For mothers who are exclusively pumping breastmilk to feed their babies, one of the most common questions is how often should I be pumping per day? The answer depends on a few key factors.
Aim for 8-12 pumping sessions per day
The general recommendation from lactation consultants is to aim for pumping 8-12 times per day when exclusively pumping. Pumping 8 times per day would be roughly every 3 hours during the day if you pump overnight as well. Pumping 12 times a day would be every 2 hours during the daytime.
Most experts say that 8 pump sessions is typically the minimum needed to establish and maintain an adequate milk supply when exclusively pumping. Pumping more than 12 times risks overtaxing the breasts.
Shooting for 8-10 sessions per day is a good target for most exclusively pumping moms. Pumping every 2-3 hours when awake can help mimic a baby’s natural feeding pattern.
Key factors that impact pumping frequency
There are a few key factors that can impact how often an exclusive pumper may need to pump:
- Newborn baby’s age – In the first 1-2 months, pumping 8+ times daily is recommended to build milk supply
- Premature baby’s needs – More frequent pumping is often required for preemies
- Mom’s milk storage capacity – Moms with low capacity may need to pump more often
- Going back to work – Daytime pumping may need to be condensed
- Overnight pumping – Many moms can go longer stretches at night without pumping
Let’s explore each of these factors in more detail:
Newborn Baby’s Age
In the first month or two after giving birth, most lactation experts recommend pumping at least 8 times per day or every 2-3 hours when awake. Pumping frequently helps signal the breasts to produce more milk to meet the demands of a newborn. After milk supply is well established, some moms can gradually drop to 7-8 pumping sessions daily.
Premature Baby’s Needs
If pumping breastmilk for a premature baby in the NICU, more frequent pumping is often recommended to help establish supply. Preemies have small stomachs so they need smaller, more frequent feedings. Most NICUs will have hospital grade pumps available and recommend pumping 8-12+ times a day for premature infants. Speak to your NICU’s lactation consultant for specific guidance.
Mom’s Milk Storage Capacity
Moms with lower milk storage capacity may need to pump more frequently to maximize their supply. Storage capacity refers to how much milk your breasts can hold at any given time. Moms with high capacity can go longer between pumps without impacting supply. Moms with low capacity need to pump more often to avoid missing out on milk removal.
Going Back to Work
Once going back to work, many exclusive pumpers need to condense their pumping sessions into daytime hours. This usually involves pumping every 2-3 hours at work to make up for missed sessions overnight and when getting ready in the morning. So while 8-10 sessions daily is ideal, the timing of the sessions may need to be shifted for working moms.
Overnight Pumping
Many exclusively pumping moms can go 4-6 hour stretches overnight without pumping. This helps allow longer sleep periods. Missing an overnight session or two generally won’t hurt supply once it is established. But spacing out nighttime pumping too much early on can jeopardize supply.
Most lactation consultants recommend no more than one 4-6 hour stretch at night without pumping in the first 1-2 months. But after supply is established, going up to 8 hours overnight is often possible.
Tips for deciding pumping frequency
Here are some tips for deciding how often to pump per day when exclusively pumping:
- Start with 8-12 sessions per day in the first 1-2 months
- Aim for at least 8 sessions daily to maintain supply
- Pump every 2-3 hours when awake in the early months
- Gradually taper frequency as supply allows after 2 months
- Watch for cues like breast fullness to identify ideal timing
- Be flexible and adjust frequency as needed
Pay attention to how your body responds as you establish exclusive pumping. Signs of insufficient pumping may include issues like:
- Breasts becoming overly full and uncomfortable between sessions
- Milk supply decreasing
- Needing to pump longer to get the same output
If these issues arise, it’s a sign to increase pumping frequency. On the other hand, if you seem to get the same output with less frequent pumping, you may be able to scale back sessions.
Finding the sweet spot of how often to pump takes some trial and error. The most important thing is to listen to your body’s cues. Increase or decrease frequency as needed to maintain comfort and supply.
