Pump or express some foremilk out of your breasts for a minute or two before you begin breastfeeding. By removing some of the foremilk in advance, you can help your baby get to your hindmilk during the feeding. Pumping before breastfeeding also helps to soften the breasts and slow down a fast flow of breast milk.

How much foremilk should I express?

Have extra breast milk storage containers ready. Begin pumping your breasts with the breast pump. About two minutes after the milk starts flowing steadily, turn the pump off, pour this milk into a separate container and label it “foremilk.” This should equal about one-third of the usual amount you pump.

How long should I pump to get rid of foremilk?

How to Separate and Collect Hindmilk. To collect hindmilk for your premature baby, you should use a breast pump and separate the foremilk from the hindmilk as you pump. When you begin pumping your breast milk, it will be thin and watery. Pump for about 2 minutes, then remove the collection container from the pump.