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Skip page contentExtracting breast milk in the NICU
Dear parents, on this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about breastfeeding, pumping, extracting, and distributing breast milk during hospitalization. Our staff will happily assist, guide, and answer all your questions.
Mothers who wishes to pump milk will receive a sterile pumping kit, sterile cups for breast milk preservation, identification stickers, and stickers for labeling the milk.
The kit is disposable and intended for one single pumping. It is advisable to attach the sterile cup directly to the kit so that every pumped drop reaches the milk cup intended for your baby.
When you finish pumping, rinse all the parts (except the tube) with running water, place all washed parts of the kit back in the kit bag, and place them in the container designated for the used kits.
Please return all parts of the kit for the benefit of other mothers.
Benefits and importance of breast milk in premature babies
Only you can provide your child with the nourishment that suits them best.
Your breast milk is suited to your child. Studies prove that the milk of mothers of premature babies has a higher content of protein and salts suitable for the accelerated growth requirements during prematurity.
In breast milk there are unique immune components, which do not exist in artificial formulas. These are important in reducing morbidity and mortality rates and protecting against infections, allergies, NEC (necrotizing intestinal inflammation occur mainly in premature babies), SIDS, and more.
Guidelines for pumping breast milk
Dear mother, to maintain a good and adequate milk supply until your baby's health allows him to suckle directly from the breast, you need to pump the milk.
Pumping should resemble the frequency of breastfeeding and is critical in establishing and increasing milk output, especially in mothers of premature babies.
We recommend that you start pumping as much as possible close to birth at least eight times a day, including at least once during the night.
Important to know: On the first days after birth, the initial milk – colostrum – does not always come out during pumping and must be squeezed manually.
For advice on pumping breast milk for your baby, please see the lactation consultants in the NICU, or the nurse caring for your baby.
Managing the pumping process
Ensure all pumping equipment is ready for use (sterile breast milk pumping kit, name identification stickers, milk labeling stickers) and that a drink or snack is available and handy.
Wipe the breast pump with a cloth for cleaning appliances (available by NICU staff) and wash your hands.
Sit down and relax. Think pleasant and loving thoughts about your baby. A picture or blanket that carries your baby's smell may help. Imagine the touch of his skin or the soft plume on his head.
Many mothers find that massaging the breast helps them relax and stimulates the milk-release reflex.
Start massaging on the external side of the breast, near the armpit. Use your fingertips for several circular movements at the same spot. Then, move your fingers to the next area, spiraling around the breast towards the nipple area.
We recommend that in the first few days after birth, you pump both breasts at the same time for about 15 minutes.
If you pump from only one breast at a time, alternate the breast every 5 minutes for 30 minutes.
The amounts of milk in the first pumps will be small.
Don't worry; pumping at the recommended frequency will cause milk production, and these amounts will increase over time.
Please note! After a few days, when the amount of milk increases, pump from both breasts until the milk drips stop within 30 minutes. The breasts will remain supple and soft after pumping.
Sticking to the change in pumping management is essential to increase milk production and prevent congestion.
Please consult with the lactation consultant nurses in the NICU or the nurse caring for your child so that your child can be fed with breast milk.
Preparing to give breast milk in the NICU during the next 24 hours
It is important to prepare to bring breast milk according to the following guidelines: You can bring the milk to the NICU anytime throughout the day.
If you want to feed your baby within the next 24 hours, be sure to bring the breast milk no later than 11:00 a.m. so it can be distributed into dishes in the formula kitchen according to medical instructions.
Milk brought after 11:00 a.m. will be stored in the refrigerator/freezer until the next day.
When pumping in the department or at home, the milk should be stored in a cup for breast milk preservation only and labeled with a breast milk sticker and a purple sticker with the baby's name, date and time of pumping. Please approach the nurse to receive stickers.
Do not mix milk from previous pumps into the same cup.
The sterile cups can be obtained in the NICU from the auxiliary forces and the nurse in charge of your child's care.
Pumping in the NICU: Hand the cup containing the pumped milk with all the details to the attending nurse, who will add her signature to confirm that the details of the sticker are correct and complete.
Pumping at home: Keep the milk in the refrigerator or a freezer compartment (do not store it in the refrigerator or freezer door) until bringing it to the department. Defrosted milk, even in part, cannot be frozen again and will be given on the same day.
Transferring milk to the department: Carry the milk (fresh or frozen) in a temperature-preserving cooler with a dual-purpose ice pack and thermal pack (ice cubes are not recommended).
Be sure to place the cups vertically and tightly closed. A towel can fill the gaps between the cups in the cooler.
You can freeze up to 50/130 ml of breast milk in one cup. An air gap should be left over the milk to allow it to spread during freezing.
If you want to freeze the milk, please consult the staff about the correct amount to freeze in the cup.
For any questions, please get in touch with the NICU staff or call: 03-9253219/3015