Expressing your breast milk

For some mothers expressing is as much a part of your day as changing a nappy or wiping up mess, including it in your daily routine can help give you more freedom to have some time on your own allowing someone else to feed your baby without having to give them artificial substitutes.

Mothers who return to work and wish to continue feeding will need to take ‘lactation breaks’ or express during their lunch break which means having a quiet and private place where you feel comfortable and have a place to store the breast milk.

Other women are able to express occasionally as required. Whichever way suits you it’s important to know the right way to express and store the milk for the safety of your baby.

Preparation

• Firstly, make sure your equipment, the area you are using (bench tops, sinks etc.) and your hands are thoroughly cleaned and dry.
• Your equipment should be sterilised if your baby is under approximately 6 months of age but once she is on the move, putting everything in her mouth &/or on solids then it is no longer necessary as you cannot (and should not) sterilise everything babies touch, simply wash it with hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
• Make sure you have a private and relaxed environment with a comfortable chair. Worrying about the possibility of someone walking in on you or being rushed will make things more stressful. If you are able to relax and think about your baby your let-down reflex will be stimulated and your milk will flow more freely.

Storing, freezing, thawing & using Breast milk

• If milk has been freshly expressed into a closed container it can be kept at room temperature (26OC or below) for 6-8 hours.
• Ideally it should be put straight into the refrigerator (4OC or below) where it can be stored for 3-5 days (at the back where it is coldest).
• If placed in the freezer (separate door to fridge) it can be stored for up to 3 months and 6-12 months in the deep freeze where the temperature is -18OC or below
• Once your milk is expressed label the container with the date

Freezing

• Always put the milk at the back of the fridge or freezer as these are the coldest parts
• If freezing, only fill the container ¾ of the way as the milk will expand
• If your baby is not used to drinking from a bottle it could pay to freeze the milk in small amounts to prevent wastage, you can always defrost more
• You can add chilled milk to frozen milk but it must be returned to the freezer immediately

Thawing

• If milk has been thawed in the fridge but not warmed yet it can be stored at room temperature for 4 hours or less (until the next feed) or it can be kept in the fridge for 24 hours.
• Once milk has been previously frozen and thawed do not refreeze it. 
 
• If milk has been thawed in warm water it should be used immediately for that feed or can be kept in the fridge for 4 hours until the next feed. Do not put it back in the freezer. 
• If the baby has begun the feed and does not finish it then it needs to be discarded.

•  If the milk is left to sit at room temperature, in the fridge or has been thawed it will separate and the fat layer will rise to the top. This is normal and requires a gentle shake or swirl to mix it together.
• If the milk is frozen you can thaw it by running it under the tap and allowing the water temperature to gradually increase. Once the milk has thawed heat it quickly by placing it in a container of hot water
• Check the temperature gradually by placing small amounts on the inside of your wrist. Some babies will drink the milk at room temperature but if you cannot feel the temperature of the milk on your wrist it means it has been heated to body temperature which is how your baby is used to drinking it from the breast
• It is important not to heat the milk in boiling water as it will curdle.
• Never heat the milk in the microwave as it heats unevenly and could burn your baby. The microwave will also alter the nutrient content and is said to reduce the milks immunological properties

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