Breastfeeding

Expressing milk is when you take milk from your breasts, so you can either feed it to your baby straight away or store it in the fridge or freezer to feed it to your baby at a later time.

You can express breast milk by hand or with an electric or manual pump, whichever is more comfortable for you.

Before expressing, it’s best to wait until you feel confident breastfeeding. But there may be lots of reasons why you need or choose to express milk including: 

• Your baby is premature or needs extra help after birth and cannot be with you
• You’re returning to work or have to be apart from your baby
• Your breasts feel uncomfortably full or have mastitis
• Wishing to boost your milk supply
• To use with your baby’s first solid foods
• This is your preferred method of feeding

Remember, it can take time to learn how to express . Just relax, don’t worry – practice makes perfect!

After expressing, you can either give the milk straight to your baby or you may wish store it for future use. If you chose to store your breast milk, make sure it is stored in a sterilised container or special milk storage bags. You should also label and date your milk before storing and it is also best to store in small quantities to avoid waste.

Your breast milk can then be kept: 

• For up to five days in the fridge at 4C or lower
• For two weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge
• For up to six months in a freezer

Defrosting frozen breast milk

If you have frozen your breast milk, the best way to defrost it is by leaving in in the fridge to thaw out completely. You should not use a microwave to defrost or heat up breast milk as it can cause heat spots – which could burn your baby’s mouth.

If you need defrost the milk quicker, or if your baby prefers to drink milk at room temperature, you can do so by placing the container in a jug of warm water. Remember to check the temperature of the milk before feeding.

Once defrosted, milk should be used straight away, and any used milk discarded as expressed milk can’t be refrozen once thawed.

We run breastfeeding support groups across Worcestershire. The groups provide an opportunity to meet other mothers in a relaxed and friendly setting. Pregnant women and pregnant people are also welcome to access these groups.

Bromsgrove — Pear Tree Family Hub

• Every Wednesday from 10:00am - 11:30am

Kidderminster — Brookside Family Hub

• Every Tuesday from 10:00am - 11:30am

Redditch - Holly Tree Family Hub

• Every Tuesday from 1:00pm — 2:30pm

Worcester — The Hive

• Every Friday from 11:30am - 1:00pm 

If you would like to attend one of our Breast Buddies' support groups, please email the team  with your baby's name, date of birth and postcode. We will then book you a place. Partners, grandparents, friends, and older children are also welcome.  

If you would like more information about a particular group, please ask your Health Visitor, Breastfeeding Support Worker or Community Nursery Nurse, alternatively, contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 (9.30am to 9.30pm, daily) or visit the national NHS website to find a breastfeeding drop-in near you.

• For individual breastfeeding support until your baby is 6-8 weeks old, please email us: whcnhs.infantfeeding@nhs.net
• If your baby is over 8 weeks old, you can access support at your local Breast Buddies group or NCT breastfeeding group.
• You can also ask a member of the Health Visiting team for support by calling 01905 520032.
• Worcestershire Infant Feeding Team — Facebook
• Worcestershire Infant Feeding Team — Instagram
• Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust - Breastfeeding support

National support and helplines

• The NHS England website has a comprehensive section on breastfeeding support, advice and information.
• The National Breastfeeding Helpline — phone 0300 100 0212 (9:30am-9:30pm)
• National Childbirth Trust (NCT) — Phone 0300 330 0700 (8am-midnight)
• La Leche helpline — Phone 0345 120 2918 (8am-11pm)
• Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) — Phone 0300 330 5453 (9:30am-9:30pm)