Expressing and Storing Breast Milk

There may be times when you’ll want to express breastmilk — maybe you’re away from your baby for work, school or an appointment. You can express milk by hand, or by using a manual, battery-operated or electric breast pump. 

Expressing Breastmilk by Hand

Hand expression is often easiest to learn during a feeding. That’s because your let-down reflex is already flowing in both breasts, making it possible to express from the side your baby isn’t nursing on. Like any skill, it gets easier with practice. 

Getting Ready

• Wash your hands well.
• Prepare a clean container for the milk. A wide-mouth jar or a funnel made for breast milk works well. Wash it in hot, soapy water before use (no need to sterilize).
• If your baby isn’t nearby, try gently massaging your breasts for a few minutes and applying a warm, moist cloth before you start. Thinking about or looking at a picture of your baby can help trigger let-down. 

How to Express by Hand

1. Place your thumb and fingers about 1 to 1½ inches behind your nipple, supporting your breast
2. Push inward toward your chest wall to get behind the milk ducts
3. Roll your thumb and fingers forward toward the nipple. This is a gentle rolling motion — not squeezing or sliding. Avoid squeezing the nipple itself.
4. Rotate your hand position around the breast and repeat
5. Switch breasts every few minutes to encourage milk flow from both sides 

Using a Breast Pump

When to Start
Your milk supply is still developing in the first six weeks. Unless your healthcare provider recommends otherwise, it’s best to wait until your baby is about six weeks old before pumping regularly. 

Best Times to Pump

• In between breastfeeding, one hour before or one hour after a feeding.
• Between feedings: About one hour before or after nursing
• Morning sessions: Milk supply is usually highest in the morning. Pump after baby has fed on both sides for about 10 minutes.

Milk production works on a supply-and-demand basis. Empty breasts signal your body to make more milk. Pumping won’t take away milk from your baby if you time it after feedings. 

Introducing a Bottle

Most experts suggest waiting 4–6 weeks before introducing a bottle to avoid nipple confusion and preference for a faster flow. Talk with your healthcare provider or lactation consultant before starting. Remember, formula supplements can reduce your milk supply. 

Choosing a Breast Pump

• Manual pumps: Simple, portable, and quiet, but best for occasional use.
• Battery-operated pumps: Convenient and portable, but may be noisier and less powerful for long-term pumping.
• Electric pumps: Available in single or double versions for faster pumping. Many have portable battery options or hands-free attachments like wearable cups and pumping bras.
• Rental vs. personal pumps: Rental pumps are designed for multiple users with separate kits. Personal pumps are for one person only—never share or resell.

Tip: Your health insurance may provide a pump at no cost. You can also talk to a lactation consultant at Sutter about renting one. Check with your insurer or a third-party vendor that works directly with insurance companies. 
 

Storing Breastmilk at Home

It’s important to make sure everything you use is clean when storing your breastmilk. Wash your hands before you begin.

• Use clean bottles or bags made specifically for breastmilk
• Leave at least 1 inch of space at the top. Milk expands as it freezes.
• Store in 2–4 ounce portions, which are close to what a baby usually eats per feeding
• Label each container with the date and time it was expressed
• Use the oldest milk first 

Keep milk cold until you’re ready to use it. A small cooler with ice packs works well for short trips if you need to take some with you.

Breast Milk Storage Guidelines for Home