
Breast pumping is a convenient way to provide breast milk to your newborn when they are unable to breastfeed directly, when your breasts are engorged, or when you prefer to bottle-feed. The right time to start pumping depends on your situation. You can begin pumping soon after giving birth, especially if your baby is premature or has special needs. However, it is recommended to wait for a few weeks to establish a breastfeeding routine and allow your milk supply to become well-established.
If you're pumping to maintain your milk supply, it's best to pump as frequently as your baby feeds, usually every two to four hours. Pumping sessions can last for at least 15 to 20 minutes or until the milk stops flowing, but this may vary from person to person.
To ensure a successful pumping session, find a quiet and relaxing setting, stimulate the let-down reflex, and ensure proper pump setup and hygiene.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How often to pump | If exclusively pumping, every 2-3 hours (8+ times a day). If pumping and breastfeeding, pump when baby would normally feed (every 3-4 hours) or in between nursing sessions. |
How long to pump per session | 15-20 minutes per breast, or until milk flow slows. |
How long to pump overall | As long as you want to keep giving breast milk to your baby. |
How much milk to pump | 25 ounces over 24 hours if exclusively pumping. If pumping and breastfeeding, it depends on how much milk the baby needs. |
What You'll Learn
How often should I pump?
How often you should pump depends on a few factors, including whether you are exclusively pumping or also breastfeeding, and whether you are trying to increase your milk supply.
If you are exclusively pumping, it is recommended to mimic your baby's feeding schedule by pumping every two to three hours, especially during the first few weeks of their life. This will help maintain a healthy and consistent milk supply. Pumping this often will total roughly eight or more pumping sessions per 24-hour period, which is similar to the amount your baby would feed if they were exclusively nursing.
If you are pumping and breastfeeding, the frequency of your pumping sessions may vary. If you are pumping to increase your milk supply or because you want to start storing your breast milk, you should aim to pump either an hour before or after breastfeeding for the best results. Some women may find that they are able to pump from one breast while nursing from the other. Others find it easiest to pump in the mornings when breasts tend to be naturally fuller.
If you are pumping at work, you should try pumping every three to four hours for around 15 minutes per session. This will ensure that you are able to keep up with your baby's needs.
If you are pumping because you are away from your baby and missing feedings, try to pump at the same times you would normally feed, about once every three hours.
If you are pumping at home to stockpile milk or to increase your supply, try pumping 30 minutes or so after your baby's morning nursing session, as your breasts are naturally fuller earlier in the day.
If your baby has started to spread out their feeds to once every four hours, you can try pumping every two hours between feedings. This will increase your milk supply and give you plenty of breast milk to store away.
It is best to avoid late afternoon or early evening pumping if you can, as your milk supply is likely to be at its lowest due to end-of-day exhaustion and stress.
Remember, the more demand there is (in the form of pumping), the more supply (in the form of breast milk) there will be.
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How long should I pump per session?
The general consensus is that 15 to 20 minutes per breast is a good place to start. However, you may find that this timeframe is not long enough for your breasts to feel well-drained. If that's the case, you can pump until your milk supply begins to slow down, but it's recommended not to exceed 30 minutes of pumping per breast in one sitting.
If you're exclusively pumping, it's best to mimic your baby's feeding schedule by pumping every two to three hours, especially during the first few weeks of their life. This will total around eight or more pumping sessions per 24-hour period, which is close to the amount your baby would feed if exclusively nursing.
If you're pumping as well as breastfeeding, the frequency of your pumping sessions may vary. If you're pumping to increase your milk supply or because you want to start storing your breast milk, it's best to pump either an hour before or after breastfeeding.
Some women may be able to pump from one breast while nursing from the other. Others find it easiest to pump in the mornings when breasts tend to be naturally fuller.
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How much milk should I pump?
The amount of milk you should pump depends on several factors, including whether you are exclusively pumping or combining it with breastfeeding, your baby's feeding schedule, and their nutritional needs. Here is a detailed guide on how much milk you should pump:
For Exclusive Pumping:
If you are exclusively pumping, it is recommended to aim for around 25 ounces of breast milk in a 24-hour period. However, this is just a guideline, and the amount may vary depending on your baby's needs. To ensure your baby gets enough milk, try to pump as frequently as they would normally feed, which is typically every two to three hours during the first few weeks of their life. This usually equates to eight or more pumping sessions per day.
For Pumping and Breastfeeding:
If you are combining pumping with breastfeeding, the amount you pump will vary. Divide the amount of milk your baby consumes daily by the time you will be away from them to determine how much milk you need to pump. Additionally, consider pumping either an hour before or after breastfeeding to optimize results.
General Tips:
- The amount of milk you express depends on various factors, such as the type of pump, your stress levels, and individual differences.
- It is essential to be consistent with your pumping schedule to maintain and increase your milk supply.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, as hydration is crucial for milk production.
- Relaxation techniques, such as listening to soothing music or looking at pictures of your baby, can enhance your pumping output.
- Massaging and compressing your breasts before and during pumping can help stimulate milk flow.
- To prevent soreness, use a balm designed for nursing comfort, as pumping can make your nipples tender.
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When can I start pumping?
When you can start pumping depends on your situation. Some mothers start pumping right after their baby is born, especially if their baby is premature or has special needs. However, it is recommended to wait a few weeks to allow yourself to settle into a breastfeeding routine and for your milk supply to become well-established. This usually happens around three to four weeks after birth.
