Hand Expressing Flashcards
(16 cards)
How would you introduce yourself?
Say hello, state your name and role, gain informed consent
Identify structures of the breast and their functions
Nipple this is an erectile tissue and milk ducts, round the nipple is the areola which is pigmented skin and is a target for the baby. Montgomery tubules are sebaceous glands that lubricate the nipple and fatty tissue which protects the breast
Lactocytes are the milk making cells
Myoepethilial cells are the muscle cells
Hormone that stimulates milk production and its source and target cell
Hormone is prolactin, source is anterior pituitary gland and acts on lactocytes ( the milk making cells that live in the alveoli)
Explain the physiological process which stimulates the initiation of milk production
After the baby and placenta are born, Estrogen and progesterone levels drop and prolactin levels rise leading to milk production
Give three examples of how effective milk production can be achieved/ stimulated ?
Early feeding
Effective emptying
Good position and attachment
Identify the hormone responsible for the let down reflex?
Hormone is oxytocin, source is the posterior pituitary gland and acts on myoepithilial cells, has a squeezing effect on these muscle cells which pushes milk into the ducts
Explain factors that can help/ hinder oxytocin release ?
Help- touching baby, smelling them, hearing them cry.
Hinders- stressful environment, separation from baby, lack of sleep
Name the whey protein involved in autocrine production and maintenance of breast milk and explain how this works ?
FIL- feedback inhibitor of lactation, works as a negative feedback control and increases milk production when needed. This is why effective emptying is important so your body ensures to produce more milk as baby requires
How soon should a woman be taught how to hand express and identify 4 reasons why she would need to hand express ?
Within 6 hours
Reasons
Separation from baby
Going back to work
Relieve engorgement
Allow partner to feed baby
How to prepare for hand expression ?
Wash hands 5 moments 7 steps
Ensure privacy and dignity
Ensure sustainable environment/ position
Have a sterile container
How many times a day would you advise to hand express ? And why?
8-12 times in 24 hours to mimic babies feeding cycle
To maintain prolactin levels
Releasing FIL for milk production
Ensure to hand express over night to match prolactin peak
How to stimulate oxytocin reflex ?
Massage, nipple stimulation, skin to skin
Describe breast massage techniques ?
Feather like touch with fingers
From chest to areola
Fingers/ closed fist
Roll fingers round breast and under
Gentle roll of the nipple
Using visual explain and demonstrate how Abeje should hand express milk ?
C- shaped thumb and forefinger
2-3cm away from the nipple
Compress fingers to mimic baby sucking
Be patient may be small amounts at first
Move around using C shape, do not squeeze or pull the nipple and shouldn’t be painful
What advice would you give Abeje about storage of breast milk ?
Can store at room temp for 6 hours
In a fridge below 4 degrees up to 3-5 days
In a freezer below -18 degrees up to 6 months
Advice for defrosting breast milk ?
If in the fridge approx 12 hours
Use warm water to heat and not a microwave as this creates hot spots which can be too warm and dangerous for baby
