A breast milk expression apparatus (302, 302') comprising: a single compression pad (350, 350', 350") disposable about a breast of a user and configured for radial displacement relative to said breast, wherein the compression pad has a tapered outer surface and extends longitudinally from a larger diameter first end to a smaller diameter second end; and a compression unit coupled to the compression pad (350, 350', 350"), wherein the compression unit comprises a plurality of cables (352, 352', 352") banded about and through the compression pad, and a drive unit (312, 312', 312") coupled to the plurality of cables, the drive unit configured to apply tension to the plurality of cables to cyclically displace the compression pad (350, 350', 350") radially inwardly to cause compression of the breast and, following compression of the breast, permitting the breast to expand and decompress; wherein the plurality of cables include a first cable (352a', 352a") located at a first longitudinal position and a second cable (352b', 352b"; 352c', 352c") located at a second longitudinal position that is longitudinally spaced from the first longitudinal position and closer to the second end; wherein each cable of the plurality of cables is coupled to and extends circumferentially around an outer surface of the compression pad (350, 350', 350"), and wherein each cable is configured to slide relative to the compression pad; and wherein the drive unit (312, 312', 312") includes a motor and a transmission element (372, 374, 376, 378) driven by the motor, the transmission element coupled to the plurality of cables and configured to sequentially tension the cables and characterized in that the transmission element is configured to sequentially tension the cables such that tension to the first cable 352a") is applied for a longer duration than to the second cable (352b', 352b"; 352c', 352c"). a single compression pad (350, 350', 350") disposable about a breast of a user and configured for radial displacement relative to said breast, wherein the compression pad has a tapered outer surface and extends longitudinally from a larger diameter first end to a smaller diameter second end; and a compression unit coupled to the compression pad (350, 350', 350"), wherein the compression unit comprises a plurality of cables (352, 352', 352") banded about and through the compression pad, and a drive unit (312, 312', 312") coupled to the plurality of cables, the drive unit configured to apply tension to the plurality of cables to cyclically displace the compression pad (350, 350', 350") radially inwardly to cause compression of the breast and, following compression of the breast, permitting the breast to expand and decompress; wherein the plurality of cables include a first cable (352a', 352a") located at a first longitudinal position and a second cable (352b', 352b"; 352c', 352c") located at a second longitudinal position that is longitudinally spaced from the first longitudinal position and closer to the second end; wherein each cable of the plurality of cables is coupled to and extends circumferentially around an outer surface of the compression pad (350, 350', 350"), and wherein each cable is configured to slide relative to the compression pad; and wherein the drive unit (312, 312', 312") includes a motor and a transmission element (372, 374, 376, 378) driven by the motor, the transmission element coupled to the plurality of cables and configured to sequentially tension the cables and characterized in that the transmission element is configured to sequentially tension the cables such that tension to the first cable 352a") is applied for a longer duration than to the second cable (352b', 352b"; 352c', 352c").