be done simultaneously.
* Repeat the whole process of expressing each breast and assisting the milk ejection reflex once or twice more. The flow of milk usually slows down sooner the second and third time as the reservoirs are drained.
TIMING
The ENTIRE PROCEDURE should take approximately 20-30 minutes.
* Express each breast 5-7 minutes.
* Massage, stroke, shake.
* Express each breast 3-5 minutes.
* Massage, stroke, shake.
* Express each breasts 2-3 minutes.
Note: If the milk supply is established, use the times given only as a guide. Watch the flow of milk and change breasts when the flow gets small.
Note: If little of no milk is present yet, follow these suggested times closely.
This procedure should be followed by mothers who are expressing in place of a full feeding and those who need to establish, increase, or maintain their milk supply when the baby cannot breastfeed.
* Express each breast until the flow of milk slows down.
* Assist the milk ejection reflex (massage, stroke, shake) on both breasts. This can be done simultaneously.
* Repeat the whole process of expressing each breast and assisting the milk ejection reflex once or twice more. The flow of milk usually slows down sooner the second and third time as the reservoirs are drained.
TIMING
The ENTIRE PROCEDURE should take approximately 20-30 minutes.
* Express each breast 5-7 minutes.
* Massage, stroke, shake.
* Express each breast 3-5 minutes.
* Massage, stroke, shake.
* Express each breasts 2-3 minutes.
Note: If the milk supply is established, use the times given only as a guide. Watch the flow of milk and change breasts when the flow gets small.
Note: If little of no milk is present yet, follow these suggested times closely.
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