How to hand express your breast milk

• Hand expressing is the process of using your hands to remove milk from the breast without the use of a pump. 
• Hand expressing can be useful when trying to relieve engorgement or stimulate milk flow and production. 
• Position your fingers in a ‘C’ shape around the areola, pressing gently and releasing rhythmically to promote let down and milk flow. 

Learning how to hand express breast milk does require some practice, but it's a valuable skill to have. Once you're confident, you can express milk without a pump, which is ideal for life on the go. It can also help to increase your breast milk supply and promote a successful latch.

We've written this guide to help new parents understand how to hand express breast milk. So, read on for some key steps to follow, plus some handy tips to help ensure you have all the information you need to express with ease.

What does hand expressing milk mean?

Expressing breast milk by hand involves delicately compressing your breast to release milk, which you can then collect into a sanitised container for storage or feeding your little one. It can be useful if you don't have a breast pump or want some quick relief from engorgement.

You can start expressing colostrum by hand before your baby arrives from around the 36^th or 37^th week of your pregnancy. It's common for some parents to only collect a small amount of breast milk at first, but practising hand expressing during pregnancy can be beneficial for when their milk supply fully comes in.

A step-by-step to successfully expressing milk by hand

Although using an electric breast pump speeds up the process of expressing breast milk and can help you express more milk, some parents find that expressing breast milk by hand is also a convenient and comfortable option.

Let's run through the process step by step.

1. Wash your hands and get a clean container ready

Before expressing or handling breast milk, it's important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. After washing, be sure to dry your hands with a clean towel.

Then, make sure you have a sterilised cup, bowl, or baby bottle to collect your expressed breast milk in.

2. Find a comfortable spot

Sit in a comfortable seat where you feel at ease and grab a drink. You might find it helpful to hand express while listening to a podcast or catching up on your favourite TV show.

3. Massage your breasts gently

Oxytocin is an essential lactation hormone that helps to release your breast milk. It can also help you to feel calm, and it's released when you gently massage your breasts or breastfeed your baby.

4. Use the C-shape method

Position your finger and thumb opposite one another, with your thumb at 12 o'clock and finger at 6 o'clock on your breast. This is known as the C-hold.

5. Press your thumb and finger together and use a rhythmic movement

Try to be patient and build up a rhythm that's comfortable for you. It might take a few minutes for your breast milk or colostrum to start to drip out.

6. Move your finger and thumb around your breast

After your milk starts flowing, try switching up your hand placement to express from a different area of your breast.

7. Move back and forth between the breasts

You can repeat the hand expression process as many times as feels comfortable. Once you have finished expressing milk from one breast, move on to the other side and then return to the first breast to ensure you've expressed all the milk possible.

8. Feed your expressed milk right away or store it for later

Finally, you can feed your baby the expressed milk right away using a bottle or safely store it in the fridge or freezer to be used at a later date.

How long does expressing milk by hand take?

The amount of time it takes to hand express breast milk varies from person to person. The truth is, every experience is unique!

If you're looking to express milk for quick relief, hand expressing may take only five minutes per breast. However, expressing enough milk for a full feed could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes per breast.

How much milk should I hand express for one feed?   

If you're going to be away from your baby for whatever reason, or want your partner to feed them with a bottle so you can have a break from breastfeeding, then you'll need to express a full feed.   

How much is needed varies on the baby's age and how much they typically take per feed. A newborn typically needs 30-60ml, but after four or five weeks, most babies drink 90-120ml (three to four ounces) per feed until around six months. This might increase further up to eight ounces for 10-month-olds.   

The benefits of hand expression

• It can relieve breast discomfort: If you have clogged milk ducts or your breasts have become uncomfortable and engorged, hand expressing can offer quick relief.
• It can encourage baby to latch: Expressing a small amount of milk before a feed can encourage baby to latch on as it softens the breast and makes it easier for baby to feed.
• It's free: Breast pumps are very clever. They come in various shapes and sizes and vary in price. But using your hands to express breast milk means that you don't need any equipment except a hand and a suitable collection container. Sometimes, keeping things simple just works.
• It's convenient: You can hand express anywhere, any time.
• It can increase supply: Hand expressing after a feed or even after a pumping session can encourage more milk to be produced.
• It's better for immediately after birth: Milk is sticky and still features a high amount of colostrum which can get stuck to the sides of the pump. Hand expression is great because you catch everything and can feed every drop to your baby.

How to express milk by hand when engorged 

If your breasts are engorged and feel hard, full, or tender, hand expressing can be a gentle and effective way to ease discomfort and help your milk flow more freely.  

1. Start by applying a warm compress or taking a warm shower to soften the breast tissue and stimulate let-down.  
2. Gently massage your breasts in small, circular motions toward the nipple to encourage milk to move forward.  
3. Now, use the same method with your fingers cupped in a C as usual.  
4. Express just enough milk to relieve the pressure rather than fully emptying your breasts, as overexpressing can sometimes increase engorgement. 

Sources

• Hand Expressing - La Leche League International (llli.org)
• The Essential Guide To Colostrum Harvesting | My Expert Midwife
• The benefits of hand expressing... - Baby Magazine (baby-magazine.co.uk)
• Hand expressing | Australian Breastfeeding Association
• Expressing breastmilk & storing breastmilk | Raising Children Network