Expressing Families

Feeding Your Baby Expressed Milk

Every feeding journey is unique, and there are many ways to give your baby breastmilk.

Expressing means removing milk from your breast so you can offer it to your baby in a cup, syringe, bottle, tube, or through a supplemental nursing system (SNS).

Parents choose to express for many reasons, it might be for health, comfort, personal choice, or to make feeding more flexible. Some start expressing when returning to work or to share feeding with a partner or co-parent.

There’s no single right way to express milk. Exploring different methods can help you find what works best for you and your baby, and you can mix and match depending on your needs.

Hand Expressing

You can express breastmilk by hand, with a manual pump, or using an electric pump, whatever works best for you.

Expressing With a Pump

Many parents choose to express milk using a pump. There are two main types, manual and electric. A manual pump is operated by hand, while an electric pump automatically creates suction for you.

When expressing, try to find a calm, comfortable space where you can relax. Looking at your baby, or even a photo or video of them, can help your milk to flow. Some parents find that gentle massage or applying a warm compress to the breasts before expressing also helps.

You can learn more about expressing with a pump on the Start4Life website.

Storing Your Milk

If you plan to express milk for later use, it’s important to store it safely. You can find clear guidance on how to do this from the NHS and The Breastfeeding Network.

Mixed and Combination Feeding

Mixed, or combination, feeding means giving your baby both breast milk and formula milk. Many families find this approach useful if they’re returning to work, sharing feeding responsibilities with a partner or co-parent, or spending time away from their baby.

For some, combination feeding helps them continue breastfeeding for longer. Parents of premature or unwell babies may also start with mixed feeding under professional guidance until their baby is ready to breastfeed exclusively.

Some parents choose to express milk only, for a range of personal or practical reasons. If you’re considering mixed or combination feeding, speak to your healthcare professional for advice on maintaining your milk supply and caring for yourself.

Plan for What’s Next

For many parents, breastfeeding and expressing are skills learned together with their baby. Most people face some challenges at the beginning, but with the right support, it becomes easier over time. Research shows that many parents share similar experiences, from changes in milk supply to moments of discomfort or teething. Explore what to expect at each stage of your feeding journey and find the support that works for you.

Common Breastfeeding Challenges

UNICEF has highlighted five common breastfeeding problems. Learn about the challenges and how to overcome them:

Finding Support

We want to help every parent in Birmingham get the right support so that they can achieve their breastfeeding goals – whether that’s trying breastfeeding once, or breastfeeding for many months. There is lots of free support available to help you feed your baby.

Your Midwife/Health Visitor

Your midwife can give breastfeeding support throughout pregnancy and after your baby is born. They can help you with a breastfeeding plan and help you find extra support.

Local Breastfeeding Support:

Breastfeeding Network

If you’re looking for friendly breastfeeding support in Birmingham, the Breastfeeding Network (BfN) is here to help.

Visit their main page on the BfN website:
Birmingham – The Breastfeeding Network

You can also find them on social media:
@breastfeedingnetworkbirmingham

What Does BfN Offer?

The BfN Birmingham team provides free, confidential support for all families – whether you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, expressing, or mixed feeding.

Our trained peer supporters are available to offer:

• Face-to-face groups across the city
• Phone, text, and virtual support seven days a week
• Information and guidance on breastfeeding, expressing, and medication safety (through the Drugs in Breastmilkservice)
• 24/7 national support via the National Breastfeeding Helpline

Come along, get in touch, or explore the options that work best for you.

Face to Face Groups

Monday

• Afternoon: Wychall Children’s Centre (Northfield) – 12:30pm to 2:00pm

Tuesday

• Morning: Lakeside Children’s Centre (Erdington) – 10:00am to 11:30am

Wednesday

• Morning: Kitts Green Children’s Centre (Hodge Hill) – 10:00am to 11:30am

Thursday

• Morning: Selly Oak Methodist Church (organised by Chinnbrook Children’s Centre, Selly Oak) – 10:00am to 11:30am

Friday

• Morning: Fox Hollies Children’s Centre (Yardley) – 10:00am to 11:30am
• Afternoon: Ladywood Children’s Centre (Ladywood) – 12:30pm to 2:00pm

Phoenix Mums and Infants

Phoenix Mums & Infants is new peer support group that started in February 2025 for new mothers or mothers to be in the Birmingham area who would benefit from support from other mothers and trained advisors.

Visit their main page and register your interest here: Phoenix Thrive

For more local support, visit our infant feeding support in Birmingham and Solihull page.

Need Support Now?

National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212 — available 24/7, 365 days a year

Drugs in Breastmilk Service: Get reliable, evidence-based information for families and health professionals here.