Benefits of breastfeeding last a lifetime
Questions about breastfeeding
Thawing frozen breast milk
Baby-led latching
Breastfeeding positions
Storing breast milk/thawing frozen breast milk
Expressing breast milk
How to express breast milk by hand
Getting started
Tips to help breastfeeding
Caring for nipples that are sore
General breast care
Caring for breasts that are hard
How to tell if your baby is getting enough breast milk

Expressing breast milk
You may need to express breast milk if:

• your breasts are too hard for your baby to latch on.
• you want to give your baby breast milk when you are away from your baby.
• you need to increase your breast milk supply.
  

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How to express breast milk by hand

• Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 until the flow of milk slows down then switch to the other breast.
• Switch breasts a few more times whenever the flow of milk slows down. Be sure to move your thumb and 2 fingers along all areas around your nipple.
• Many mothers find it easier to express in the morning, when their breasts feel fullest or after breastfeeding the baby.
• You may only get a few drops when first learning to express. Expressing breast milk will get better and easier with practise.
  

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Getting started

Continue >>

Please download the Breastfeeding your Baby Booklet.
(PDF, 8 pages, 835 KB). This booklet and information on How to Breastfeed has been reprinted with permission from Toronto Public Health.

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