Breast milk is the ideal food for infants.¹ Because feeding at the breast is not always possible, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that all mothers are taught about methods of milk expression, and how to safely store and use expressed milk.² In this CPD module we look at the components of breast milk and what factors affect this, as well as describing the various methods of expressing and storing breast milk.

After studying this module, you should:

• Have a clear understanding of the factors that may affect the composition of breast milk
• Confidently support a mother in expressing breast milk successfully using a variety of techniques
• Advise mothers on how to safely store expressed breast milk based on current guidance