Manual expression of milk

MANUAL EXPRESSION OF MILK

1. Wash your hands with water and soap.

2. To help the milk flow, massage your breasts between 5 and 10 minutes with a warm damp towel.
3.If your baby is healthy, use a glass or plastic container to store the milk. The container must have been washed with soapy hot water, rinsed thoroughly, and air dried.
4. Place your thumb and two fingers 2.5 cm (1 inch) or 4 cm (1 1/2 inch) from the nipple.
5. Push your thumb and two fingers toward your chest.
6. Turn your thumb and two fingers simultaneously.
7. Repeat steps 4,5 and 6 until the milk flow decreases; do the same thing with the other breast. 

Additional advice:

  • Change breat when the flow decreases. Be sure to turn your thumb and two fingers along all the area around the nipple. 
  • Many mothers find it more difficult to express milk in th emorning when their breasts are full or after they have breastfed. 
  • You may only get a few drops of milk when you begin to express. With time and practice, it will be easier to express milk from your breasts.