If this interpretation of the findings of the Medela sponsored Australian team is correct, then how is it possible to get a great milk yield from handexpression alone? It is in the interest of the sponsor to make vacuum the most important part of milkremoval, otherwise they would have to come with pumps that use compression rather than vacuum.

Several studies from different researchers have shown that handexpression is at least as effective or even more effective as pumping for milkremoval, and often leading to a higher fatcontent.

Warmly,

Gonneke, IBCLC in PP, LC lecturer in southern Netherlands



--- On Fri, 11/6/09, Kershaw Jane <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Research by the Australian team shows that babies who are nursing well and effectively are using mostly vacuum, not compression.  When babies use compression extensively and strongly, they WILL get milk when the breast is full, but they do not drain the breast as well because as the milk is being ejected, where it meets the restriction from compression by baby's tongue or gums (or a tight nipple shield or a tight pump flange) starts retracting into the areas of the breast that are less full.  This, over time, can decrease milk supply.  This is why we often recommend pumping in addition to breastfeeding when a mom is needing to use a shield.  Milk ejection is slowed by the presence of the shield.  Fine if you want to decrease supply.  

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