Manual Expression of Breastmilk: Performing, Teaching, and Modifications of Marmet Technique

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This is the second article of a three-article series that grew from the initial invitation by a member of the Clinical Lactation editorial staff to accompany a research article they had received that studied the outcomes of milk supply of mothers of preemies who implemented Marmet Technique. This research determined that the milk supply statistically significantly increased after using Marmet Technique for only one to three days (Kotsu et al., 2025). While the first article offered details on the history and importance of Marmet Technique, this second article focuses on when to use, how to perform, how to teach, and who should know the Marmet Technique, as well as modified Marmet Technique, and the use of ice and heat for engorgement and mastitis. This article lends itself to the development of situational awareness for Marmet Technique application and the technical skills necessary to perform it effectively to increase, maintain, or decrease a milk supply. Sometimes the best way to confirm competency is to teach but to teach well requires planning and a competency of its own. While teaching a large group might be rare for a lactation consultant, being able to teach this skill to an individual patient should be required. The third and final article of this series follows with additional information on integrating tools for expression and feeding expressed milk back to an infant.