Thursday, January 25, 2007

Breastfeeding - When should mothers express their breast milk?

If your breasts are engorged (larger, sore, and feeling extremely full), your newborn may have difficulty latching on. You can express some milk by gently massaging or pushing by hand or with a breast pump. This may help your baby latch on.

Once you've got a breastfeeding routine, you can express your breast milk by hand or with a breast pump if you're away from your baby during feeding time. This will allow your baby to have breast milk from a cup or a bottle (depending on the baby's age). It is also a way for your partner or others to feel a part of your baby's life.

Expressed breast milk is also a way to keep breastfeeding while your baby is in child care facility. Make sure the centre or home has a refrigerator, as milk has to be kept chilled until feeding time.