Hand Expressing: A Must-Know Skill for New Mums

Hey mumma! Did you know that hand expressing can be a game-changer for pregnant mums and new mums? If you’ve ever wondered how to increase your milk supply or faced challenges with breastfeeding, this post is for you. In my practice, I’ve observed many mums facing initial challenges, and through the practice of hand expressing, they’ve discovered a valuable tool that significantly improved their breastfeeding experience. In this post, I’ll cover what hand expressing is, why it’s important, and the magic of antenatal hand expressing (or expressing colostrum).

What is Hand Expressing?

Hand expressing is a simple technique that involves using your hands to extract milk from your breasts. No fancy pumps or gadgets required, just you and your amazing hands. And while it is a simple technique, it does take a bit of practice to get the hang of it. This skill helps you to collect the precious liquid gold, colostrum, which is the first milk your body produces for your baby. It’s rich in nutrients and immune-boosting properties, making it the perfect start for your little one. Or you can hand express to collect your mature milk once it comes in.

Why Hand Expressing Is Important

Collecting Colostrum

One of the most significant advantages of hand expressing is the ability to collect colostrum during pregnancy. This practice, known as antenatal hand expressing, can be a game-changer. It’s like stocking up on a superfood buffet for your baby before they arrive. By collecting colostrum in the days leading up to birth, you can ensure your little one has a hearty meal even if you face initial breastfeeding challenges or you or your baby is unwell after the birth. Doing this can help you:

• Have a ready supply of colostrum in case your baby faces feeding difficulties initially.
• Alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with breastfeeding challenges.
• Gain the confidence that you can provide the best nutrition for your newborn.

It’s generally recommended to wait until around 36 weeks into your pregnancy before starting to hand express colostrum, but research shows that expressing colostrum is very safe! Sex triggers bigger bursts of the hormone that causes labour contractions, so if your doctor hasn’t told you it’s unsafe to have sex during your pregnancy, then expressing your colostrum is ok. Talk to your midwife or pregnancy care provider about hand expressing before you start to make sure it’s right for you and bub.

Boosting Supply and Relief of Engorged Breasts

Hand expressing helps stimulate milk production. After your baby’s birth, you might notice they’re struggling to latch or that your milk isn’t flowing as you’d hoped. Hand expressing can come to the rescue! It provides relief if your breasts feel uncomfortably full, and it can kickstart your milk supply. Remember, the more milk emptied from your breasts, the more your body gets the message to produce more milk. 

Comfort 

Beyond the practical benefits, hand expressing allows you to become more in tune with your body and comfortable handling your own breasts. Unlike the mechanical buzz of an electric breast pump, hand expressing is gentler and allows you to better target and empty the full areas of the breast, ensuring you empty your breasts as much as possible.

Now, you might be wondering, “How do you start hand expressing?” Here are some quick and easy tips to get you started:

• Form a C shape with your fingers.
• Place your fingers a few centimetres back from the base of your nipple.
• Push back towards your chest wall and gently squeeze and release around the areola to express colostrum or milk.
• Carefully collect it in a clean container, remembering to label it with the date for storage, if needed.

If you’re expressing while pregnant before your baby arrives, it’s very normal to only get a few drops or tiny amounts of colostrum. This doesn’t indicate that you will have supply problems when your baby arrives. Colostrum is best collected in a small (e.g., 1mL) syringe rather than a container.

How many times a day should you hand express?

When expressing colostrum, you can try for at least two or three times a day in the weeks leading up to birth. Every drop counts! If you’re hand expressing after bub has already arrived, then there is no set number of times you need to express. It will depend on yours and baby’s individual situation. If you’re not sure how often or even if this is something you need to do, then working with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can be helpful. They’ll be able to go over your individual situation and help you work out a breastfeeding plan (and expressing plan if necessary) that works for you and your baby. You can book a home visit or online video call with me here. (Home visits available in the Gold Coast, Tamborine, Logan and Redlands areas in Australia only).

Hand expressing is a valuable skill that can make your breastfeeding journey smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re collecting colostrum before birth or dealing with challenges after, your hands can be your greatest allies. So, go ahead, give it a try. If you found this helpful, I’d love for you to DM me on Instagram and tell me about your experiences with hand expressing and what you’ve taken away from this blog post. Together, we can empower more mums with the magic of hand expressing. You’ve got this! 💪🤱🌟