Pumping:

1. Pump 3-4 hours after you last nursed the baby.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Use clean equipment.
4. Adjust the pump setting on low to start.  Then, increase it to your comfort level.
5. Wet the horn with water or a few drops of breast milk.
6. Center your nipple in the horn, don’t let the nipple rub.
7. Pull the plunger gently about half way out for the first minute or two.
8. Pull plunger about once every second, this imitates the baby’s nursing rhythm.
9. First your milk will come in drops, then sprays.
10. Pump 10-15 minutes on each breast.

Storing

1. Freshly pumped milk can be safely left in a warm room for 4-6 hours or up to 10 hours in a cool room.
2. Refrigerated milk can be stored for 8 days.
3. Freeze cold breast milk. 6 months in a freezer and 6-12 months in a deep freezer.
4. Use either disposable bottle bags or a container to freeze breast milk
5. Put 3-4 oz in each container or bag.
6. Make sure to date each packet.
7. Keep the pumped milk cold with a chill pack inside the carrying case.

Warming

• never microwave
• Never heat on the stove.
• Put frozen packets in the refrigerator over night or set frozen packet in a cup of warm water for a few minutes until room temperature.
• Shake gently to mix the milk

Do you have any products that help with pumping and storing breast milk?  Please let us know!

Ashley Myers