How to Express Breast Milk

Hand expression takes time to learn but will become easier and faster as you practice. It involves no cost, is always available and can be done anytime, anywhere.

Step 1
Wash your hands.

Step 2
Use a clean glass, spoon or BPA free hard plastic container.

Clean means washed in hot soapy water, rinsed well and air dried.

Step 3
Help breast milk start flowing. These gentle techniques can encourage your milk to let down:

• Have skin-to-skin contact with your baby
• Apply a warm towel to your breasts
• Gently massage your breasts

Step 4

Place fingers behind the nipple at the edge of the darker area.

Step 6

Compress and release. Press fingers and thumb together, relax. Do not slide fingers.

Move around the breast. Switch breasts when the flow slows. Collect milk in a clean cup or spoon to feed or store.

Hand Expressing Breastmilk - HealthLinkBC

Video: Hand Expressing Milk (04:33). Reproduced by permission of Healthy Families BC

There are different types of breast pumps, and each type works well for different needs.

• Manual hand pumps — operated by hand; portable, quiet, and affordable. May take more time and effort, and may not be ideal for frequent pumping.
• Battery operated, small pumps — lightweight and convenient for on the go use. May have less suction power and shorter battery life compared to electric pumps.
• Electric personal use pumps for regular pumping; often faster and more efficient. Can be more expensive and less portable; require a power source or charging.
• Electric hospital-grade pump may be available for rent; helpful when establishing milk supply or when a stronger, more consistent suction is needed. Larger, heavier, and less convenient for travel; may require rental fees.

Note: A breast pump works best when the breast shield (flange) fits properly. There are many sizes of breast shields. The shields that come with your breast pump may not fit you properly. A poor fit may cause nipple or breast damage. If you have any questions, visit our breastfeeding clinics for additional support.

Before Expressing

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Use clean, air-dried, glass or hard plastic containers for storing expressed breast milk.
• Centre the breast shield over your nipple making sure the outer edge rests comfortably against your breast.
• Start electric breast pumps on the lowest setting before turning it on.
• Gradually increase the suction to a comfortable level once pumping begins.

During Pumping

• Increase suction slowly until your reach a level that is comfortable for you.
• The suction from the breast pump should pull your nipple into the breast shield tunnel easily. Your nipple should be pulled in smoothly without rubbing or causing pain. If it doesn’t move freely, the suction may be too high or the shield may not fit well.
• If pumping one breast at a time, switch breasts when the flow of breast milk slows.
• Change containers when it is ¾ full so that the breast milk does not back up into the pump.
• When finished, remove the breast shield slowly and carefully from your breast.

Cleaning and Storing Pump Pars

• Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Store clean pump parts in a re-sealable plastic bag or plastic container with a fitted lid.

Donating Your Extra Breast Milk

Donating your extra breast milk can help save a preterm baby’s life. While a parent’s own milk is the first choice but many, breastfeeding parents of extremely vulnerable hospitalized preterm babies are often unable to produce enough milk during the early days and weeks. When this occurs, the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends pasteurized donor breast milk as the next best option compared with formula for sick hospitalized infants.

• 70%of preterm babies in hospitals in Ontario don’t have access to a full supply of their parent’s own milk, leaving them with reduced vital nutrients and protective properties.
• More than 1,000 fragile hospitalized babies each year in Ontario could reduce their risk of medical complications by receiving donated milk.
• Donor milk is easier to digest than commercial formulas.

The Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank is a non-profit accredited member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. It collects, pasteurizes and distributes donated breast milk to eligible preterm babies in hospitals across Ontario.

For additional information about donating breast milk and eligibility criteria.

While a parent’s own milk is the gold standard, breastfeeding parents of extremely vulnerable hospitalized preterm babies are often unable to provide the necessary volume of milk for their babies. When this occurs, the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends pasteurized donor breast milk as the next best alternative to formula for sick hospitalized infants.

• 70 percent of preterm babies in hospitals across Ontario don’t have access to a full supply of their parent’s own milk, leaving them with reduced vital nutrients and protective properties.
• More than 1,000 fragile hospitalized babies across Ontario could reduce their risk of medical complications by receiving donated milk every year.
• Donor milk is more easily digested than commercial formulas.

The Rogers Hixon Ontario Human Milk Bank is a non-profit organization that collects, pasteurizes and distributes donated breast milk to eligible preterm babies in hospitals across Ontario. It is an accredited member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America.

For additional information about donating breast milk and eligibility criteria.