How do I hand express breast milk?
Place your fingers behind the nipple, press gently and release in a rhythm. It can take practice, and a care professional can demonstrate.
The short answer
Wash your hands and prepare a sterilised container. Place your thumb and finger in a C shape about two to three centimetres behind the nipple. Gently press together and release in a rhythm, then change position when the flow slows. Ask your care team to demonstrate.
Set up comfortably
The NHS recommends washing your hands and having a sterilised container ready. It suggests getting comfortable in a warm, quiet place and gently massaging your breasts with warm hands before you start. Container and storage advice can differ by location and by your baby's needs, so follow local guidance and any instructions from your care team.
The NHS lists hand expression as one option if your baby isn’t feeding or latching well, if you want to stimulate milk production, or if your breasts become engorged. A midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding specialist can demonstrate the technique and help you adjust your hand position.
Use a press and release motion
Place your thumb and one finger opposite each other in a C shape about two to three centimetres behind the nipple. Gently but firmly press them together for about two seconds without shifting position, then release and repeat in a rhythm.
Don’t slide your fingers over the skin or nipple. When the drops or milk flow slow down, move your fingers to a slightly different area, still about two to three centimetres behind the nipple, and repeat. If no milk or colostrum appears, adjust your hand position slightly and try again. Work around the breast, then switch sides if you want to continue.
Small amounts can be normal
It may take a few minutes before milk starts to drip. Colostrum may appear as small beads. There is no set length of time to express. Follow any feeding plan from your care team and ask them what to do if you’re unsure how much to collect.
This article summarizes NHS guidance from the United Kingdom. If expressing is painful, your baby isn’t feeding as expected or you’re worried, contact your local midwife, doctor or breastfeeding specialist.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked 12 October 2026. This page doesn’t replace advice from your own doctor.