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AimBreast milk reduces rates of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) which causes significant mortality and morbidity in low birth weight babies. In addition it is closely associated with improved cognitive scores in childhood. Early breast milk allows quicker achievement of full enteral feeds. An internal audit 2015–2016 identified that 61% of babies<31 weeks gestation were commenced on mother’s own milk (MOM). Median day of starting MOM was Day 3 and median day of achievement of full enteral feeds was Day 9. We therefore aimed to reduce time taken to establish breast milk expression to postpartum mums of infants<31 weeks gestation to under six hours postnatally.MethodsA core team was established to identify barriers to early breast milk expression within the first hour of life. Short surveys were carried out on labour ward and education sessions were arranged on both labour ward and on the neonatal unit to promote the benefits of breast milk to preterm babies. Early expressing packs were put together and given to mums either antenatally or postnatally together with counselling from a senior member of the neonatal team including the benefits of early expressing. (P)s were designed and put up throughout the antenatal ward, neonatal unit and labour ward. Regular feedback to staff involved was facilitated through infant feeding meetings.Data/ResultsFollowing initiation of our QI intervention in November 2016, initial data set audit shows that 73% of women are being shown how to express within the first 6 hours postnatally, and 94% of women when questioned are being shown how to express overall. Since introduction, 36 babies have been born <31 weeks gestation. 78% of these were commenced on MOM, median day of starting MOM was Day 1.8 and median day of achievement of full enteral feeds was Day 7.1.ConclusionWith commitment to ongoing education and intervention early breast milk expression is achievable. We have managed to achieve expressing within six hours and with ongoing cycles we are aiming to achieve this within one hour. Next steps include antenatal leaflets for parents and increased scope of education sessions.