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Breastfeeding plays an important role in a baby’s early development, therefore some mothers may need a breast pump to pump their breast milk. Going back to work, medical reasons (such as the baby failing to latch properly), building a milk stash, or supplementing breastfeeding are common reasons for working mothers to start pumping.
Understanding how often you can pump your breast milk is crucial for ensuring comfort and meeting your baby’s nutritional needs.
Best time for working mothers to start pumping breast milk
Your circumstances and goals determine the timing to begin pumping breast milk. It is generally advised to wait until breastfeeding is well established, which is usually around three to four weeks after birth, although individual circumstances may vary. This way, your baby can develop a proper latch and feeding routine.
Avoid over-pumping
It is possible to pump too often when constant pumping is needed during the early weeks. Over-pumping can cause oversupply, which can lead to you feeling uncomfortable, having breast engorgement, infection (mastitis), and disruption of your baby’s eating pattern. It is important to balance sustaining a sufficient milk supply and steer clear of overstimulation.
Number of times you can pump breast milk in a day
You can target approximately 8-12 pumping sessions per day and night during the early weeks to imitate a newborn’s feeding frequency. This will be about every two hours, which is necessary to help build a good milk supply, especially if your baby does not latch successfully yet.
Your milk supply may stabilise as your baby grows over time, and you can slowly decrease the frequency of your pumping sessions to every 3-4 hours. Observe your baby’s cues and your comfort level to decide on the ideal pumping schedule for you.
Pumping duration per session
A normal pumping session typically persists for 15 to 20 minutes each breast. Nonetheless, factors like milk flow and comfort level can differ from person to person. Remember to drain the milk from your breasts as thoroughly as possible during each breastfeeding session to sustain or boost your milk supply. After breastfeeding, you may pump for another 10-15 minutes to aid the body in producing more milk.
Amount of milk you can pump every two hours
The amount of milk you can pump every two hours can differ greatly from person to person. At first, you may pump just a tiny amount, but this should slowly increase as your milk supply develops. On average, it is considered normal to pump around one to two ounces (30-60ml) per breast per session in the first few weeks.
Duration between pumping and breastfeeding sessions
Your circumstances and goals determine your pumping frequency while breastfeeding. It is typically advised to wait an hour between breastfeeding and pumping to give your breasts time to refill and avoid disrupting your baby’s feeding.
However, this can vary based on individual circumstances:
- You can add one or two pumping sessions a day if you are exclusively breastfeeding and want to build a milk stash or sometimes supplement.
- If you are going back to work, plan to pump as frequently as your baby would normally feed, which is usually every two to three hours. You can consider adding more pumping sessions between feedings to boost your milk supply.
Listening to your body and seeking guidance from a lactation consultant or doctor for a personalised pumping schedule is important.
Ideal pumping schedule for working mothers
The ideal pumping schedule differs for each mother and may vary as time passes. This depends on your baby’s demands, your milk supply, and other aspects. Consult a lactation consultant or doctor to help you come up with a pumping schedule that is suitable for you.
Tips for successful pumping
- Consume adequate amounts of water to boost milk production.
- Ensure a well-rounded diet that provides the nutrients your body needs.
- Look for a comfortable and silent place to pump your breast milk.
- Make sure your breast pump is in good, functioning condition.
- Clean your hands and pump parts before every pumping session.
- Consult a lactation consultant or doctor to guide you in this.
Schedule an appointment at Gleneagles Hospitals
If you seek professional advice and assistance in breastfeeding and pumping, do schedule an appointment with the team of Consultant Paediatricians and Lactation Consultants at the nearest Gleneagles Hospital to you today.
