Breast milk is the best food that your infant can receive. It also gives you a chance to do something very special for your infant that only you can do.
Getting Started in the Hospital:
To ensure you have a good milk supply for your infant it is very important that you start pumping within 24 hours after your delivery.
- Your nurse will bring in a medical grade breastpump for you to use while in the hospital. Wash your hands with soap and water.
- You will also receive a single or double disposable pumping kit for use in the hospital. This kit is to be used only for 24 hours since there is no way to sterilize it. Between feedings, please remove breast shield from tubing, using your fingernail. Please wash only breast shield, bottle and yellow valve and membrane in hot soapy water (not tubing or filter). You may ask for a basin and dish soap to wash your equipment in.
- Starting to Pump:
- Place suction level on pump at MINIMUM. You can turn it up a little if you wish but never turn it up to normal. This could lead to nipple soreness. If you experience any discomfort with pumping decrease suction. Pumping should not hurt!
- Attach disposable kit to pump as shown and use nipple insert if it is a more comfortable fit. Place nipple in center of flange and make sure there is a good seal. Turn pump on. It should pull and release your breast tissue.
- Pump for 10-15 minutes each side or total if you are double pumping. Pump every 3 hours through the day and once at night. Don't get discouraged if you don't see a lot of milk in the first few days. It doesn't matter if you get much milk at first because it is the stimulation that is important, not the amount of milk. Once the baby is 3-5 days old, you will see more milk and your breasts will start to feel full.
- If you are able to pump enough milk to collect in the bottle (at least 10cc), save this colostrum (your first milk) for your baby. Place a sterile cap on the bottle and label it with your infant's name, date and time. Take the milk to the nursery to be placed in the refrigerator or freezer.
Continuing at Home:
Until your infant is able to come home, it is important to keep a good milk supply. This will assure that your baby will have plenty of milk while in the hospital and once at home.
- Expressing milk at home: You will need to decide how you will obtain milk for your infant. Your options are:
- Hand express - this option is possible but may be too time consuming.
- A hand pump - all mothers will receive one at discharge. These pumps can be effective but are not designed for frequent pumping.
- Rental of a medical grade electric pump - is the same pump you used in the hospital except for the wheels. This can be done directly through the hospital at a reduced rate of $30.00/month. If you still need to rent after your baby is discharged, the rate is $60.00/month. Rentals can be arranged by the Lactation Consultants. This is the most effective way to express milk while separated from your baby.
- Purchase of a breast pump - there are a few models of pumps for sale that would be suitable for frequent pumping. These pumps are available through the hospital or at local stores. Most pumps however are designed for occasional use and don't have autocycling (which means they do not release suction on their own). Ask the Lactation Consultant for additional information.
- Pumping schedule: Continue to pump every 2-3 hours during the day and once during the night. You will pump 10-15 minutes total (double pumping) or one minute past when your milk stops flowing.
- Storing your breast milk: When you use a breastpump you can pump directly into the sterile "volufeed" bottles you were given in the hospital. Detach bottles from pump horn and put a sterile cap on top. The bag of caps you are given in the hospital are not sterile. Please boil them for 5-10 minutes or run them through a dishwasher and place in a clean bag. You can then label the bottle with your baby's name, date and time. If you are coming to the hospital within 24 hours, you can place your milk in the refrigerator. If you are not sure, place your milk in the freezer. Breast milk must be used 24-48 hours in the refrigerator, 3 months in a freezer, and 6 months in a deep freeze.
- Cleaning your pumping kit: If you are renting a pump or pumping while visiting, you should receive a Universal or double pump kit. The pieces you need to clean are the 2 breast shields with the yellow piece attached. Wash with hot soapy water (dish soap is fine) between pumpings and sterilize just once a day. You can sterilize either by boiling the pieces for 5-10 minutes or running them through a dishwasher. You do not need to wash the tubing or filter because only air goes through them. If milk backs up in tubing please ask the Lactation Consultant what to do.
- Transporting your milk: You may bring your milk to the hospital in an insulated bag or cooler with chill packs to keep it cold.
Visiting Your Baby
When your infant is able to nurse, your visits will include breast-feeding. If your baby is not able to nurse, you will need to express milk at the hospital to maintain your supply.
- The Family Room: Is a room located beside the Intensive Care Nursery that has breast pumps, chairs, privacy curtains, a sink, and a freezer to store breastmilk. You are free to use this room while you are visiting.
- Caring for yourself:
- Fluids: Try to drink enough to satisfy your thirst. Drink water, juice and milk. Limit caffeine beverages.
- Diet: The key to a good diet is moderation. There is no one thing you cannot eat but don't eat a lot of any one thing. Try to keep the same well-balanced diet you had during pregnancy.
- Medications: Please get all medications cleared you are taking while pumping or feeding since they may be passed to your baby through the milk.
IF AT ANY TIME YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT NURSING OR PUMPING, PLEASE CALL AGH LACTATION CONSULTANTS: Julie Brown RN, IBCLC or Pat Connolly RN, IBCLC
(412) 359-6775
Click here for Lactation Consultant Services Information
Last Updated: February 09, 2009
