You May Need To Express Breast Milk If

• your breasts are too hard for your baby to latch on.
• you want to give your baby breast milk when you are away from your baby.
• you need to increase your breast milk supply.

How To Express Breast Milk By Hand

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Wash your hands with soap and water	To help breast milk to flow, massage your breasts for 5-10 minutes with a warm wet towel.	If your baby is healthy, use a clean glass or plastic container to express your breast milk into. "Clean" means to wash in hot soapy water, rinse well with hot water and leave to air dry.
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Place your thumb and first 2 fingers about 1-11/2 inches away from the nipple.	Push your thumb and 2 fingers straight back toward your chest.	Roll your thumb and 2 fingers together.

• Repeat steps #4, 5 and 6 until the flow of milk slows down, then switch to the other breast.
• Switch breasts a few more times whenever the flow of milk slows down. Be sure to move your thumb and 2 fingers along all areas around the nipple.
• Many mothers find it easier to express in the morning, when their breasts feel fullest, or after breastfeeding the baby.
• You may only get a few drops when first learning to express. Expressing breast milk will get better and easier with practise.

1
Electric Pump	Best pump to use if you cannot be with your baby right after birth or if you plan to pump for a long time. Can pump both breasts at the same time. This will take less time to pump. Is often rented because it costs the most money. Call your local public health office for places that rent this pump (See the back of this book for phone numbers). Some work insurance plans may pay for the cost of renting the pump.
2
Battery Operated Pump	Good pump to use if you plan to pump for a short time or only once in awhile. Can be used with one hand. Is easy to carry. Need to replace batteries often (it is best to buy one that can also be plugged into an electrical outlet).
3
Manual Hand Pumps	Good pump to use if you plan to pump for a short time or only once in awhile. Some can be used with one hand, and others with two hands (depends on the type of hand pump). Is easy to carry. Can tire the hands and wrists so it should not be used by mothers with hand, wrist or arm problems. Costs the least money.