When you are exclusively pumping for a newborn, you may be pumping up to 8 to 12 times per day. As your baby gets older, you can start to pump less frequently. Here is everything you need to know about how to drop pumping sessions.
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What is “dropping a pumping session”?
This means changing your pumping schedule so that you pump one less time over a 24 hour period than you currently are.
In many cases, when you drop one pumping session, you would also rearrange your schedule a bit so that your remaining sessions are more evenly spaced. (I’ll show you examples of this later in this article.)
When should you drop a pumping session?
In most cases, I would wait until your baby is moving out of the newborn stage and you think your supply is regulated.
This is because frequent removals of milk in the early days is important for establishing milk supply.
However, exclusive pumping can be overwhelming. If you’re burning out or really struggling, sometimes dropping a pumping session is the right call to help you keep going.
(If you’re struggling with whether or not to drop a pumping session, here’s a flowchart that I made to help with the decision.)
What effect will dropping a pumping session have on my supply?
Unfortunately, there is no clear answer here – different people will have different results. When you drop a pumping session:
- Your output might not change, or
- It may decrease, or
- It may even go up.
(My experience was that my supply stayed the same when I dropped from 8 sessions per day to 7 to 6 to 5; increased when I dropped from 5 to 4, and decreased with each session I dropped after that.)
The most important thing that you can do to protect your supply when you drop a pumping session is to add the time from the dropped pumping session back to your other pumping sessions. The total amount of time in a day that you spend pumping should stay the same, just consolidated.
For example, if:
- You currently pump 6 times per day at 20 minutes each, and
- You want to drop to 5 pumping sessions per day, then
- You should change the the length of your sessions from 20 to 24 minutes (so that the 20 minutes from the 6th session is added back to the 5 remaining sessions)
The exceptions to this guideline are if you are weaning from the pump or trying to reduce supply. If either of these is the case, you should keep your sessions the same length of time when you drop one.
Does it matter which pumping session I drop?
For the most part, no. When deciding which pumping session to drop, think about what works best for your schedule. Do you need more sleep? Are you having difficulty getting away from work to pump? Or are you at home with your baby and are struggling with pumping while he or she is awake?
The only other thing you might want to consider is when you get the most milk.
Prolactin levels fluctuate over a 24 hour circadian rhythm. A lot of people notice that they get more milk in the middle of the night and less milk in the afternoon.
Therefore, it might be easier to drop a session in the afternoon than early in the morning.
(More on dropping middle of the night pumping sessions here.)
How to drop pumping sessions
There are four ways to drop a pumping session:
- Cold turkey
- Slowly reduce the time of the to-be-dropped pumping session
- Slowly reduce the volume of the to-be-dropped pumping session
- Gradually bring two pumping sessions closer together
If you are prone to clogged ducts or mastitis, one of the more gradual approaches may be better for you.
1. Cold turkey
This one is pretty simple – you just stop pumping at the to-be-dropped pump time. However, you may need to respace your other pumping sessions.
For example:
Old Schedule: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 10pm
To drop the 3pm pumping session, you might rearrange your schedule to the following:
New Schedule: 6am, 9am, 1pm, 5pm, 10pm
You can just switch over one day, and then you’re on the new schedule.
2. Slowly reducing pump time
With this method, you start pumping less at the session that you want to drop until you get it down to 5 minutes or so. Then you stop pumping at that time completely.
Taking the prior example, where we drop the 3pm pumping session:
Old Schedule: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 10pm (each pumping session is 20 minutes)
Old Schedule/First Day Reducing Pump Time: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm (15 minutes), 6pm, 10pm (all other pumping sessions are 21 minutes)
Old Schedule/Second Day Reducing Pump Time: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm (10 minutes), 6pm, 10pm (all other pumping sessions are 22 minutes)
Old Schedule/Third Day Reducing Pump Time: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm (5 minutes), 6pm, 10pm (all other pumping sessions are 23 minutes)
New Schedule: 6am, 9am, 1pm, 5pm, 10pm (each pumping session is 24 minutes)
3. Slowly reducing volume
Essentially, what you do is just pump an ounce less every day (or every few days) until you’re down to 1-2oz at a given session, then stop pumping altogether at that time.
This way, you are carefully controlling the amount of milk removed from your breasts at that time to allow your body to get used to the new schedule.
Old Schedule: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 10pm (normally you get 4 oz at 3pm)
Old Schedule/First Day Reducing Pump Volume: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 10pm (3 oz – add time to other sessions)
Old Schedule/Second Day Reducing Pump Volume: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 10pm (2 oz – add time to other sessions)
Old Schedule/Third Day Reducing Pump Volume: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 10pm (1 oz – add time to other sessions)
New Schedule: 6am, 9am, 1pm, 5pm, 10pm (add remaining time to other sessions)
4. Gradually bringing them closer together
With this method, you move two pumping sessions closer together until you can comfortably drop one.
In the below example, you would move the 3pm and 6pm closer together until you are ready to drop the 3pm one.
Old Schedule: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 10pm (each session is 20 minutes)
Old Schedule/First Day Closer Together: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3:15pm, 5:45pm, 10pm
Old Schedule/Second Day Closer Together: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3:30pm, 5:30pm, 10pm
Old Schedule/Third Day Closer Together: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3:45pm, 5:15pm, 10pm
Old Schedule/Fourth Day Closer Together: 6am, 9am, 12pm, 4pm, 5pm, 10pm
Then drop the 4pm pumping session and re-space to the 12am to 1pm and you’ve got the new schedule:
New Schedule: 6am, 9am, 1pm, 5pm, 10pm (each session is 24 minutes)
Hopefully, this gives you some insight about how to drop pumping sessions so that you can hook yourself up to a breast pump less often!
Thinking about weaning from the pump? No idea where to start? Worried that you’ll get a clogged duct or mastitis when you stop pumping? Grab my one-of-a-kind guide here.
- Bonyata, Kelly, BS, IBCLC. “My breasts feel empty! Has my milk supply decreased?” https://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/breast-fullness/
Comments & Chitchat
I am exclusively pumping and am desperate to drop my 12 am and 3 am pumps. My daughter is 4 weeks old but I am an over producer pumping 10 oz total each time I pump. My schedule is 12 am, 3 am, 6 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm. I’d love to drop those two sessions and extend the time between my pumps to 4 hours. I have had a clogged duct and am prone to engorgement.
Any suggestions?
Hi Kelley! Wow that is a great supply. Am I doing the math right that you are producing 80oz per day?? That’s amazing. Anyway – I think you should drop the 12am first. I would push it back maybe 30 minutes at a time? So you would wait until 12:30 to pump the first night, then 1, and so on. You can wait a few days in between moving it back to let your body adjust if you’re more comfortable that way. Since you have a huge supply, I think using cabbage leaves for engorgement would be totally fine too. One you have the 12am back until 3am, you can then do the same thing with that session. Hope that helps!
