Best hand expression method

namara5532

Now that DS is nearly 2 weeks old, I'm ready to try expressing some breastmilk in the mornings for when we eventually give him a daily bottle in a few weeks so he's comfortable taking one if I go out.  I'm a SAHM for the moment, so I didn't bother buying a pump.  Plus my mother tells me she was able to go back to work and hand express for my brother for 12 months and for me for 9 months (I apparently quit taking breastmilk cold turkey the first time I tasted formula, go figure).

For those who hand express, which method works well for you?  I'm not expecting very much to come out initially, especially since DS is still so young and probably only drinks a couple oz at a time.  I feed from both breasts in the morning, do I start with the one he first finishes or the one he only partially drinks from?

EveryNameIWantIsTaken

Wow, your mom was a machine!  I'm really no good at hand expression despite what I try so I'll be interested to see others responses.

jlsimon56

I do this at the end of pumping.  I googled for youtube videos on how to do it.  It was weird watching....but very informative.

haziedaze

This technique is how I learned: https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html

I really like knowing how. I can usually get another 1oz after pumping and sometimes just hand express if I only need to get 2 oz or so or if I forget my pump. My own technique has evolved some but this is how I learned.