Returning to work after maternity leave doesn't mean you need to stop breastfeeding Si Small. There is management of expressed breast milk (ASIP) that you can do so that you can continue to give breast milk smoothly. So, how to maintain the right quality of breast milk and stay healthy?
Expressed breast milk or ASIP is obtained by expressing milk from the breast to be placed in a sterile container, such as a bottle, which will be given to the baby. Expressed breast milk is generally given when the mother is not with the little one for a long time, for example when the mother is working in the office.
You can also express milk when your breasts feel full, but you are not with your little one. Not only that, this expressed breast milk can also be mixed with baby food or solid food.
Some Questions About Expressing Breast Milk Management
Although it brings many benefits, ASIP is still not widely applied because many breastfeeding mothers are confused about its management.
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding expressed breast milk management and their answers:
1. Bhow do you express breast milk?
Basically, expressing breast milk can be done in 2 ways, namely by using a breast pump or by hand. There are 2 types of breast pumps, namely manual breast pumps and electric breast pumps.
Each type of breast pump has its own advantages and disadvantages. A pump that suits one person may not necessarily suit another.
If you want to express breast milk by hand, here are the steps:
- Wash your hands with soap and water first until they are clean.
- Place a sterilized bottle or container under the breast to collect the milk that comes out.
- Massage your breasts slowly
- Position your fingers in a C shape around the areola or the dark area around the nipple, then press gently. Avoid pressing the nipple too hard because it can cause pain and block the flow of milk.
- Release the pressure as the milk comes out, then repeat the pressure slowly.
If the flow of milk has stopped, massage the other part until the entire surface of the breast has been massaged. You can also do the same on the other breast. And so on until the milk really stops flowing and the breasts don't feel full.
At first there was only a small amount of breast milk that came out, but over time the flow of breast milk could become smoother and more profuse, if you pumped it regularly.
2. Bhow to store ASIP?
It is important to place breast milk in a free glass or plastic bottle Bisphenol-A (BPA) because this chemical is not safe for baby's health.
Make sure the bottles have been sterilized or at least washed with warm water until clean. Avoid storing breast milk in disposable bottles that cannot be used repeatedly.
After that, put a label on the bottle that reads the time and date the milk was expressed. If breast milk is placed with another child's milk bottle at a daycare center or with a coworker, put the baby's name and mother's name on the label as well.
Mothers are also advised to place breast milk in a special bag or bag cooler when he brought him home. This is important so that the quality of ASIP is maintained.
When you want to be placed in the refrigerator, place the breast milk bottles in the coldest part or freezer. Start taking the supply of ASIP starting with the first milked.
3. How long can ASIP last?
The durability of breast milk depends on where the expressed milk is stored. There are several ASIP storage guidelines that you need to know, including:
- Freshly expressed breast milk can last up to 4 hours at room temperature
- If stored in a closed container with an ice bag, breast milk can last up to 24 hours
- Breast milk stored in the refrigerator can last up to 3-4 days
- ASIP stored in freezer can last up to 6 months
Although it can be preserved, some nutrients, such as protein and vitamins, can be lost in breast milk that is stored for too long. Therefore, to ensure its quality, throw away breast milk that has passed the storage time limit and it is better to give breast milk that is still fresh.
4. How to heat ASIP?
Bottled breast milk stored in the refrigerator can be placed in a bowl of warm water before giving it to the baby. However, avoid putting it back in the refrigerator after it has warmed up, okay?
Also, avoid using microwave or boil breast milk to warm it because it can damage the nutritional content in it. Breast milk heated in this way will also feel too hot for the baby's mouth.
5. How much ASIP should be prepared?
It really depends on the baby's needs. The need for breast milk increases according to the age and weight of the baby. This number will then gradually decrease after the baby starts consuming complementary foods (MPASI) at the age of 6 months and over.
Giving expressed breast milk to babies can be done with special baby bottles or glasses (cup feeders). However, if the mother is already with the baby, you should still condition the baby to suckle directly from the breast to stimulate the smooth production of milk.
Management of expressed breast milk that is managed properly can be a solution for working mothers who want to continue to breastfeed their babies. Just like giving breast milk directly, mothers who express breast milk need healthy food intake and adequate rest in order to get enough breast milk.
If you have difficulty managing expressed breast milk or have problems breastfeeding your little one, don't hesitate to see a lactation consultant, so that the complaints you are experiencing can be handled properly.
