Expressing breast milk after birth

Expressing breast milk can be part of the solution if breastfeeding is challenging, if you need to increase your milk supply, or if you will be away from your baby. You can express either by hand or with a breast pump. The best method depends entirely on you and your situation.

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Happy young mother using electric breast pump pumping breast milk feeding for her baby and storing in refrigerator and provide mother’s milk for future feedings.

Hand expressing after birth

Hand expressing is useful if breastfeeding is painful or difficult. Swipe to learn how to express milk by hand.

What is the advantages of hand expressing?

The advantages of hand expressing are that it is:

  • Gentle on your nipples
  • Easily available, as no special equipment is needed.

However, the technique can take time to learn. Be patient if you find it difficult at first. If you need support, you can ask health professionals at the hospital or your health visitor for guidance.

When is hand expressing a good idea?

Hand expressing can help if:

  • Your baby has difficulty latching – the taste of milk can encourage sucking.
  • Your baby is unsettled at the breast.
  • You have sore or cracked nipples. Hand expressing is a gentle way to maintain milk production.
  • Your baby was born prematurely and needs extra support to receive enough milk.
  • You need to increase your milk supply. Hand expressing stimulates the breast and promotes milk production.

Pain during breastfeeding

How do I express milk by hand?

Before you begin:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly.
  • Find a clean container or teaspoon to collect the milk.
  • Sit or lie comfortably. Many women find it easiest to sit upright and lean slightly forward.

It varies from woman to woman how much stimulation is needed to trigger the let-down reflex. You can try:

  • Gently massaging the breast in circular movements, ideally with warm hands.
  • Alternating between massage and gentle strokes towards the nipple for about one minute.
  • Making sure to massage around the whole breast.
  • Watch the video below to see how you can stimulate the let-down reflex.

Massage also helps stimulate milk production.

How to express:

Support your breast with one hand. Place your fingers 2–3 cm from the nipple: thumb above and the next two fingers below:

Gently press back towards your chest wall and compress the breast, then release. Repeat: press back, compress, release:

With your other hand, collect the milk in a clean spoon or syringe:

You may only need a few drops of breast milk, or you may wish to express a larger amount. If you need more milk, it is helpful to spend 10–15 minutes expressing from each breast.

Here you can watch a video showing how to express milk by hand:

 

Why is there little or no milk?

It is completely normal for only a few drops of colostrum – or no milk at all – to appear in the first days after birth. Colostrum is produced in small quantities, and the technique often requires practice.

After a few days, your milk supply will gradually increase, and you will be able to express larger amounts. The amount will still vary from session to session.

If you are expressing only a small amount, you can try:

  • Changing position so you feel more relaxed.
  • Spending more time massaging the breast with warm hands before expressing.
  • Moving your fingers slightly closer to or further from the nipple to find what works best for you.

Expressing with a breast pump

A breast pump is a good option if you need to increase your milk supply or express several times a day. Swipe to see how to express milk using a breast pump.

Which pump should I choose?

There are both electric and manual breast pumps. The right choice depends on your situation:

  • An electric breast pump is the most effective way to express milk and is recommended if you need to increase your milk supply.
  • Some electric pumps can be used on both breasts at the same time. This saves time and can further increase milk production.
  • Electric pumps can be expensive, but they are often available for hire.
  • A manual pump does not require electricity or batteries and is suitable for occasional expressing.

How to use a breast pump

Before you begin:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly.
  • Sit or lie comfortably. Many women find it easiest to sit upright and lean slightly forward.
  • Gently massage your breast to trigger let-down.


How to pump:

  • Place the breast shield over your breast and switch on the electric pump, or begin pumping by hand if using a manual pump.
  • Check that the funnel size fits your nipple. The diameter of the funnel should be at least 4 mm larger than your nipple.
  • Use the highest suction that is still comfortable for you.
  • If using a double electric pump, position the second shield if pumping both breasts at the same time.


After pumping:

  • Allow your nipples to air dry.
  • Keep your breasts warm afterwards.
  • If you experience difficulties or have questions, contact health professionals at the hospital or your health visitor.

How often should I express?

The frequency depends on your reason for expressing.
If you need to increase your milk supply, it is best to express eight times in 24 hours, preferably immediately after breastfeeding. It is acceptable for one interval per day to be up to six hours between sessions.

Once expressing is well established, you may be able to reduce this to five or six times per day, or fewer.


When using an electric pump, it usually takes about 10–12 minutes per breast to empty the breast. If you are increasing your milk supply, pumping both breasts at the same time is beneficial.

  • Warm the breast shield before use (for example with warm water, then dry it).
  • Imitate your baby’s sucking pattern: start at around 120 cycles per minute for the first few minutes, then reduce to about 60 cycles per minute.
  • Use a nursing bra to hold the shields in place so your hands are free.
  • Use breast compressions while pumping.

Watch this video to see how to perform breast compressions.

Power pumping to increase milk supply

For some women, power pumping is an effective way to increase milk supply.

If you would like to try this for a few days, replace one or two of your usual breast pump sessions with the following:

  • Set aside one uninterrupted hour.
  • Prepare as usual.
  • Pump for 20 minutes, rest for 10 minutes.
  • Pump for 10 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, pump again for 10 minutes.
  • Repeat once or twice daily for several days.

Not all women find that power pumping makes a difference.

What if my breasts are too engorged to express milk?

If your breasts are very full, expressing may feel difficult. Gentle breast massage can help relieve discomfort and make milk flow more easily. Use warm hands and alternate between circular movements and strokes towards the nipple.

You may also try warm or cool compresses.

