Page 33 - What to Expect

During your stay

What do I need to know about expressing breast milk?

Hand expressing or hand held pumps
Ask your midwife to show you how to hand express. Some people prefer to
hand express and do so successfully for many months. The bonus to hand
expressing is that it is cheap, no fancy pumps to buy and the equipment is
extremely portable! Remember to wash your hands before expressing.
There are a variety of hand held pumps available, and as everyone is
different the choice is really up to you. Some are a vacuum pump style,
while others are operated by a trigger mechanism. Have a chat to your
midwife, nurse or lactation consultation as to what they think are good
brands of breast pumps.

Electrical pumps
Another popular method of expressing is by using an electrical pump. By
the time you leave hospital you will have mastered the art of expressing
and using the electric pumps located in postnatal pods and in the Unit.
Electric pumps are fast and efficient but not everyone likes them. Again,
check with your midwife, nurse or lactation consultant.

There are electric breast pumps on each of the postnatal pods, and they
can also be hired from pharmacies or baby equipment shops. There is a list
available with all of this information. Just ask the nursing or midwifery staff
for a copy.
If it is within your budget you could also buy a small electric pump. There
are many brands available and they can be purchased from most chemists
or baby shops, and the Trust office in the Unit also has a good range.

Check with the Unit how they want you to go about expressing milk for
your baby. There is an expressing room in the Unit that provides electric
breast pumps and storage for expressing equipment.

How do I increase my milk supply?

To keep your breast milk in good supply you need to express regularly.
If your milk is decreasing try expressing two hourly during the day for
a couple of days. Don’t forget to express at least once overnight, this is

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