From Barbara:
What is hand expression? Great question! Basically it means getting breast/chestmilk out of a lactation breast without a baby or a breast pump. At LactaLearning, hand expression is a typical tool we value and teach about because you never know when you might get caught with no baby, no pump, and a full breast! Literally a life saver. Practice does make perfect with hand expression.
We have a brand new podcast about this! Enjoy here!
Reasons to hand express
Here are just a few reasons a family might want to hand express. Listen to our podcast to hear many more! The first is the day or two after the baby is born. If the baby is having trouble with latching, the hospital staff are concerned about the baby for a medical reason and want to supplement, or not the baby is not draining the breasts well, doing hand expression in the first hour after birth, right into a clean teaspoon, is a great way to help keep the baby fed and protect their breastmilk supply.
Another reason is to help entice the baby to latch. A little hand expressing before latching gets the breast/chestmilk right there, at the end of the nipple for the baby to taste. Some hand expressing after pumping to help finish draining the breast when increasing or protecting your milk supply is also a great use. Having a preterm or a baby in the NICU is a great time to get going immediately with hand expression while the hospital staff gets the parent set up with a breast pump.
Ways to hand express
There are so many different ways to hand express. One of our very favorites was created by Maya Bolman, IBCLC from her experiences in Russia where hand expression is very common. Here is a link to her video. It is also great for engorgement or any time you have a really full breast. Don’t worry if this method is not for you. There are others listed below to try. Whatever method you use hand expression should not hurt! Be gentle with your body!
The steps to Maya Bolman’s technique
1. Have a clean container ready to catch the milk and wash your hands. If you are in a bind and don’t have a container, a sink will do in a pinch. A shame to waste the milk but better to protect your body!
2. Preparing the breast. Consider doing some gentle massaging before hand expressing. Research shows this and/or warmth before trying to hand express or pump for that matter increases the effectiveness of hand expression. Maya demonstrates a “tapping” on the breast which seems to be important. Spend a few minutes getting your breasts ready to be expressed. If your skin feels tight or fragile, consider using a bit of olive or coconut oil on your hands for comfort.
3. Maya has families place their hands close to the nipple. Think about where a baby latches on. Not way back in the breast. We like to think of lining up the finger tips with the nipple. Finger tip, nipple, finger tip. See the photo.
4. Push the fingertips together gently. Release. Bring together. Release. It may take 10-30 of these gentle squeezes before milk appears. Don’t get discouraged! If milk is not coming yet. Just go back to step one. Breathe deeply and try to relax. This will help as well. If the milk is still not coming try going a little closer to the nipple or a bit further away from the nipple. Put your fingers in a different spot.
5. Alternative hand expressing with tapping and massaging until your breasts feel comfortable.
First Droplets- Jane Morton’s technique
Another popular hand expression technique is from Jane Morton. Here is a link to her video.
1. Again, Jane encourages some gentle massaging before beginning to hand express.
2. Having a bigger handful of breast might be helpful, still having the nipple centered.
3. Having families, gently push back in their breast, bring their fingers together, and release, Jane’s method can be effective. We encourage you to give 10-30 of these gentle squeezes before getting frustrated.
4. If the milk is not flowing yet, do some more massaging, shift your hands a bit, and try again.
Other ways to hand express
Here are some other examples of hand expression. Everyone does it a bit differently!
Great one! Global Health Media
Jane Morton’s First Droplets site
A modified version of Jane Morton’s technique:
Another version of Jane Morton’s technique:
If you value hand expression as well and want to learn more, check out all of our trainings at LactaLearning.com!
If you are a professional who offers lactation support who works with breastfeeding families and you want to turn your passion for breastfeeding into professional practice, check out LactaLearning.com and consider following us on social media!
Instagram @lacta.learning
Facebook LactaLearning
Blog
Podcast: Play in new window | Download