How to breast pump and store the milk hygienically? Renowned doctor explains

Nothing can truly replace breast milk, which provides the exact nutrients a baby needs for healthy growth and brain development. But in today’s busy world, mothers pursuing careers or studies cannot always be by their baby’s side. In such cases, breast pumping offers a practical way to maintain uninterrupted breastfeeding.

Choosing a breast pump
Currently, there are two main types of breast pumps: manual and electric.
Manual breast pumps:
These are operated by hand and do not require electricity, making them convenient to use anytime, anywhere. These are easier to carry and more affordable compared to electric breast pumps.
Electric breast pumps:
Electric pumps, which run on electricity or batteries, often include features to adjust suction pressure and provide gentle massaging. They can be recharged easily, much like a mobile phone and are designed for long-term use. Regardless of type, mothers should thoroughly wash and sterilise all equipment in hot water before each use to maintain hygiene.

Hand expression (Extracting milk using hands)
When mechanical breast pumps are unavailable, or before using a pump to prepare the breasts, milk can be expressed manually. After thoroughly washing the hands, gently massage the breasts and use the thumb and forefinger to apply pressure around the areola. This helps the milk flow out naturally. This method is simple and requires no special equipment or cost.

When and how much to express?
Working mothers can use this method to collect milk in advance. It is especially helpful for premature babies, twins or infants who have difficulty feeding directly from the breast. Milk should be expressed at the same times the baby would normally feed. This not only ensures a steady supply of milk according to the baby’s needs but also sends the right signals to the mother’s body to maintain milk production.

Proper storage of expressed breast milk
To ensure that expressed breast milk retains its quality and is not wasted, it is essential to follow proper storage practices. Milk can be safely stored at room temperature (cool, out of direct sunlight) for up to 4 hours. During travel, insulated cooler bags can preserve milk for up to 24 hours; in a refrigerator, it can be stored for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, milk can be kept in a refrigerator’s freezer compartment for 3 to 6 months or in a deep freezer for 6 to 12 months without losing quality.

It is important to label storage containers with the date and time the milk was expressed. This ensures that the milk expressed earlier is fed to the baby first. 

Key points to keep in mind 
Milk should never be heated directly in a microwave oven or placed on a stove. Instead, place the milk container in a bowl of warm water to gradually bring it to the normal temperature. Once warmed, the milk should be fed to the baby within 4–6 hours. Using a spoon is recommended for feeding.

Mothers do not need to stop working or put their careers on hold to continue breastfeeding. With modern techniques like breast pumping and proper milk storage, it is possible to support the baby’s health while advancing a mother’s professional life.
(The author is a Senior Consultant in the Neonatology wing at Aster Medcity, Kochi)