Hi Amanda,
I have been exclusively pumping since my son was 2 weeks old due to countless struggles between the both of us. He is now 13 weeks. I pumped 8 times a day (6,9,12, 3, etc.) until he was 10 weeks. I am finally over the hump with my breast issues and as my son has been sleeping longer stretches at night. I followed your post on dropping pump sessions so I could get some rest too. My schedule is now 5:30am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm. To drop my 12a and 3a pump I slowly stretched the time out between pumps over one week and then decreased both volume/pump time over one week to prevent engorgement. I have been on my new schedule for 3 weeks and feel I empty well after each pump.
Even though it has been 3 weeks of no pumping from 9p-5:30a, by 5:30am pump I am extremely full and uncomfortable (I do ice packs throughout the night and sometimes during to the day. I took Sudafed for 2 days with a cold and saw no decrease. Peppermint tea 1-2xday for 1 week also did not decrease supply. Previously cabbage leaves did not work either, but I am currently trying this again). I can pump about 10oz+ from my left breast and 4-5 oz from my right. Part of the problem is, most of this milk seems to be to foremilk. I noticed my son’s poop was getting green tints after morning feedings at times and return normal following the rest.
On average for my other pumps I get about 4-5oz from the left and 2-3 oz from the right after my initial morning session. I had increased pumping time for my additional sessions from 15 minutes to 20 minutes as you recommend but backed down again to 15 minutes because my supply still remains more than I need and I do empty by 15 minutes every time, sometimes even sooner. I try not to pump more than 5oz from my right breast for comfort and because I don’t need more. He currently eats around 26oz a day.
1) Is there a way I can decrease my first morning volume as it’s excessive and the amount of foremilk I get without compromising my other pumps or causing them to have increased foremilk?
2) I will be returning to work in a few weeks and wanted to start spacing my pumping to every 4 hours during the day. Do you have a recommendation for me on how to do this beyond slowly going longer between each pump? I think with my work schedule I’d like my timing to be 5:30am, 9:30am, 2pm, 6pm, 9pm.
3) As I drop sessions will I continue to see an increase in volume pumped from each breast? How much is too much? I’d like to pump just what we need and not much more.
4) As I drop sessions will I continue to see more foremilk rather than the hind milk?
Thank you so very much for your time and help!!!
Hi Codi! Congrats on your baby. This is a really tough one, but I’ll try to answer your questions:
1) It’s pretty hard to target a decrease in supply like this (morning session, not affecting other sessions) because supply is so unpredictable. What works for one person might not work for another, and the same woman might get different results trying something at different times. What you think might cause a small decrease in supply might cause a big one or even an increase. Something that might work for the foremilk issue is to just pump an ounce or two from each side and dump it into another container (you can bring one with you to wherever you’re pumping), and then continue pumping into now-empty bottles. Then just feed what you pumped after you dumped the early foremilk. Should solve that issue, but not the discomfort. Do cabbage leaves help with that, even if they don’t reduce supply?
2) I think you could just switch cold turkey one day – the only big change is in the afternoon, right? You didn’t mention having any clogged ducts in the past, so I think it should be okay. If you want to go back to 1pm one day and keep the 3pm pump where it is, and then the next day go until 2pm, that would work too.
3) Probably, yes, unfortunately. I don’t think there is a “too much” except what is too much for you. As I said above, it’s really hard to target supply reduction – like if your baby needs 30 oz per day and you want to make 35 oz and not too much in the morning but now you make 50 oz, you can’t know in advance what schedule/herbs/etc. will get you there. Your best bet is to keep tweaking things until you get where you want to be. I actually think you might be better off with fewer, longer sessions where you pump for longer less frequently, and thus get more hindmilk. Though that hasn’t been your experience in the morning, so I’ll guess we’ll have to see.
4) It depends on how long your sessions are. With longer sessions, you should get adequate hind milk. This is a double edged sword, though, because you’re concerned about too much supply. Question – do you usually pump long enough to get more than one letdown? The later ones tend to have more hind milk.
sorry I don’t have an easy answer here. There are so many factors and so much is individual to the woman.
Amanda, Thank you so much for your response and input!
I actually have tried dumping the first 5 ounces from my left breast because that is the one that seems to always have the overabundance. Those 5 ounces and even what I pump afterward all look like foremilk (watery white). Even my right breast milk looks that way even though I don’t get much. I’ve also tried combining a portion of that milk with milk pumped at other sessions, but seems to still cause green poop unless I eliminate using that milk completely. I just hate to not be able to use this milk. However, all my sequential pumps look normal. Should I try only pumping a certain amount during this first session? If I am pumping to empty every morning will that trigger my body to continue producing that much over night? I was hoping my body would have regulated by now for this stretch and I guess I’m worried it won’t :- (. Initially cabbage leave and ice packs help relieve superficial discomfort, but as soon as the coolness dissipates I continue to feel extremely engorged unless I pump.
Yes, the main change is afternoon. I did have mastitis twice and was engorged until about 8 weeks PP, but thankfully have been managing well now otherwise. I intermittently get the feeling of a clogged duct but can resolve it within 2-3 days. What would your recommendation be for fewer/longer sessions (pump every 4-5 hours for 20 minutes)? When pumping 15 minutes I don’t always get a second letdown, but sometimes I do around 12 minutes. When I did pump 20 minutes for a short period, I always had a second letdown.
Hi! That sounds very frustrating about the morning session! I would hate to have to dump it all too. I’m not sure what the answer is, to be honest. I think that if you only pump a certain amount, that would all be foremilk, wouldn’t it? (At least at first – maybe you were thinking over time your supply would reduce and you’d get more hindmilk at that time? That’s possible, maybe worth a shot.) I think the reason you get mostly foremilk at that session is that you’re not pumping for long enough to get it – but I understand that that is because you don’t want more milk. It’s really tricky to balance this!
Yes, I would recommend fewer, longer sessions.
Thank you again for your time, help, and input!!
Hello Amanda! Great website, thanks for all your information and help. I was Eping since birth, my baby is 6 weeks old, but never got him to latch correctly. My supply is also not well established and pretty much very low. After discussing with husband and much heart pain, tearful days, we decided to supplement with formula. I used to pump every 3 hours for 15 minutes but have changed to every 4 hours since last night and cut down to 12 minutes each session. So far, feeling fullness in breast but was wondering if it was possible to drop it down to pumping for two sessions daily at least just to be able to give my baby a few ounces of my breastmilk? Schedule is looking like this now: 12AM, 4AM, 8AM, 12PM, 4PM, 8PM. If this is not ideal because I never got my supply established and I dont produdce much, I understand. I just dont know how to go about it without getting clogged ducts or mastitis, if you could give a suggestion of a schedule, anything is appreciated. Have had several episodes of clogged ducts, I do take sunflower lecithin. Thank you so much for your advice!
