Abstract: A pumping unit for use in a device for expressing human breast milk comprises a breast shield for resting against a mother's breast and a dimensionally stable or approximately dimensionally stable milk collection container for receiving the expressed mother's milk. The breast shield comprises a first longitudinal center axis, and the milk collection container comprises a second longitudinal center axis, wherein the milk collection container is detachably attachable to the breast shield, and wherein in the attached state of the milk collection container the first longitudinal center axis is arranged at an angle to the second longitudinal center axis. In the attached state the milk collection container is movable relative to the breast shield, and consequently the angle between the first and second longitudinal center axes is variable. The pumping unit according to the invention can be designed in a compact and space-saving manner and is particularly suited to a hands-free arrangement.