If you believe that breast milk is the best food choice for your child, but you are not able to breastfeed, or you don't want to, what can you do? That's where exclusive pumping comes in. Exclusive pumping is a great way to provide your baby with your breast milk without putting the baby to the breast. Show
Exclusive pumping is also called EPing and breast milk feeding. It is the process of removing the breast milk from your breasts at regular times throughout the day. You can then give that milk to your baby either by a bottle, tube feeding, or an alternative feeding method. But exclusive pumping can be time-consuming and exhausting, especially if you continue to pump exclusively for a long period of time. Of course, the longer you can provide your baby with your breast milk, the better it will be for your child. Reasons for Exclusive PumpingYou may decide that you'll exclusively pump before you have your child, or you may breastfeed for a while, then move on to exclusive pumping. There are many reasons women choose to pump exclusively. They may:
How Often to PumpA newborn will take a bottle of breast milk approximately every 2 to 3 hours. So during the first few weeks, you should try to pump at least every 2 to 3 hours—about 8 to 12 times each day—to stimulate your body to produce a healthy milk supply. As your baby gets older, they will take more at each feeding, but go longer between feedings. As long as your milk supply is plentiful, you may be able to go longer between pumping sessions, as well. How Long to Pump at Each SessionAt each session, you should pump for at least 15 minutes on each side. It can take a few minutes for your milk to let down, so give yourself enough time. You also want to try to fully empty your breasts, since this is an important part of stimulating the production of more breast milk. After you drain your breasts and no more milk is flowing out into the collection container, continue to pump for one to five minutes longer. Since breast milk is made based on supply and demand, the extra stimulation will tell your body to make more. You don't have to pump for longer than 20 minutes. Pumping for 15 to 20 minutes more frequently throughout the day will generally produce more breast milk than pumping less often for more extended periods of time. How Much Breast Milk to PumpPump as much as you can at each pumping session. Then, put the breast milk into bottles or storage containers in the amount that your child takes at each feeding. Newborns drink less breast milk than older children at each feeding, but they eat more often than an older child will.
It's easier to overfeed your baby when you're bottle-feeding. So be sure you're giving your child what they need every day and in each bottle, but not more than that. How to Maintain and Increase Your Milk SupplyIt can be tough to maintain a healthy milk supply when you're exclusively pumping. It requires a good deal of dedication; you have to pump regularly and, if possible, during the night. Invest in Your Breast PumpMoms who pump exclusively spend a lot of time attached to a breast pump. So think about buying or renting a high-quality pump that is designed for long-term, daily use. A double pump will serve you well and save you time and energy since it can collect milk from both breasts at the same time. Whichever pump you choose, be sure it's comfortable and the pump shields fit you well to prevent pain and damage to your breast tissue. If you maximize your time and comfort, you're more likely to pump regularly to maintain a healthy milk supply. Pump FrequentlyFrequent pumping stimulates the production of breast milk. While your child is a newborn, try to pump every two to three hours. As your child grows, you can usually pump less often. However, if you're struggling with low milk supply, pumping more often can increase milk production. Try Some GalactagoguesA galactagogue is something that helps a breastfeeding mother make more breast milk. There are breastfeeding superfoods, herbs, and teas that you can add to your daily diet to support and promote lactation. Exclusive Pumping and Family PlanningWhen it comes to the prevention of pregnancy, exclusive pumping is not the same as exclusive breastfeeding. The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) of birth control may work during the first six months of exclusive breastfeeding, but it is not considered effective with pumping. Therefore, if you do not wish to become pregnant again right away, you and your partner should use another form of contraception. Be sure to let your doctor know that you are exclusively pumping, though. Since some forms of birth control contain estrogen, they can cause a decrease in your milk supply. A Word From VerywellExclusive pumping can be time-consuming and demanding. Fatigue and stress are known to decrease the supply of breast milk. So it's important to take care of yourself. Try to eat well, drink plenty of fluids, rest when you can, and relax while pumping. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your partner, family, and friends. Their support can make all the difference when it comes to how long you pump exclusively. Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Donna Murray, RN, BSN Thanks for your feedback! How often should you pump while breastfeeding?Ideally, you would pump as often as your baby would nurse. This may not be possible with your work/ school schedule. Most mothers find that pumping every 2-3 hours maintains their milk supply and does not cause them to become uncomfortably full.
Is pumping once a day enough while breastfeeding?Start by pumping once a day to begin storing milk. Most women find that they are able to pump more milk in the morning because the supply tends to be more abundant at that time of day. Pumping before a feeding will enable you to get more volume, but this volume may consist of more watery foremilk, which has less fat.
What is a good pumping and breastfeeding schedule?Pumping sessions should be kept similarly to average feeding times, i.e. 15-20 minutes and at least every 2-3 hours. A freezer-full of milk is NOT needed! The average amount needed for when away from baby is 1 oz for every hour away, i.e. 8 hour work day + 60 min commute total = 9 hours, 9-10 oz/day will do perfectly!
Can I pump twice a day while breastfeeding?Going back to work. If you are pumping to stockpile breast milk for a separation or ready for going back to work, you could start pumping once or twice a day, according to your needs, and begin to store a little each day. Mothers often have more milk early in the morning so this may be a good time to pump.
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