Hi Isa! I would just drop one session at a time until you’re down to two left (probably I would leave the 8am and 8pm, though it really doesn’t matter as long as they are about 12 hours apart). To drop a session, I would cut the time or volume on that session only (you can do it fast or slow – cut a few minutes or oz at a time, or cut it in half and then drop it the next day. Once you’ve dropped a session, I would wait a few days and then move on to the next one until you’re at two sessions. Hope that helps – good luck!
Hi! Thank you for all this advice! I started off BFing and have moved to EPing. I don’t necessarily pump for a certain amount of time but until my breasts are empty. The amount of time and volume varies depending on which session. I pump at 630a, 930a, 1230p, 330p, 8p and 2a. I currently overproduce about 10 oz/day, which is about what I get from my 2a pump session. I’d like to drop the 2a session since I’m about to return to work. I’m currently 11wpp. Would the best be to reduce the volume gradually? I could potentially pump earlier in the morning (530a) and later in the evening if that would help.
Hi Shelly! Yes, I would do all of those things – temporarily move the evening session back and the morning session up, and slowly reduce the volume. If you haven’t had a clogged duct or mastitis you could do it quickly (maybe in 2-3 days), if you have I would do it more slowly. Good luck!
Hello thank you for your website!
Im currently pumping every 4 hours for 12-13 mins at 330, 730, 1130, 330pm, 730pm, 1130pm. I get ~5 oz combined each time I pump. I am slightly ready to wean off completely. My clogged ducts are never ending and I use heating pads the whole time I pump. I won’t be able to pump on a timely schedule when I go back to work in a month. What do you suggest? I would like to still pump for my 10 week old son but I don’t see how I can use heating pads the whole time.
I know I can pump less at one session until I’m down to 1 oz then I stop completely and move to the next session right? I pump 70ml on left and 80ml on right each time. My clogged ducts are horrible what would you recommend? Should I go down to 1/2 an oz then stop?
Also in regards to myckogged ducts, do I massage and empty them out completely each time? But then I’m Afraid that will signal my body to make more milk and further clog my ducts while i wean.
Please help!
Sorry that you’re dealing with this! It sounds terrible. Yes, I would recommend dropping one at a time (by pumping less volume) and making sure that you empty completely at the other sessions. And yes, when you get a clog I would get it out completely. Have you tried lecithin at all?
If you are weaning and get mastitis how do you handle it so you don’t increase your supply by pumping too much?
In most cases I would recommend putting weaning completely on hold until mastitis in resolved and starting over. The only time I would maybe not is if you’re almost done weaning (like about to drop the last session) and your doctor says it’s okay. Sorry 🙁
Thank you for the reply!
I was really hoping I could cut down to 3 or 4 pump sessions a day 🙁 I am going to try a larger flange size with lubricant, and a week trial of formula (while still pumping) to test the tummy issues.
Thrush sounds awful to deal with, I really hope it’s not that! but I do agree with you that it does sound possible based on the symptoms. 🙁 I’ll check with my doctor on Thursday.
Hello 🙂 FTM here Looking for advice please! I am on the fence about weaning completely or reducing pump sessions to relieve stress. Sorry for the long post, but hoping background info can provide insight for a recommendation.
I saw a LC today in hopes for suggestions to improve my pumping experience, but left more confused. She didn’t have any concrete ideas to help me so here I am trying to figure out next steps. I am so sick of being tied to my pump all day/night, and I’m sick of dealing with the BF and pumping issues I’ve encountered, but I want to do what’s best for my daughter (& me together).
I have been EPing since 2-3wkpp due to multiple BF struggles. I pump every time my LO eats, which is every 3hrs (8x/day), but she normally goes one 4hr feeding stretch during the middle of the night so the times shift making a schedule difficult to follow. She eats 4oz each feed, and recently I am able to freeze an extra 6oz bag each day on top of the 4oz/feeding she needs.
ISSUES:
1) I feel like my life revolves around feeding, pumping, and cleaning pump parts. I don’t have time for much else. I return to work in 6wks and need a little freedom from this pump.
2) I have aches and pains in my breasts before and after pumping, and sometimes I have bursts of shooting pains. If my daughter is sleeping on my chest and makes a sudden move or kicks/hits me in the wrong spot I experience intense pain. I do not have any flu like symptoms nor do I have redness, any noticeable lumps, or a fever, so I’m not sure if I have a clogged duct, mastitis, or thrush. I have my 6wkpp OB appt later this week so I’m hoping to confirm if one of these issues is the cause of my pains. The LC said I have a lot of milk and a strong let down, so skipping sessions in the past has left me very full and in pain.
3) My LO has bad gas issues that I can’t seem to resolve (have been trying 1x/day probiotics, gripe water, Mylicon, limited dairy intake, and I also started taking digestive enzymes this past week). The LC suggested cutting out wheat as well, which I am not thrilled to try, which makes me interested in trying formula since my pumping experience doesn’t seem to be working out.
With the challenges mentioned above, should I give up on my breast milk attempts and try formula, or could I successfully reduce my pumping sessions to relieve the stress of constant pumping?
If I can reduce pump sessions, how can I do it successfully with avoiding clogged ducts? Trying to determine a schedule that works with my daughters eating is a bit confusing. I’m not sure where to start. Your insight is greatly appreciated!!
Hi Jenn! I’m guessing your baby is about 5.5 weeks old? Normally I’d say to do 7 times a day, but you have a good supply and sound totally miserable so I think you’d be okay at 6 times a day, 20 minutes each. To avoid clogs, I would try to make sure you empty and stick to the schedule as much as you can. Also, try lecithin. Around this age, I switched to firm times during the day plus whenever the baby woke up at night. It’s okay to be an hour late or an hour early if you have something going on, just make sure to get the sessions is and do the best you can.
Regarding #3, could you try formula for a day and continue pumping, just to see if it helps with the gas? That might give you an additional data point to work with (maybe it will help and maybe it won’t). Most breastfeeding women can’t really do this b/c they are nursing, but there’s no reason you can’t try it.
Regarding the pain – are you sure you have the right flange size? FWIW, it doesn’t sound like a clogged duct or mastitis to me. Thrush is the most likely I think (obviously am not a doctor).
I hadn’t considered trying anything I’m shocked because actually as I look closely at my last few days of data my amount is going up to what it was before I got the mastitis. I thought dropping a pump while having mastitis would keep it down. I will give it a few days and then consider taking sudafed.
