Integrated Maternal and Newborn Care Basic Skills Course ...

1) Place a finger and thumb on each side of the areola and press inwards
towards the chest wall.
2) Press behind the nipple and areola between your finger and thumb.
3) Press from the sides to empty all segments.
Figure 11.4. How to express breast milk. (WHO, 1993)
• Express one breast for at least 3-5 minutes until the flow slows; then express the other
side; and then repeat both sides. She can use either hand for either breast, and change
when they tire.
• Explain that to express breast milk adequately takes 20-30 minutes, especially in the first
few days when only a little milk may be produced. It is important not to try to express in a
shorter time.
• The mother should express as much as she can as often as her baby would breastfeed.
How to Feed a Baby by Cup
Teach the mother to:
• Hold the baby sitting upright or semi-upright on her lap.
• Hold the small cup of milk to the baby's lips.
• Rest the cup (or paladai or spoon) lightly on the baby’s lower lip and touch the outer part
of the baby’s upper lip with the edge of the cup (see Figure 11.5).
• Tip the cup (or paladai or spoon) so the milk just reaches the baby’s lips.
• The baby becomes alert and opens his/her mouth and eyes.
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Integrated maternal and newborn care
Basic skills course