Milk expression is done for many reasons, including:

• Mom and baby are separated because of illness.
• Premature infant is unable to nurse normally.
• Mother's breasts are uncomfortably full.
• Baby is an ineffective nurser because of latching difficulty.
• Mom has a low milk supply and is attempting to increase production.
• Mom is away from her baby for more than a few hours at a time.
• Mom is returning to work.
• Mom is on medication that is not compatible with breastfeeding.

There are different ways to express breast milk, including:

• Manual expression.
• Single pumping with a battery-powered or electric breast pump.
• Double pumping with an electric breast pump.

If you have questions about which method is right for you, ask a lactation support person for advice.

How long can you store breast milk?

Freshly Expressed Breast Milk

• Room temperature—4 hours at 66 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (19 to 22 degrees Celsius).
• Refrigerator—5 to 7 days at 32 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 4 degrees Celsius).
• Self-contained refrigerator freezer unit—3 to 4 months.
• Deep freezer—6 to 12 months at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-19 degrees Celsius).

Thawed Breast Milk

• Room temperature—do not store.
• Refrigerator—24 hours.
• Note: You should never refreeze thawed milk. Throw away any thawed milk within 24 hours.