I am down to two pumps a day.. 5ish and 7ish. Today my letdown took double the time to occur. Is this a sign my milk is drying up? I will stay with two pumps for almost a week before I start to decrease volume on he evening pump. I am quite engorged though.. what would you suggest to help? I am hesitant to relieve it as I don’t want to stimulate and encourage milk.
Thanks
Have you tried cabbage leaves? I would do that for engorgement. Or just pump a little to get the edge off.
I am 8w pp. I have been pumping about 5-6 times a day exclusively since baby was about 5 days old. I have not been able to pump in the middle of the night I need sleep. I got mastitis twice once at 5wpp and again at 7w and then I said that’s the final straw I am done. I started the weaning process 3 days ago I dropped from 5 pumps to 4 and am not seeing a decrease in supply. I didn’t want to drop to 3 until I saw a decrease. How long does it typically take to decrease? My boobs are hurting at times so I don’t know if maybe I should try some things like cabbage leaves to speed it up. I wanted to get down to 2 pumps-morning and night quickly but then slowly go from there. Any advice? I pump 30 min sessions 4 times a day and am pumping about 33 oz total.
I would let it go a few more days and see if it gets more comfortable. Have you considered trying Sudafed to see if that helps bring your supply down? I think cabbage is a good idea.
Appreciate the response. I dropped the fourth pump (cold turkey) two days ago and coping ok with spreading the three to every 8-9 hours. I empty each one and it has reduced the daily quantity by 120ml. How long should I stay at these three pumps before I drop another?
I think a few days is good!
Thank you!
Thanks, I’ll have to give the cabbage leaves a try! Would you recommend doing 15 min each night or should I do 15 min for a few nights, then 30 for a few, etc.? Just don’t know how long it’s supposed to take to adjust.
I would go by how comfortable you feel after pushing it back 15 minutes. If you feel totally fine, you could go faster. If you don’t, give it a few days. Good luck!
Hi. I am trying to wean from pumping. I pump 4 times a day (5.30 am where I get the most, 10.30, 3.30, 8.45pm). I pump 15 mins each session and the hand pump for 5 mins after.
Yesterday I started to wean by stopping the hand pumping and reducing each session to 13 mins. The 13 mins hasn’t hurt but not hand pumping after has. I was engorged 2 hours after the morning session and relieved a bit to feel comfortable.
Today I pumped 13 mins and hand pump after each session but dropped a session so it is 5.30am, 12.30pm and 8.45. So far it is ok. But how long should I leave it with the 3 sessions and how do I go about weaning the rest? I have had mastitis twice (but that was while breastfeeding and on drugs to increase supply).
Thanks for your assistance.
Hi Julia! I’m not a fan of the plan where you reduce each session by the same amount to wean because you never empty which makes it easier for milk to get “stuck” and for you to get a clogged duct. I would drop one session at a time – keep the others the same length, but reduce one slowly. Once you drop that one, move on to the next. Good luck!
Thanks For the response. I will stick with 13 mins each session with hand pumping still. So I should still empty after each session but drop a session every few days or week?
Yes exactly. Reduce the time of one session at a time, empty at the rest. How fast you want to go is up to you – either of those will work. Whatever makes you comfortable!
30-45 min.
I would start really slowly then and just move it back 15 minutes at a time. Cabbage leaves might help you go longer – you could try putting them in your bra when you go to bed and see if you can go 30 minutes.
I just wanted to add that I pump for 30 min each time.
Thanks again!
Hello!
I’ve been eping since my daughter was about 3 weeks. She will be 11 weeks on Friday. My supply is pretty good (40-45 oz per day) so I would really like to drop my middle of the night session but am having trouble doing so. I started at every 2 hours and am finally at every 4 hour. I pump at 9am 1pm 5pm 9pm 1am and 5am. I would like to eliminate the 1am pump but I am prone to clogged ducts and engorgment so every time I try to push it back I wake up miserable and it usually takes me a couple of days to get back to normal. I would really appreciate any advice or tips you have.
Thanks in advance!
When you’ve tried to push the 1am back before, how long have you tried to go?
Sorry for all of the questions, but I’m a bit confused. The right empties faster, so are you saying pump until the right has 1 oz regardless of what the slower left side has and then stop? And then it’s dropped? When you said the left side will catch up, I’m not sure what you mean since it’s slower. And do NOT pump until I get 1 oz individually on each side?
Sorry for the confusion! I’ll try to be more clear – my suggestion is reduce the volume on each side by 1oz per day until you are only getting to 1oz on each side. One side will get to 1oz first. That’s okay, just keep pumping 1oz on that side until you are only pumping 1oz on the other side as well.
Maybe an example would help. So say you get 5oz on side one and 2oz on side two. On day one, you’d do 4oz and 1oz. On day two, you’d do 3oz and 1oz. One day three, you’d do 2oz and 1oz. On day four, 1oz each side. Day five, don’t pump.
None of this is written in stone, it’s just a suggestion. You can tweak that however you want – stop pumping on side two early, etc.
Hi, thanks for the reply. Do you mean drop by 1 oz until I’m getting 1 oz on the left side? The right side is the one that empties faster. Do I wait until the left gets to 1 oz regardless of what the right has? Or do I reduce each side by 1 oz individually and then only pump the left once I’ve reached 1 oz on the right since it’s faster? I just want to make sure I’m doing this correctly and safely. Thanks again!
Yes, sorry – drop by 1oz until you get 1oz on the side the empties faster.
Hi there! Your site is great and I appreciate all of your tips! I am exclusively pumping for my 5 week old. This is my second child and again I have an oversupply. I usually pump at 8:30am, 1pm, 5pm, 9pm and 2:30am. I want to drop the 2:30am session and have started to reduce the amount I pump by one ounce a night. However, my right breast yields more milk more quickly. Any tips on how to eliminate this pump safely? I was prone to clogged ducts with my first baby, and I don’t remember how I eliminated the nighttime pump. Everything is such a blur! Also, should I rearrange my schedule for the other pumps once I drop the nighttime pump or do you think I’m okay as is? Thank you!
Hi Jenine! As far as how to drop the night session, I’d drop by one a night until you’re getting 1 oz in the right side per night. The left side will be there faster, just wait for the right to catch up. And yes, I would move the 8:30am forward if you can and maybe the 9pm back, if you can. The others are fine, I think, unless you want to move them around. Good luck!
Hello!
I have some questions I am hoping that you would be able to help me with!
I have been going over your site for tips on how to exclusively pump for my little one who is 6.5 weeks old now. I started pumping when my milk came in on day 3-5 postpartum. Since then I have had numerous clogged ducts (7 to be exact) and I’ve had 2 bouts of breast infections where I’ve had to be on antibiotics for 7-10 days.
