Breastfeeding isn't always straightforward, and sometimes you need to express milk without a pump—using just your hands. Knowing how to do this can help in many situations, such as when you're away from your baby or feeling uncomfortably full. This article is your go-to guide for hand expressing breast milk. We'll explain when it's useful, how to prepare, and give you easy-to-follow steps with pictures that make learning a breeze. Plus, we’ll show you what to do with the milk once you’ve expressed it and dive into the special details of collecting early breast milk, called colostrum. We’ll also compare using your hands with using a breast pump and answer some common questions to help you feel more confident about how to express milk with hand.
When Should You Consider Hand Expressing Breast Milk?
Hand expressing breast milk has been around for a long time and is a personal skill that can help you feel better in many situations. Here are some times when hand expression is not only helpful, but also a gentle way to care for both mom and baby:
- If you don't have your pump with you or can't use it, hand expressing is a helpful backup for feeding your baby or easing full breasts.
- Hand express to reduce the pain and pressure of engorged breasts, making breastfeeding more comfortable.
- Right after giving birth, hand expressing can get colostrum to your newborn if they're struggling to latch.
- When your baby can't latch on properly, hand expressing lets you still provide them with breast milk.
- To boost your milk supply, try hand expressing after nursing or pumping to signal your body to make more.
- Use hand expression as a cost-effective alternative if you only need to express breast milk occasionally.
- If you're dealing with nipple pain or mastitis, hand expressing breast milk is gentler than pumping and gives you control over the pressure.
Basically, getting good at squeezing out milk by hand means you're ready for anything, keeping both you and your baby happy and comfortable.
What Should You Do Before Hand Expressing Breast Milk?
Taking the time to prepare properly can make hand expressing breast milk easier and more effective. Here is how you can prepare for the process:
1. Clean Your Hands
Start with clean hands to keep things safe for your baby. Use warm water and soap, scrubbing all over your hands—the backs, between your fingers, and under your nails—for at least 20 seconds. Rinse well and dry with a clean towel. Think of it like prepping for a meal; you want everything squeaky clean before you handle your baby's food.
2. Find a Comfortable Place
Sit yourself down in a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed. This may be your secluded nook in the house or even a private room at work. Feeling relaxed is important to avoid tension, as tension restricts the release of milk. Make this space your little haven where you can sit back and take a few deep breaths before you begin.
3. Have the Right Supplies on Hand
Get a clean surface and lay out a container-preferably with a wide opening-to catch the milk. It could be a bottle or a bowl, especially for catching breast milk. Have a soft cloth or towel beside you to clean up spills, and maybe have a glass of water at your reach; it's important that you keep yourself hydrated during hand express milk breastfeeding.
4. Apply Warmth If Possible
Warmth is a great milk booster, and you can use either a warm, damp towel or a heated pack, which is sold especially for this purpose. A few minutes should be enough, like warming up your muscles before exercise, but in this case, it's for your milk ducts.
5. Lightly Massage Your Breasts
An effective way to stimulate your breasts to get the milk flowing is with a soothing massage. With the flat of your fingers, massage your breast in a circular fashion, starting from the outside and working toward the nipple. Not only should this be functional, but this is also a good time to take some time out for yourself.
6. Find Your Calm
Lactation is just about emotions as it's about biology. Take a minute to get yourself centered. Some moms close their eyes and can envision that milk flowing smoothly, or they just think about feeding their baby and find this helps trigger a let-down. Sometimes, it may be astounding how big of a role the mind-body connection plays here.
How to Express Milk by Hand
Hand expressing breast milk is a technique that can be mastered with patience and practice. Here are the steps on how to safely perform the hand expression of breast milk:
Step 1: Position Your Hand Properly
Place your thumb and the rest of your fingers in a 'C' shape on either side of your breast, about 1-2 inches back from the nipple. Do not press too close to the nipple itself, since milk ducts lie further back.
Step 2: Press In Toward Your Chest
Keeping your hand in its resting position, slowly press your thumb and fingers backward into the breast tissue toward your chest wall. Use a firm, gentle pressure, as you are not trying to squeeze the milk out but compressing the milk ducts to allow the milk to flow.
Step 3: Compress Your Breast
Without sliding your fingers over the skin, bring your thumb and fingers together under the pressure. Think of signaling 'OK' with your hand but with an inward push inside. This will compress the ducts so milk can come out of the nipple.
