Expressing your breast milk can be done yourself by hand or you can purchase one of the many breast pumps on the market. When selecting a breast pump it is always best to do some research and try to see if you can try the pump before your part with your money. This is because all breast pumps are different so take the time to find one you like – The National Childbirth Trust hire out breast pumps – so at least you will be able to get to know how it feels.

If you would like to try expressing your own milk you may want to follow these guidelines.

• Make sure you have a sterilized bottle to collect the milk in
• Wash your hands and then start to gently massage your breast, this starts to get the hormones flowing before you start to express properly
• Cup your breast underneath with your hand and use your thumb and index finger to gentle compress the areola (brown part of the breast) and your nipple.
• Compress and release a few times until milk starts to flow, then continue the procedure until the milk starts to slow down
• Now you can start on the other breast and you can keep changing breasts until the milk stops or just leaves drops.

You can store milk in the fridge for up to 24 hours and freeze breast milk too.