Expressing breastmilk

Steps for expressing milk by hand

Wash hands with soap and warm water and thoroughly dry. Hold a clean plastic cup/dish under the breast to collect the milk.

1. Gently massage the breast – start from the top of the breast and stroke towards the nipple, massage the underside and repeat several times to ensure that the whole breast is massaged.

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2. Place thumb and finger diagonally opposite each other on the edge of the areola. Gently press inward towards the centre of the breast, squeezing the finger and thumb together.

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3. & 4. Repeat with a rhythmic rolling movement, feeling for the milk sinuses – the fingers should not slide over or pinch the skin. Once the milk flow has stopped, move the fingers around the nipple and press again. Repeat the process on the other breast.

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Milk ejection (let down)

In this guide:

1. Expressing and storing breastmilk
2. Steps for expressing milk by hand
3. Storage of expressed breastmilk (EBM)

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