When to Start Pumping Breast Milk: 5 Things You Should Know

According to one recent study, 85% of infants who are fed breast milk receive expressed milk from a bottle at least part of the time.

Whether you choose to exclusively pump or you're supplementing your breastfeeding journey by pumping, this can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both you and your little one.

As you begin, you may wonder about the timeline and logistics that are best to follow. Is there a specific time you should start pumping breast milk? If so, how do you know when that time comes?

Today, we're sharing a quick guide to help you get started and sharing five key points to remember.

1. There Are Benefits to Pumping at Any Stage

Every new mother has her own reason for deciding to use a breast pump. For some new mothers, pumping allows them to feed their baby if they're having a difficult time latching on to the breast. Others simply prefer the ease and convenience that pumping allows.

You may also choose to pump to allow your partner, parent, or another close family member to participate in the feeding process. This can be an incredible time to bond with your baby, and feeding from a bottle extends the experience to your loved ones.

Other benefits of pumping breast milk include:

• Allows you to store milk for when you're away from your baby
• Allows you to give your baby breastmilk even if you don't choose to feed from the breast
• Allows you to donate excess milk to a milk exchange program or milk bank
• Increases your natural milk supply
• Relieves breast engorgement

In addition, parents of preemies may choose to pump if their babies are too small or immature to breastfeed. No matter what specific reason you have for pumping, it's important to have the right gear by your side. At 1 Natural Way, we're dedicated to helping you choose the best breast pump for your needs, with educational guides, unbiased reviews, and other resources to help you get started.

2. Timelines Can Differ by Situation

When you first decide to start pumping, it's natural to be a little overwhelmed. There are so many different types to consider, parts to purchase, and components to assemble!

We've created plenty of articles to help guide you through this journey, such as this post on the different types of breast pump parts. Thankfully, once you know what you need and how to use it, it's not too difficult to get started.

However, having the right gear is one thing. You may also wonder when it's best to start using it.

Put simply, there isn't an exact time that applies to all women. The breast milk pumping schedule that will work best for you depends on your specific situation. Let's look at a few different examples.

3. Some Women Pump Right After Birth

For some women, the best time to start using breast pumps is right after giving birth. This might mean pumping at home, in a hospital, or at a birthing center.

When this is the case, it's usually to help initiate breastfeeding or to encourage the new mother's milk supply. You may also need to start pumping immediately if you're unable to nurse your baby from birth. For instance, if your baby is premature or has special needs, pumping may be the only way to feed.

If these situations apply to you, you'll usually begin pumping in the first two hours after giving birth. Most women begin by hand-expressing their breasts and then begin pumping every two to three hours. If possible, try to use a hospital-grade pump or an electric breast pump to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

In the beginning, you'll only make a small amount of colostrum when you express each breast. This is a rich, pre-milk that develops until your milk fully arrives. Your supply will slowly increase as you keep pumping.

4. Waiting a Few Weeks Helps Establish Breast/Bottle Routine

Other women may choose to wait until a few weeks after they give birth to start pumping breast milk. They may want to wait until their breastfeeding routine is well-established, for instance, before introducing a bottle.

While this can be a great timeline, keep in mind that plenty of babies go back and forth between the bottle and the breast from the very beginning. It's important to do what works best for your family and your routine.

If you do choose to breastfeed and pump, your breastfeeding routine should be established by the time your baby is four to six weeks old. By then, you should have enough time between each feeding session to pump any extra milk that you make. This way, you can save and store the milk for later use.

5. Start Early When Returning to Work or School

A breast pump can give you a degree of freedom and flexibility after giving birth. Once you know how to pump breast milk, you may feel more comfortable going back to work or school or being away from your baby for any other reason.

If you know this separation will take place in the near future, it's best to prepare both yourself and your baby gradually. You don't want to shift dramatically from exclusively breastfeeding to feeding with a bottle on the first day you leave. Not only could this confuse your baby, but it could also cause emotional distress for everyone involved.

Instead, try to start pumping a few weeks beforehand. This way, you'll have the opportunity to learn the process, understand how your body reacts, and make any adjustments necessary before the big day. This also gives your baby time to adapt to feeding from a bottle.

Find Your Ideal Timeline for Pumping Breast Milk

When it comes to pumping breast milk, there's no exact schedule that applies to all women. Some start right after birth or have a situation that requires them to do so. Others wait until a few weeks postpartum or slowly introduce a bottle as they prepare to go back to work.

No matter when you begin, it's important to be prepared. Our team can help you find the best pump for your needs and can even help you qualify through your insurance plan!

To learn more, Set up an account with us today or call (888) 977-2229 to get started.

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!