Expressing & Storing Breast Milk

What you will be able to do

• explain how milk supply works and why regular expressing matters when you are apart from your baby.
• hand express using the simple technique midwives and lactation consultants teach.
• choose a suitable pump, check the shield fit and use the settings comfortably.
• plan an expressing routine, including for returning to work.
• store, label and transport breast milk using safe, cautious storage times.
• thaw, warm and give expressed milk safely, using paced bottle feeding.
• wash and sterilise pump parts and bottles correctly.
• recognise signs that you or your baby need help, and know who to contact.

1. 1Why, when and who can help

   Understand the reasons parents express breast milk, when it usually makes sense to start, and the free support you can call on in Ireland.

   • Reasons parents express breast milk
   • When to start and who can help

   Pumping schedule planner

2. 2Hand expressing step by step

   Learn how the let-down reflex works and how to hand express comfortably, a skill every breastfeeding parent can use.

   • Helping your milk flow
   • The hand expressing technique

   Pump and bottle cleaning checklist

3. 3Choosing and using a breast pump

   Compare the main types of pump, get the fit right and learn how to pump comfortably.

   • Types of breast pump
   • Getting the fit and settings right
4. 4Building a pumping routine

   Plan how often to express, fit sessions around your baby and your life, and prepare for expressing at work.

   • Planning your expressing schedule
   • Expressing when you go back to work

   Pumping schedule plannerMilk labelling sheet

5. 5Storing breast milk safely

   Learn safe storage times for the fridge, freezer and cool bag, and how to label and transport milk.

   • Storage times and where to keep milk
   • Labelling, freezing and moving milk

   Breast milk storage times chartMilk labelling sheet

6. 6Thawing, warming and giving expressed milk

   Defrost and warm expressed milk safely and give it in a way that respects your baby's cues.

   • Thawing and warming safely
   • Giving expressed milk: paced and responsive feeding

   Breast milk storage times chart

7. 7Cleaning, sterilising and looking after yourself

   Keep your pump and bottles clean, and know the signs that mean you or your baby need help.

   • Washing and sterilising equipment
   • Looking after yourself while expressing

   Pump and bottle cleaning checklist

• PlannerPumping schedule plannerPlan when you will express across the week so it fits around feeds, sleep, work and the people who help you.
• CardsBreast milk storage times chartPrintable cards with safe storage times for expressed breast milk, so anyone caring for your baby can check them at a glance.
• TemplateMilk labelling sheetFill in a clear label for every container of expressed milk, so you and any carer always know when it was expressed and when to use it by.
• CheckerPump and bottle cleaning checklistTick off each step of washing, sterilising and storing your pump parts and bottles, so nothing is missed on a busy day.