Breastfeeding Basics — Collecting and Storing Your Milk

posted on March 02, 2009 11:18

Idaho CareLine: In Idaho, Dial 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588

Breastfeeding Basics:
Collecting and Storing Your Milk

You can collect (express) your breast milk when you are unable to nurse your baby.

This can be done using hand expression or a good quality manual pump. If you plan to express often, a double electric breast pump may be faster and more efficient. Good quality pumps can be purchased or rented from medical suppliers. If you are a WIC participant, contact your WIC clinic for information about pumps.

Wash the pump or container you will use to collect your milk in with hot, soapy water. A margarine tub, wide mouth glass, or cup works well if you plan to hand express. With practice, you can express directly into a nurser bag or bottle.

Begin by washing your hands. Put a warm washcloth on your breasts to help your milk flow. When you are first learning, you may want to practice in the shower.

Massage your breasts for a few minutes. Do this by placing one hand under your breast for support. Apply gentle pressure using a circular motion with your other hand. Massage from several starting points around the breast, always working from the edge of the breast toward the nipple. Repeat on your other breast.

Hand Expression

Place your fingers and thumb about one inch behind the nipple. Press back toward your ribs and then gently squeeze in and down toward the nipple.

Move your hand around your breast and continue. Collect your milk into a clean container.

Manual Pump

Pick out the correct nipple adapter for your breast size (if available). Put the adapter in the end of the pump.

Center this piece over your nipple and hold the pump in place.

With the type of pump shown, gently pull the outer section of the pump to create suction. Continue to pull in and out as milk starts dripping into the pump.

Always read instructions that come with the pump before using.

When milk flow slows down, switch to your other breast. Then massage both breasts again and pump some more. Expressing your milk gets easier with practice and works best when your milk supply is built up. Don't be discouraged if you can express only a small amount at first.

With manual expression or a single manual pump, pumping takes about 20-30 minutes. If pumping with a high grade double electric pump, expect pumping to take about 10 minutes.

To keep your milk supply up, you may need to hand express or pump every 2 to 3 hours from after your last nursing until you can nurse your baby again.

Storing Your Milk

Store your milk in a clean plastic or glass bottle or disposable nurser bag.
Store in small amounts, about 2-4 oz. per container. If you plan to freeze the milk, double bag the pumped milk. Allow a small amount of space for expansion due to freezing.
Label container with your name and the current date on masking tape.
Your milk will last about 3 days in a refrigerator; 3 months in the freezer section of a refrigerator with a separate door for the freezer; and 6-12 months in a deep freeze at 0° Fahrenheit.
If you don't have a refrigerator or freezer close by when you collect your milk, your milk is safe at a comfortable room temperature for about 4 hours. Ideally, pack your milk on ice in a container and then refrigerate or freeze as soon as possible after pumping.
Use the oldest milk first.
To thaw frozen breast milk, shake the bottle/bag gently while holding it under cool water or thaw in the refrigerator. Do NOT boil or microwave it.
Throw away thawed milk after 24 hours in the refrigerator.

Returning to Work or School

You can work or go to school and continue to breastfeed. Be creative and find what works for you! Here are three choices:

Find a babysitter or child care close to work or school. Go to your baby or have your baby brought to you to nurse.
Nurse before and after work or school. Hand express or pump your milk at work or school. Give your milk to the sitter to feed your baby the next day.
Nurse before and after work or school. Have the sitter give your baby formula while you are gone. You may need to express milk during the day for comfort in the early weeks.

If You Want to Continue Offering Your Baby Breast Milk Only, Then...

2 to 4 Weeks Ahead of Time

Begin to express your milk a few times each day. Some women find it easy to nurse their baby on one breast, while expressing on the other. Try to follow the same schedule that you will use when you return to work or school. You can build up a frozen supply of breast milk this way.
Nurse and express in different places, such as the homes of relatives and friends. It will then be easier to nurse at the sitter’s and at work or school.
When your baby is one month of age, begin offering a supplemental bottle of breast milk. Your baby may then accept the bottle better if someone else offers it.
Develop your plan for combining work/school and breastfeeding!

A Few Days Ahead of Time

Take your baby (and breastmilk) to the child care/sitter.
Nurse before you leave your baby and as soon as possible when you pick your baby up or arrive at home.
Write down your usual feeding times for the sitter and ask him/her to feed your baby near these times.
Ask the sitter not to feed your baby right before you pick him/her up.
Don’t be surprised if your baby wants to nurse often when you are together. Try not to offer bottles, especially of formula, at these times. The more you nurse, the more milk you will make.
Provide extra breast feedings at night, and on your days off.

If You Want to Offer Your Baby Breast Milk and Formula

2 to 4 Weeks Ahead of Time

Choose an iron-fortified formula.
Slowly begin offering formula for those feedings that you will be away from your baby.
Each week, replace no more than one daily breastfeeding with formula.

Whatever Time You Spend Nursing is Good for You and Your Baby.

*This handout is not intended for use by mothers of premature or sick infants.

For breastfeeding information and support in your community, call the
Idaho CareLine at 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588.

Revision of Breastfeeding Basics: Collecting and Storing Your Milk (1998).
Many thanks to our reviewers: Kathy Eng; Bonnie Williamson, LPN; Patricia Warjack; Joanne Graff, CFCS, CLE; Joyce Schleis, RN, BSN, IBCLC; LaVonne Mills, MD; Jill Barnes, CA; Lori Bilodeau, RN; Kim Reynolds; Debbie Kannenberg, RN, IBCLC;
and many other professionals associated with hospitals and WIC clinics throughout Idaho.

ILLUSTRATED BY: Lisa Penny DEVELOPED BY: Idaho WIC Program, Department of Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0036
PUBLICATION NO: 404E (1989). Revised 1998. IDHW-20,000-15570-4/98.

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