- Have a clean sterilised container to hand before you start.
- Cup your breast and feel back from the end of the nipple to where the texture of your breast feels different.
- Using your thumb and the rest of your fingers in a C shape, gently squeeze this area - this shouldn't hurt.
- Release the pressure and then repeat again and again, building up a rhythm. Avoid sliding your fingers over the skin. At first, only drops will appear, but just keep going as it will help build up your supply. With practice and a little more time, milk will flow freely.
- When the flow slows down, move your fingers round to try a different section of your breast and repeat. When that flow slows down, swap to the other breast. Keep changing breasts until the milk is dripping very slowly or stops altogether.
- If the milk doesn't flow, try moving your fingers slightly towards the nipple or further away, and try a gentle breast massage.
Watch a video on hand expressing
Watch a video on expressing and storing breastmilk from the Global Health Media Project
See the main page on expressing breastmilk, with video and translated key messages
