How to stimulate breast milk effectively by hand

To get breast milk into a bottle, you will need to express it. Instead of using a pump, try the hand expression method shared below so your milk comes in quickly and plentifully while you feel comfortable and at ease.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and sterilise your milk containers. Sit in a comfortable position so you can express more milk. Massage your breasts by hand for about 5-10 minutes before expressing. The massage is quite simple:

- Bring your fingertips together and stroke gently from the outer breast towards the nipple. Use your thumb to knead from the outer breast towards the nipple. Next, use your thumb to circle around the areola. Then gently roll the nipple between your index finger and thumb. After a few tries you will master this massage. After massaging, move on to expressing.

Expressing milk is quite simple if you use the right technique:

- Place your thumb above the areola and nipple. Place your index finger below the areola and nipple, opposite your thumb. Your other fingers support the breast.

- Start pressing your thumb and index finger gently inwards towards your chest wall.

- Press in and release, repeating this many times so the milk flows

- Rotate your fingers around the areola to make sure milk is expressed from all the milk ducts. Remember not to press hard, as this can block the milk ducts. Expressing should not hurt. If it hurts, your technique is wrong. Express each breast for at least 3-5 minutes until the flow slows down, then switch to the other side. Then express both sides again. Keep expressing for about 20-30 minutes each time, especially in the first days when your milk supply is still low. Don't express for less time than that. If you need Doti to guide you on expressing with a pump, just ask Doti another question.

References: www.tudu.com.vn