Why Are Breast Massage & Hand Expression Important?

Breast massage/compression and hand expression:

• Help you produce more milk faster
• Moves milk to baby (better nursing or pumping)
• Adds fat to your milk and helps to soften your breasts

Use breast massage/compression:

• 1 minute before breastfeeding or pumping
• During breastfeeding (if baby is sleepy, this squirts milk to baby so baby stays vigorous)
• During pumping to keep more milk flowing
• During engorgement to help soften your breasts

Please call the UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital Lactation Consultant with questions at (563) 557-2837.