Why?
‘Expressing milk’ is to squeeze milk out of your breast. You would do this:
- To relieve uncomfortable, full breasts
- So someone else can feed your baby
- To bottle-feed with breast milk
- To boost your milk supply
Why not?
- If you do it too much, expressing can increase engorgement, as it tells your body to produce more milk
- Most babies are far more efficient at emptying your breasts than any machine
When?
Once breastfeeding is well-established (Click here to find out more about when to express)
How?
Sterilise everything that will come into contact with your milk before you start (Click here to find out more about Sterilising)
By hand – costs nothing!
- Wash your hands thoroughly. Cup your breast and feel back from the end of the nipple to where the texture of the breast feels different
- Using thumb and index finger, gently squeeze or massage this area – this shouldn’t hurt
- Release the pressure and then repeat again and again, building up a rhythm. Avoid sliding your fingers over the skin. Milk should start to flow
- If your milk doesn’t flow, move your fingers slightly towards the nipple or further away, or try a gentle breast massage
- Express your milk into a sterilised bottle or specially designed breast milk freezer bag or container
By manual pump – you stay in complete control
- Set up the pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Click here to find out more information on choosing a pump)
- Place the suction cup over your breast
- Extract milk by using the manual squeezing mechanism (you’ll need to allow time for your milk to let-down)
By electric pump – quick and easy to use
- Set up the pump according to the manufacturer’s instructions. (Click here to find out more information on choosing a pump)
- Place the suction cup over your breast
- Turn machine on. The machine will extract your milk (you’ll need to allow time for your milk to let-down)
When the milk flow slows down, express from the other breast. Keep changing breasts until the milk stops or drips very slowly
Top tips
- Relax – choose a time when you are not rushed
- Keep a picture of your baby or an item of their clothing nearby as this can help with the let-down reflex
- A warm shower may help to increase blood supply to your breast, and help you relax too
- Even though you aren’t breastfeeding, keep a drink to hand
To find out more about expressing milk:
Click here to find out when to express milk
Click here to find out how to store expressed milk
Click here to find out how to sterilise