Pregnancy Questions

To warm breast milk that was been in the fridge put it in a container of warm water, it should be lukewarm or body temperature to give it to your baby. Microwaving is not recommended as there can be hot spots as well as damage to the good qualities of the milk.

If your breastmilk is frozen then defrost it in the fridge or run under water. Once thawed, breast milk cannot be frozen again, it should be used straight away.

Once you have expressed your breast milk it can be stored at room temperature for 4 hours, kept in the fridge for 48 hours or in the freezer for 3-6 months (separate fridge freezer).

You can put your expressed breast milk into a plastic container, or you can store your breastmilk in a clean, closed container or a special breastmilk storage bag. You can buy breastmilk storage bags from your local super market or pharmacy. Try to store milk in small amounts so that when it is thawed it isn’t wasted. Covered ice cube trays are good because they’re easily thawed.

Make sure you label it with the date it was expressed, and label it as expressed milk so it’s not mistaken for anything else!

Breastfeeding a baby on demand is the best way to ensure an adequate supply of breastmilk for baby. 
Reasons why women may need to express breastmilk:

• Expressing colostrum at the end of pregnancy (only if advised by healthcare provider) prior to birth
• To soften the breast if very full to assist baby to latch to the breast
• Sore nipples – resting the nipples
• Unable to latch baby to the breast
• Returning to work while still breastfeeding

Not all women who breastfeed will need to use a breast pump or to express breastmilk. If you want to express breast milk to give to your baby at a later point you can do so multiple ways.The art of hand expressing is a great tool to have.

Firstly- you can hand express. Hand expressing is great for when you have colostrum as it tends to be too thick for a breast pump to be able to get out. It’s great if your breasts are really full and you need some relief or if they’re so full that your baby is struggling to latch.

The next option is to use a milk collection device, which you can suction on the breast you are not feeding on to collect the letdown.
If you are actively trying to get as much volume as possible then you will need either a manual or an electric breast pump.
A manual pump is perfect for the occasional pumping session. Your hand sets the strength and frequency and can be hard work.
If you are going to express more than once a day and long term then an electric pump is well worth the investment. Think about your needs and what you need in a breast pump to help you decide which one to get.

If your baby is born by caesarean birth you and baby will spend some time in theatre while the surgery is finishing, you will be lying down and baby may be able to lie on your chest. Afterwards, you will go into the recovery unit where you can sit up and breastfeed your baby. 
In the days following a caesarean birth you will be given medication to help relieve the pain so that you can move around and take care of your baby. You can still breastfeed while taking this medication.  

You may find that lying down breast feeding is more comfortable than having baby in the cradle hold. Some women find the football hold great while others like having a pillow in their lap to protect the wound. Try out a few different ways to find what works for you.

Some women find that there may be a slight delay in their lactation following a caesarean birth compared to a vaginal birth. This doesn’t appear to have an impact on the overall success of breastfeeding.