We feed about 2.5 ever 3-4 hours so I'm able to freeze about 10 -12 oz per day so I'll be able to continue feeding for a while after I stop pumping and go back to work. If pumping at work for you is easy, it might make sense to do more pumping sessions at work so that you can spend the time that you do have at home with your baby. If I pump strictly every 3 hours throughout the day, I get about 4 -5oz at a session. On average, thats 2-4oz combined every 2-4 hours. Some new mothers find that their bodies adjust quickly to the new schedule and their milk production remains steady. When your baby is a newborn, you may have family members or your partner home with you at times to help hold the baby when you need to pump, or you may be able to feed your baby a bottle while you pump with a hands-free pumping bra. Keep it up, your halfway there!!! Research tells us exclusively pumping will yield a range from about 19oz to 30oz per day. My LO is just over 10 weeks. The average amount of milk pumped per session is around 2 ounces and around 25 ounces per day. My LO eats about 4oz at each feeding. Here are some of the reasons you might choose to exclusively pump: Your baby is preterm, low-birthweight or hospitalized and pumping is the best way to get them breast milk immediately. Fully emptying your milk supply during each session will help to increase your milk supply in the future. If you find that your baby is not gaining weight, or if they seem fussy and want to eat more often than every four hours, talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant. Bonyata, K. (2018, January 02). They can help you figure out what may be going on and how to fix it. Also I am feeding my LO 3oz every 2 hours, how much are you all feeding and how often? Its also essential to get enough rest for a new mother. I've always tried to adhere to the pump every 3 hours schedule, but I haven't made that by a long shot. Keep in mind that the longer you wait between pumping sessions, the less milk you may produce. i started out pumping every 3 hours but that was killing my to not get any sleep at night so i dropped some night pumps early on but made sure I got at least on pump in the 1-5 am window that is supposed to help the most with supply. Since breast milk is produced based on nipple stimulation, the extra 5 minutes will ensure that you are fully emptying the breast during your pumping session. Because of this, the first six months are usually the most intensive for exclusively pumping. You can also watch a video of your baby to get the milk flowing. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. Now that youve considered all of the factors that can affect your breast milk production, its time to take a look at how much milk youre actually producing. Your body is doing an amazing job! This post may contain affiliate links. You can also read more about when you can stop pumping every 3 hours here. Babies from one to six months old will consume on average 25oz per day. I also decided that if I lost a few ounces and had to supplement with some formula, I would be ok with it. During each session, you should be pumping for about 15 minutes on each side, or 15 minutes total with double pumping. Their milk supply had likely regulated around that time. With a little experimentation, you should be able to find a balance that works for you and helps you maintain your milk supply. Suite 306 What To Know About Postpartum Mental Health, The Motherload: What No One Told You About Motherhood. When stretching out the time between pumping sessions, be cautious of symptoms of clogged ducts, such as pain or tenderness in your breasts, a hard lump in your breast, or a decrease in the amount of milk youre able to pump. Pumping your breast milk every 2 to 3 hours in the first few months will help your body produce enough milk for your baby. If youre struggling to maintain your milk supply, go back to pumping more frequently to boost it. You have a career that requires being away from your baby for extended periods of time during the day. For me, it seems that my milk supply has been established for awhile now. So, hang in there and try not to stress too much. by signing up, you agree to receive messages including offers and promotions from Willow. When you drop pumping sessions, what you're really doing is consolidating your pumping time - you're pumping for the same amount of time per day, but just less often. Visit our online store to learn more about choosing a breast pump that is right for you, or head to our Instagram to join the Willow community! At 11.5 wks I decided to drop to 4 pumps and see what happened. Women with office jobs may have an easier time with this, especially if they can work on a laptop with a hands-free pumping bra. You can test this by pumping at your regular intervals for a few days and then, if everything seems to be going well, gradually stretching out the time between pumping sessions by fifteen to thirty minutes. Some days that was every 3 hrs, some 4,and I even would go 5 or 6 on the days I took DS to the movies. For the first month or so I had to supplement with formula to even have enough for her. (Here are somesample pumping schedulesby age.). Some women have more time to pump than others throughout the day, which can allow for a more intensive exclusive pump schedule. So, you decided to exclusively pump maybe it was one of the 7 