Regularly expressing your breast milk is a way to give your baby milk, possibly through a feeding tube, and to make sure you have a supply of milk for when they can breastfeed. 

Early, frequent and regular expressing is the key to good milk volumes (and supply) when you are unable to breastfeed. 

Expressing should occur every 3 –4 hours or 6-8 times in 24 hours. 

Your milk can be collected in a syringe or container, refrigerated, and brought into the unit in an esky with ice packs.

Expressing be done by hand or using an electric pump. 

We will give you an expressing kit that connects to the electric breast pump. The pump mimics the natural sucking behaviour of your baby at the breast, stimulating the flow of milk. 

Using a breast pump once your milk has “come in” will help establish and maintain your milk supply.

The following activities can help:

• enjoy skin to skin cuddles with your baby as soon as possible and as often as possible. Alternately hand hugs and scent pads can also help.
• eat well and drink at least 8 cups of water a day
• rest regularly
• consider loaning or hiring a breast pump for use at home

Once you have expressed and labelled your breast milk (our staff will show you how to do this), the milk will be stored in a container with your baby’s name, either in the fridge (for use within 48 hours) or placed in the freezer (can be stored for 3 months).

Instructions on milk storage is outlined in the table below with additional information on storage at home provided in our discharge resource.

We will provide you with expressing equipment, guide you with use of our electric breast pumps and show you where to store your milk in either the fridge or freezer.