If you are planning to go back to work, it is a good idea to start pumping two to three weeks beforehand to get used to the process and build up a stockpile of milk. This will also give your baby time to get used to drinking from a bottle.
If you are unable to nurse your baby for any reason, it is important to get an early start on pumping to ensure your baby receives the necessary nutrition.
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How should I store breast milk?
If you're pumping because you're unable to nurse your baby, or because you want to build a stockpile of milk, it's important to know how to store it safely. Expressed milk keeps most of its health-giving benefits, so it's far better for your baby than any type of formula. But good hygiene is vital to ensure that stored milk is safe for your baby.
Breast milk is better for your baby than formula – but freshly expressed breast milk is preferable to refrigerated, and refrigerated is better than frozen. That’s because freshly expressed milk has the best bacteria-fighting properties and is higher in antioxidants, vitamins and fat than milk that has been refrigerated or frozen.
How long to store your expressed breast milk
If you have expressed breast milk cleanly and safely, you can store it at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the freezer, depending on how soon you want to use it.
- Up to four hours at room temperature (up to six hours if expressed under very clean conditions)
- Up to three days in the refrigerator (up to five days if expressed under very clean conditions)
- Up to six months in the freezer (up to nine months if expressed under very clean conditions)
If you’re refrigerating or freezing expressed milk, always label the bottles or bags with the amount and the date it was pumped, so you can track and manage your stored milk.
Guidelines for using expressed breast milk
Stored breast milk tends to separate into layers, with the fat (cream) rising to the top. Gently swirl the bottle to mix the layers before feeding your baby. Vigorous stirring or shaking can damage some of the milk’s nutritional and protective components.
When your baby feeds on expressed breast milk from a cup or bottle, bacteria from their mouth can end up in the milk. For this reason, it’s best to throw away any leftover, partly drunk milk within one to two hours of their initial feed. To avoid wasting expressed milk, it’s always a good idea to store it in small amounts, and only use what you need.
How to store breast milk in the refrigerator
- Refrigerate your breast milk as soon as possible after expressing.
- Store your milk in clean breast milk bottles or storage bags made from BPA-free materials.
- Small amounts of expressed milk may be added to the same refrigerated container, provided the milk you want to add is cooled in the fridge beforehand. Don’t add body-temperature milk to already cooled milk.
- Store breast milk in the coldest part of the fridge – at the back, on the shelf above the vegetable compartment. Don’t keep it in the fridge door where the temperature is less consistent.
How to store breast milk in the freezer
- Freeze your breast milk as soon as possible after expressing.
- Expressed milk may be added to already frozen breast milk, provided the milk you want to add is cooled in the fridge beforehand. Don’t add body-temperature milk to frozen milk.
- For easier thawing and minimal waste, store your milk in small portions (less than 2 oz.). These can be combined after defrosting.
- Check that your breast milk storage containers can be used in the freezer – some products (such as glass bottles) may crack at very low temperatures.
- Don’t fill bottles or bags more than three-quarters full, as breast milk expands during freezing.
- Store frozen breast milk at the back of the freezer where the temperature is most consistent. Keep it away from the walls of self-defrosting freezers.
How to defrost breast milk
- Breast milk can be defrosted in the fridge, normally in around 12 hours. Alternatively, hold the bottle or bag of frozen milk under warm running water (a maximum of 99° F). Don’t leave frozen breast milk to defrost at room temperature.
- Once fully thawed, previously frozen breast milk may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of two hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Don’t thaw or heat frozen breast milk in a microwave or in boiling water. These can damage its nutritional and protective properties and create hot spots that could scald your baby.
- Thawed breast milk left at room temperature should be fed to your baby within two hours or thrown away.
- Never re-freeze breast milk once thawed.
How to warm your stored breast milk
Healthy, full-term babies can drink breast milk at room temperature or warmed to body temperature. To warm your milk, place the breast milk bottle or bag into a cup, jug or bowl of lukewarm water for a few minutes to bring it to body temperature (99° F). Alternatively, use a bottle warmer. Do not allow the temperature to go above 104° F, and do not use a microwave, as this can overheat your milk.
Gently swirl the bottle or bag, without shaking or stirring, to mix any separated fat.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to pump for at least 15 to 20 minutes per session or until the milk stops flowing. This may take longer during the early days of pumping.
There is a wide range of normal when it comes to the amount of milk pumped per session. Some women can fill a whole bottle in a single pumping session, while others may need to pump two or three times to fill the same bottle. It is important to remember that this is not a competition, and the amount of milk pumped can vary depending on various factors such as diet, stress level, and individual differences.
The frequency of pumping depends on your individual situation and whether you are exclusively pumping or combining it with breastfeeding. If you are combining pumping and breastfeeding, it is recommended to pump between feedings. Many mothers find that pumping every two to three hours is doable. If you are exclusively pumping, it is recommended to pump as frequently as your baby feeds to maintain your milk supply.
Here are some tips for successful pumping:
- Find a comfortable and quiet spot to pump.
- Relax and try to stay calm to help with letdown and milk production.
- Think about your baby, look at their picture, or have an item of theirs with you to stimulate oxytocin and the milk ejection reflex.
- Use the right size flanges to ensure a good seal and avoid irritation.
- Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to support milk production.