Pumping 101: Answers to Common Breast Milk Pumping Questions for New Moms

Whether you plan on nursing, pumping, or a combination of both, you already know that your breast milk is packed with all of the essential nutrients that your little one needs. But as a new mom, learning how to feed your baby can be overwhelming. 

It’s very common for new and even experienced moms to have questions about pumping breast milk and how it works. If you plan on pumping exclusively—or even just occasionally—you’ll need to learn all of the ins and outs of pumping frequency, breast milk storage, and maintaining your supply.

If you’re new to the world of pumping, we’re here to help! Whether you’re getting ready to head back to work or building a freezer stash, this post has you covered with all of that and more. 

This mom is wearing a camel Mama sweatshirt with hidden access for breastfeeding. You can open the zipper as much, or at little, as you need for your pump parts. 

How Often Should You Pump?

Pumping frequency will vary depending on your baby’s age as well as your goals and lifestyle. But for exclusive pumping, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind.

During the newborn stage, as you build your supply, it’s important to pump frequently—about every 2 to 3 hours during the day. According to La Leche League, this amount of time allows you to maintain your supply and keeps your breasts from becoming uncomfortably full.

Once your supply has been established, you’ll want to aim to pump every 3 to 4 hours throughout the day. This tells your body to continue making milk for your baby, which helps to maintain a solid milk supply as your baby grows.

Here’s a sample schedule for exclusive pumping:

• Morning: Pump at 6 AM and 9 AM

• Afternoon: Pump at 12 PM and 3 PM

• Evening: Pump at 6 PM and 9 PM

• Nighttime: Pump at 12 AM and 3 AM

As your baby grows, you’ll be able to cut back on pumping sessions (including nighttime sessions, thankfully!), but it’s important to be consistent in those early months.

Combo nursing and pumping is common, and will look a little bit different depending on your needs and goals. For example, many working moms choose to breastfeed at home and pump at work. Aim to pump every 2 to 4 hours at work, depending on your baby’s age.

Sample pumping schedule for working moms who pump at work:

• Morning: Nurse at 6 AM, pump at 9 AM

• Afternoon: Pump at 12 PM and 3 PM

• Evening: Nurse at 6 PM and 8 PM

• Nighttime: Nurse on demand, waking baby after 3–4 hours for a night feeding

You may also choose to pump on occasion to build up a freezer stash of breast milk or build your supply. Moms who do this often add one or two pumping sessions immediately after breastfeeding. This allows you to pump some extra milk without building your supply up more than you need.

A sample pumping schedule for a stay-at-home mom who pumps occasionally might look like this:

• Morning: Nurse at 7 AM, pump immediately after; nurse at 10 AM

• Afternoon: Nurse at 12 PM; nurse at 3 PM, pumping immediately after

• Evening: Nurse at 6 PM and 8 PM

• Nighttime: Nurse on demand, waking baby after 3–4 hours for a night feeding

How to Properly Store Breast Milk

Knowing how to store breast milk properly will help to ensure your expressed milk is safe for your baby to drink. Following best breast milk storage practices also affects breast milk quality.

Before you pump, wash your hands with soap and warm water. If no water is available, use hand sanitizer. Be sure that all of your pumping equipment, including tubes and storage containers, have been thoroughly cleaned, and your breast pump is placed on a clean surface.

After you’ve pumped, the CDC recommends the following breast milk storage guidelines:

• Room temperature (77°F or colder): up to 4 hours

• In the refrigerator: up to 4 days

• In the freezer: up to 6 months, though up to 12 months can be acceptable

To keep your milk fresh, don’t store it in the door of the fridge or the freezer, because it will be exposed to warmer temperatures each time you open and close the door. Instead place any expressed milk on a shelf, toward the back.

Here are some other storage guidelines and tips to remember:

• Use clean storage containers (or breast milk storage bags) made specifically for storing breast milk. Containers should be made from plastic or glass and have tight fitting lids. 

• Label your containers with the date and time it was pumped, so you know exactly how fresh it is.

• Store small amounts of milk (about 2–4 ounces) to avoid wasting any. You can always add more, but you’ll have to throw away unused milk already in the bottle.

• If you’re building up a stockpile, use breastmilk storage bags to save space.

When it’s time to thaw pumped milk, always remember to use up the oldest milk first. (First in, first out.) You can thaw expressed milk by placing it in the fridge overnight or placing it in a bowl of warm water.

Once the breast milk has completely thawed, use it within 24 hours, and if you’ve warmed it up or brought it to room temperature, use it within two hours. Remember to never refreeze thawed breast milk.

How to Maintain or Increase Milk Supply While Pumping

When it comes to milk supply and pumping, the golden rule to remember is that the more often you pump, the more milk you will make. Your breasts use a supply and demand system to produce the right amount of milk to meet your baby’s needs.

In general, a good guideline to follow is to pump how your baby would feed. This means pumping frequently and draining both breasts during pumping sessions. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital recommends continuing pumping for two minutes after your milk stops in order to build a good supply.

Try some of these other tips to increase your milk supply while pumping:

• Pump on a schedule. Pump every 2–3 hours, or 8 to 12 times a day, as you build your supply, and don’t skip pumping sessions.

• Try power pumping. For 4 or 5 days, set aside an hour a day to pump on and off every 10 minutes. This mimics cluster feeding and can increase your supply quickly.

• Use a medical grade double electric breast pump. If you’re exclusively pumping, this is a must. Pumping both breasts at the same time promotes increased milk production—and makes your life easier!

• Make time for skin-to-skin contact. Cuddling with your baby skin-to-skin can help your body produce oxytocin and help with milk let-down.

• Take care of yourself. Ensure you are getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and eating well, so your body has the energy needed to produce breast milk.

• Try foods that promote milk production. Many nursing moms swear by lactation cookies, teas, and other foods for increasing milk supply. 

• Relax and get comfortable. Relaxation helps with the let-down reflex, so it’s important to pump in a calm environment when possible. (We know this can sometimes be a challenge!) Wear a comfortable nursing top and bra to simplify your pumping routine.

(Psst! Looking for stylish and comfortable clothes to make pumping easier? Check out our pumping-friendly collection of nursing tops, dresses, and more designed for real moms like you.)

Other Common Pumping Questions

We know you are full of questions! Here are a few other commonly asked questions about pumping.

How long should each pumping session be?

Pumping generally takes about 15–20 minutes, though sometimes it can be longer or shorter. Your breast pump and whether you’re double pumping or single pumping makes a difference, too. Try to relax and give your body all of the time it needs.

When should I start pumping?

When you start pumping depends on your lifestyle and needs. If you’re building a stash, you might start about 3–4 weeks postpartum. If you’re getting ready to return to work, start pumping at least two weeks before you go back.

Can I combine milk from different sessions?

Yes! However, the CDC advises cooling (or thawing) both to the same temperature first. Use the older milk’s storage date as the date for the combined milk.

Is it OK to pump and breastfeed at the same time?

Breastfeeding and pumping at the same time is called tandem feeding, and can be an effective way to boost your supply!

When it comes to pumping, there’s always going to be a bit of a learning curve—just like with breastfeeding (and, let’s be honest, parenting in general). Be patient with yourself as you get the hang of it. You’re doing great!