The frequency of pumping breast milk depends on whether you are exclusively pumping, supplementing breastfeeding, or returning to work, as well as your baby's age and feeding pattern.
General Guidelines for Pumping Frequency
- Exclusively Pumping or Newborns: Aim to pump every 2-3 hours, about 8-12 times in 24 hours. This mimics a newborn's frequent feeding schedule and helps establish and maintain milk supply
- Supplementing Breastfeeding: You can pump after nursing sessions or replace one nursing session with pumping. Typically, this might mean adding one or two pumping sessions per day to build a milk stash or maintain supply
- Older Infants: As babies grow and feed less frequently but consume more milk per feeding, you can reduce pumping to every 3-4 hours
- Returning to Work: Pump as often as your baby would feed during the workday, usually every 3-4 hours (about 3 times in an 8-hour shift)
- Night Pumping: Pumping once during the night can help maintain supply, especially since prolactin levels are higher at night
Pumping Duration and Tips
- Pump each session for about 15-20 minutes per breast, or until milk flow slows and breasts feel emptied
- Pumping 2 minutes after milk stops flowing can help increase supply
- Focus on the total number of pumping sessions per day rather than strict timing between sessions
- Avoid over-pumping to prevent oversupply, engorgement, or mastitis
Summary
Situation| Pumping Frequency| Notes
---|---|---
Exclusively pumping/newborn| Every 2-3 hours (8-12 times/day)| Mimic newborn
feeding schedule
Supplementing breastfeeding| After nursing or 1-2 times/day| Build stash or
maintain supply
Older infants| Every 3-4 hours| Baby feeds less frequently but more milk
Returning to work| Every 3-4 hours during work hours| Match baby's feeding
schedule
Night pumping| Once per night| Helps maintain supply
These guidelines help maintain or build a healthy milk supply tailored to your baby's needs and your circumstances
