“Collecting let down” refers to the practice of collecting breast milk that naturally leaks or flows from one breast while a mother is breastfeeding her baby on the other breast. This process takes advantage of the let-down reflex, which is the release of milk from the mammary glands triggered by the baby’s suckling.
Benefits of collecting let-down milk may include:
- Increased milk supply: By collecting milk that would otherwise be lost, mothers can increase their overall milk supply.
- Convenience: It allows mothers to build a milk stash without additional pumping sessions.
- Resource efficiency: It prevents waste of valuable breast milk.
Collected let-down milk can be used for various purposes:
- Feeding the baby when the mother is unavailable or unable to breastfeed directly.
- Building a milk supply for future use or donation.
- Mixing with solid foods when introducing complementary feeding.
General practices for collecting let-down milk:
- Use clean, sterile collection devices: Products like the Haakaa Ladybug Silicone Breast Milk Collector are designed for this purpose[8][11].
- Collect while breastfeeding: The most effective time to collect let-down milk is while the baby is feeding on the other breast[6][7].
- Store collected milk properly: Follow guidelines for safe storage of breast milk to maintain its quality and safety.
It’s important to note that while milk collectors can serve as breast pumps to some extent, they are generally more useful for collecting let-down milk during breastfeeding sessions rather than as a primary means of expressing milk[9].
Healthcare professionals, such as lactation consultants or pediatricians, would be the best sources for specific recommendations regarding the practice of collecting let-down milk.
Citations:
[1] http://library.ap.tu.ac.th/dublin.linkout.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fxn—-8sbwhcgscfiy8e.xn--p1ai%2F6784231fe4fe43y
[2] http://www.sunrockice.com/expeditions_f.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fxn--b1afzj3b4c.xn--p1ai%2F4937861zfe43y
[3] http://www.sunrockice.com/expeditions_f.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fxn--b1avdibc.xn--p1ai%2F9643278g2kn5com4fe43y
[4] https://maritim-touristik.schmetterling-select.de/offers.php?case=kreuzfahrten_offers&url=https%3A%2F%2Fxn--b1afqv8bwc.xn--p1ai%2F72618393fe43y
[5] http://www.sunrockice.com/expeditions_f.php?url=http%3A%2F%2F%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B2%D1%87.%D1%80%D1%84%2F45983611fe43z.html
[6] https://www.neweditionnz.co.nz/blogs/blog/tagged/breast-pump
[7] https://www.neweditionnz.co.nz/blogs/blog/tagged/breastfeeding
[8] https://nz.biglittlethings.store/products/haakaa-ladybug-silicone-breast-milk-collector
[9] https://motherbabyshop.co.ke/blogs/buying-guides/all-about-breast-pumps
[10] https://www.neweditionnz.co.nz/blogs/blog/tagged/breastfeeding-myths
[11] https://nz.biglittlethings.store/products/haakaa-ladybug-silicone-breast-milk-collector-duo-set
