How to Manually Express Breast Milk

Manually expressing breast milk is something every nursing mother should know. Inevitably, you will find yourself in a situation where it is impossible to pump or nurse and have the horrible feeling of getting more and more full without outlet. If it goes on long enough it will start to get extremely painful. I was forced to learn because of a day-long kayaking trip I had always wanted to do, but obviously I could not take my pump or my baby.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A private room or area.
• At least one hand free. For optimum pumping, both.
• If you are planning on feeding your milk to the baby, a large bowl, bottles and a funnel. If not, a toilet, sink, etc.

1. Set yourself up with your large bowl in front of you. I don't recommend expressing directly into the bottle unless you have had a lot of practice or are forced to. There are two reasons for this. The first is that if you really make sure you are getting full coverage around the breast, your aim isn't going to be that great. The second is by using a large bowl you can utilize both hands on both breasts and it will be much more efficient.
2. Rub gently in circular motions on the top of your breast to get the milk flow started.
3. Place your thumb and first two fingers around the nipple part of your breast. It probably will be easiest to start thumb on top, fingers underneath. I had the most luck squeezing an inch or so above the nipple between thumb and first two fingers, then moving down in a rolling motion; applying the most pressure on the areola right next to the nipple. Squeeze, milking down. Hold until the milk stops coming out, then start milking down again and squeezing hard above the nipple. Repeat.
4. Repeat step 3, as long as milk is coming out, in the same spot. Once it stops, move to the spot next to it and milk until that area is tapped out. Continue to work your way around the nipple in a clockwise or counter clockwise manner until you have gone all the way around.
5. For those hard to reach places, you will need to use both hands. I found after the initial let down it was helpful to alternate breasts. Just remember where you are on each side.
6. After you have worked your way completely around both breasts, spot check to make sure you have everything. You may be surprised. If you start getting a lot, go around again until everything is gone.

Tips & Warnings

• You may have to squeeze harder than you think. Experiment with different force. I had to almost pinch as hard as I could to get the milk out.
• If you are having problems getting the milk to flow, stop and rub in small circles on different parts of the breast, working your way around. Try to mimic your baby's hand motions on your breast while nursing if you can. Don't be afraid to apply some pressure.