How often you should pump breast milk and how much milk you should express can depend on factors such as the child’s age and how much they drink.

Speak with your doctor or lactation consultant before you start pumping. You can discuss your nursing goals to find the method that might work best for you and your family.

Read on for an overview of pumping breast milk, including when and how to pump, how long to pump for, and more.

You can begin pumping as soon as the baby is born, or whenever you feel comfortable. You may choose to pump exclusively from the beginning, or you may choose to only pump once or a few times each day.

There may also be certain reasons you need to pump from birth, such as:

  • your child’s medical condition
  • your own medical condition
  • latch issues
  • a desire to share feeding responsibilities with a non-nursing partner

Some considerations include the following:

  • If you’re pumping to provide milk for bottles or increase your supply, consider pumping after regular nursing sessions a few times a day. You may also need to pump more frequently if a baby is premature or sick.
  • On the other hand, if your little one is having issues latching or you desire to exclusively pump, you’ll need to pump in place of all nursing sessions. This means pumping throughout the day and night as often as your child feeds.
  • If you’re waiting to pump until you go back to work or school, be sure to start at least two weeks before you need the milk. This gives you time to create a stash, but — more importantly — allows you to become more familiar with the pumping and milk storage process. Your child will also have time to get used to bottles.

If you’re supplementing a child’s nursing sessions with occasional bottles, you may only need to pump a couple of times a day. It may be easiest to pump in the morning when you’re the fullest. If you’re supplementing, try pumping after nursing sessions.

If your child eats 8 to 12 times a day, you may need to pump at least 8 times to keep your supply up with your child’s demand.

There’s no set number or steadfast rule — it’s up to your child and their nutritional needs. You may find it more helpful to think of pumping every two to three hours around the clock in the newborn period.

Your milk supply may vary from morning to night, or you may make more milk one week and less the next. Your diet, stress level, and other factors may influence the amount of milk you produce.

Some people can fill a whole bottle in a single pumping session, while others may need to pump two or three times to fill the same bottle. Speak with your doctor or a lactation consultant if your supply continues to be low or if you notice it dipping more.

You can also try eating certain foods to help with your milk supply.

At work, try pumping every 3 to 4 hours for around 15 minutes a session. Your child takes in milk every few hours. Pumping that often will ensure that you’re able to keep up with their needs.

You can try pumping both breasts at the same time to reduce your overall time with the pump. If you’re concerned about privacy at work, it’s important to know that workplaces are required by law to provide the time and space for a person to express milk for 1 year after a child’s birth.

Talk with your boss before returning to work to make arrangements.

How much milk a child needs per feeding will change over time as they grow. It may even change by the day, especially if they’re hitting growth spurts. This can affect how much milk you need to pump.

Up until the age of around four months, babies tend to drink the equivalent of about an ounce (oz) per hour from a bottle. This means that, if you’re away from the child for 10 hours, you should aim to give your child care provider 10 to 12 oz of breast milk. Make sure a care giver knows how to store the milk correctly.

Some babies may need more while others may need less. Over time, you’ll find what works best.

If you’re only looking to occasionally replace nursing sessions with bottles, you can do a little math. If a child needs around 24 ounces in 24 hours, divide that number by the number of feeding sessions they typically have.

For example, if the child feeds eight times a day, they’ll need around 3 oz per feed. It’s always a good idea to provide an extra bottle, in case they’re hungrier on any given day.

How long you’ll pump for is individual and may take some figuring out. You’ll want to try pumping long enough to empty the breast. This is different for each person.

A general rule is around 20 minutes on each breast.

There are a few different ways to pump. Hand expression involves using your hand or fingers to milk your breast into a bottle or other storage or feeding device, such as a spoon.

Breast pumps — manual ones and those powered by either electricity or battery — use suction to remove milk from the breasts. This may sound painful, but it shouldn’t be.

Some points to consider when deciding on the right pumping method for you include the following:

  • Hand expression can be helpful if you have already fed your child but wish to provide additional milk via a spoon. It may also help to increase supply.
  • Manual pumps are handy if you’re not around electricity or don’t need a large supply of milk on hand. They’re simple to use and usually inexpensive to purchase.
  • Powered pumps are great if you need a large supply of milk or if you’re exclusively pumping for your child. They may even be covered under your health insurance. But it’s a good idea to have a backup method in case your battery runs out or you find yourself without power.

Here’s how to pump:

  1. Before you start, wash your hands thoroughly and examine all pump parts to make sure they’re in working order. Also make sure that the pump parts are clean before starting.
  2. Get into a comfortable sitting position. Gently massage the breast for a few minutes. Some people find that their milk flows better if they think of their child or look at a photo of the child.
  3. Apply your pump to your breast around your areola with your nipple in the center. The flange should be comfortable. You may consider getting another size if it isn’t.
  4. If using an electric pump, turn it on low at first. You can build speed as the session goes on.
  5. Pump each breast for around 20 minutes. You may choose to pump both at once to save time.
  6. Then store your milk and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean your pump for the next use.

For a more comprehensive guide, check out our detailed how-to for manual and electric breast pumps.

The following tips may help with optimizing milk supply:

  • Drink enough fluids to stay hydrated. It’s best to avoid caffeinated drinks, such as tea and coffee.
  • Consume a healthy, balanced diet. A medical professional can provide advice on dietary changes that may be beneficial during nursing.
  • Get enough quality sleep.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Massage the breasts before pumping.

While it isn’t always necessary to sterilize your pump, you should clean it after each use with warm, soapy water.

Be sure to read your pump’s manual for any specific cleaning instructions.

Some general tips for cleaning pump parts include the following:

  • Begin by taking your pump apart. Inspect the flanges, valves, membranes, connectors, and collection bottles for any damage and replace them if necessary.
  • Rinse all pump parts that make contact with your breast milk. Simply run them under water to remove the milk.
  • To clean by hand, place the pump parts in a basin rather than a sink, as sinks can harbor lots of bacteria. Fill the basin with hot water and soap, then scrub everything with a clean brush. Rinse with fresh water and let everything air dry atop a clean dish towel or paper towel.
  • Review the manufacturer’s directions regarding diswhasher use to ensure they parts are dishwasher safe. If they are dishwasher safe, place pump parts on the top rack of your machine in a mesh laundry bag or closed-top basket. Consider using your dishwasher’s hot or sanitize setting for the most germ-killing power. Then, when the cycle is done, remove your pump and let it air dry on top of a clean dish towel or paper towel.
  • You don’t need to clean the tubing of your pump unless it comes in contact with breast milk. You may see condensation (tiny water droplets) in the tubing from time to time. To get rid of it, turn your pump on for a few minutes until it’s dry.

If the baby is under 2 months of age, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system, it is best to boil pump parts to sanitize them. Place pump parts in a pot and cover with water. Bring water to a boil and let the parts boil for 5 minutes. Then remove pump parts with clean tongs and allow to air dry.

Your doctor or a certified lactation consultant can provide guidance on how to pump breast milk. They can also advise on how frequently to pump and how much milk you may need to pump based on the needs of the child.

For example, if exclusively pumping, it may be necessary to pump up to 8 times per day to feed a newborn. If you go back to work or school, you will need to pump enough milk to leave with the child care provider.

There are various pumping methods, including hand expression, manual pumps, and powered pumps. The right one for you can depend on factors such as personal preferences and how much milk you need to express.

Speak with your doctor or a lactation consultant for more information about how and when to pump, how much milk to express, optimizing milk supply, and caring for pumps.