I am now following your example schedule for pumping for a newborn right now where I am pumping 12 am, 4 am, 7 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm.
That being said I have read your intro where it says you should be pumping for 120 mins a day so if I am pumping 8 times a day I would pump for 15 minutes. I was strictly doing 15 minute sessions and I would stop the pump even though my milk was squirting out. I am thinking this is what may have been causing my clogs and infections, because I was never emptying and the milk was sitting?
I have also read where other women have asked questions about engorgement and overproduction on your page and you state that you cannot over pump when exclusively pumping and that over-pumping would really be for nursing moms.
My question is…is it ok that I am pumping until the steady stream of milk is at a dull trickle in the flange? This can take anywhere from 20-30 minutes, usually around 20 mins depending on the vacuum setting I have set. So I am almost empty but I wouldn’t say dry. So 8 times a day 20-30 mins…usually more around 20 mins. Does this seem like too much? I produce about 60 oz a day, which I believe you said was an over produced amount?
With all of my issues with clogs and mastitis infections I would hate to be doing something that is going to harm me more in the long run.
I am excited yet also worried about transitioning to fewer pump sessions at 10 weeks and 12 weeks because of my history with clogs and infections. Being that I am already at 20 mins 8X a day, do you have any suggestions on how I can gracefully transition and decrease to the 6 pumps and so on? I am afraid I will be pumping for 30-40 mins when I decrease sessions…
Anything you can offer me would be such a help!! You’re website really has been a life saver, it’s so nice to know that there are others experiencing what I have been. This is definitely not easy!!
Ps my little one is eating about 30 oz a day (5 oz 6 times daily)
Thank you in advance!!!
Hi Tiffany! I definitely think it’s good that you increased the length of your sessions to 20 minutes so that you can pump to empty. I think what I would do is go ahead and drop one session now (if you want) and see if you can speed up getting to empty with breast massage. Can you increase the vacuum speed or does it hurt? You could also try a warm compress before you pump to see if that speeds things up. How many letdowns are you getting in that time?
As far as how to drop it, I would slowly reduce the amount of volume that you’re getting in the dropped session (like 1 oz per day) and then respace your sessions so that they are spread out better throughout the day. So if your schedule was 12 am, 4 am, 7 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm, and you dropped the 12am, you could respace to 3 am, 7 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm and 10 pm.
Hi Amanda! Thank you so much for your reply! I am happy to hear that switching to 20 minutes was a good thing! I absolutely want to drop one now! Doing a breast massage definitely helps to empty quicker but I wasn’t sure if I should be doing it. I’m not sure if I am doing it correctly but I basically go around my whole breast with my knuckles pushing towards the nipple alternating sides every couple of minutes. If you have a different way of doing that I would be open to learning! I have the spectra S2 pump so sometimes depending on how long it’s been between pumps I can do a 7 but sometimes it hurts so I do a level 6. I’m not sure how many let downs I am having- I feel really dumb not knowing this but is there a way to tell? I can tell you that I have a constant flow from the first letdown (I can feel the first one) until I turn the pump off at 20 mins.
I was thinking the 12 am would be the best one to drop, I am SO excited about a little extra sleep! I guess I am hesitant to do the drop by volume because I don’t necessarily understand it…I never get the same amount for sessions. At midnight I can get anywhere from the low end of 6 ounces between both to a high end of almost 8 ounces between both breasts…Does this mean my supply has not regulated yet? My left side is definitely a big producer pulling in about 1-2 ounces more than the right, does that matter when dropping by ounces or is it just a total between the two I am looking to cut? I was thinking since it is such a variation in ounces day to day what if I cut down times as follows…? Day 1 pump for 17 mins, Day 2 pump for 14 mins, Day 3 pump for 11 mins, Day 4 pump for 8 mins and Day 5 pump for 5 mins and nothing on Day 6…would that work? Would this be more likely to cause a clog? Am overthinking it?! Again thank you so much for your help!!!
Hi! Okay, maybe you’re just getting one letdown? Usually what happens is your milk starts flowing, then dribbles, then stops, then starts flowingly strongly again. It sounds like you’re just have a really long one? Which is fine too, I was just wondering.
As far as massage, I’m sure what you’re doing is fine. I would do it the whole time (if you can) and see if you can empty faster.
For the volume question I would take the highest you’ve ever pumped and decrease from there. So if the most is 8, pump 7 on day 1, 6 on day 2, etc. You can do the time thing too, I just prefer volume since that’s really what you’re trying to get to – getting your body used to pumping less and less milk at that time until you’re at 0. 🙂 Good luck!
Thank you so much.
Sorry to bug you again. I have been slowly dropping ounces at one of my pumps. Then keeping on schedule for the rest of my pumps. I usually pump for 24 minutes and get a total of 8 oz. but I’ve noticed at my next pumps I’m getting more then usual. (Probably whatever isn’t emptied at the pump I’m trying to drop) for the remainder of my pumps should I pump the 25 minutes I usually do or stop once I hit what I normally pump before trying to drop one?
Thanks so much
Hi! I would pump until more or less empty at every session except the one you’re trying to drop.
Hi, I’m currently pumping 4x/day and would like to reduce to 3x/day if possible. My Baby is 13 weeks old. My pumping schedule is 4,10,4,10 at 30 mins at 4AM & 4PM and 20 mins each at 10AM and 10PM. I would like to switch to the new schedule so that I could pump 6,2,10. I am prone to clog ducts at the beginning but it has gotten better. How will I go about going to the new schedule to avoid clog ducts and not hurt my milk supply. Thanks a bunch.
Hi Lynn! Before I answer, can I ask how long you plan to pump? Three sessions a day makes me a little nervous about long-term supply at 13 weeks, but not if you’re planning on weaning around the 6 month mark.
To answer your question, I would increase the length of each session so that your total amount of pumping time in a day stays the same. To move them around without getting a clog, I would slowly move the 4 back to 6 (over a few days, wait a little longer to pump until you can make it to 6am. Then move your 10 back to 2 the same way, then stop pumping at 4. Good luck!
Thank you so much…the highchair idea is genius. She is 9 months old so that works so well.
The clog seems to have resolved, thank goodness. I was getting super worried there. I’ve never had one that bad.
If one breast tends to produce 3 oz every 6 hours and he other produces 6 oz every 6 hours would you reduce oz until say lefty is at one oz and eighth is at 4 oz and then stop pumping the left breast at that time and continue to wean the right breast?
Thank you for your help. I’ve been following your page and newsletter this entire journey.
Hi Kristi! That should work! I would go with how you feel – if you’re down to 1 oz on the left and still feel like you want to pump until you’re also down to 1oz on the right, I think that would be fine too. Good luck!
