WHEN TO START EXPRESSING

It is best for mothers to start expressing and storing breast milk ahead of time before returning to work. The mother should start practising at least two weeks before she starts working. This entire procedure should take about 14 to 18 days. Many mothers find this program easy, helpful and satisfying.

Mothers will start the ‘count-down’ from the 15th day before going back to work. Start by expressing about 70-90 ml of milk in the evening or early morning. Chill or freeze the expressed milk. Do not be discouraged if the amount collected is small, gradually you will find that the amount will increase after several practices.

By the 15th day you may find that you have collected a few bottles of expressed milk in store.

1ST DAY:
1. Omit the Breakfast Feed – between 8.00 to 9.30 a.m.
2. Allow babysitter to nurse baby with expressed milk

Continue nursing the baby from the breast the rest of the day. In between feeding time you may express the same amount or more to store for the other day. Keep this routine for three days.

4th DAY
1. Omit the Breakfast Feed – between 8.00 to 9.30 am
2. Omit the Mid – morning feed – between 10.00 to 11.30 am
3. Allow babysitter to nurse baby with the expressed milk

Continue omitting these two feeds for another three days. Nurse the baby from the breast the rest of the day. Mother will continue to express and store her milk in between feeding times.

7th DAY
1. Omit the Breakfast Feed – between 8.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m.
2. Omit the mid-morning Feed – between 10.00 to 11.00 a.m
3. Omit the Lunch Time – between 12.00 to 1.30 pm
4. Allow the baby sitter to feed baby with the expressed milk.

Keep up this routine for the next three days. Remember to nurse the baby the rest of the time and keep on with milk expression during the time you are not breastfeeding the baby.