Maternal and Child Nursing (RLE) Expressing Breast Milk

Topic Outline

1. Definition

2. Purposes

3. Principles and Concepts

4. Equipment’s needed

5. Proper procedure for Expressing Breast Milk .

Learning Outcomes
After studying this unit, you will be able to:
Define the importance and purpose Expressing Breast Milk .
• Know the Principles and Concepts Expressing Breast Milk .
• Perform the proper procedure of Expressing Breast Milk .

Introduction

Express the milk as often as your baby would breastfeed (at least 8 times a day or every 2 to 3 hours). This would include any feedings
that would happen during the night.Milk can be expressed with your hands (hand expression) or by pump. Depending on whether you are
using an electric or battery powered pump or a hand-operated breast pump, the amount of time needed to pump can vary. Usually 15 to 20
minutes per breast is enough. Many electric pumps are able to pump both breasts at once. A hospital grade electric breast pump is
recommended if your baby is in the hospital.

All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing,
uploading or posting online, or transmitting
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in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of UCU,
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 Step by Step procedure Expressing Breast Milk
o Identify the Baby’s mother.
o Explain the procedure to the mother.
o Provide privacy
o Obtain mother’s consent
o Gather materials and equipment.
o Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 15 seconds.
o Start with a breast massage (Picture 2).
o Place your thumb on top and your forefinger under the nipple (Picture 3).
o Gently push your finger and thumb back toward your chest (Picture 4).
o Squeeze gently in a “milking” motion to remove the milk (Picture 5).
o Repeat the procedure, changing the position of your grasp on the breast so all areas of the breast are thoroughly drained.
Repeat on the other breast.
o Express the milk into a container. For well babies, express the milk into a clean container. Some women prefer to use a cup
or bowl. If your baby is in the hospital, put the expressed milk into sterile containers that are provided. Hand expression for
babies in the hospital should be combined with milk expression with a hospital grade electric breast pump.

All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing,
uploading or posting online, or transmitting
2
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of UCU,
is strictly prohibited.
 NCM
Activating Prior Knowledge

Learn more about Expressing Breast Milk by clicking the following link
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/womens-health/general-womens-health/breast-care/
Related L

Read
Maternal and Child Health Nursing (Care of the Child Bearing and Child Bearing Family) 7 th Edition by Adele Pillitteri
focusing Expressing Breast Milk.

Demonstration Link of Expressing Breast Milk N020

View the first 3-4 minutes of this video demonstration by clicking the following link to learn more about Expressing Breast
Milk https://www.google.com/search?
q=expressing+breast+milk+video&rlz=1C1CHBD_enPH858PH858&oq=expressing+breast+milk+video&aqs=chrome..69i57.9550j1j4
&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_J7PZX8znNIytoASdraKgDA11

Readings and References

• Fundamentals of Nursing 8th Edition by Potter and Perry

• Maternal and Child Health Nursing (Care of the Child Bearing and Child Bearing Family) 7 th Edition by Adele Pillitteri

All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing,
uploading or posting online, or transmitting
3
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of UCU,
is strictly prohibited.