If your baby is suddenly sleeping through the night, you probably want to do the same. However, you know that pumping can be essential for maintaining supply and avoiding issues like clogged ducts and mastitis. So, does this mean you need to pump at night? Show
We want your baby to have their best chance, and we know how you need your sleep. So, we’ve done the research to answer this question for you. In this post, we will cover how often you should be pumping whether you’re exclusively pumping or not. We’ll also discuss if you need to be pumping at night. Exclusively Pumping (Baby Isn’t Nursing)If you’re solely pumping and bottle feeding, you should be trying to match how often a nursing baby would feed at the breast. 1. For a NewbornNewborns typically nurse 8-12 times within a 24-hour period. So, pump at least every two hours, and avoid going longer than three hours without pumping until your supply is well established (1). Pumping whenever your newborn baby eats is the best way to ensure you are mimicking nursing. Some mothers have to pump exclusively for the first week if their baby won’t latch. Double pump for 15-20 minutes during each pumping session, emptying the breasts as thoroughly as possible. Experts also recommend pumping for two to five minutes after your milk stops flowing to maintain production and help increase supply if needed (2). Pumping Goals By days seven to ten, you should be aiming to pump 25-27 ounces per day for a single baby. If you have multiples, aim for 27-32 ounces by 14 days postpartum. An average newborn drinks 1.5-3 ounces of breast milk per feeding. If you’re exclusively pumping straight out of the hospital, start with eight to ten pumping sessions a day, and then adjust accordingly. If you have a low milk supply, increase the number of pumping sessions. If you have an oversupply, drop a pumping session or two. 2. For Older BabiesIt’s a good idea to pump at least once during the night in the first few months or if you start to notice a dip in supply. Many moms and lactation consultants recommend pumping once between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., as most moms tend to have a high output at this time.
 Editor's Note: Michelle Roth, BA, IBCLC Keep In Mind As your baby gets older, you should be able to go longer between pumping sessions and start dropping some, including those dreadful middle of the night ones. As your baby ages, they eat more per feeding (usually around 3.5-5 ounces) and go longer between sessions. You’ll also need to pump less often once they start eating more solid foods. Figure out a pumping schedule that works for you and your baby, as everyone’s situation is different. You might find these example pumping schedules useful:
If You Miss a Night Pumping SessionSticking to a pumping schedule can be challenging. If you accidentally miss a pumping session now and then, there is no need to fret, as it most likely will not harm your supply — especially if you can squeeze in another session at a different time of the day. Remember Missing one pumping session one day will not be detrimental to your supply. To Wake or Not To Wake?Breastfeeding at night is good for supply, but do you need to wake your baby or pump if they sleep through the night? If your baby is back up to their birth weight, growing fine, doesn’t have any medical issues (such as jaundice), and has plenty of wet and dirty diapers, then there is no need to wake them to feed. Let them sleep, and enjoy some sleep yourself. There is also no need to pump as breastfeeding is a supply and demand function. If you pump, you’re essentially telling your body to make more milk, and it’s most likely that your baby will want a lot to eat after a long night of sleep. This could potentially lead to an oversupply. If you’re uncomfortable or engorged in the middle of the night, simply pump or hand express just a little bit of milk for some relief. If you are exclusively pumping and bottle feeding your baby, mimic what a breastfeeding baby would be doing. Pumping every time your baby feeds ensures you’re mimicking this relationship and will minimize night pumping. For a newborn, double pump every two to three hours for 15-20 minutes at a time. As they get older and start eating more per feeding, going longer between feedings, and eating more solid food, you should be able to drop pumping sessions, including those dreadful middle of the night ones. If your baby is nursing but has recently started sleeping throughout the night, there is no need to get up and pump unless you’re uncomfortable. In that case, pump off just a little for some relief. Feedback: Was This Article Helpful? Thank You For Your Feedback! Thank You For Your Feedback! Is pumping 4 times a day enough?If you are an exclusively pumping mom, you should pump anywhere from 4 to 12 times per 24 hour period. This will depend on how old your baby is, and on your milk supply. For example, if your baby is less than 3 months old, you should pump anywhere from 8 to 12 times during a 24 hour period.
Is it OK to only pump 3 times a day?If your baby is on the younger side and hasn't started solids yet, or if supply is an issue for you, you might want to pump six or seven times per day. If your baby is older and less reliant on breast milk, or if you have oversupply, you could try going down to two to four pumping sessions per day.
Is pumping 5 times a day enough?With a newborn, you may start pumping 8 to 10 times per day. That's how often your baby may need to eat. As your baby grows, you may go down to five to six pumps per day, expressing more milk per session and relying more on your stored supply. Some sample schedules are below.
How much milk should I be producing when exclusively pumping at 3 weeks?What to expect in the first month. After the first couple weeks, you should expect to produce more milk per session, about 2 to 4 oz., and may be able to stretch out some of the overnight feedings (maybe to 4 to 5 hours between feedings). In total, you should expect to average around 8 to 10 sessions per day.
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How many times a day should you pump if exclusively pumping
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