Step 4: Release and Repeat
After the compression, let go of the tension and allow your breast to return to its normal shape. Then, in a repetitive manner, start pressing and releasing at a rhythmic pace. Within a few cycles, after a couple of compressions, droplets should start issuing, gradually giving way to a steadier flow with more time.
Step 5: Collect the Milk
Put a clean container underneath your nipple, where the milk will stream into it. It should be placed correctly, so that the maximum amount is collected without spilling.
Step 6: Rotate Around Your Breast
Once the flow slows down, move your fingers around to a different section of your breast and repeat the process. This ensures that you're emptying all areas of the breast and maximizing milk extraction.
Step 7: Switch Breasts
After about 5-7 minutes of pumping on one breast, or less if the rate of milk flow slows dramatically, you switch to the opposite breast. In one session, you may go back and forth between the two breasts multiple times.
How to Collect Hand-Expressed Milk Properly
Collecting hand-expressed milk is a careful process to ensure that the milk is stored safely and remains as pure as possible for your baby. Here’s how to do it:
1. Choose the Right Container: Use a clean, sterilized container to collect the expressed milk. Glass or BPA-free plastic bottles with tight-fitting lids or sterile milk storage bags are ideal options. Have them washed in hot soapy water and rinsed or sterilized according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Place the Container Right: Hold the container right under your breast so that it may be ready to catch the milk the very moment you start the expression. Keep it as close as possible but not so close that it will interfere with the movements of your hands.
3. Express Milk into the Container: As you hand express breast milk, aim the nipple towards the container to allow milk to flow directly into the container. If this is difficult at first, that is okay; it gets easier with practice. Some mothers lean forward a little in order for milk to flow straight into the container.
4. Seal and Label the Container: Once you have expressed, seal the container tightly. On a piece of tape or a label, write the date of expression and attach it to the container. This will help you keep track of how long the milk has been in storage and use the oldest milk first.
5. Safe Storage of Milk: Freshly expressed milk can be left at room temperature (no higher than 77°F or 25°C) for 4 hours, but it is best used sooner. If you are not going to be able to use it within that time frame, immediately refrigerate the milk. In the refrigerator, it may be stored for up to 4 days. Freeze it for longer storage; it can last in the freezer for around 6 months to a year.
6. Transport Carefully: If you ever do need to transport the milk, then make sure it is in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs in it. The milk should be kept as cold as possible until it is placed into a refrigerator or freezer.
Always ensure that your hands are washed before handling the milk and that everything that comes into contact with the milk is well sterilized.
How to Hand Express Colostrum?
Colostrum is the first type of milk your breasts make while you are pregnant and right after giving birth. It is a thick, golden-yellow liquid that is full of antibodies and nutrients that are very important for the health of your baby. Colostrum is made in smaller amounts than mature breast milk, so hand expressing colostrum can help make sure that none of it goes to waste.
Why Hand Express Colostrum?
Moms may need to hand express colostrum for several reasons:
- If your baby is born early or sick and can't nurse, you can hand express colostrum to make sure it still gets its goodness.
- Squeezing out colostrum helps kick-start your milk production as it tells your body your baby needs milk.
- If your breasts feel too full and uncomfortable when your milk comes in, expressing colostrum can help ease the pressure.
- Hand express and store colostrum if you're planning to go back to work or be away, so your baby can have it when you're not there.
How to Hand Express Colostrum Successfully:
- Make sure your hands are clean to keep germs away from the colostrum.
- Catch the colostrum in something small like a syringe or teaspoon to catch every drop without spilling.
- Warm your breasts beforehand with a warm cloth to help the colostrum flow out more easily.
- Massage your breasts gently before you start; this helps get the colostrum flowing.
- When hand expressing breast milk, press with your thumb and first finger in a 'C' shape—don't tug at the nipple because it might hurt.
- Try expressing 2 to 3 times a day for 3-5 minutes to get your milk going and build up some colostrum.
- Store the colostrum safely in the fridge or freezer with a date on it so you know when you pumped it.
- Be patient—it might take a while for colostrum to come out and that's normal. Even a little is very nutritious for your baby.
Every drop of colostrum is beneficial for your baby. Hand expressing this vital first milk can make a big difference, particularly in the early days when breastfeeding might not yet be established. With practice, you'll soon get the hang of it and provide your baby with the best possible start.
What Are the Differences Between Hand Expressing Milk and Using a Breast Pump?
