How to Hand Express Breast Milk

Breast milk is best for babies. Working moms or moms on the go need simple, effective ways to express breast milk. With so many new pumping options available, one of the fastest and easiest ways to express breast milk, expressing by hand, goes unnoticed. Hand expressing breast milk produces more milk and saves the need for expensive, uncomfortable equipment.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Choose a time to express when your breasts aren't too full. This will make it easier to get a good flow.
2. Wash hands and prepare a clean area for expressing. A comfortable chair by the kitchen table is a good option.
3. Sterilize container for collecting breast milk. You can express right into a pre-sterilized bottle liner. However, it may be easier collecting into a larger container the first few times.
4. Clean and dry your breasts. As you express, dry your breast as needed to help with grip.
5. Relax while massaging above your breast to promote let-down. Hand expressing can also be done right after baby nurses while milk is still flowing.
6. Place thumb at top of breast and two fingers below, about 1 inch away from the areola. Push and roll fingers toward the nipple, avoiding pinching.
7. Continue the push and roll until a flow is established. Express each breast 5 to 7 minutes, or until the flow slows down or stops.

Tips & Warnings

• Use hand expression as a way to relieve engorgement or sore nipples as well as collect milk.
• Try and choose times to express when you're relaxed like just after nursing or after a shower. This will promote let down and make the process faster.
• Call a lactation consultant or your doctor if breast feeding isn't going well.
• Use breast milk at room temperature within 4 to 8 hours, within 3 to 8 days at the back of the refrigerator and from the freezer within 3 months.