Hi there
I’m an exclusive pumper and am looking to wean. I’d like to do it as quickly as possible.
I am prone to clogs. I pump 4 times a day right now. My problem is I usually pump when my daughter naps because she is too busy for me to pump while she is awake. It’s usually 9am, 2pm, 830pm and 230 am. I’d like to drop the 9am pump first. How can I safely do this? Should I cut the amount of ounces over a few days at that pump and then once down to an ounce out of each breast drop that time altogether and rearrange the other times? (This means I’d have to pump while my daughter is awake unfortunately)
Also if one breast only produces around 1 oz before the other one drops to that amount should I stop pumping that breast at that session and just do the one?
Thank you so much
Hi Kristi, I think you can probably do this pretty quickly but I wouldn’t start until your clog/galactocele situation is more or less resolved. Anyway, yes, you have the technique right with dropping ounces and then rearranging your other sessions.
About your daughter being too busy – I am not sure how old she is but is she old enough to go in a high chair? If so, what I would do is put her there, bring a gigantic basket of toys, and sit there and play with her while she’s in the chair. That way she can’t reach your tubing and stuff. All the stuff in the basket will get thrown on the floor during your session but that’s why you bring a whole lot of stuff. Hope this helps!
Hi Amanda,
My baby is currently 11 weeks old and I am pumping 6 times a day 4 hours apart – 6.30 am, 10.30 am, 2.30 pm, 6.30 pm, 10.30 pm, 2.30 am. I would like to drop to 5 sessions a day, ideally dropping the 2.30 am session. How should I go about doing it such that my supply doesn’t drop? Should I move the 2.30 am session gradually closer to the 6.30 am session and then drop it altogether? or move the 2.30 am session closer to the 10.30 pm session and then drop it altogether? I hope to still maintain the same amount of milk. Thanks!
Hi Kimberly! I would move the 2:30 back until you get closer to 5:30. And make sure you add the time from the dropped 2:30 session to the five remaining sessions. Good luck!
Hi Amanda,
Due to some starting issues, my now 3mo baby did not get on my breast so I decided to go EPing. After some ups and downs and suplements with formula bottles, I am now nicely oversupplying: my baby demands 25oz while I pump 30oz in 5 pumpings (3:00, 8:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00). I would like to drop one session (both for comfort and to get less milk), ideally the one at 12:00 while I prepone a bit the one at 16:00.
I have had 4 episodes with pre-mastitis symptoms so far, and I would like to know your suggestion on how to best do this.
Also, I would like to know if, if I drop my supply to 25oz and my baby in the future demands more, will I be able to increase supply again, or dropping now means cutting that portion of supply “forever”?
Thanks in advance. Finding your website has been a great discovery for me as I have found difficult getting guidance during this challenging process.
/Andrea
Hi Andrea,
For the first one, I would slowly move the 12:00 back until you get to the new time for you 16:00 (if you can, do you have any work scheduling issues)? I would move it back by 30 minutes a day until you get to the new time and then drop it altogether.
I would NOT expect to be able to increase supply later. It gets harder the more you are postpartum. Good luck!!! 🙂
Thanks for your prposal. I will think through it and see if I want to actually put it into practice since it seems I will then, most likely, not be able to fully supply my baby’s demand in 2-3 months time, when I understand she will drink more.
The other option would then be to move to 4 pumpings (1 less than current), without losing milk. What would you recommend in this case?
Thanks once more.
I think you could do that as long as you increase your pumping time during each session so that your total pumping time each day is the same. Depending on what your long-term goals are (i.e., if you want to pump for a year), I wouldn’t go lower than 4 sessions a day before your baby is 6-9 months old. If you don’t plan to pump for quite that long you may be able to drop faster. Good luck!
Hi again 🙂
I keep planning and trying to optimize my pumpings… and for this, I amtrying to get an overview of *average* milk intake of EP-fed babies. Are you aware of some material where I can see how milk intake evolves over time (12 months), as baby gets older and solids are introduced?
Thanks once more.
Hi! Here you go:
https://exclusivepumping.com/how-much-milk-do-breastfed-babies-eat/
THAT IS GREAT. Thanks a lot Amanda! Your blog and comments have been super useful for me.
Hi Amanda.
Following some of your recommendations I have successfully decreased to 4 pumpings per day without losing supply (or even slightly increasing it) 🙂
During these days, even though I try to stick to pump every 6h, sometimes it’s not been possible and I have realized that doing 2 times every 7h + 2 times every 5h gives me a better output that doing 4 times every 6h. However, I wanted to understand from you if you think this could have a negative impact in signalling my body, in the long term.
Thanks!
No – that should be fine! Don’t stress about it at all.
(Edit: removing typos)
Hello Amanda, after a few months I am still pumping! I keep the 4 pumps per day but have realized I might be able to drop 1 pump. I am almost 9mpp and currently planning to continue to 1 year. I am not super strict on my pumping timings, but I tend to do 3 pumps after 7h, and a 4th one after 3h. In those first 3 I get 90% of my total supply. So I was wondering if I could slowly increase to 8h between pumps, and go for 3 sessions. I am producing 3-5 extra oz per day, but I would like to mantain supply cause I need to travel for work, and so I need to leave milk for my daughter at home.
What would be your thoughts?
Thank you!
/Andrea
Hi Andrea! Sure, I think you could go for it! I did lose some supply when I went down to 3 pumping sessions per day (I got my period back) but there is no guarantee that will happen, you have a 3-5oz buffer, and your baby will be taking more and more solids. Good luck!
Hi, I am exclusively pumping with my third child and am an oversupplier. He is 3 months old and I’m already only pumping 3x a day with a 40oz/day total yield. I would like to get that down to 30oz for comfort reasons. One breast produces twice as much as the other so I’d love to reduce supply in just that one breast. Is this possible? My current schedule is approx 6:00 30 min 15oz, 1:30/2 20 min 10oz, 9:30 30 min 15 oz. I would do less time but I am nowhere near empty doing less and am uncomfortable or clog if I do. In fact I could probably get more if I pumped longer. I have over 2k oz frozen with no more space and my son takes 30 oz a day. Any strategies for reducing supply in my heavier side? I was on Sudafed a few weeks ago for a bad cold and it didn’t seem to have any effect. Cabbage leaves in the heavier side maybe? Would love insight. Thank you!
I think cabbage leaves in the heavier side is a great idea! You could also stop pumping just on that side earlier. Pump maybe 2/3 of the time then unplug the pump from that side and just pump the other side? I think that would work.