1. Hand Expressing Needs Practice, Pumps Get You Started Fast
Hand expressing breast milk is a skill that takes time to get right—it's about gently squeezing and massaging your breast to get milk out. But with a pump, you just fit the cup over your breast, switch it on, and let it do its job. Momcozy Mobile Flow™ Hands-Free Breast Pump M9 simplifies the learning process even further with its intuitive app controls and user-friendly settings.
2. Pumps Are Faster and More Consistent Than Hand Expressing
If you're new to hand expressing or feeling stressed, it might not be very quick or steady. A pump, like the Momcozy M9, is designed to save you time and work consistently every time you use it. It's strong, providing enough suction to pump milk quickly and in good amounts.
3. Hand Expressing for Simplicity, Pumps for Easy Multi-Tasking
Hand expressing breast milk is pretty basic—you can do it anywhere since you don't need any tools. A breast pump offers a different kind of convenience: they're easy to carry around, don't need to be plugged in, and you can use them hands-free. For instance, the M9 breast pump is very portable, rechargeable, and hands-free; it lets active moms pump anywhere with no restriction from cords or plugs.
4. Adjust Comfort on the Fly with Hand Expressing, Customize with a Pump
By hand expressing breast milk, you regulate the pressure and can make it as comfortable as you need. In comparison, modern breast pumps like the M9 have personalized settings you can finetune via a smartphone app, including the ability to adjust patterns and intensity levels for comfort and efficiency with comfortably designed DoubleFit™ flanges.
5. Hand Expressing is Whisper-Quiet, Pumps Stay Low-Key
One of the benefits of hand expressing is that it is completely silent, offering complete discretion. Of course, a breast pump does make some noise, but models like the M9 are engineered to keep things quiet: low noise less than 48dB keeps the process as unobtrusive as possible.
6. Pumps Track Your Milk Automatically, Hand Expressing Goes Old-School
When you hand express, you'll have to write down how much milk you get each time, which can be a bit tedious. The M9 pump, though, keeps track of everything for you. It logs how much milk you pump and when, and the app can even remind you when it's time to pump again.
7. Hand Expressing is Free, While Pumps Are an Investment
There’s no financial outlay required for hand expressing—it’s free and doesn't require any accessories. A breast pump, however, involves an initial investment. The M9 comes with all the necessary accessories for immediate use and has additional parts available for purchase if needed.
8. Hand Expressing Is Ideal at First, Pumps Are Better for Everyday Use
Hand expressing breast milk is useful right after your baby is born to get out the first thick milk (colostrum), or if you're feeling too full. Generally speaking, if you are going to be expressing a lot, using a pump is easier—especially when you go back to work or need to store milk. The M9 helps a lot here—it has different modes and settings you can adjust to fit what you need.
FAQs about Hand-Expressing Breast Milk
Q1: How much milk can you get from hand expressing?
How much milk you can squeeze out by hand can really differ from person to person and even at different times. For example, when you're just starting (like right after your baby is born), you might only get a little—just a teaspoon or two of the early milk called colostrum. But once you've got the hang of it and your body's used to make milk, you could get anywhere from an ounce to maybe four or more ounces from each breast each time you express breast milk.
Q2: How long to hand express to relieve engorgement?
To relieve engorgement, hand express for short periods—typically around 5 to 10 minutes. The goal isn't to empty the breast completely but to soften it enough to reduce discomfort and make it easier for your baby to latch on if you're breastfeeding.
Q3: How long does it take to hand pump milk?
Hand pumping or hand expressing milk can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. It might be quicker if you're only doing it to relieve pressure or if your flow is particularly strong at that time, or it might take longer if your supply is low or you're still perfecting your technique.
Q4: Can you relactate by hand expressing?
Yes, it's possible to relactate (start producing milk again after having stopped) by hand expressing. The process involves frequent hand expression to stimulate the breasts, mimicking the feeding pattern of a baby. This takes commitment and time, as you'll need to express milk about eight to ten times a day, and it can take several weeks for milk production to restart. Consulting with a lactation consultant can provide support and increase the chances of successful relactation.
Learn to Hand Express and Boost Your Breastfeeding Skills!
Hand expressing breast milk is a simple yet powerful way to connect with your baby and provide for them using the strength and grace of your own body. Whether you're easing discomfort or making sure there’s milk ready for later, this skill is like a loving hug you can offer any time, anywhere. You can try it out when you're ready, both in mind and body. It's a special time just for you and your baby, a part of motherhood, and a memory that'll stick with both of you for life.