Breast fullness

Silicone milk collector – a way to collect milk

A silicone milk collector can be used to collect milk from one breast while your baby feeds from the other. Swipe to read how and when you can use a milk collector.

What is a silicone milk collector used for?

A silicone milk collector – sometimes called a silicone pump or suction collector – is a soft silicone container with a funnel at the top that attaches to the breast by suction.
When your baby feeds and triggers the let-down reflex in one breast, the collector can often draw out and collect milk from the other breast using gentle suction.

Silicone milk collector

 

You can use a milk collector to:

  • Collect breast milk for later use – for example, if you will be away from your baby or would like to build a small supply in the freezer.
  • Increase your milk supply slightly. However, expressing with an electric breast pump is usually more effective if you need to increase milk production.

How to use a silicone milk collector

  • Fold the rim of the funnel all the way back.
  • Gently squeeze the base of the container flat.
  • Place the funnel over your nipple so that the nipple is centred.
  • Release the folded rim so it unfolds back into place.
  • The flattened container will now attach itself by suction. The more you compress the base before attaching it, the stronger the suction will be.
  • Put your baby to the other breast. When your baby begins to suck and triggers let-down, milk from the opposite breast will be collected in the silicone container.

If very little or no milk is collected, you can try:

  • Massaging your breast before attaching the collector.
  • Applying a warm compress while using the collector.
  • Adjusting the suction. You may need slightly stronger suction, which you can achieve by compressing the base more firmly before attaching it.

Watch how you can start your let-down in this video:

Can a silicone milk collector increase my milk supply?

Yes, to some extent. When milk is removed from both breasts instead of only the breast your baby is feeding from, your body receives the signal to produce more milk.
However, if you need to increase your milk supply, it is recommended that you first seek advice and breastfeeding support from your health visitor. An electric breast pump is often a more effective choice for increasing milk production

Can I use a milk collector even if my baby is not feeding from the other breast?

Yes. You can try to collect a small amount of milk after first stimulating let-down with breast massage and hand expressing.

You can also use the milk collector to collect milk from one breast while expressing by hand from the other.

Godt at gøre:

  • Use a silicone milk collector as an easy and flexible way to save a small amount of milk in the fridge or freezer, or to increase your milk supply slightly.
  • If you already have a sufficient milk supply, limit use to once or twice a week. Overproduction can increase the risk of mastitis.
  • If your baby needs to feed from both breasts to feel satisfied, only attach the collector once your baby is ready to feed from the second breast.
  • If it feels uncomfortable, try reducing the suction, limiting how often you use it, or stopping altogether.
  • Ensure good hygiene before and during use.
  • Clean the equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Make sure the lid seals tightly if you store milk in the collector in the refrigerator.

How should breast milk be stored?

Expressed breast milk can be safely stored for later use if handled correctly:

  • Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before expressing. Use clean, airtight containers.
  • Refrigerator: Freshly expressed breast milk can be stored at a maximum of 5°C for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: Breast milk can be frozen at –18°C for up to 6 months. Use containers that seal tightly.
  • Thawing: Thaw milk in the refrigerator or in a warm water bath. Use thawed milk within 24 hours and do not refreeze.
  • Warming: Warm milk to approximately 37°C by placing the container in warm water. Test the temperature by placing a few drops on the inside of your wrist.

Good to do

  • Use hand expressing if your baby needs help to remove milk, or if you have sore or cracked nipples.
  • Use an electric breast pump if you need to express several times a day or increase your milk supply.
  • Consider a manual pump if you only need to express occasionally and do not wish to invest in or hire an electric pump.
  • Use a silicone milk collector as a simple and flexible way to save a small amount of milk or slightly increase your milk supply.
  • Always maintain good hygiene, especially if the milk will be stored (see storage guidance above).

Who can you contact?

If you experience challenges with breastfeeding – big or small – do not hesitate to seek professional advice. Swipe to see whom you can contact and when.

Who can you contact at the maternity ward?

You can contact the maternity-ward staff both during pregnancy and after birth.

Before birth, your midwife is the person to speak with about the early time with your baby and your thoughts about feeding – whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. If you have had previous breastfeeding problems, you can create a plan together.

Most maternity wards also offer antenatal classes, and your midwife can inform you about these.

After giving birth, you can receive help with breastfeeding from staff on the delivery or maternity ward while you are admitted.

All parents can also contact a breastfeeding hotline at their maternity ward within the first week after birth if they need help or guidance.

You can contact your municipal health-visitor service

The health-visitor service is available to all pregnant and new parents in Denmark. After birth, you will be offered free home visits with support and guidance to help you get a good start with your baby. Depending on your municipality and your stage in the process, different services and contact options may be available.

Some municipalities offer prenatal visits from a health visitor, where you can discuss breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, and preparing for life as a new family. Check your municipality’s website to see whether this is available where you live.

If you have special needs, you can contact the service to ask whether prenatal visits are offered to you.

Your health visitor will contact you and offer the first home visit. You can always call your municipal health visitor service for advice or guidance.

You can contact your GP if needed

Always speak with your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and need medical treatment. In most cases, there is a medication that is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Contact the on-call doctor or call 112 in an emergency

For sudden illness or worsening symptoms that cannot wait until your GP is available, or for minor injuries, you can contact the on-call doctor – or call 1813 if you live in the Capital Region.

In emergencies, if something is life-threatening or dangerous, call 112.

Contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors

You can also contact volunteer breastfeeding counsellors if you need advice or support.There are two organisations in Denmark that offer this help: Forældre & Fødsel and Ammenet.The volunteers are mothers with breastfeeding experience, and both organisations follow the recommendations of the Danish Health Authority.

Get help from Forældre og Fødsel

Get help from Ammenet

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