1. Breastmilk may be expressed and collected for later use by using hand expression, a hand-operated breast pump, or a semiautomatic battery-operated or electric breast pump.

2. A sterile container such as sterile plastic "bottle bags" (Playtex or Gerber liners) or a sterilized plastic or glass bottle should be used to collect the milk.

3. Before collecting milk, wash hands with soap and water, then dry hands thoroughly.

4. Massage each breast in the following way:

a. If large-breasted, support the breast with one hand. Beginning at the chest wall, use the other flattened hand to exert gentle pressure on the breast toward the nipple, working around the breast. Work in areas of greatest milk duct development: under the breast and along the side under the arm. Use palms of hands, not fingers, for firm pressure.

6. Dripping of milk from the nipples is one sign that the let-down or milk ejection reflex is working. When you feel that the let-down reflex has begun to work, you can begin expressing breastmilk through whichever method you choose.

7. Collecting milk may take about 20 minutes. Alternate the breast from which you are expressing milk about four times in this fashion: when milk flow slows down on one breast, go to the other breast.

8. A breast pump collection kit should be washed daily in soap and water, rinsed between uses. A dishwasher (which leaves no soap residue) provides an excellent method for cleaning the kit (when collecting milk for a hospitalized infant, the collection kit must be sterilized daily).