Parenting Club

9 - 18 Months: Expressing

Expressing gives you the best of both worlds – all the goodness of your milk for your baby, plus freedom from the constant demands of breastfeeding.

When can I start expressing?
When's the best time to express?
What can I do if my baby refuses a bottle?
Further information

It also gives your partner the chance to share feeding duties. The choice of pumps has never been better, so don’t let thoughts of it being time-consuming and uncomfortable put you off. As well as ‘tug and pull’ manual pumps, you can now buy speedy electric expressers with a gentle massaging action.

When can I start expressing?

It’s best to wait until breastfeeding is properly established – around five or six weeks – before starting. By then you’ll be in a routine and feeding confidently.

When's the best time to express

Many women find that morning is a good time to try. Take yourself off to a quiet room when you’re feeling relaxed and unhurried. You may find it helps to have a bath or warm drink first. Once your baby has fed from one breast and seems satisfied, try using a breast pump on the other side. Alternatively, give it a go when your baby is asleep and your breasts are getting full. You’ll probably find it feels more natural to express with her close by. Like breastfeeding, expressing often gets easier with practice, so don’t be disillusioned if your first attempt only produces a few drops.

What can I do if my baby refuses a bottle?

This isn’t unusual to start with. It’s often a case of persevering and getting someone else to try giving a bottle – but not when your baby is hungry and cross. Older babies may drink from a beaker or feeder cup – ask your health visitor for advice.

Essential advice when expressing

  • Wash your hands before you start.
  • Sterilise all your expressing equipment before you use it.
  • You can store breast milk in the fridge for up to 24 hours and in the freezer for up to three months. Always label each container so you know how old the milk is, and put the most recent at the back.
  • Thaw your frozen milk in a sealed container under a running tap, or in a jug of cold water. Then stand it in hot water until it’s the right temperature for feeding.
  • Always test the temperature on your wrist before offering the bottle.
  • If your baby leaves any milk in the bottle, throw it away.
  • Never add freshly expressed milk to frozen milk that’s been defrosted.
Further information

If you’re struggling with breastfeeding or expressing, keep asking your midwife or health visitor for help until you feel confident. She may also be able to put you in touch with a trained breastfeeding counsellor. Alternatively, contact one of the mum-to-mum breastfeeding support organisations below.

  • National Childbirth Trust (NCT) Support Line: 0870 444 8708 (8am-10pm every day)
  • La Leche League (Great Britain) – puts you in touch with a supporter in their own home. Call 0845 120 2918 (ROI – please refer to your local telephone directory)
  • Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Support Line: 0870 401 7711 (9.30am-10.30pm every day)
  • The Breastfeeding Network (BFN) – puts you in touch with a supporter. Call 0870 900 8787 (9.30am-9.30pm)
  • Irish Childbirth Trust www.cuidiu-ict.ie UK residents only