How Often Should You Pump?

We've got all your pumping questions answered, including how often to pump, and what to do if you can't find time.

Medically reviewed by Rebecca Agi, MS, IBCLC

Parents who pump their milk often have questions—usually quite a lot of questions. One of the most common ones is: How often should I pump? Breastfeeding and chestfeeding parents might want to know if they need to pump on the same schedule that their babies nurse, and they may want to know how often to pump if their baby doesn’t nurse directly at all.

But the questions don’t stop there. Parents may also wonder when to start pumping, and whether this varies based on their circumstances and the type of separation they’ll be experiencing with their little one. You can rest assured that having a long list of questions about pumping frequency and other related topics is totally normal. Thankfully, all of these questions have answers—and we connected with some lactation specialists to get you the most up-to-date evidence-based info possible.

Related: 7 Bottle Feeding Tips for Breastfeeding Parents

When to Start Pumping Your Breast Milk

For parents who choose to breastfeed or chestfeed, pumping will likely be part of the picture as well—either here or there, or on a regular basis. Of course, some parents will decide to exclusively pump and bottle-feed their baby. No matter what you choose, some reasons you may be considering pumping your milk could include:

• Having a medically vulnerable or premature baby who isn’t able to latch

• Having a baby who is having trouble latching or refusing the breast

• Deciding that exclusive pumping is right for you

• Brief, infrequent separations from your baby, such as “date night” or other one-time events

• Ongoing, frequent separations from a baby, such as for work or school

In a nutshell, when to pump your milk will depend on your reason for pumping, says Nicole Peluso, IBCLC, lactation consultant and manager of lactation services and education at Aeroflow Breastpumps.

For example, if you are pumping for a baby who is separated from you right after birth (usually because they need to go to the NICU), you should start pumping as soon as possible, usually an hour or so within their birth, Peluso advises. The same goes for a baby who is having trouble latching—in this case, you should pump as soon as possible to build up a good supply, and make sure you connect with a lactation professional right away to get assistance, Peluso suggests.

If you’ve been exclusively breastfeeding and are returning to work or school eventually, you can wait about 2-3 weeks before this happens to start pumping. “Try pumping in the early morning about an hour after you have fed your baby at the breast,” Peluso advises. “For most parents, that early morning session is often the most milk you will pump in a 24-hour period.”

And what about someone who only needs to pump occasionally? No need to overthink this one, says Peluso. “Pump any time you are away from your baby and you miss a feeding, or anytime your baby is getting a bottle,” she advises.

Related: Is It Safe to Get a Tattoo While Breastfeeding?

Breast Milk Pumping Frequency

In addition to the question of when to start pumping, many parents wonder how frequently they’ll need to pump for their little ones. This also depends somewhat on the circumstances of why you are pumping, says Jenelle Ferry, M.D., neonatologist and director of feeding, nutrition, and infant development at Pediatrix Medical Group in Tampa, Florida.

“If you are pumping exclusively, you should essentially be pumping as frequently as your infant eats,” Dr. Ferry says. “This means every two to three hours in the newborn period, and after the first month every three to four hours.” You’ll also need to pump as long as your baby requires nighttime feeds, which will usually be through the first four to six months, she adds.

If you’re pumping to provide milk while you’re away from your baby (such as work or school), you’ll need to pump on a schedule similar to your baby’s feeding schedule, especially in the first six to 12 weeks, says Peluso.

“After your milk supply regulates, you can try to space your pumps out further, potentially dropping a pump session,” she recommends. “The only way to know if you are able to maintain a healthy supply with fewer sessions is to try to and monitor your output.” If your supply drops as you space out your pumps, that is a sign you need to pump more often, she advises.

How Much Breast Milk Should I Pump at Once?

According to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), once you’ve established your full milk supply, which is usually three to four weeks after birth, you can expect to produce about 25-35 ounces per day. This amount remains stable for the first six months of your baby’s life, if you are exclusively breastfeeding or pumping.

If you divide this total number down by the number of times your baby breastfeeds in a day, this will tell you how much milk you should expect per session. Of course, some breastfeeding sessions are longer than others, and some pumping sessions produce more milk, but this can help you calculate an average.

Dr. Ferry says that most breastfeeding parents pump an average of 3-4 ounces per session when their milk is fully in. The CDC is on the same page here, and advises parents not to store more than 2-4 ounces of pumped milk at once, because this is what you can expect your baby to drink, and you don’t want to waste pumped milk (trust us: no one wants that!).

Related: The Best Wearable Breast Pumps We Tested While Multitasking

What If I Miss a Pumping Session?

Sometimes life gets in the way—especially life with a baby!—and you miss a pumping session. It’s common for parents to feel stressed if this occurs, but there’s no reason to panic, especially if this only happens every now and then.

“If you miss a pumping session, you may be fine, or you may start to feel engorgement,” Peluso says. Engorgement can be uncomfortable, but shouldn’t be an issue if it’s a one-time thing. “Usually, one missed pumping session won’t have a major impact on your supply, but if it happens regularly, you will likely start to see a decrease in your milk volume,” Peluso explains.

Related: The Best Portable Breast Pumps

Breast Milk Pumping Tips

Even once breast pumping is established and you're in a good routine in terms of frequency and output, you will likely still run into questions and concerns. Breast pumping is truly a journey, and one that can be bumpy at times.

Peluso shared her top tips for having a positive pumping experience:

• Get to know your pump and consider getting your flange size fitted by an IBCLC (flanges are those cone-shaped devices that go on your breast during pumping).

• Look at pictures or videos of your little one while pumping to increase the hormone oxytocin, which can encourage milk let down.

• Try massaging your breasts while pumping to increase output.

• Use warm compresses before pumping to dilate milk ducts and get milk flowing.

• If you see a drop in milk supply during pumping, make sure your pump parts are in good working order; call the pump company if you have concerns.

• Consider investing in a hands-free pumping bra for convenience.

• Learn about the laws that are place to protect working parents who pump.
  

Related: New Laws Now in Effect Support Pregnant and Nursing Employees

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