Hi! I’m currently exclusively pumping for the last 5 months. Now I am ready to wean. I reduce the pump from 8x/day to 6 to 5 to 4 to 3x/day , but my milk supply doesn’t reduce. I am drinking Sage and peppermint tea, 3 cups a day and taking Pseudoephedrine 120mg 1x/day, doesn’t really reduce the amount. Is there anything else I can try to dry up the milk quickly? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Nicole! How much are you currently pumping per day? And how long is each session? What is your 3x/day schedule? Thanks!
I get about 11 – 12 oz per pump, about 30 mins each pump. I used to do every 8 hours, then I increase to every 8.5 hours to 9 hours , now is every 9.5 hours, so I don’t have a fixed time. I have to pump to empty, if I don’t, the next time I got plugged ducts easily.
Hi! I think I would suggest a different approach – to reduce volume on one session at a time. So for one session, you’d pump an oz or two less a day, the other two sessions you’d pump to empty. I think the reason you’re supply isn’t reducing is because of the pumping to empty every time – you have to pump less unless in order to reduce supply, so that’s what I’d suggest. With emptying at the other two hopefully you won’t get a clogged duct. Just a thought – hope it helps!
Hi! Thank you so much for your incredibly helpful website! I am a mom of twins and have been exclusively pumping for 7 months to feed them both, and have a couple thousand ounces stored in our deep freezer. I am currently pumping 4 times a day (7AM, 1PM, 6PM, 11PM) but feeling really ready to start weaning from the pump. I am prone to plugged ducts and currently make about 10-12 ounces per session, except for the 7AM session where I make about 16-20 ounces. If I start to reduce a session by volume, should I keep the other 3 sessions at my current schedule? I would like to drop 11pm session first, so I can go to bed earlier when possible, but that would mean going from 6pm to 7am. Eventually, I’d like to drop down to two pumping sessions a day at 7AM and 6PM, then just 6PM, then stop. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
Hi! Yes, you should reduce volume at just one session at a time. then you can move on to the rest. After you drop the 11PM, I would just move the 6PM back by a few hours (to 8PM, or whenever you can swing it – like right after your twins are in bed). Hope that helps and good luck!!
Hi ,Great post! I have a question : so I pump 6 x a day 3 AM 7 AM 11 AM
3 PM 7 PM 11PM
So every 4 hrs
I want to pump every 5 HRs
How would I go about that ? Thank you in advance !
Hi! I would pick the most annoying pump (probably the 3am)? And just drop it. Gradually pump less at that time, and then stop. You can move the 7am up for a few days too while your body adjust, then push it back. Good luck!
Hi
I’m currently exclusively pumping for my 4 week old, 8 pumps a day, getting about 1 litre a day and she’s drinking about 600-700ml a day so I’m building up a freezer supply too. It’s not possible for me to pump away from home as I don’t have access to a portable pump , I’m also getting rather stressed pumping so much over night at times seperate to when she’s waking up. I wanted to go to 7 sessions a day, so was going to stretch it to 4 hours between pumps, after a few weeks I my go to 6. I’m happy to use my freezer stash/supplement with formula if my supply drops. My concern is on the occasions when I do need to go out it would throw out the gaps between the sessions, what should I do? A few closer together before I go out and on my return? Have a bigger gap every day rather than just when I’m going out? I’d appreciate your advice. I’m worried about getting pain or mastitis.
Hi Sarah! I would just try to do a few closer together and a long one when you get back. Could you get a hand pump (like a Medela Harmony?) That would work to take the edge off when you go out. You can put it in your purse in a gallon-size ziploc bag?
Hi, I was almost exclusively breastfeeding until 3 days ago, with the occasional pump when needed. My schedule was 4x a day and 2x a night. My 9.5 months old boy is fullymon solids and teething like crazy. He decided to start biting so hard while nursing that it made both of us upset and couldn’t handle it anymore so I am now , officially exclusively pumping. My milk supply has increased but I REALLY want to not breastfeed anymore and also just stop producing milk. So I really need a plan to STOP. I am so not sure if I am doing the right things.
My left breast for starting, produces most of the milk ( 4oz easily). I am prone to clogged ducts so I am just so nervous and sleep deprived.
I am drinking No more milk tea. Using cold patches.
My schedule right now is approximately:
Pump at
9 am 45 min in total 5/6 oz
1 pm same 4/5 oz
5 pm 4oz
9 pm ( I want to push it till 10 but not sure if that’s risky or not)
3ish pump and breasts are REALLY engorged.
Baby wakes to feed at 12ish and 3 ish.
Please help me turn this thing around.
Ugh, so sorry you are dealing with this. I would take Sudafed. Then I would drop one session at a time. Here is the plan I would recommend:
https://exclusivepumping.com/weaning-from-the-pump/
Also, is it possible that your supply can increase by decreasing to 4 pumps a day?
Hi! I think you can do this but definitely make sure you keep your total pumping time in a day the same. If you can hold out at 5 pumps a day for a few weeks (like 10-11 weeks) that would be better, but if you can’t swing it, you can’t swing it, and you have a great supply. 🙂
It is possible to have it increase when dropping to four – mine did. Supply is so weird, anything can happen!
Hi there! I currently pump 5 times a day and get between 40-45oz a day. My daughter is a little over 2 months old and I want to cut back to 4 times a day and I just went back to work. Do you think I can do this without losing much of supply?
Hi Samantha,
I was wondering if you saw any decrease in your total oz when your dropped to 5x. My daughter is 8 wks and I pump 7x and want to slowly get to 5. Any advice?
First of all, I love your site! Thank you for your well-articulated information. You rock!
Okay so: when dropping the middle of the night pump, do you increase the amount of time pumped at the first one of the day? I am 11wpp and currently pump 6x/day, at 1a-5-9-1-5-9 (20 min each). I’d like to shift it to more like your 6a-9-12-3-6-10p schedule, but it seems like the 6am one should be longer than the others since there’s so much time in between. (Hope that makes sense!)
I was thinking, maybe 30 min at the 6am pump and 18 at the others?
Yes, I did and yes, that sounds good!
Alli, this is almost where im at except that I just want to get down to fewer sessions. I was hoping that my end total would be the same. How long has it been since you dropped sessions? I’m just wondering if maybe it’s too soon to see a drop. From what I’m understanding, if I drop sessions I won’t know what happens because everyone is different, is that correct?
I was previously pumping every 2hrs/day for 20 minutes but only producing 1-2 ounces of milk per session. I’m trying to wean from the pump now so for the past 3 days I pump every 4hrs/day for 15 minutes or so (including at night). However, I’m still producing the same volume of milk per session so in the course of a day, my total volume per day isn’t really reducing… Is the issue that I’m inadvertently emptying my breasts so my body is still producing the same amount? Am I pumping too long anyway (or have been all along)? I notice the flow of milk during a pumping session pretty much stops after 4 minutes or so and then drips come down into the funnels.
