Expressing breast milk

Even if you decide not to breastfeed, or are unable to breastfeed, you can still express breastmilk for your baby.

Expressing breastmilk is when you when you use your hands or a breast pump to get the milk from your breasts.

You may need to express your breastmilk if:

• your baby was born prematurely or is unwell
• your baby is unable to suck well
• you and your baby are separated
• your breasts are too full and uncomfortable
• you want to increase the amount of breastmilk or relactate (starting to make milk again after a period of not breastfeeding or not expressing)
• you return to work, study or other commitments.

Learn more about:

• expressing and storing breastmilk (Healthy WA)
• using expressed breastmilk for extra feeds (Healthy WA)