Breast Milk Pumping: Techniques, Tips, and Benefits

Breast pumping is an essential resource for many breastfeeding parents—whether you're going back to work, managing your milk supply, or seeking more flexibility in feeding. There are several important points every parent should know to make pumping more effective and less stressful. Understanding how to choose the right pump, create a pumping schedule, store breast milk safely, and maintain your equipment can significantly enhance your breastfeeding experience.

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll learn:

• Types of breast pumps (manual, electric, double, wearable)

• How to create a pumping schedule that matches your baby’s needs

• Tips for maximizing milk output and maintaining supply

• Proper breast milk storage guidelines (temperature, duration, labeling)

• Cleaning and sanitizing pump parts to ensure safety.

Whether you're preparing for your first session or troubleshooting, this guide to breast pumping will help you make informed, confident choices. Let’s dive into the essentials every pumping parent should know.

Choosing the Right Breast Milk Pump for You

To begin pumping milk from the breast, you’ll need a breast pump that suits your lifestyle. Understanding the different types of pumps is key to choosing the right one, especially if you’re balancing pumping with breastfeeding or work.

When selecting the right breast pump, consider the following factors:

• How often you will be pumping

• The locations where you will be pumping

• Your expected pumping duration

• Your budget

• If you need to increase your milk supply.

Speaking to a lactation consultant can help you find the best pump for your needs. Take a look at our chart below for a general overview of the types of breast pumps to help you decide.

Types of Breast Pumps

How to Use Breast Pumps

Here’s a simple guide on how to use a manual or electric breast pump properly:

It’s important to read the instruction manual for your specific breast pump to ensure you know how to use it properly.

Can You Pump Colostrum?

You can pump colostrum, though it may be easier to hand express due to its thick texture. This “first milk” is packed with nutrients and immunity boosters.

• Hand express into a clean spoon or container

• Feed your baby immediately or store in small amounts for later.

Even a few drops of colostrum are incredibly beneficial for your newborn.

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When to Start Pumping Breast Milk

If you're wondering, “When can I start pumping?” it depends on your goals. Some start soon after giving birth, while others wait about 3 to 4 weeks after birth to establish breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding, waiting a few weeks may help you and your baby settle into a breastfeeding routine and allow your milk supply to become well established. 

You may decide to pump because you’re returning to work or school, or perhaps you’ll be apart from your baby for a period of time. If that’s the case, start pumping a few weeks beforehand to get the hang of it and get your baby used to bottle feeding.

Wondering how to start pumping while breastfeeding? Try:

• Pumping between or after feedings

• Using a pump to build a freezer stash before returning to work

• Gradually introducing a bottle to your baby.

Pumping at Work After Having a Baby

Returning to work and still want to give your baby breast milk? Pumping at work is doable with planning and support:

• Talk to your employer. Ask for a clean, private space with a chair and an outlet if using an electric pump.

• Time your sessions. Pump every 3–4 hours; allow 15–30 minutes each.

• Store milk safely. Use labeled containers and coolers if no fridge is available

• Keep nursing when at home. If you want to continue breastfeeding your baby, breastfeed during mornings, evenings, and weekends to maintain supply.

If your employer doesn’t provide this comfortable space for you, speak up and let them know what is needed for you and other nursing parents in the workplace.

How Often Should You Pump?

How often and how many times a day or night you “should” pump depends on your individual situation and whether you’re exclusively pumping or you’re combining it with breastfeeding. One pumping schedule doesn’t necessarily fit all!

Here’s a general guide on pumping frequency, but remember that this is flexible based on your situation and what feels right for you.

Do you have to pump at night? If you're exclusively pumping, night sessions help maintain milk supply.

Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, or formula feeding, check out our guide on how much a newborn should eat, which includes a helpful feeding schedule.

How to Combine Breastfeeding and Pumping

Combining breastfeeding and pumping is a flexible way to meet your baby's needs and ease engorgement. Here's how:

• If your baby isn’t breastfeeding frequently, you can manually express or pump between feedings. Or pump from the other breast if your baby only feeds from one breast.

• You could consider pumping between nursing sessions until you have a small supply of bottled breast milk. Then, you could gradually introduce one or two bottle feedings into your baby’s schedule.

• It’s important to remember that the nipple of your breast is different from that of a bottle, and your baby may have some difficulty adjusting to bottle feeding. It can take some time and patience. 

• You may want to have someone else offer your little one a bottle, as some babies find it easier to drink from a bottle when the breastfeeding parent isn’t around. Your baby can recognize your scent and voice, which they may associate with breastfeeding.

How Long Should You Pump Breast Milk For?

Wondering, “How long should I pump breast milk?” Whether you’re wondering how long each session should be, or how long you should continue pumping for overall, we’ve got the information to help guide you:

• How long to pump per session: It’s recommended to pump for at least 15 to 20 minutes per session or until the milk stops flowing, but, of course, everyone is different, so you may need more time. It may take a little longer during your early days of pumping. If you need a fast and efficient pumping option, you could consider using an electric pump that does both breasts at once.

• How long to pump overall: Just like with breastfeeding, you can continue pumping for as long as you want before weaning your baby off breast milk. You may decide to do this gradually when your baby is starting to eat solids, at around 4 to 6 months. The gradual approach reduces the likelihood of engorgement or clogged ducts. 

As you start breastfeeding or pumping less, your milk supply will gradually decrease.

Related Articles

How to Store Breast Milk: All About Proper Storage

What Are the Benefits of Pumping Breast Milk?

Breast pumping can provide numerous benefits to both the parent and baby. Here are some of the benefits of pumping along with breastfeeding or exclusive pumping:

• If you’re feeding your baby your expressed milk, know that breast milk provides important nutrients and antibodies to help babies fight off infections and illness. Breast milk also changes to meet your little one’s nutritional needs as they grow.

• Pumping can help relieve engorgement, help with symptoms of mastitis, and maintain or increase milk supply.

• It’s beneficial if you’re unable to breastfeed for any reason.

• Pumping may be a great option for when you’re on the go, if you’re returning to work, or if you’re going to be away from your baby for a period of time.

• Pumping your milk for the purpose of bottle-feeding may give you more flexibility in your daily life. And allows for others to feed the baby, such as partners, siblings, grandparents, and sitters.

• It may also help some parents to know how much their little one is actually feeding.

The Challenges of Pumping Breast Milk

Though pumping is a relatively straightforward process, some parents may encounter a few issues along the way. Here are a few potential challenges of pumping breast milk:

• Pumping can sometimes cause sore nipples, breast discomfort, and even infection if the pump is not cleaned properly. 

• Pumps (especially poor-quality ones) may not stimulate the breast as well as breastfeeding (the sucking motion) and may not remove milk effectively, which may result in engorgement or a decrease in milk supply over time.

• Not all babies accept a bottle easily, especially if it’s from you (the lactating parent). It may take some time and patience.

• If you exclusively bottle-feed your pumped breast milk, it may be difficult to regulate your milk production. This is because your baby’s suckling and your milk production work together, and your body can respond to the amount your baby is feeding. For example, if your little one goes through a growth spurt, your breasts may produce more milk in response to this.

Of course, everyone is different, and you will soon find what works best for you and your little one. If you have any concerns or need any help with pumping, contact your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant for more advice.

The Bottom Line

Breast pumping can be a great way for you to provide breast milk for your baby. It’s important to understand when to start, how to pump, and how often to pump, as well as the benefits pumping offers. Whether you decide to combine breastfeeding and pumping, or exclusively pump, you and your little one will soon fall into a feeding schedule that works best for you both. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant if you have any questions or concerns.