Hand expressing before birth

There can be different reasons for expressing milk by hand before your baby is born. You may have been advised to do so by your midwife or doctor. Or you may simply be curious and would like to learn what hand expressing involves.

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Have you been advised to express colostrum during pregnancy?

If your midwife or another health professional has recommended this, you can swipe here to read more about hand expressing before birth.

 

Why are some women advised to express colostrum before birth?

Some newborn babies may need a little extra milk shortly after birth – for example, if you have diabetes. In this case, your midwife or another health professional may recommend that you express a small amount of colostrum before birth.

Colostrum is the first milk your body produces, already in late pregnancy. It contains important nutrients, helps stabilise your baby’s blood sugar levels and protects against infection. If your baby needs extra milk after birth, colostrum is preferable to infant formula.

 


No. You should not use a breast pump during pregnancy. If you wish to express milk before birth, use your hand. This is the gentlest method.

No. Hand expressing in late pregnancy does not increase your milk supply after birth. It does not lead to more colostrum being produced after birth, nor does it make your milk come in earlier.

How breastfeeding works

How should colostrum be stored?

Expressed colostrum can be stored in the freezer and brought to the hospital when you go into labour, so your baby can have it after birth if needed.

Before storing colostrum for your newborn, it is important to:

  • Speak with your midwife or another health professional, who can guide you on the correct technique and storage.
  • Use a syringe or pipette approved for food use – you can ask your pharmacist or midwife.
  • Label the milk clearly with the date, your name and your date of birth.

For you, if you would simply like to try hand expressing before birth

It is not necessary to express colostrum before birth, but some pregnant women choose to try it. Swipe to see how you can practise hand expressing.

Why do some women choose to express before birth?

Hand expressing is useful to know after birth, as it can help if breastfeeding difficulties arise. For this reason, some women choose to practise during pregnancy. However, for most women, it is easier to wait until after birth.

Speak with your midwife or another health professional about whether hand expressing might be right for you.

Why does only a small amount – or no colostrum – come out?

Do not worry if no milk appears when you try to express. This does not mean you have too little colostrum. Hormones during pregnancy ensure that only a very small amount of colostrum is produced before birth. At the same time, the technique can be difficult and requires practice. For many women, expressing milk only becomes easier after birth, when milk production increases.

Remember that, in most cases, it is not necessary to express colostrum before birth. After delivery, your body will produce the milk your baby needs.


No. Hand expressing in late pregnancy does not affect when labour begins. You may express colostrum by hand during pregnancy, but you should not start before 36+0 weeks of pregnancy.

How do I express milk by hand?

  • Wash your hands thoroughly before you begin.
  • Gently massage your breast – alternate between circular movements and strokes towards the nipple for about one minute.
  • Support your breast with one hand. Place your thumb above the nipple and the next two fingers below it, about 2–3 cm away from the nipple.
  • Gently press back towards your chest wall, then compress your fingers together, and release. Repeat: press back, compress, release.
  • With your other hand, collect the milk in a small syringe or pipette.

Hand expressing often requires practice before you feel confident with the technique.

How should breast milk be stored?

Expressed colostrum can be saved for use after birth if it is stored correctly:

  • Use a syringe or pipette: Make sure it is approved for food use – you can ask your pharmacist or midwife.
  • 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.
  • Label clearly: Write the date, your name and your date of birth.
  • 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 syringe or pipette in warm water before use.

Good to do

  • If you have been advised to express milk before birth, always speak with your midwife first. She can show you the correct technique and how to store colostrum safely.
  • If the purpose is to collect colostrum, it may be helpful to express for about 10 minutes twice a day, starting no earlier than 36+0 weeks.
  • If your goal is simply to become familiar with the technique, practise as needed, but limit sessions to 10 minutes twice a day.
  • Do not worry if no milk appears. This is due to pregnancy hormones, which keep milk production low. Furthermore, hand expressing takes practice, and many pregnant women find it difficult to express colostrum before birth. It usually becomes easier after birth.

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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