We encourage all new moms with babies in the hospital to provide their own milk for babies who were born early or who have special needs. Your milk is very important for your baby. Breast milk is like medicine and:
- Protects your baby from germs and illness
- Helps your baby's brain to grow
- Helps your baby's gut to mature
- Is easier to digest than formula
- May help your baby come home sooner
Babies who are fed mother’s milk have fewer:
- Colds
- Episodes of diarrhea
- Ear infections
…and are at lower risk of developing:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Allergies
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Gastrointestinal diseases
What kind of breast pump is best?
A hospital-grade or rental breast pump is the best choice to use when your baby is in the hospital. We will help find the right breast pump for you. Your insurance company may cover the cost of an electric breast pump while your baby is hospitalized. We can discuss several options with you, so please talk with our lactation consultant or one of the assistant unit managers. (Elite breast pump photo courtesy of Hollister Inc; 2000 Hollister Drive, Libertyville, IL 60048; 800-323-4060; www.hollister.com)
How do I collect my milk?
As soon as possible after the birth of your baby, we will show you how to use the electric breast pump. If you deliver at another hospital, ask your nurse to get you started. We will give you your own pump kit to use with the electric pump. The following tips will help you to get started:
- Always wash your hands before and after you pump.
- You may single or double pump. Ask the nurse to show you how to set the machine for both single and double pumping.
- Pump your breasts frequently, 8 to 10 times a day for the first 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, you need to pump 6 to 8 times a day.
- Start with 10 to 15 minutes per breast. Some mothers get more milk if they switch from one breast to the other two or three times over 30 minutes. Once the milk comes in, it is important to pump for 2 minutes after the flow stops.
- During the first few days after delivery, it is normal to pump only a couple of drops to a few teaspoons of liquid. This initial liquid, called colostrum, is very rich in healthful ingredients. By the end of the first week, you can expect at least 2 oz of milk per pumping session.
- If you wake at night, pump your breasts; however, you do not need to set the alarm. Sleep is important.
- We have a pumping room that you may use when visiting in the hospital. Bring your kit with you when you come to see your baby.
- Some mothers like to pump at their babies’ bedside. You may get more milk this way. Ask the nurse for a privacy screen to make you more comfortable.
How do I store my milk?
We will give you containers for pumping and storing, along with 30 white dots to identify your colostrum (the liquid from the first 4 days), and labels containing the baby's name and clinic number.
- Number the dots from 1 to 30 and place these on the lids of the first 30 containers of breast milk, starting with the earliest pumping. This identifies your colostrum. The nurse will give it in the order pumped.
- Attach a label with your baby’s name and clinic number to each container. Mark the date and time of each pumping.
- Extra containers are available in the breast pumping room. Feel free to take as many as you need. Extra labels are available from the secretary.
- If your baby is very small, store your milk in 1 to 2 ounce amounts for the first 2 to 3 weeks.
We will advise you to freeze or refrigerate your milk. The milk remains usable for 48 hours in the refrigerator. If it needs to be stored longer, please place it in the freezer. Frozen milk can be stored up to 3 to 4 months in a refrigerator/freezer unit, and for up to 6 months in a deep freezer.
When you visit, try to pump, and leave that milk by the bedside so that your baby can have warm, fresh milk. The live, active cells in your fresh breast milk are an extra benefit to your baby.
How do I clean the breast pump?
It is important to keep your pump and your milk clean. Please follow these guidelines when caring for your pump:
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after pumping.
- After pumping and storing the milk, rinse the pump containers with cool water.
- Wash all pieces, except the tubing, in a clean basin with hot, soapy water.
- Rinse well, and place on a clean towel to drip dry.
Why does the nurse add fortifier to my milk?
Babies who are born very early or who are very sick have special needs. Some babies benefit from adding fortifier to breast milk. The fortifier adds extra nutrients and calories to support the special growth needs of your baby. Your milk is the foundation for good health, and the fortifier enriches your milk. If your baby is very small, the doctor or nurse practitioner may ask you to supply hind milk (milk that flows at the end of a pumping session) to help your baby gain weight more quickly.
How do I express hind milk?
When you use a breast pump, the milk that flows at the end of the pumping is higher in fat and calories. Your baby’s health care provider may order hind milk for your baby during times of slow growth. You will be told if we would like you to provide hind milk.
To obtain hind milk:
- Pump for 2 minutes after your milk starts to flow well and place this milk in a container marked foremilk. Take this home to store for later use.
- Continue pumping until 2 minutes after the flow stops. Label this hind milk.
How much milk should I be pumping?
Your milk is very special, and any amount you pump is helpful to your baby. Every mother is different in the amount of milk that they can express.
- In order to make a full supply, it is important to pump very frequently, 8 to 10 times a day, in the first several weeks.
- If your baby is going through a difficult time, you may notice your milk supply is low. This is from stress. As the baby improves, your milk supply should increase.
- Most mothers who pump for a long time will have some problems maintaining a full supply.
- If you become busy and pump less often, you may notice a decrease in your supply.
- Please let your nurse or lactation consultant know if you experience a decrease in your supply.
If you are able to keep pumping 24 to 30 ounces a day, you will have plenty of milk when your baby is ready to go home.
How can I increase my milk supply?
The following tips may help you with your milk supply:
- Increase the pumping frequency for 3 to 5 days.
- Pump at the baby's bedside.
- Drink enough fluids -- 8 to 10 cups a day.
- Take a nap.
- Ask the nurse for an article of your baby's clothing and keep it close when you are pumping.
- Put a picture of your baby by the pump.
- Play quiet music while you pump.
- Massage your breasts prior to pumping.
- Imagine sitting by a waterfall, seashore, or other favorite place.
- There are herbs and a medication that may help with milk supply. Ask the lactation consultant for more information.
Remember: Any amount of milk will help your baby.
For further information, please contact one of the lactation consultants at (216) 445-7919 or ask your baby’s nurse.
This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional written health information, please contact the Health Information Center at the Cleveland Clinic (216) 444-3771 or toll-free (800) 223-2273 extension 43771 or visit http://author.my.clevelandclinic.org/health/Pages/Health_Chat.aspx. This document was last reviewed on: 9/25/2008
