For Families

Hand Expression

You may wish to express a few drops before putting baby to breast. This will help your baby get breastmilk easier. If you wish to continue to express and save breastmilk, catch breastmilk in a plastic or glass container that has been washed in hot soapy water, rinsed with hot water and allowed to air dry.

 

The 5 steps of Hand expression

1.  Sit up and lean forward

  • This allows gravity to help the flow of milk

2.  Gentle Massage

  • Use gentle massage over the breast to get the milk flowing

3.  Form a "C"

  • Place fingers an inch away from the areola forming a "C" so that the nipple is in the middle of the thumb and forefinger

4.  Press back, compress, relax

  • Apply steady pressure inward towards the chest wall.  Gently compress fingers together and relax

5.  Alternate frequently

  • Go back and forth between the breasts to maximize milk volume

 

  Click here to watch a great video on hand expression

Click here for additional information about supplementing