Simultaneous breast expression in breastfeeding women is more efficacious than sequential breast expression

Area of Science:

• Lactation and Breastfeeding Research
• Human Milk Production Studies

Background:

• Simultaneous (SIM) breast expression is time-saving compared to sequential (SEQ) expression.
• Previous research has not clarified differences in milk output efficiency and efficacy between SIM and SEQ expression methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the milk output efficiency and efficacy of simultaneous versus sequential breast expression.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study involving 31 Australian breastfeeding mothers using the Showmilk device.
• Milk output and milk ejection were measured during both SIM and SEQ electric pump expression.

Main Results:

• SIM expression resulted in more milk ejections and greater milk volume at 2, 5, and 10 minutes.
• SIM expression removed a higher total amount and percentage of available milk.
• Milk expressed simultaneously had higher cream content, indicating increased energy.

Conclusions:

• Simultaneous breast expression is more efficient and efficacious than sequential expression.
• SIM expression stimulates more milk ejections and yields milk with higher energy content.
• Findings support SIM expression as a superior method for milk extraction.