Guidelines for Maintaining and Preserving Breast Milk

1. How is Breast Milk Produced?

• The breast is composed of glandular tissue, ducts, and supportive muscles. Its function is to produce, synthesize, and transport milk to the nipple.
• The amount of breast tissue varies among women. Breast size is not related to milk production capacity.
• Around halfway through pregnancy, colostrum begins to be produced until 36-96 hours after birth, appearing yellow and providing sufficient quantity for newborns. The high nutritional and immune content of colostrum makes it perfect for newborns.
• Colostrum gradually transitions into transitional milk 36-96 hours after birth, becoming mature milk after 9-30 days.

2. Benefits of Breast Milk

Breast milk contains various vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Every 100ml of breast milk can provide 60-75 kcal. Additionally, breast milk contains immune factors beneficial for infants such as white blood cells, IgA, IgM, growth factors, and other antibacterial agents.

Benefits of breast milk:

• Nursing with breast milk enhances the mother-child bond through cuddling, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact during feeding, and eye contact, aiding in the child’s emotional development.
• Breastfed infants are at lower risk of diseases such as obesity, digestive disorders, and blood sugar disorders.
• Breastfed infants are less likely to contract infections such as neonatal infections and gastrointestinal infections.
• Breast milk promotes comprehensive development, providing essential fats, proteins, vitamins, and DHA for healthy and intelligent development.
• Breastfeeding is the most economical method of feeding.
• Nursing with breast milk aids in quicker postpartum recovery for mothers, facilitating faster uterine involution, reducing postpartum fluid, blood loss, postpartum infection rates, and quicker postpartum endocrine balance.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women.

3. Risks of Improper Breast Milk Usage

• Children may contract some diseases transmitted through breast milk. Therefore, mothers should not feed their children milk from unknown sources or from individuals whose health status is uncertain.
• Risk of infection: improperly stored and used expressed breast milk is susceptible to contamination. If a child consumes contaminated milk, the risk of gastrointestinal infections is high. Therefore, it is recommended that mothers breastfeed directly rather than expressing milk.

4. How to Maintain Breast Milk Supply

• Initiate breastfeeding early to stimulate milk production.
• Ensure correct positioning and latch-on.
• Support proper oxytocin reflex activity.
• Ensure frequency and duration of breastfeeding.
• Express milk regularly, and express residual milk after feeding to increase milk production.
• Mothers should have adequate rest and moderate, sensible physical activity.
• Nutrition: Mothers should have a balanced, nutritious diet, consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, drink enough water, avoid alcohol, and avoid foods that may alter the taste of breast milk.
• Only use medications when prescribed by a doctor.
• Avoid contraceptive pills containing estrogen as they may affect milk production.

5. Cách bảo quản sữa mẹ

6. How to Use Refrigerated Breast Milk

Method 1: Allow the milk to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.

Method 2: Warm in warm water at 37°C if immediate use is required.

***Note:

• Do not heat breast milk, do not microwave.
• Breast milk should be stored separately, not mixed with other foods.
• Leftover milk that the baby has already consumed should not be saved.

Neonatal Center
Vietnam National Children’s Hospital