What Is An Ideal Pumping Schedule?

An ideal pumping schedule is the one that works best for you and helps you meet your breastfeeding goals. Maybe you’re an exclusive pumper mama, expressing all your milk via this method. Maybe you’re pumping so you can establish a supply of breast milk for your child while you’re away or at work. Maybe you’re pumping to ease the burden and fatigue of nighttime feeds or to share the bonding experience with your partner. Depending on your goals, your schedule will vary.

But here are a few guidelines.

Be consistent. If you’re searching for help on establishing a pumping schedule, most likely you’re relying heavily on breast pumping for meeting your baby’s needs. When you’re exclusively pumping - or pumping a great deal – consistency is definitely the key. If you pump like a champ one day and skimp the next, this drastic variation could lead to problems with clogged ducts or disrupt your milk supply. Pumping around the same times each day not only helps your body establish a biorhythm, but also gives you a structure.

Judge by your yield. Every woman is different and so is her breast milk yield. It may take you 30 minutes to express 3 oz. or 10 minutes to express 4 oz. It depends, not only on your breasts but also upon the time of the day and the number of post-partum weeks and also (as noted above) your consistency.

Keep a log. Get a magnetized tablet to keep on the fridge, pull the legal pad from your workbag, or – ahem, it is 2015 – get an app for this! Write down (or click) the time you pump and the yield you produce for each pumping session and a pattern will begin to emerge.  It sounds simple, but when you’re sleep deprived and anxious about meeting your darling baby’s needs, a recorded log will bring your clarity. 

Understand what the experts say. “The research tells us that…babies take in an average of 25 oz (750 mL) per day between the ages of 1 month and 6 months. Different babies take in different amounts of milk; a typical range of milk intakes is 19-30 oz per day (570-900 mL per day).” Based on this information the sources at www.kellymom.com provide a calculator to help quantify your baby’s intake needs. This can help you determine how many times a day you need to pump to produce the yield specific to your baby. http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

Consult your trusted resources. Friends who have pumped before you. Family who has shared the experience of breast pumping. Your physician and/or OBGYN. These are all great sources to consult for information, anecdotes, and support. Although the ideal pumping schedule is that which works best for you and your baby, you’re not alone in the process of determining this working ideal. Help is always near. Just ask.

Sources

http://www.pumpstation.com/breastfeeding/help-library/breast-pumping-guidelines

http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com

http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc/

*This blog is informed by our resident moms-in-the-know and not by medical professionals. This blog is intended to share the wisdom of experienced moms but never to replace the advice and insight of your doctors. Always consult proper and licensed medical professionals when making any decisions about your health and the health of your children.