Dear Lactnet Friends: Julie-Ann asks for ideas about promoting hand expression. The big trick is to realize that the breasts are not faucets; they are women, and need to be treated nicely before flowing. This means enough skin to skin that the mother sighs or yawns, indicating that she is in parasympathetic mode, calm and content, and then oxytocin will flow. This can take half an hour. The environment has to be gentle and private and safe too. I've had plenty of breastfeeding helpers complain that they never get anything from hand expression; when I ask if they've given the mother a chance to relax, they haven't. Also, carry a good breast model and demonstrate hand expression. Have the mother copy you. Being trauma-informed in our practice means that we don't touch a breast; even permission granted doesn't mean that she will like it. (She's given permission for umpteen vaginal exam during labor. .. and who likes that??) When you are calm and patient, she will be too. Sit down when you talk with her about it. You relax automatically, and that will communicate to her. warmly, -- Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC, RYT Reviews Editor,* Clinical Lactation* www.nikkileehealth.com *Communications are confidential and meant only for whom they are addressed.* *********************************************** 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