Revealing the unique hand expressing method and 7 related benefits

Proper hand expressing helps mothers feel much more comfortable than a breast machine. Please refer to the following milking methods, especially the Marmet technique that will surprise you much more.

After your baby is born, besides joy and happiness, you also need to learn a lot. How to express milk by hand is considered an "art" in breastfeeding for many women. The article will show you great tips for effective manual milking and 7 unexpected benefits.

What is manual milking technique?

Hand expressing is an important skill that mothers should equip themselves. This skill with proper diaper changing skills are 2 essential things that you need to learn to care for your baby.

During the first 6 months, you may think that you just need to breastfeed the normal "skin to skin" way. However, reality shows that sometimes you will have to deal with situations where you can only bottle feed your baby, but you cannot breastfeed the normal way.

Besides, there will also be times when you have to send the baby and ask a loved one to look after it. At this point, it is best to express the milk in a bottle to feed your baby.

What are the advantages of hand milking?

Hand expressing has many benefits such as:

Inexpensive

Simple, don't have to do too much

Save time on device sterilization

Convenient, you do not need to carry heavy milking tools every time you travel

No electricity needed

Reduce discomfort when milking with the machine

This method will help stimulate and accelerate the milk reflex.

Steps to stimulate the milk reflex by hand

Before expressing breastmilk by hand, there are a few tips to remember for effective milking. Besides, these secrets also help you to express the maximum amount of milk without spending too much time and effort.

Milk is released from alveolar / sac cells in the mother's breast. When these alveoli are stimulated, they contract and push the milk into the duct. This process is called the milk drop reflex ( MER ). For this process to be most effective, you can follow these steps:

1. Massage

Please follow these steps:

Locate the secretory cells and massage them

Starting from above, move your fingers in a circular motion, then press firmly on a spot on the breast

After massaging for a few seconds, remove your finger and move to the next position, don't slide your finger on the breast

Continue massage in circular motion, starting at the top and moving towards the nipple. This massage method is the same as a screening method for breast cancer.

2. Swipe breasts

Swipe both breasts from the chest wall to the nipple in a straight line using only the tips of your fingers. This will help you feel relaxed and stimulate the milk release reflex.

3. Shake the chest

Gently shake your chest to allow gravity to aid the ejection of the milk.

Hand expressing with the Marmet technique

The Marmet milking technique is the most effective method of hand milking. Even mothers who previously had little or no milk when performing this method all had great results.

The Marmet technique was developed by Chele Marmet , who has to express milk by hand for a long time due to illness. She noticed that her milk-drop reflex is not good when the baby sucks. Therefore, she devised a massage method to stimulate this reflex. This method is done as follows:

1. Hand placement

Place your thumb on one side of the nipple, about 2.5 centimeters from your index and middle fingers.

Place your thumb at 12 o'clock, index finger and middle finger at 6 o'clock, and camber to form a C-shape embracing areola.

The fingers should be in a straight line with the nipple.

Hands avoid cupping in a cup shape around the chest, but focus on the nipple area.

2. Lightly press

Next, you gently press the breast toward the wall of the chest. If the breasts are large, lift the breast and press. Do not stretch fingers when pressed.

3. Roll over

Roll your fingers from the rim and between the breast toward the nipple

Squeeze, change your middle finger to your index finger while your thumb rolls forward

Imagine the milking rhythm like the rhythm your baby is feeding you.

Repeat this process often to let the milk drain easily. If you are squeezing, pulling, tugging, or sliding your fingers instead of rolling, you are wrong. This method may be uncomfortable, but it won't hurt you.

4. The process and time of milking

The Marmet technique is a combination of milking and the stimulation of the downward reflex. The whole process takes about 20-30 minutes.

Stimulation = Massage, swipe, shake

Expressing = Position, press and roll

Squeeze each breast for 5-7 minutes.

Massage both breasts at the same time for 1 minute

Express the milk on each side for 3-5 minutes

Massage both breasts at the same time for 1 minute

Express the milk on each side for 2-3 minutes.

Some other tips when expressing milk by hand

Spend a lot of time getting used to locating the tubes and the milking process.

Apply warm compresses before starting to express milk. This helps you feel relaxed and warms your breasts.

Sit leaning forward or bend down to express the milk. In this position, you'll squeeze more out of the way than sitting or lying down.

Have a bottle of milk ready.

Through the above sharing, you have more information on how to express breast milk by hand. In addition, during the first 6 months of breastfeeding, if you still encounter other problems such as blockage, you can refer to and read the article " Discomfort due to blocked milk jets: How to treatment? “.

aFamilyToday Health  does not offer medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.