In some situations, such as when a baby is separated from the lactating parent or there is concern about milk production, additional “tools” may be beneficial. To help, breast pumps and hands-on techniques are often used to encourage breast stimulation and milk removal.
Hospitals are equipped with multi-user pumps and may provide rentals for home use. Personal breast pumps are covered by most insurance plans with a wide range of brand and model choices. Your insurance company or a durable medical equipment/breast pump supplier (see possible options below) can provide information about options and help with ordering.
For NC families with Medicaid, or who meet financial eligibility requirements for the WIC Program ( Wake County), additional help with the use and acquisition of breast pumps may be available.
In addition to using a breast pump, it can be extremely helpful to get “all hands on deck!” Hand-expression and hands-on techniques increase milk production and benefit overall breast health.
Research has found that using your hands, in addition to an electric pump, can maximize the amount of milk collected during a session as well as support and maintain milk production over time. Additionally, the combination of “Therapeutic Breast Massage in Lactation '' and gentle breast movements have also been found to reduce engorgement, relieve breast inflammation and mastitis, and support milk flow.
Check out the videos below to learn more and see these techniques in action.
