If you’re breastfeeding and planning to pump, one of the first questions you might ask is: how often should I pump while breastfeeding? The answer depends on your baby’s age, your goals, and how your body responds.
Pumping can feel daunting at first, but with the right routine, it becomes a practical way to maintain your supply, give you flexibility, and ensure your baby always has enough milk. In this guide, you’ll find clear advice on when to start, how often to pump, how much milk to expect, and simple tips to make expressing easier and more effective.
When Should You Start Pumping While Breastfeeding?
The best time to start pumping really depends on your situation. If your baby isn’t able to latch, needs care in the NICU, or feeds aren’t effective, you’ll want to begin as soon as possible after birth. In this case, aim to express 8–10 times in 24 hours, including at least once overnight, to protect and build your milk supply while your baby learns to feed.
If there’s no urgent reason to pump straight away, it’s usually easier to wait until breastfeeding feels well established. Many mums find that around 3–6 weeks is a good time to introduce pumping without disrupting those early supply patterns.
Preparing to go back to work and hoping to share feeding with your partner or another caregiver? Starting a few weeks in advance gives you time to build up a small freezer stash and lets your baby practise taking expressed milk. A simple way to do this is to add one short pumping session after or between feeds.
How Often Should You Pump While Breastfeeding?
When you’re asking, “How often should I be pumping while breastfeeding?” it really depends on your goals and your baby’s needs.
- If you’re exclusively pumping, or your baby isn’t feeding effectively:Aim for 8–12 sessions in 24 hours, making sure one is overnight. Frequent, regular stimulation is the best way to protect your supply.
- If you’re pumping to replace missed breastfeeds (such as during work hours):Try to pump at the times your baby would usually feed at home. This helps maintain your milk supply and stay in sync with your baby’s needs. For most new babies, that means roughly every 2–3 hours in the early months.
- If you’re mainly breastfeeding and just want to build a small freezer stash:Add one extra session a day, often half an hour after a morning feed or between feeds. Even small amounts expressed daily add up quickly.
Try to spend about 15–20 minutes with the pump per session, which is usually enough to collect a good amount of milk. Some mums may need 30 minutes or more, especially in the early days.
As your supply stabilises, many parents stretch pumping sessions to every 3–4 hours during the day. Just avoid leaving long gaps—no more than about 4 hours in the day and 6 hours at night—and keep an overnight session if you’re still establishing your supply.
When you’re figuring out “how often should I pump milk while breastfeeding?” make changes gradually and pay attention to your comfort and milk output.
How Much Milk Should You Pump?
There isn’t one exact amount you “should” be pumping. It varies by your baby’s age, the time of day, your own body, and why you’re pumping:
If you’re exclusively pumping, your goal is to remove as much milk as your baby would normally take in 24 hours. For most babies between 1–6 months, that’s about 750–800 ml a day, though the normal range can be anywhere from 450–1200 ml. Spread across 8–12 pumping sessions, that usually works out to 60–120 ml (2–4 oz) per feed, but remember every baby is different.
If you’re pumping occasionally to replace a missed feed, aim to express roughly what your baby would take at that feed — again, often 60–120 ml (2–4 oz). Some babies may take more, some less, so watch your baby’s cues rather than chasing a specific number.
If you’re building a freezer stash, you don’t need large volumes each time. Even an extra 15–60 ml (½–2 oz) once a day quickly adds up over a week.
In the very early days, it’s normal to only get a few drops of colostrum. As your supply establishes, amounts usually increase, so try not to judge your overall supply by what you see in a single session. What matters most is the overall daily total if you’re exclusively pumping, and whether your baby is thriving.
From day 5 onward, look for at least six heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours and steady weight gain. Those are stronger signs your baby is getting enough than the number of millilitres you see in the bottle.
Signs That You Should Pump More Often
When you ask, “How often should I pump while breastfeeding?” sometimes your body or your baby will tell you it’s time to pump more. Look out for:
- Baby isn’t getting enough.If your little one has fewer than six heavy, wet nappies a day after day 5, or weight gain is slow, it’s important to act quickly. Pumping more often and getting support can help.
- Baby isn’t feeding effectively, or you’re apart.If your baby is in the NICU, struggles with latching, or you’re missing feeds because of work or other reasons, pumping more frequently helps protect your supply.
- Your breasts feel very full, or your output has dropped.Engorgement, clogged ducts, or seeing less milk than usual are all signs that upping your pumping frequency can make a difference.
If you’re noticing any of these, it’s worth increasing your pumping sessions and also reaching out to a midwife, health visitor, or IBCLC for tailored advice.
