Many women pump their milk by hand to decrease swelling, prevent milk from leaving, and set the milk aside for other times. For some women, hand pumping may be more convenient than using breast pumps. The operation can be done anywhere and without any particular device or tool. It has been shown to help produce more milk: Some women's breasts produce more milk when there is skin-to-skin contact than through using a plastic pump. If you want to find out how to hand pump your milk, start reading from Step 1.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Getting Started
Step 1. Wash your hands
Your hands need to be clean before you start trying to pump yourself. If you washed them with cold water, let them warm up a bit before touching your breasts. Cold hands can cause a delay, hot hands don't. If this is your first time and you are unsure, you can ask a nurse or your partner for help.
Step 2. Place a warm, damp cloth on your breasts for 2 minutes
This helps the milk flow out. While it's not necessary, it doesn't hurt.
Step 3. Get a breast massage
If you want to prepare your breasts and then pump your milk by hand, you can do a gentle massage using your hands or a soft towel. Gently work and massage the skin around both nipples to help your breasts relax and prepare to produce milk.
Method 2 of 2: Pull the Milk by Hand
Step 1. Sit down and lean forward
This position will make it easier for you to express your milk and be comfortable during the operation. You wouldn't be pumping as much milk if you were standing or lying down.
Step 2. Put your fingers on the milk tanks on your breasts
You should place your hands in a "C" shape above and below the nipple. Here's what you should do:
- Place your thumb over the nipple. It should be about 2.5 cm above the nipple.
- Place the first two fingers of your hand 2.5 cm below the nipple, directly in line with the thumb.
- Adjust the thumb position according to your breast size and how comfortable you are.
- Refrain from cupping your breasts in this position.
Step 3. Press inward toward the rib cage
The pressure should be gentle but firm, you shouldn't feel like you're squeezing your breasts at all. Avoid squeezing or pulling the skin of the areola - this makes it harder to pump the milk. Press your thumb and forefinger directly into the breast tissue, towards the rib cage. Here are a few more things to keep in mind:
- Remember to push back and not out, and to move your fingers and not slide them.
- Move your thumb and forefinger forward so that the milk comes out of the milk ducts, which are located under the areola and under the nipple.
- Keep your fingers together. Spreading the fingers reduces the effectiveness of the operation.
- Larger breasts should be lifted before applying pressure.
Step 4. Pump the milk
Use a wave motion away from the body with your thumb and fingers. Compress your breasts with this movement. As an English saying goes, you have to press, compress and then relax. Once you get used to it, you should be able to find a rhythm that is similar to the baby's suckling, which will help you to pump more easily.
- Every woman's breasts are different. It is up to you to find the best position that helps you to pump more milk.
- You can also practice pumping, massaging, pumping, and then massaging again.
Step 5. Collect the milk you pumped into a container
If you're pumping milk just to soothe your breasts, you can pump yourself on a towel or directly into the sink. Here are some things you can do if you want to save the milk for another occasion:
- Use milk bags to collect it.
- Pump the milk directly into bottles that you will use as needed.
- Use a funnel to direct the milk into the container of your choice if necessary.
- Use a container with a wider opening, such as a coffee mug or small pitcher. When the cup is full, put the milk in a container to store it.
Step 6. Repeat with the other breast
Change positions slightly on each breast to pump all the milk. Moving back and forth on your breasts will stimulate the flow of milk even more.
Advice
- Pumping milk by hand sometimes requires several attempts to learn; try again if the first one doesn't give you the result you wanted.
- Keep a towel nearby to dry yourself if you run out or run out of milk. Hand-pumping milk doesn't always direct it where you think. Know that you will need to clean more milk from your clothes and yourself.
- Use any hand to pump yourself. Women usually use your dominant hand, but you can use whichever comes most naturally to you.
Warnings
- Don't squeeze your breasts. Breast can be soft when breastfeeding - squeezing it can cause pain.
- Do not push on the nipple to let the milk come out. The area around the nipple is where pressure should be applied to get the milk out of the reservoirs.
