How to express breastmilk

Expressing breastmilk is a way of pumping milk from your breasts so that you or someone else can feed your baby from a cup or bottle.
You might want to express your milk:

• to give to your baby if he can’t feed from you
• to leave something for your baby to drink while someone else cares for him
• as part of overcoming a breastfeeding difficulty 

How to express breastmilk

There are three ways of expressing milk: 

• using your hands (see more about hand expressing breastmilk)
• with a hand pump
• with an electric pump  (see more about expressing breastmilk with a pump)

You might have to try different ways before you find the one that’s right for you. None of these methods is as effective as a baby sucking and it will probably take some time to learn the technique.
It is very important to start by washing your hands first in hot, soapy water and drying them on a clean towel. All containers and parts of any pump you’re using need to be sterilised first.
Encouraging your milk to flow 

• A warm bath or shower will help you relax.
• A warm face cloth held against your breasts helps too.
• Sit somewhere quiet and private. Breathe deeply and relax.
• Have your baby near, or if that’s not possible, think about her or have a photograph of her to look at.
• Put a wide-mouthed sterile container ready in front of you to catch the milk.

Massaging

• Gently support your breast with one hand (you may not need to do this if your breasts are smaller)
• Massage your breast gently all over, stroking towards the nipple with your knuckles or fingertips for two or three minutes.
• Some women find that thinking about their baby encourages the ‘let-down reflex’ and so they ‘think baby, think milk, think flow’. Others find that reading or watching TV works better.
• To keep yourself in the best of health, eat well and drink according to your thirst. You don’t need to eat anything special when you’re breastfeeding. 

How to store breastmilk

Expressed breastmilk (usually referred to as EBM) needs to be stored hygenically and refrigerated. Find out more here. Breastmilk protects against many diseases and disorders, and this protection lasts well into childhood. There are many long-term health benefits for women, too.

The UK Departments of Health, like the World Health Organisation, recommend that mothers should be supported to breastfeed, with their baby receiving no other food or drink for six months, and that breastfeeding should continue alongside other foods and drinks after this time, for as long as mothers wish. 

Further help and resources:

NCT Pregnancy and Birth line: 0300 330 0772

NCT Breastfeeding line: 0300 330 0771
NCT Enquiry line: 0300 330 0770
http://www.nct.org.uk/
http://www.nctshop.co.uk/

Health and Safety Executive
HSE  protects people against the risks to health or safety arising out of work activities.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/faqs.htm

Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline gives information and guidance on discrimination and human rights issues.
0845 604 6610 (textphone: 0845 604 6620) – England
0845 604 8810 (textphone: 0845 604 8820) – Wales
0845 604 5510 (textphone: 0845 604 5520) – Scotland
Lines are open 9am to 5pm (8pm on Wednesday)
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

Working Families
Working Families helps children, working parents and carers and their employers find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work.
0800 013 0313
http://www.workingfamilies.org.uk

UK Association of Milk Banking
There is a network of milk banks across the UK. You may be able to donate breastmilk for a premature or sick baby. See http://www.ukamb.org/ or contact info@ukamb.org or 0208 383 3559 to find the one nearest to you.

UNICEF baby Friendly Initiative
For information on how to breastfeed successfully, including positioning and attachment, tips for success and a section on expressing your breastmilk by hand, go to:http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/pdfs/bfyb_english1.pdf

Best Beginnings: view video online from the DVD 'from bump to breastfeeding' 3 mothers learning to express breastmilk for various reasons
'Expressing and returning to work' http://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/expressing-and-returning-to-work/a4b9f50a-8c5d-4d04-b20f-608b17117667

Healthtalkonline.org- comprehensive library of face-to-face interviews where parents share their experiences about breastfeeding, birth, parenting and many other issues:
http://www.healthtalkonline.org

Breast pump suppliers
To find a breast pump agent for your area, please call the Enquiry Line on 0300 330 0770.

For examples of breast pumps and breastfeeding accessories please visit www.nctshop.co.uk