[Infant Feeding] Hand Expressing Milk

Infant Feeding: Hand Expressing Milk

There are many reasons why you may choose to express your breastmilk. Knowing how to do so is important to provide options and flexibility.

For why, please consult last weeks post titled ‘Antenatal expressing’.

How to hand express…

- Get a sterile container to collect the milk in prior to collection

- Sit down somewhere comfortable where you will not be disturbed

- Enjoy a warm drink or some water to hydrate your body

- Massage your breasts and using a warm flannel prior to expressing is helpful to encourage milk flow

- Roll the nipples, stroke them to stimulate

- Make a ‘C’ shape with your hand, place the thumb on one side of the breast and the fingers on the opposite side, begin about 2-3 cm back from the nipple

- Gently compress and release in a rhythmic movement. Change and rotate the position of the hand if milk flow stops and complete on both breasts. You may need to go back a little further or forward with your position of the ‘C’ shape.

- Make sure to try express both breasts and try to do so 8-12 times in 24 hours when trying to stimulate milk production in the first few days.

Resources- https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/hand-expression-video/

https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/expressing-and-storing-breastmilk-bfn/

SOURCES- UNICEF

Author: Abigail Laurie Registered Midwife and Registered Specialist Public Health Nurse, United Kingdom.