How to Increase Breast Milk: Simple Marmet Technique Guide
- Selin Tamer
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Learning how to hand express breast milk can help you increase your supply and collect milk when you’re away from your baby. The Marmet Technique—widely recommended by lactation experts—uses breast massage, gentle stroking, and shaking to stimulate milk flow.
Why Hand Express Breast Milk - Increase Breast Milk
You’re separated from your baby, such as when your newborn is in the NICU or you’re returning to work.
You face breastfeeding difficulties and need to collect milk if your baby cannot latch well.
You want to stimulate, improve, or maintain your milk supply.
Preparation for Hand Expressing
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Sit comfortably and relax.
Think about or be near your baby—this helps release the hormones that trigger milk let-down.
Start massaging the top of your breast, pressing gently into the chest wall.
Move fingers in a circular motion, working around the breast toward the nipple.
Use a gentle downward stroke from top of breast toward nipple to encourage milk flow.
Lean slightly forward and gently shake the breasts to help milk begin to flow.
How to Hand Express Breast Milk (Marmet Technique)
Position your thumb and first two fingers about 1½ inches (2.5–3.8 cm) behind the nipple.
Do not cup the breast.
Push straight back toward the chest wall.
Roll thumb and fingers forward in a smooth motion.
Repeat rhythmically: position, push, roll.
Move fingers around different areas of the breast to express more milk.
What Not to Do
Avoid squeezing the breast forcefully—it can cause bruising.
Do not pull the nipple or breast outward, which can damage tissue.
Do not slide fingers along the skin, which can cause friction burns.
Extra Tips for Success
Hand expressing should feel gentle and comfortable.
Practice a few minutes each session; it gets easier with time.
Collect milk in a clean container and label with the date and time.
Trusted Sources
By following these steps to hand express breast milk with the Marmet Technique, you can safely collect and store milk even when you’re away from your baby—helping maintain your milk supply and providing your little one with all the benefits of breast milk.