- 1: How should I store the milk expressed with a breast pump?
- 1: Breastmilk can generally be preserved in a freezer (about -18°C) for about 3 weeks. It can be preserved in a refrigerator (50°C and below) for up to 24 hours. The antibodies and other components of breastmilk show little change during these periods. However, breastmilk produced by the mother's body changes in composition according to the baby's growth. It's better to use frozen or refrigerated breastmilk as soon as possible.
Other precautions for handling breastmilk are below;
| Freezer (Approx.-18°C) | Refrigerator | |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh breast milk | 3 weeks | 24 hours |
| Thawed breast milk but not warmed | Do not refreeze | 24 hours |
(Source:Pigeon)
- Breastmilk that has been warmed once should not be refrigerated or frozen.
- Breastmilk should not be microwaved, as much of the nutritive value will be lost.
- Breastmilk should not be preserved at room temperature.
- Use stored breastmilk as soon as possible,regardless of the storage life.
- 2: When do I need to use a breast pump? What kinds are there?
- 2: Breast pumping refers to expressing milk that has accumulated in the breasts. This becomes necessary when it is not possible to nurse a baby directly. Some reasons for storing breast milk and feeding it to a baby later include the baby being unable to nurse because the mother has difficulty with her nipples, wanting to deliver milk to a baby who is hospitalized, or feeding a baby while the mother is away at work.
Mothers sometimes express milk to prevent breast inflammation or to improve the flow of their milk. Pigeon manufactures 3 types of breast pumps.
- 3: What is the best way to use a breast pump?
- 3: Before pumping your breasts, warm them with a steamed towel, and massage them to open the milk ducts. While pumping your breasts, increasing the pressure does not increase the amount of milk that can be expressed. Since it is possible to adjust the expressing pressure on a Pigeon Breast Pump, you can use whichever pressure is most suitable for you, without having to suffer any discomfort. Stop pumping after about 8 minutes. (Do not pump more than 20 minutes.) If your breasts or nipples become inflamed, stop using the breast pump.
