Dear Friends, Hand expression is definitely a learned art, for us and for families. I have used Jane Morton's videos for years to help but then went and took Maya Bolman's hand expression and breast massage training down in Cleveland and learned so much. I think Nikki is absolutely right that you can't just jump in and start expressing. Watching Maya work (her video shows this) there is a lot of massaging and tapping of the breast that happens before and during expression. I wasn't thinking that this is causing the mother to relax as Nikki explained but I think she is correct. Practice does make perfect! I am so much better at helping mothers with hand expression now because of my commitment to doing this with each family I see. Warmly, -- Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC, RLC The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor bfcaa.com *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome