Until recently hand expression of milk has been an under-utilized skill in our institution. But there are many benefits of knowing how to express milk from the breast without the use of expensive or cumbersome pumps.
- Stanford School of Medicine
Here is a wonderful video that shows you how to hand express. You can also check out the Stanford School of Medicine website for another great example.
Ananda Lowe, co-author of The Doula Guide, created a how-to latch checklist for her clients who are having a difficult time with breastfeeding. I think she includes some great basic reminders (i.e. skin-to-skin, tummy-to-tummy), but if you are still struggling to breastfeed or are in pain, please feel free to each out to me. I can put you in contact with a lactation consultant in your area.
5 Breastfeeding Tips That Made Life Easier For Me. By Genevieve MamaNatural
1. Skin-to-skin – important!
2. Tummy-to-tummy – important!
3. Baby directly faces nipple – follow the “angle of the dangle.” (Nipples may point forward, up, down, or to the sides. Line up baby with your anatomy, which may be different than the placement you’ve seen someone else use.)
4. “No pillows or Boppys” is best, allowing for fullest range of motion
5. Do not remove baby’s hands from mouth or breast. (Baby uses hands to locate nipple and to stimulate mouth, and will remove hands on her own)
6. Support baby’s neck
7. Do not touch back of baby’s head
8. Do not position baby as far out as the crook of your elbow; move baby closer to the center of your body
9. Position baby so his jaw is well below the nipple. Baby will tilt head back, then mouth will align with nipple
10. Place your hand far behind nipple and areola
11. Wait for baby’s mouth to open very wide – important!
12. Hug baby in close to you, so his mouth can take in breast
13. In case of nipple discomfort, use micro-adjustments. Move baby a centimeter to the left, right, above, and below nipple, until you find the placement that is not painful.
14. If baby’s lips are tucked inward around the nipple, you can use your finger to gently flip the lips outward
15. Do not tolerate pain with latching. Gently insert finger into baby’s mouth to break suction, and start again.
16. If latching involves struggle, hold baby to breast when she is not frantic, such as upon waking. Stop “trying” and simply hold baby tummy-to-tummy and skin-to-skin.
17. Wait for baby to discover nipple on her own, usually within 5 to 30 minutes.
This has been a busy doula-ing season for me, with tons of families giving birth to their beautiful little ones. It's such a joy!
I've noticed that the most common questions I get in the moments after the birth of a child surrounds breastfeeding: How do I get the proper latch on? And then in the postnatal meeting, how will I breastfeed in public or pump at the office when I eventually have to leave the house?
Well, I stumbled upon a wonderful website by Jake Marcus that provides the most comprehensive list of breastfeeding laws - both federal and state laws - in the United States. Because most of my current clients are living in NYC, here is the direct link to that, but everyone around the US, please check these to know your breastfeeding rights!
