how to hand express colostrum

To hand express colostrum effectively, follow these expert steps:

1. Prepare and get comfortable
   • Wash your hands thoroughly.
   • Choose a clean, sterilized container (small cup, spoon, syringe, or bottle) to collect the colostrum.
   • Find a warm, quiet place to relax, as comfort helps milk flow.
   • You may find it helpful to have your baby nearby or think about them to stimulate let-down

2. Massage your breasts
   • Use warm hands to gently massage your breasts, starting from the armpit area and moving toward the nipple.
   • This stimulates the milk ejection reflex (let-down) and helps colostrum flow

3. Position your hand correctly
   • Form a "C" shape with your thumb and fingers, placing them about 2 to 3 cm (around an inch) back from the base of the nipple, where the breast tissue changes texture.
   • Your thumb and fingers should be opposite each other, like at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock on a clock face

4. Express the colostrum
   • Gently press your thumb and fingers toward your chest wall, then compress and release in a rhythmic motion without sliding your fingers over the skin.
   • This mimics a squeezing or "juicing" action to coax colostrum out.
   • It may take several minutes for colostrum to start dripping; be patient and keep a steady rhythm

5. Move around the breast
   • When the flow slows, rotate your fingers to different positions around the areola (like moving around the clock face) to express from different milk ducts.
   • Repeat the process on the other breast, then return to the first breast to maximize output

6. Collect and store colostrum
   • Use small, food-safe containers or syringes for collection.
   • Label containers with your details and date.
   • Store colostrum in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 6 months if needed

Hand expressing colostrum is especially useful if your baby cannot feed directly, to stimulate milk production, relieve engorgement, or provide colostrum for supplementation

Summary: Wash hands, get comfortable, massage breasts, cup your breast in a C-shape 2-3 cm from the nipple, gently compress and release in a rhythmic motion, move around the breast to express from different areas, collect colostrum in a clean container, and store appropriately