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Primary: to compare sequential and simultaneous breast pumping on volume of milk expressed and its fat content. Secondary: to measure the effect of breast massage on milk volume and fat content.

Sequential randomised controlled trial.

Neonatal intensive care unit, North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust.

Data on 36 women were analysed; 19 women used simultaneous pumping and 17 used sequential pumping.

Women were randomly allocated to use either simultaneous (both breasts simultaneously) or sequential (one breast then the other) milk expression. Stratification was used to ensure that the groups were balanced for parity and gestation. A crossover design was used for massage, with patients acting as their own controls. Women were randomly allocated to receive either massage or non-massage first.

Volume of …