Too much pumping can cause problems for nursing moms. Supply is a function of demand – the more milk that you remove, the more milk you may make. Therefore, a lot of extra pumping in addition to nursing could lead a nursing mom to have an oversupply.
Some babies struggle with the fast flow that usually accompanies an overabundant milk supply. And mums with oversupply can often feel very uncomfortable, with frequently or constantly leaking breasts, and may be more likely to suffer from recurrent mastitis.
Can pumping decrease milk supply? Pumping itself does not decrease your breast milk supply. In fact, it can help boost it. But if you are having trouble with low milk supply, the first step is to check that you are using the right breast pump.
If the breasts do not get emptied completely or often enough, the body begins to produce less milk. Some mothers say the milk never stops flowing while they pump. Typically, you should not pump longer than 30 minutes, even if the milk is still flowing.
Many women find that pumping for about two minutes after the last drop of milk is an effective way to stimulate more milk, however, avoid pumping for longer than 20 - 30 minutes at a time. If you need more milk, pump more frequently, rather than longer.
The key is understanding when pumping makes sense and how often and how much milk to pump. Too much pumping can lead to painful oversupply. Too little pumping sometimes leads to low milk production, especially when baby nurses ineffectively or the nursing couple is regularly separated at feeding times.
A normal newborn baby nurses on average 8 to 12 times in a 24 hour period. Most experts suggest it is best if mom can come close to matching what the normal nursing baby would do at the breast, and recommend she pump about every two hours, not going longer than three hours between sessions.
The average pump session lasts 25-40 minutes.
This time-span norm is in part due to the notion that more prolonged pumping will damage breast tissue, the fact that some pumps have built-in timers that stop the pump at 30 minutes, and because babies tend to eat for about 30 minutes between both breasts.
I still recommend the 240-minute rule by nursing/pumping for 30 minutes up to 8 times a day for the first 12 weeks then reassess. If you are nursing and pumping, you would just subtract your nursing time that 30 minute session.
Aim to spend 15 to 20 minutes hooked up to the pump to net a good amount of breast milk (some women will need 30 minutes or more with the pump, especially in the early days). Pump until the milk starts slowing down and your breasts feel well-drained. Be sure to clean the breast flanges after every use.
An oversupply of breast milk generally refers to a mother who is able to nurse her infant, or multiples, and is still able to produce a significant amount of breast milk (more than 4-5 oz) in a pump session after a feeding.
Signs of Oversupply - Mom
Leaking a lot of milk. Breast pain from feeling overly full. Nipple pain, usually from the infant biting, chewing or clenching down to slow a very fast let down. Recurring plugged ducts or mastitis.
If you're pumping for a freezer stash or to store milk for a future separation from your baby, try pumping shortly after you finish nursing – maybe 15 to 30 minutes. That way, your body will have an hour and a half or so to replenish breast milk for your next nursing session. More on combining pumping and nursing here.
You're not getting let down. If your breasts feel like they're full but you're not able to get the milk flowing out when you pump, it could be that you're not achieving let down.
This does not happen as the result of one delayed feeding, but rather is part of a process. Chronic engorgement, over pumping or trying to “empty the breasts,” all increase the risk of mastitis. Areas of the breast where ducts are compressed may create opportunities for bacteria to take hold, becoming an infection.
Breast milk production is all about supply and demand, and using a pump regularly before 4-6 weeks can cause your body to go into oversupply mode.
pump every 3-4 hours during the day. aim for 4-5 pumps per day. every day, regardless of last pump. *At 8 weeks, if your baby is sleeping through the night, there is no need to wake to pump.
During the early stages of exclusively pumping, avoid going more than 5-6 hours between sessions. While it can get exhausting, pumping 1-2 times per night will ensure that you have a sufficient milk supply for your baby. If you're a working mom, aim to pump every 3-4 hours per 8 hour work period.
Trying not to go more than 4 hours without pumping/nursing is a general breastfeeding rule while breastmilk is being established.
However, if you are following the schedule and no milk is coming, keep going. This is an essential step in signaling to your body to create more milk. While some breastfeeding parents see a difference in just a day or two, you may find it takes several days or a week to see a significant increase in breast milk supply.
Pumping sessions should be ended once you feel empty and milk stops flowing. This is usually after 2-3 letdowns and around the 20-minute mark.
Ultimately, if your baby has reached its birth weight and you're pumping enough milk during the day, it's okay to sleep eight hours without pumping at night. Keep in mind there is an adjustment period for your body as it begins to acclimate to the decrease in overnight milk removal.
The amount you can pump is not necessarily an indicator of the amount your body is making. Pumping is a learned skill that takes time to develop for many moms. Take cues from your baby…. if they're growing well and making adequate wet and dirty diapers, chances are you're making the perfect amount of milk for them.
When you first start pumping, you might see milk start to dribble out. Then, after a few minutes, milk may start to spray - this is your milk letting down. After some time, the letdown will finish and you'll be back to a dribble.