EARLY: Within two hours of birth


FREQUENT: 8 to 10 times in 24 hours, including at last once at night, with no long gaps


EFFECTIVE: By hand and by pump

Why?

Early, frequent, effective expressing in the first two weeks of life is essential to 
prime your breasts. It is highly important to ‘switch on’ all your milk making cells in the first two weeks to ensure optimal long term milk supply.

How?

  • Ask staff to show you how to hand express (to collect colostrum and high fat milk at the end of a pumping session.
  • Breast pump from day zero (for stimulation initially, and then to collect milk)
  • Ask staff to show you how to use the breast pumps
  • Double pump for more stimulation and more milk (use two kits)
  • We have different funnel sizes if needed
  • Try to stimulate several flows of milk (massage and stimulate between flows)
  • Ensure comfort when expressing – ask for help if it’s painful
  • Skin to skin contact where possible – be close to your baby
To download a copy of the leaflet click here

ELHT/Maternity Services/Baby Friendly Team
NICU Babies Expressing V2
Review: Feb 2024

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