How to Hand Express Breast Milk

What is Hand Expression?

Hand expression is using your hands to massage and compress the breast to get milk out—no pump required. 

Why Hand Expression is Useful

• Early breast milk (colostrum) volume is very low, and the liquid is thicker. Hand expression is one of the most effective ways to get colostrum out of the breast.

• Hand expression is a great “backup skill” if you’re engorged and need relief or you need to express milk and your pump isn’t available.

• Pairing hand expression with pumping can increase breast milk output and improve supply. Learn more about how to increase your milk supply.

How to Hand Express

1. Wash hands; have a clean container ready.

2. Gently massage the breast (think of this as warming it up).

3. Place your fingers and thumb in a “C” shape a little back from the nipple (not on the nipple).

4. Press back toward the chest wall, then compress and release rhythmically.

5. Rotate finger position around the areola; switch breasts every few minutes.

6. Aim for comfort—no pinching or sliding on the skin.

How Often to Use Hand Expression

Frequent but short sessions work well for many people. Regular hand expression can be an excellent way to keep breasts from becoming so engorged that baby cannot latch. 

Storing Expressed Breast Milk

When it comes to storing your expressed milk, the main points to remember are that fresh milk should be refrigerated within 4 hours; once refrigerated, it should be used within ~4 days; and if not used, it should be moved to the freezer and then used within ~6 months. There are, of course, many additional considerations and nuances to this, which you can read about in our full article on How to Store Breast Milk.