Expressing

Pumping or expressing means using your hands or a breast pump to remove breast milk from your breasts. You can then store it in the fridge or freezer and feed it to your baby using a bottle - this is known as combination feeding.

Pumping can be helpful if:

• your baby can't latch correctly
• you'd like others to be able to feed your baby using a bottle
• you want to build up a store of expressed breast milk
• you need to relieve engorgement
• you're planning on going back to work or spending time away from your baby.

When is the right time to start using a breast pump?

It's recommended that you don't start using a breast pump until after your baby is born. Once your baby arrives, it's up to you when you start to use your breast pump!

If their little one is born full-term and is healthy, some parents get started with pumping right away and use their pump to kick-start their milk supply. Others may wait a few weeks to start pumping and storing breast milk so that they have plenty of time to settle into steady a breastfeeding routine with their new baby.

However, parents whose babies are born prematurely or who can't breastfeed directly for any reason are often advised to begin pumping within six hours of birth.

How much milk should I get when I pump?

It can help to think of expressing breast milk as a supply and demand process. Put simply, the more you empty your breasts by expressing, the more milk your breasts will produce.

You should try to pump as often as your baby feeds. Frequent expressing as well as suckling from your baby will help your breast milk come in and evolve from highly concentrated colostrum to mature milk that's thinner and whiter in color.

What if I pump and no milk comes out?

Sometimes you may find that you're using your breast pump, and nothing is coming out. Don't worry if this happens now and then.

Even if you don't collect any milk on this occasion, the act of pumping on its own sends a signal to your boobs (and brain) to produce more milk.

How can I increase my supply when using a breast pump?

How can I maintain full milk production when pumping 

To keep your milk supply strong when pumping, think about frequency, efficiency, and self-care. Here are the essentials: 

1. Pump often, not just long. 

• Aim to pump about as often as your baby would feed, 8 sessions in 24 hours for newborns. 
• Try not to go longer than 4 hours between sessions in the early weeks. 

2. Empty your breasts fully. 

• Milk supply works on demand: the more milk removed, the more your body makes. 
• Double pumping (both breasts at once) is more efficient and gives a stronger supply boost. 

3. Get the fit right. 

• Make sure your pump flanges fit well, poor fit can reduce milk removal and cause soreness. 
• A comfortable, effective pump makes a huge difference. 

4. Power pump if needed. 

• Mimic a baby cluster-feeding by pumping in short bursts (e.g. 20 min pump, 10 rest, 10 pump, 10 rest, 10 pump). 
• This can give your supply an extra boost. 

5. Look after yourself. 

• Rest, hydrate, and eat regularly, your body needs fuel to make breast milk. 
• Stress can interfere with let-down, so try to relax when you pump (warm compress, gentle massage, or even looking at photos of your baby can help). 

6. Store and rotate smartly. 

• If you’re pumping for bottles, label and freeze/store milk properly so nothing goes to waste. 

The golden rule: frequent and effective milk removal is what maintains production. 

Remember that each feeding journey is unique, and the frequency of pumping sessions and the amount of breast milk collected varies from one parent to the next. 

Try not to compare yourself to others and don't hesitate to reach out to a medical professional or lactation consultant if you need support.