I’m confused as to why my supply is staying the same. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated, many thanks!
So when you get down to two pumps a day, are you still maintaining the two hours total in 24 hours? So does that mean you are pumping for an hour??
Yes, unless you are weaning. 🙂
I pump at 430a,845a,1130a,245p, and 815p with feedings at 615a and 515p. I get 3-4oz per session with exception of 430a getting 8. I want to cut out my 1130a pump. I’m really worried I’ll have a drop in supply. I have a 8mos old and Barry make enough for bottles at daycare. Thoughts?
I think you’d *probably* (I can’t guarantee anything) be okay as long as you added the time from your 11:30 dropped session to your other sessions. You can also try eating oatmeal in the mornings to see if that helps you out with a little boost?
Hi! My son is 6months and I’m hoping to drop pumping sessions to 3 times a day. Right now I do 5 pumps (6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm) and average 8-10oz each session. I would like to drop the 10am and 6pm so I would be going 8hrs between each session. Is it bad to drop 2 sessions at one time? I’ve never had clogged ducts or infections (knock on wood!) so I was thinking of doing cold turkey or reducing the time of those two sessions?
Hi Jamie! I think you can drop two sessions but should do one at a time. You can do it cold turkey though (just maybe a week apart)! Good luck!
My baby is 3 month old today and I returned to work a week ago. I’ve been on the following pumping/BFing schedule: pump at 12:30am, 5am, 9am, 1pm, 4:30pm and BF at 7:30/8pm. I’d like to cut out the middle of the night pump at 12:30am so I can get some more continuous sleep so I stop getting so sleepy at work. I’m a little afraid to go from 8pm to 5am without some relief. Is there an approach you’d recommend to get there? Maybe the gradually reducing one? Also, I’m happy with my current total daily pump quantity (28-30 oz). Is it possible my supply will decrease if I cut out a pump? Or will the milk show up in one of my other pumps? Thanks!
Hi Grace! Yes, this should to doable at the 3 month mark. Not sure what time you go to bed, but to drop the 12:30 pump I would try pushing that session up gradually. So do it at 11:30, then 10:30, then 9:30, then you can probably drop it altogether. And yes, that milk should show up in your other pumps – your morning session will probably yield a lot more. Make sure that you up the length of the remaining sessions so that your total pumping time in a day stays the same.
Hi Amanda, I have been gradually pushing my middle-of-night pump up and am close to getting rid of it entirely, but it hasn’t been working out well for me. I have noticed a decline in total milk pumped throughout the day. While I used to pump 28-30 oz per day, I am seeing 24-27 oz per day now. I am afraid that my supply is going to continue to decline. Do I need to re-instate my middle-of-night pump to keep my supply up?
Hi Grace! Ugh, so sorry you are experiencing this. Yeah, I would probably reinstate it. However, maybe you could rejigger the schedule to make it so you get more continuous sleep? Like what if you reinstated it at 3am instead of 12:30 – so you get that long stretch of solid sleep in the beginning of the night? Or you could try pumping at 10:30 and then go to bed afterwards and see if that helps?
My newborn is 20 days old and I’m pumping about 8 times a day. The last couple of days I seem to be pumping more than I need and would like to drop a session. Is it ok to just move to pumping every four hours instead of every 3-3 1/2 hours?
Hi Jodi! I think going to 7 pumps a day is okay. I wouldn’t go to 6 until you get to the 6-8 week mark to make sure your milk supply has regulated. Good luck!
My baby is only 6 weeks old. I am exclusively pumping between 6/7 times a day and my supply seems good and I have a huge freezer stock right now. I usually pump between 8-12 oz total per session. I usually pump when baby feeds so I pump sometime between 1-3 am when she feeds. She also feeds from 6-7 but my husband typically does that feeding so I am trying to eliminate that pumping and the next feeding I would pump at would be 9 am. Right now the 2-3 am and 9 am seems too far apart. I am so uncomfortable and engorged in pain that it wakes me up either way around 5 or 6 am. Is there anything I can do to ween off this feeding and not get so engorged?
Hi Ashley! You have a great supply, that is fantastic! I think what I would do is to pump at that time, but pump less than you normally would (if you would normally pump 8 oz, stop when you get 7, then 6, then 5, etc.). You can drop down a little bit every day until you feel like you can make it to 9am.
I use to pump every 3 hours but my supply is really good so I was able to drop to pumping 5 times a day, than maybe 2 months ago I dropped from 5 times to 4 times and now I would like to drop to 3 times a day. I have a very good supply so I’m not too worried about not having enough milk. My little girl is 8 months old. I would like to drop my 2nd pump which is at 10am in the morning. I would pump at 6am, 2pm, and 9pm. Does this make sense to do?
Yes! It sounds like it should work. Just make sure you increase the length of your remaining sessions.
Is it ok to go 10-12 hours between pumps? Currently I pump at 4am, 9am, 130pm, 530pm, and 930pm. I want to drop the 930pm – I can do the 530 later, but I dont want to change the 4am, 9am and 130pm because of my work schedule. Also, I am prone to clogs, but I haven’t had one in a few weeks. Thanks!
That’s fine depending on how old your baby is! Definitely if over 4 months or so.
Thank you!
If possible, I’d love to just pump twice a day… But I feel like I’d explode Or get an infection if I did. Am I, in fact, over producing? I donate 600oz a month to other breast feeding mothers, so I guess the amount is fine, for now. I would love to not have to pump anymore once he’s turned one. My milk seems to begin its heavy, steady flow after 5min, then will just (what seems like) continue strong forever.
Hello! I am an exclusive pumper since day one. My little one is 7 months old. I am over producing like CRAZY. I’ve cut back my pumping from 6x, daily to 3x daily. I pump ever 8 hrs for 20-25 min. I can easily pull 11-16oz from one breast during a 20-25min pump. Please help me figure out a safe and effective way to cut back without getting a breast infection? I’m prone to clogged ducts and I’ve had two breast infections before. My time is very flexible, I can try anything.
Hi Isha! So are you looking to drop down to 2x per day? Or you just want to reduce the amount you get? Thanks!
Hi Isha, were you able to wean off effectively? I’m on the same boat right now and would like to end up at 2 pumps per day. How were you able to do it?
So I’m ALMOST down to just 2 pumps a day. I pump at 530AM for 18-25 min per breast (my cut off depends on which comes first: 12oz or 25 min), then at 1030AM just 10min per breast, lastly my evening pump at 7PM for 20-25 min per breast. (For this pump I also use volume as my measuring tool, rather than time.)
I’m incredibly prone to clogged ducts, so I am weaning as responsibly as I can. I hope to have eliminated my 1030AM pump in the next 10 days.