Why do mothers express breastmilk?

Mothers express breastmilk for a wide range of reasons. Whether they express breastmilk by hand or with a manual or electric breast pump, the goal remains the same – to provide nourishment for their little ones.

There are numerous reasons why a mother might choose to express breastmilk. It could be because her baby is premature or having difficulty latching on, or maybe they are separated due to hospitalisation. Some mothers express breastmilk because they plan to return to work, while others do so so that others can feed the baby in their absence. Sometimes, it's simply to relieve the discomfort of engorged breasts or to build up a stash of breastmilk in the freezer for emergencies.

Expressing breastmilk can also be a way to boost milk supply, or even to relactate or induce lactation. Whatever the reason, expressing milk is a testament to a mother's dedication to providing the best possible nutrition for her child.

When can you start expressing breastmilk?

The first breastmilk that you produce is called colostrum. If you need to express this milk, it is easier to do so by hand. If you need to express for more than a short time, you may combine hand expression with the use of an electric breast pump for efficiency.

If you are unable to breastfeed after birth, it is essential to express early on with frequent milk removal to ensure you will have an adequate milk supply in the coming weeks.

What type of breast pump should you buy?

If you will be expressing for an extended period or will be exclusively expressing, then you should invest in a decent breast pump; a double hospital grade is recommended for a mother who will frequently be expressing. Be aware that your nipples can change size and it is very important to have the right size flanges to effectively and efficiently remove your milk. Getting a lactation consultant to measure you can be of benefit. Many standard-size flanges that come with breast pumps are way too large and require a flange insert to make the diameter smaller.

How often should you express breastmilk?

Expressing breastmilk is a common practice for mothers for various reasons, and how often they should express depends on their individual circumstances.

If a mother is exclusively expressing to feed her baby, she should aim to express as often as her baby would breastfeed, ensuring to empty her breasts thoroughly. For newborn babies, it is recommended to express at least eight times in 24 hours, with shorter but more frequent pumping sessions initially. Avoiding long gaps between expressing sessions to build up milk supply is essential, even if it means expressing once or twice at night. No matter your baby's age, the more milk you remove from your breasts, the more milk you will make. Each mother is different and responds differently to expressing, you may have to try different timings to see what works best for you.

For mothers looking to save breastmilk for later, expressing a little and often to fit around breastfeeds can be beneficial. If your baby has a long sleep, this is an ideal time to express.

If breasts feel too full and sore, expressing for comfort is advised without removing more milk than necessary to avoid oversupply.

How long does it take to express breastmilk?

The time it takes to express varies among mothers, depending on factors like technique, pump type, and flow rate. An expressing session typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes, up to 30 minutes or until milk stops flowing. The important thing is to express one breast until the flow slows to drips and then to switch to the other breast.

The number of times you express is more important than the length. It is normal for your breastmilk to take a minute or so to start flowing, otherwise known as let-down. Thinking of your baby or having them close by when expressing breastmilk can help with this.

How much breastmilk should a mother express?

The amount of breastmilk a mother should express depends on the reason for expressing. It's essential to avoid creating an oversupply by expressing more than needed, particularly in the early weeks when supply is adjusting. Breastfed babies typically consume around 800 mL daily between one and six months of age. Mothers can use this as a guide to determine how much milk to express for their baby's needs. Storing milk in smaller containers can prevent wastage and accommodate any changes in baby's feeding patterns. Mothers will typically make 500 to 600ml of breastmilk every 24 hours toward the end of the first week if their baby is well; mothers of preterm infants will need 500 to 700ml by day 7 to ensure they have enough as their baby gets older, 750 to 800mls should be seen by the end of week 2. If you have twins, 1100 to 1400ml will be needed every 24 hours for two weeks.

Is it still beneficial to express small amounts of breastmilk?

For mothers who struggle to express large amounts, expressing small amounts more frequently can be helpful. The amount of breastmilk expressed does not necessarily reflect breastmilk production, and it's essential to remember that babies will always extract more breastmilk during breastfeeding than through expressing.

If you are worried about the volume you are expressing, try covering the bottles with something so you aren’t focusing on the breastmilk collected.

Should expressing breastmilk hurt?

It is important to remember that expressing should be done gently, avoiding pain and discomfort. You can add breast compressions to encourage the flow of your milk. Being relaxed and doing your best to minimise stress will also help with the flow of your milk.

What’s the ideal environment for expressing breastmilk?

To begin an expressing session, find a quiet, comfy place where you can relax. Gather all your needed equipment, making sure everything is assembled beforehand. Have a drink for yourself ready, maybe a snack to keep your energy up. Also, bring anything else you may need, like your phone, remote, and a photo of your baby or their blanket for smell.

Have nice, clean hands and, most importantly, mimic your baby; you can do this by gently massaging your breasts in a circular motion, focusing on the areas around your nipple.

After expressing, ensure that you clean and dry your pumping equipment well to avoid introducing any bacteria that could come in contact with your nipples.

As time passes and with some practice, you will improve your expressing skills, becoming more efficient and effective with breast milk removal.

A guide to expressing breast milk for new mums. (n.d.). Pigeon Australia. Retrieved July 12, 2024, from https://www.pigeonbaby.com.au/blogs/baby-hub/a-guide-to-expressing-breast-milk-for-new-mums

Expressing - the basics | Australian Breastfeeding Association. (n.d.). Www.breastfeeding.asn.au. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/expressing-basics

‌ Hospital, T. R. W. (n.d.). A-Z fact sheets. The Royal Women’s Hospital. https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/fact-sheets

‌ Medela. (2024, April 7). Confessions of an Exclusive Pumper - My Top Tips for Exclusively Expressing Mamas. Medela.com. https://www.medela.com/en-au/breastfeeding-pumping/blog/mums-stories/confessions-of-an-exclusive-pumper-my-top-tips-for-exclusively-expressing-mamas