Monday, August 15, 2011

New Moms Who Express Milk by Hand Breastfeed Longer, UCSF Study Finds | www.ucsf.edu


Hand expression in the early postpartum period appears to improve eventual breastfeeding rates compared with breast pumping. Of the mothers in the hand expression group, 97 percent were still breastfeeding two months after birth compared with 72 percent of the mothers in the breast pump group.

Additionally, mothers in the hand expression group reported feeling more comfortable expressing milk with others present than mothers in the breast pump group, and they tended to feel more comfortable nursing with others present, as well. According to the researchers, feeling awkward or embarrassed in the presence of others might be a barrier to continued successful breastfeeding.

New Moms Who Express Milk by Hand Breastfeed Longer, UCSF Study Finds | www.ucsf.edu