How Much Breast Milk Should I Be Pumping Every Day?

If you're pumping breast milk, it's important to understand how much breast milk you should be pumping every day. Here's what you need to know.

Breast milk is often referred to as liquid gold since it has a variety of vitamins and minerals. You might wonder what to expect if you want to breastfeed your child for these benefits.

How much breast milk should you be pumping every day and over time? You want to ensure that your baby is getting enough nourishment and that you're producing enough to keep up.

While this can feel like a challenge, it doesn't have to be. Read this guide on how much you should be pumping daily, and other questions answered. 

How Much Should You Pump?

How much you should be pumping will vary based on the last feeding time, the baby's age, and the time of day. The type of pump you use will matter as well.

The most productive time for milk production is in the morning hours. Each breast might produce different volumes.

If you're only pumping, aim for full-milk production, which is about 25-35 oz per day. It'll take time to hit this target amount and might be more difficult initially.

Since babies might take more from a bottle than the breast, it's a good idea to choose a slow-flow bottle. This will help prevent overfeeding.

Reaching Full Milk Production

The more often you pump, your breasts will produce more milk. When they're first born, try to begin pumping within six hours after birth.

Aim to pump 8-10 times every day. This is the standard amount the baby would feed from the breast.

Pump for at least 10-20 minutes until your milk comes in on days three or four. Hand express any remaining milk.

Aim to pump at least twice between 1-6 am. Hormone levels increase in the morning, which will help to increase milk production.

Once you reach full production, focus on the number of pumping’s per day instead of the time between pumping’s. Don't go five hours without pumping during their first couple weeks.

Milk Consumption Varies

From days one through 30, you'll see a difference in how much your baby consumes. Don't just go by their age, factor in their hunger signs and body weight as well. Once your baby is between one to two months old, their feeding frequency often decreases to seven to nine times per day. 

Milk Production Delays

You might experience delays in milk production due to stress, having a C-section, or premature birth. A lactation specialist could help.

During the beginning days and weeks, you'll produce a few milliliters of colostrum from each pumping session. Even once your milk comes in, you still might pump colostrum.

Colostrum is the initial liquid produced by your breasts. It begins around weeks 12-16 of pregnancy.

Factors that affect milk production include:

• Pump quality and fit
• Time of day
• Your baby's age
• Emotional state
• Breast storage capacity
• Time elapsed since last feeding

How to Know Your Breast Pump Fits Well

Pumping breast milk well will depend on the fit of the breast pump. For the right fit, you'll see some space around your nipples when they move in and out of the nipple tunnel.

If your nipple rubs along the tunnel's sides, then it's not the right fit. You don't want more than a quarter inch of the dark circle around your nipple pulled into the tunnel during pumping.

Many mothers think that a stronger pump suction yields more milk, but this isn't true. If the suction is too strong, it could inhibit milk since it causes discomfort.

Pumping Varies by Age

As your baby grows, pumping decreases. Consider the average stomach volume of your infant, which increases over time. On day 30, it's about 2.7-5 ounces, while on day one, it's only about 0.17-.24 ounces.

You'll feed them every two to three hours during the first couple of weeks. That equates to about 8-12 times a day. That includes overnights as well.

If You’re Primarily Breastfeeding

Pump between breastfeeding, about 30-60 minutes after nursing. You could also pump at least one hour prior to breastfeeding. Your baby might want to breastfeed right after pumping; let them.

Once you reach full milk production, maintain a schedule. You'll want to continue producing about 25-35 ounces of breastmilk within a day. Remember that it varies per person, so find a schedule that works best for you and your baby.

Your Breast Storage Capacity

The breast storage capacity is the maximum amount of milk in your breasts when they're at their fullest. It's based on the amount of room in your milk-making glands, not the breast size.

What matters most is how much milk your baby gets in one day instead of how much in one sitting. Pay attention to your mindfulness during this time. If you're angry or upset, this could decrease milk production. Take breaks as necessary and pump again when you feel better.

Breast Milk Pumping per Day

This guide provides an overview of how much breast milk you should pump daily.

This amount will vary from person to person.

Are you ready to get started with a breast pump? Did you know that insurance could cover a breast pump?

Set up an account or call us at (888) 977-2229 to get started. We verify your insurance, work with your doctor to obtain a prescription, and file your breast pump claim.

About the Author

Cindy Puppos is 1 Natural Way's Customer Service Manager, so she has a good idea of all the different and wonderful questions that moms have for her team. Thankfully, as the mother of two boys (who are now grown!) and a veteran of the company and breastfeeding, Cindy is always knowledgeable about breastfeeding, pumping and all the latest and greatest pumps!