Sample daily pumping schedule
Here is an example of what an exclusive pumping schedule could look like for a newborn:
| Time | Pumping Session |
|---|---|
| 7am | Pump after waking up |
| 10am | Morning pump session |
| 1pm | Afternoon session |
| 4pm | Mid-afternoon session |
| 7pm | Evening pump session |
| 10pm | Before bedtime pump |
| 1am | Overnight pumping session |
| 4am | Early morning pump |
This schedule has 8 pumping sessions spaced fairly evenly throughout the day. For a newborn under 2 months old, this would be an appropriate starting point.
As baby gets older and milk supply becomes established, some of
these sessions could potentially be dropped. For example, spacing out the overnight pumps to longer intervals or dropping the 4am session.
The timing of pumping sessions can also be adjusted as needed to work around mother’s schedules. The key is to aim for 8-12 sessions spaced fairly evenly each day in the early months.
Developing a schedule
Here are some tips for developing an exclusive pumping schedule:
- Aim for minimum 8 pumping sessions per day
- Space sessions evenly when possible
- Pump every 2-3 hours during daytime hours
- Add an overnight pumping session or two
- Use a tracking app or scheduler to plan timing
- Adjust schedule as baby grows or situation changes
An age-appropriate schedule is important for maintaining milk supply when exclusive pumping. But stay flexible, as you may need to tweak the schedule timing as baby’s needs change.
Maximizing milk supply when pumping
In addition to pumping frequently enough, there are other tips that can help maximize milk production when exclusively pumping:
- Double pump to save time and increase output
- Aim for 15-20 minute pumping sessions
- Use massage and heat to help milk flow
- Wake up once at night to pump
- Make sure pump flanges fit properly
- Ensure pump parts are clean and working well
- Stay hydrated and eat nutrient-rich foods
Proper flange fit and using pumping best practices can make a big difference in pumping output and comfort.
Considerations for going back to work
Exclusive pumpers returning to work will need to condense their pumping session into workday hours. Here are some tips that can help:
- Pump every 2-3 hours while at work
- Use a portable pump for flexibility
- Add sessions before/after work and on lunch break
- Pump at least once overnight
- Communicate with employer about pumping needs
Working moms may need to temporarily increase pumping frequency once returning to work to make up for missed daytime sessions. As milk supply regulates, the ideal frequency can be adjusted.
Signs it’s time to adjust frequency
Watch for these signs that it may be time to adjust your exclusive pumping frequency:
- Breasts become overly full and uncomfortable before pumping sessions
- Pump output begins decreasing over several days
- Pumping requires more effort to empty breasts
- More milk can be hand expressed after finishing pumping
If any of these issues arise, it’s usually a sign to start pumping more often. Try adding 1-2 more sessions per day for a few days to see if it eliminates the problem.
On the flip side, these signs indicate you may be able to pump less frequently:
- Pump sessions produce consistent output
- Breasts feel soft and comfortable between pumping
- Extra pumping sessions don’t yield more milk
Observe how your body responds and adjust pumping frequency accordingly. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant if you need help optimizing your exclusive pumping schedule.
Sample schedules by age
Here are some sample pumping schedules tailored to baby’s age:
Newborn (0-6 weeks)
- Pump every 2-3 hours, 8-12 sessions per day
- Include at least one overnight pumping session
- Watch for hunger cues to identify ideal timing
Young Infant (6 weeks to 3 months)
- Pump every 2-4 hours, 8-10 sessions per day
- Can consider dropping to one overnight session
- May be able to go up to 4 hours overnight without pumping
3 months +
- Pump every 3-4 hours, at least 8 sessions per day
- Can stretch to 6-8 hour overnight break
- Adjust frequency as supply allows
Remember that these are general guidelines – adjust schedule as needed to fit your situation. The key is frequent pumping in the early months then tapering frequency while maintaining supply.
Conclusion
Finding your optimal exclusive pumping frequency is crucial to building a healthy milk supply. Aim for a minimum of 8 pumping sessions per day in the early months, spacing every 2-3 hours when possible.
Be flexible and adjust frequency as baby’s needs change. More frequent pumping is key in the newborn stage while less pumping may be possible as baby grows.
Pay attention to cues from your body like breast fullness and pump output to identify if supply needs more or less frequent milk removal. With a thoughtful pumping schedule tailored to your situation, you can successfully maintain your milk supply while exclusively pumping.