Expressing milk means squeezing milk from your breasts, either by your hands or a breast pump which may be manual or electric pump. It can easily be stored either in the refrigerator or in the freezer and allows your baby to be fed with your milk at a later date.

Expressing by Pump

It is the fastest method. Put the shield over your nipple, then squeeze and release the handle. Your milk should be drawn into the vacuum created in the bottle. Stop immediately if you feel any pain. Take a break and try again a little later.

On average it takes 15 to forty five minutes to pump both breasts. Do read the manufactures' instructions before pumping. Your partner can feed the baby while you are out.

Expressing by Hand

Expressing by hand is cheapest way as it doesn't require any equipment but it can be time-consuming and takes practice. Some mothers find hand expressing more efficient than using a breast pump.

Wash your hands with soap and water. Choose a time when you are not in hurry. Cup your breast in both hands with the fingers underneath and the thumbs above.

After having pressed a few times, very gently move your finger and thumb together backwards towards the chest, so that you press on the wider milk ducts behind the aerola also. Pressing this way move your thumb and finger in a circle around the aerola. Use a sterile, wide-rimmed container to collect the milk.

Don't boil the expressed mil before feeding. Just put the bottle in the hot water to warm the milk a slightly and feed.

Expressed milk will stay unspoilt at room temperature for 6 to eight hours, even in summer. It will stay in the refrigerator for a day and the freezer for 1 to three months.