https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:00:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-672136 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:48:04 +0000 Kemma 672136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never have any luck with my manual pump but I can hand express 100mL (3oz) in about ten minutes. I express direct into a Tommee Tippee bottle with a wide opening and it's not too messy... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-672106 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:11:24 +0000 lovehoneybee 672106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually only do it to relieve engorgement in the middle of the night (never tried into a cup or anything). I have luck massaging my nipple, then forming my hand into a "c" (thumb on top/other fingers on bottom and always the opposite hand), and massaging down base to nipple with moderate pressure. And I would try to stay relaxed.</p> <p>ETA: Now that I read the comments, a lot like @Mrs Green Grass: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-672083 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:33:40 +0000 sarac 672083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was never able to! And I'm so milky. I was bummed, I hated pumping and didn't do it long. I'd have loved to be able to hand express a little bit when engorged. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-672069 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:25:46 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 672069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yes, but only to make sure there's more in there (like sometimes when J is fussy at the boob i hand express to check that it isn't a supply problem), or in the shower to relieve engorgement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-671910 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:21:42 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 671910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's definitely difficult! I do it after pumping once in awhile and can get up to a glad ounce more. It's messy too! I have to learn forward, cup as much as possible with the hand on the same side (other hand will not work at all!), then squeeze from back to front, then completely relax to let it fill back up, then do it again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-671877 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:04:11 +0000 MrsStar 671877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can. I did during pregnancy since I was leaking so much, so my midwife gave me some containers to express into. I hand expressed the other night when LO fell asleep only eating from one side. It's not a regular occurrence though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-671789 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:52:05 +0000 prettylizy 671789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can, but I've never tried to be productive at it. Mostly just to see if there is anything left in there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-671787 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:50:12 +0000 rachiecakes 671787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I could only really do it in the shower. If I tried anywhere else I'd get milk all over my hands and clothes. I could never aim straight enough for a bowl or cup or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-671638 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:41:27 +0000 birdofafeather 671638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i can do it but i've never tried to collect it. i usually hand express in the shower to relieve engorgement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-671618 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:31:28 +0000 hilsy85 671618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, but it took me a few months! I don't think I was able to do it until maybe 12 wks or so? It helps if you massage your breasts well before doing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-671616 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:29:44 +0000 Beebug 671616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hand expressed over pumped, faster and no pump clean up! However I never wanted/needed to express much, 4oz/day at most. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-671612 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:27:37 +0000 pelikila 671612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It took a lot of practice for me to get good at it. Try not to get discouraged. You probably have seen it but this video was the most helpful to me: <a href="http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html" rel="nofollow">http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html</a> as well as the other links on the side of that page like "maximizing milk production". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-you-hand-express#post-671598 Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:14:49 +0000 ladyfingers 671598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have tried my damnedest and just cannot get anything to come out. It sprays out when pumping. People say they get so much more with hand expression, and I don't get it. I have watched a million videos and read a million articles, and nothing. Am I the only one? </p>