Tips for Effective Pumping and Maximising Milk Output
Getting the most out of your pumping sessions isn’t just about how often you pump. It’s also about how you do it. Here are practical ways to make sessions more comfortable and productive:
Choose the right pump
Before anything else, selecting a breast pump that feels comfortable and works effectively is key. For occasional use, a simple manual or single electric pump might be all you need. But if you’re exclusively pumping or will be apart from your baby frequently (e.g., when returning to work), a potent double electric or hospital-grade pump is most efficient.
Wearable pumps, in particular, let you pump hands-free and discreetly, making it easier to multitask and maintain flexibility in your daily routine. Comfort matters most. Look for adjustable suction levels, so you can customize to match your natural rhythm, and make sure the flanges fit well. Both will help encourage better milk flow.
If you want a wearable pump that prioritises comfort and smooth milk flow, the eufy Wearable Breast Pump S1 is built for exactly that. It warms gently while you pump using HeatFlow™ (seven heat levels, 35–41°C), which can help trigger let-down and reduce clogs.
You can tailor suction and speed in the eufy Baby app with OptiRhythm™, so sessions feel comfortable and efficient rather than “one-size-fits-all”. The soft, ergonomic 105° design with 17–24 mm flange options supports a better fit, while up to 300 mmHg suction gives you hospital-grade performance when you need it.
It’s also BPA-free, designed to be leak-resistant with a double-seal, and runs at about 46 dB, which keeps things discreet when you’re working, commuting, or pumping at night.
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If your days are busier or less predictable, the eufy Wearable Breast Pump S1 Pro adds a standout extra: a portable charging case that offers power for up to five days. That means you can head into long shifts, travel, or weekend plans without hunting for sockets.
Like the S1, it pairs HeatFlow™ warming (seven heat settings), app control with OptiRhythm™, the ergonomic 105° design and 17–24 mm flanges, BPA-free materials, up to 300 mmHg suction, and an ultra-quiet ~46 dB motor, so you keep the same comfort and control, but with extra freedom to pump anywhere.
Relax and encourage let-down
Stress can slow milk flow, so set yourself up to relax during sessions. Warm compresses and gentle massage before and during pumping help stimulate flow. Looking at your baby, or a photo or recording, can also trigger let-down hormones and increase output.
Try double pumping
Using a double electric pump allows you to express from both breasts at once, cutting your pumping time in half and often giving you more milk overall. Double pumping has also been shown to increase the fat content of milk, which can be especially helpful for babies who need extra calories.
Adjust suction and settings gently
High suction doesn’t always mean more milk. In fact, it can cause discomfort and make you less likely to pump regularly. Start on a lower setting and increase gradually if it feels comfortable.
Use power pumping when needed
If you notice a dip in supply, try a few days of “power pumping”, a routine that mimics a baby’s cluster feeding. A common pattern is:
- Pump for 20 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes
- Pump for 10 minutes
- Rest for 10 minutes
- Finish with a final 10-minute pumping session
Doing this once a day for several days can help stimulate supply.
Time your sessions wisely
Milk supply naturally varies during the day, and many parents find they get the most milk in the morning. If you’re still establishing supply, keeping at least one overnight session helps take advantage of higher night-time hormone levels.
Conclusion
Figuring out how often should I pump while breastfeeding comes down to your goals, your baby’s needs, and how your body responds. Whether you’re exclusively pumping, replacing the odd feed, or building a small stash, the key is to pump often enough to stay comfortable and protect your supply. With the right pump, good technique, and a routine that fits your life, expressing milk can feel less overwhelming and more manageable. And remember, if you’re unsure, your midwife, health visitor, or a lactation consultant can guide you.
FAQs
How many times should I pump if I’m breastfeeding?
It depends on your goal. If you’re exclusively pumping or your baby isn’t feeding well, aim for 8–12 sessions in 24 hours, including at least one at night, to build and maintain supply. If you’re only replacing missed feeds, pump whenever your baby would normally feed. If you’re mainly breastfeeding and just want to build a small freezer stash, one extra session a day after or between feeds is usually enough.
Will my milk dry up if I only pump once a day?
For most people, pumping only once a day isn’t enough to keep supply going on its own. Milk production works on a supply-and-demand basis: the more often milk is removed, the more your body makes. If you’re also directly breastfeeding, one pumping session on top of regular feeds can be useful for comfort or to build a stash. But if you rely only on once-daily pumping without nursing, supply is likely to fall over time.
Do I still need to pump if I am breastfeeding?
Not always. If your baby is feeding well, growing steadily, and you’re happy with direct breastfeeding, you don’t need to pump. Pumping is most useful if you’re building a freezer stash, returning to work, or sharing feeds with a partner or carer. It’s also important if your baby can’t latch effectively or if you’re separated from your baby for any reason. Otherwise, breastfeeding alone is usually enough to maintain supply without extra pumping.
