Pumping-When and How to Begin

Many people ask when to start pumping. The answer varies with each person and their situation, but here are some general guidelines:
Do not expect much milk the first few days of pumping. Your body needs to learn to give its precious milk to the plastic pump. See Pumping Pointers Handout for those ideas.

• Milk should be labeled with time and date. Store the milk depending on the need. See milk storage guidelines handout. Different quantities are smart, for different situations and times of day. Plan on leaving 1oz.-1.25oz for every hour you are away from the baby.
• Once at work, plan on pumping for each feeding you are missing 2-4 sessions typically will be enough. What you pump at work on Monday goes to the baby on Tuesday. Tuesday’s milk is for Wednesday, etc. On Friday, save most of the milk in the refrigerator for Monday, but put one bottle into the freezer and take the same quantity of the oldest frozen milk to give the baby Monday.  Other frozen milk can be added in as needed throughout the week.
• If the baby is unable to be with you and actively breastfeeding at least 8, and ideally, 12 or more times each day, you should begin to pump immediately. Pump/ hand express 10-12 times per 24 hours for about 15 minutes. Colostrum is generally better gathered by hand expression.
• If you are returning to work 6-8 weeks after baby is born, begin pumping at the end of the first week. Once or twice a day is enough to get you used to the pump. That milk can be saved in the freezer for the first weeks of work.
• If you are going back to work later, 3 or more months after the baby is born, begin pumping one month before returning to work. Pump around the same time each time, ideally in the middle of what is typically a good nap. Most often this is in the morning when we have the most milk. After 3 or 4 days you will start to pump 2-4 oz total.
• If you want to pump for occasional use or an emergency stash of milk, wait until about 6 weeks when you are feeling that breastfeeding is going well and your baby is establishing a bit of a pattern to the day. Pick a time of day, usually the morning, during a nap, then pump 10-15 minutes and get used to the pump. Give yourself a few days lead time if you have a specific date you need the milk. Don’t try to pump it all at the last minute.
• Once you know how your body responds to pumping and hand expression you will have a better idea what you want and need to do to have enough milk for your baby. Many moms find they don’t like to pump and do so less than expected before baby was born. You will decide what is best for you and your baby.