Maternity
Information on feeding your baby – hand expression and cup feeding
Patient Information Leaflet
Introduction
Sometimes babies cannot latch onto your breast, or they cannot breastfeed, for a number of reasons. In this situation you can express colostrum and give it to your baby.
Every pregnant woman makes milk for her baby which is ready and available at birth. The milk produced during the first few days is called colostrum and is a very valuable source of nutrition for your baby.
Being able to hand express breast milk is a useful skill for all mothers to have. It is a skill that will be taught to you before you give birth by a health professional. It is a way of using your hands to obtain some breast milk to give to your baby.
How do I express milk by hand?
If you have decided to breastfeed, or want to give your baby breast milk, you can hand express and collect your milk. Hand expression can be started from 36 weeks of pregnancy and can also be performed after the birth of your baby.
A good time to hand express is after you have had a shower or bath as the warmth encourages milk to flow. A calm, relaxed environment will also help your milk to flow.
It is a good idea to start expressing milk for just a few minutes on both breasts. This should not hurt or cause labour to start. Consult your midwife if you have any concerns.
How to hand express:
- Wash your hands
- Have a sterilised container to express your colostrum into. This could be a cup, spoon, or syringe.
- Massage your breasts before you begin.
- Make a ‘C’ shape with your thumb and forefinger and place them two to three centimetres from your nipple (see figure 1).
- Gently compress and release in this area. It may take a little time for your milk to start flowing, and you may need to adjust your fingers.
- Draw the drops of milk into the syringe or collect onto a spoon or in a cup and then draw the milk into the syringe and add the bung.
- When the flow stops move your fingers to a different area and express from both breasts.
- Label with your name, unit number, date and time of expression.
Sometimes practising this can help and you will soon be rewarded. There is a video on hand expression available at https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/hand-expression-video/
There are more details on how to hand express in the ‘Off to a best start’ leaflet downloadable at https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/off-to-the-best-start/.
You can also discuss hand expression with a health professional.
How do I store my milk?
Breastfeeding Network (accessed 2022) recommend the following storage guidelines for breastmilk:
| Where | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Room | Room | 6 hours |
| Fridge | 0 – 4 degrees | 5 days |
| Freezer compartment or fridge | Not given | 2 weeks |
| Freezer | -18 degrees | 6 months |
| Where | Temperature | Storage Time [Use within] |
|---|---|---|
| Just expressed | Room | 6 hours |
| Fridge | 5-10 degrees Celsius | 3 days |
| Fridge | Less than 4 degrees Celsius | 5 days |
| Freezer | Less than -18 degrees Celsius | 18 months |
To defrost milk, thaw in the fridge and use immediately.
When you come into hospital for the birth of your baby, bring your milk, in a cool bag with ice packs. There is a freezer to store your milk on the maternity unit. Or leave your milk at home and ask someone to bring it in if you need it.
If you have not been able to express during your pregnancy, a health professional can help you in hospital.
How do I feed my baby with a cup?
Cup feeding allows you to feed your baby without using a bottle and teat. Your baby will lap the milk from the cup and this helps to avoid nipple-teat confusion. You could also use a medicine spoon to give your baby expressed milk.
Follow these steps to cup feed your baby safely (Newman, 2021):
- Ensure your baby is awake and alert before starting the feed
- Pour some milk into a small cup
- Hold your baby close and upright on your lap, supporting your baby’s head
- Hold the cup to your baby’s lower lip and bring small amounts of milk slowly to their mouth. Allow your baby to take the milk into their mouth with their tongue (see figure 2)
- Go slowly, your baby will continually lap the milk
Do not pour the milk into your baby’s mouth.
Giving your baby breastmilk by a cup or spoon is a short term way to give your baby your milk. Continue to offer the breast to encourage baby to latch and breastfeed.
Can I find out more?
For more information about breastfeeding, you can go to:
The antenatal breastfeeding workshop
To book a breastfeeding workshop please email dgft.spmwif@nhs.net or speak to your midwife.
Useful websites:
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers
UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative
Breastfeeding Network
http://breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/
La Leche League GB
https://www.laleche.org.uk/node
National Breastfeeding Helpline
http://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/
National Childbirth Trust (NCT)
References
- Breastfeeding network (2019)
- http://breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/breastfeeding-help/expressing-storing/
- Accessed 27/07/22Newman, J (2021) Information Sheet Finger and Cup Feeding. Toronto: International Breastfeeding Centre. Available at: http://ibconline.ca/information-sheets/finger-and-cup-feeding/
- International BreastFeeding Centre | Finger feeding and cup feeding (ibconline.ca)
If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please speak to one of our nurses. If you need help when you return home, please contact your GP.
If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet, please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net
This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.
Originator: Maternity Documentation Group. Date reviewed September 2025. Next review due October 2028. Version 4. DGH ref: DGH/PIL/00904