1956 article by Einar EGNELL on "the mechanics of different methods of emptying the female breast."
 
"There are only two ways  to remove milk from a breast.  The first is to compress the gland.  The second is to reduce the resistance to the outward flow of the milk. The first means is used whenever it is attempted to squeeze out the milk by hand, regardless of how the milking is done or where the hands press. The second means is used by the child and by any contrivance emptying the breast by mechanically  produced periods of negative pressure."
 
He goes on to explain why pumps are better than  hand expression - which has been debated by many in the years since :-)  I like to  teach moms about hand expression  You always have your  hands with you, but the pump might have been forgotten and left at home with the baby.  Pat in SNJ

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome