Hand expressing: a vital tool.

There are a number of reasons a Mum may want to or needs to hand express her colostrum:

🔹️to express milk antenatally (i.e a Mum with GDM wanting to store milk just in case her baby may need it postpartum to increase low blood sugar levels).

🔹️for an unwell baby in SCN/NICU who is unable to breastfeed at the time.

🔹️to help soften the breast as a management strategy for engorgement.

🔹️to help stimulate the let-down reflex and encourage a baby to the breast if they are having trouble latching.

🔹️to express colostrum for a baby that is not latching.

Below is a general guide to get you started if this is relevant for you.

If you'd like to learn how to hand express, join me for a 3hr Breastfeeding Workshop where we look at all things breastfeeding and preparing for your post-partum.