reasons listed above or maybe its something different altogether. Go slowly when stretching the time between pumping sessions to see if your milk supply decreases. A typical amount of breast milk produced in a 24-hour period is between 24 and 30 ounces. Balancing work and motherhood is never easy, but youre not alone. I decided it would be ok to pump every 4 hours when I was about 10 to 12 weeks postpartum. If you are producing much more than 30 ounces in 24 hours, then you have an oversupply. If you are an over supplier, you are more likely to maintain your milk supply when you space out your pumping sessions. Suite 306 The length that you choose to exclusively pump can vary, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants should exclusively drink breast milk for the first six months, while slowly being introduced to solids after. Its important to be consistent with your pumping schedule so that your body can adjust and you can maintain your milk supply. Be careful when stretching out the time between pumping sessions and watch out for signs of clogged ducts. If youre producing more than 30 ounces in a 24-hour period, you have an oversupply. I pumped for a year to provide milk for my preemie. Our IBCLCs are experienced with pumping schedules, weaning from the breast pump and more. If you are wondering if it is ok to go 4 hours between pumping sessions, you may want to wait until after the first 2 to 3 months to try it out. The type of pumping schedule you choose depends on your personal let-down periods, how much milk you store in advance, your daily schedule, and how much milk you are able to pump at each session. If youre finding it hard to keep up with the demand, there are a few things you can do to reduce your milk production. when you can stop pumping every 3 hours here, best pumping bra that is actually comfortable, Chocolate Fudge flavor of this yummy milk-boosting protein powder, best baby bottle labels that will not wash off or wear off, How to Maintain Your Milk Supply When Pumping Every 4 Hours, Survey Results When Pumping Every 4 Hours Instead of 3. If you find that youre not pumping enough milk in that time, try pumping for a longer period of time or add an extra pumping session into your day. If it does, youll know you need to return to pumping more frequently. If you cant pump that much during the day, try to pump as often as you can even if its just for a few minutes at a time. (With Sample Schedule), Pump in the car while going to work around 8am, 4pm just before leaving work or on the way home. That said, that was my experience. Creating a pumping schedule will signal to your body when it is time to have milk ready, and it will make pumping sessions more effective. Its best to wait until after the first 12 weeks to start eliminating pumping sessions. Based on the survey, most of the moms were successful in stretching their pumping sessions to every 4 hours by 8 weeks postpartum. Other moms, like teachers, have a harder time getting breaks from work to pump. At work, try to pump at least once on your way to work, during your lunch break, and again in the early evening. Your email address will not be published. I am not. You will still need to continue pumping while weaning your baby, but your sessions can be more infrequent. So if it is better for your sanity to stretch out your pumps, try it. No matter what you choose, you love your baby and are doing the very best you can. The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. As long as you are consistent with this schedule, your body will get the signal that it needs to produce more milk. It helps you avoid the hassle of stopping what you're doing, getting hooked up to the pump, and putting your breast milk away and washing your pump parts.). Welcome! Once solids are introduced you can begin to cut back on your pumping sessions if desired. Once you have completed both sides, give yourself a rest and then pump for 5 more minutes. In the United States, many new moms have to go back to work when their babies are 12 weeks old. I figured when you directly nurse you're not on a schedule if you feed on demand, so why pump on a schedule. Pumping on a low vacuum (3-5) and slower expression cycle (38 with the S1/S2) can gently drain the breast, allowing an easier transition. You can start to stretch out the pumping sessions after your milk supply has regulated after 3 months postpartum. Frequently draining the breast every 2-3 hours will ensure your body produces enough milk and avoids engorgement. (With Sample Schedule). Maintaining your milk supply will also depend on your milk storage capacity. Its hard enough to keep up with a baby and all their needs without having to worry about pumping every few hours. It's normally every 4 to 5 hours. A pumping session should last about 15-20 minutes but it can range from mother to mother. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Trying not to go more than 4 hours without pumping/nursing is a general breastfeeding rule while breastmilk is being established. not sure the right pump for you? Read on to decide if you are ready to drop a pumping session and how to do it the most effective way. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk. I had to get my supply up and established. You can start pumping every 4 hours when your milk supply is established, which typically happens around 12 weeks postpartum.