Exclusive pumping can have a big learning curve. There are a lot of dos and don’ts, tips and tricks, and hacks to figure out when you first start pumping. Here are the top 10 mistakes that exclusive pumpers make.
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1. Not using a hands-free pumping bra
If you’re exclusively pumping, you need to be using a hands-free pumping bra.
You get so much of your life back when you’re not sitting there holding your breast shields in place for two hours every day!
Some hands-free pumping bras are designed to be worn all day, while others are only worn while pumping.
Hands-Free Pumping Bras
2. Limiting the length of your pumping sessions to 10 minutes (or 20 minutes) or less
Pumping moms are often given the advice that they shouldn’t pump longer than x number of minutes – often 10 minutes or 20 minutes.
The intent of this advice is to prevent nursing moms from developing oversupply, and it doesn’t apply to you as an exclusive pumper. Nursing moms are already spending time nursing and then pumping on top of it, whereas you’re just pumping.
If you’re exclusively pumping (unless you’re weaning), you should be pumping for a total of two hours per day. To determine how long your sessions should be, divide 120 by the number of times that you pump per day.
So for example, if you’re pumping eight times per day, each session should be about 15 minutes long.
If you find that you’re getting an additional letdown near the end of your pumping sessions, it’s okay to keep pumping if you have time, are comfortable, and don’t mind.
Don’t pump so much that you burn yourself out, but as long as you’re not in any pain, it won’t hurt anything to keep pumping for longer.
3. Using the wrong size flange
Pumping with the correct size breast shield is essential for both avoiding nipple pain and maximizing breast milk supply.
However, those that are new to pumping often don’t realize that breast shields come in different sizes, and just use the standard size that comes with their pump.
If you’re having pain with pumping, you may want to measure to ensure you have the correct breast shield size.
Legendairy Milk sells a ruler for flange sizing that you can use to measure your breast shield size – use 15EPUMP for 15% off.
Alternatively, you can buy several different sizes (or a set of Pumpin Pals, where you’re sent three sizes at once) and see what size is most comfortable for you.
4. Focusing too much on building a freezer stash
“Feed your baby, not your freezer.”
Building up a freezer stash can be great for peace of mind, especially for exclusive pumpers that have anxiety around having enough breast milk to feed their babies.
However, it’s easy to get a little obsessed with how much milk you have stored up and growing your stash.
If you find you’re worrying about this – meaning that the milk in your freezer becomes a source of stress rather than peace of mind – try to focus more on feeding your baby and on today rather than preparing for tomorrow.
5. Not making sure your baby will take your milk before building up a big freezer stash
While we’re on the topic of freezer stashes, some breastfeeding mothers have excess lipase in their breastmilk. Excess lipase causes the taste of breastmilk to change more quickly to sour or soapy, causing many babies to refuse to drink it.
If you have excess lipase, they are ways to work around it! If you scald your breastmilk before it goes off, it’s likely that your baby will take it without any issues. However, once it’s gone off, it can be much harder.
Many exclusive pumpers have built up a large freezer stash, and THEN realized that they had excess lipase.
Therefore, make sure that your baby will take your frozen breast milk early on, so that if you need to scald your breast milk before freezing, you can do so.
6. Taking a medication that impacts your supply
There are some medications – such as oral birth control that contains estrogen or certain decongestants – that can decrease breast milk supply.
Before you take any medication, ask a medical professional about its safety with regard to breastfeeding. Your best bet is to call the Infant Risk Center (it’s free) or use one of their apps.
The Infant Risk Center uses an evidence-based approach to give you the risks of taking any medication while breastfeeding, including the risks to your supply. Additionally, they are experts in medication and lactation; most doctors and dentists are not.
7. Frequently skipping pumping sessions
Sticking to your pumping schedule is important for two reasons.
First, regularly removing milk from your breasts helps you establish and maintain your milk supply. If you are often missing sessions, you’re telling your body that you don’t need as much milk anymore, and your supply may drop over time.
Second, missing pumping sessions can make it more likely that you’ll get a clogged milk duct or mastitis.
Therefore, stick to your schedule as much as you can. (If you do miss a pumping session every now or then, it’s no big deal. Just get back on your schedule and make up the time later than day if you can.)
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8. Not prioritizing your mental health
If you are really struggling with pumping – the time it takes you away from your baby, maybe not pumping as much as you’d like, the mental load of getting everything done – it’s okay to drop pumping sessions or wean.
You can always start by dropping one pumping session and then reassess how you’re feeling. You might decide that you’re doing much better with your new schedule, or you might decide to drop another session.
The most important thing that you can give your baby is a happy YOU, not an extra 2 oz of breast milk.
(Also, see your doctor if you think you may be experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety. They can help! I speak from experience.)
9. Dropping pumping sessions too quickly
If you’re not struggling with your mental health and are thinking of dropping a pumping session, one thing to keep in mind is that it can sometimes have an impact on supply. (Obviously, it can have an effect on supply for anyone, but mental health is something that may outweigh your concerns about milk supply.)
This is especially true if you’re going longer periods of time without lactating (such as overnight), as you can sometimes get your period back.
If you’re not weaning, it’s a good idea to wait at least a week or two in between dropping pumping sessions so that you can see if dropping the first session has any impact on your supply before dropping the next one.
10. Weaning before you were ready
Exclusive pumpers who decide to wean and then change their minds halfway through may have a difficult time bringing your supply back up. (The older your baby is, the more likely it is that it will be a challenge.)
If you decide to start weaning, make sure that you’ve thought it through and are sure. You can always take it slowly and reassess after dropping each session, as described above.
Also, make sure that your baby will take the milk you plan to transition him or her to before you start.
Did you make any exclusive pumping mistakes when you started out? Tell us about them in the comments!
Comments & Chitchat
Safira says
Hi Amanda, is it considered a low supply to produce 18oz a day? Also, is it ok to go 9 hours without pumping at night?
Sansrita Jain says
I am breastfeeding my 24 day old baby. I want to introduce bottle to her. I want her to be fed with bottle only twice a day and other time i want to breast feed her. Is it ok to pump the breast milk only twice a day? As other times I will be breastfeeding her.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Sansrita! I think that should be fine.
Jessica says
Hi Amanda, I’m exclusively pumping for my 2 month old baby and struggle with supply and low storage capacity. I pump 8 times a day as close to every 3 hours as possible and am yielding about 30-36 oz a day. For the last week or so I’ve been so exhausted and I keep sleeping through my midnight sessions. I am terrified to lose my supply I’ve worked so hard to build, but I just can’t seem to wake up. To make up for missed sessions I’m adding more in during the daytime by spacing a few sessions closer together. Any advice on these missed night sessions would be greatly appreciated.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Jessica! I think you’re doing GREAT! You’re doing exactly what I would recommend as far as making up the time. Question – is your baby still waking up at night? and if so – are you waking up at a different time? If you’re waking up at different times I would do it all at the same time. Not sure if that helps?
Holly Jackson says
This website is amazing. I have a 7-week old and am an oversupplier. I cut my sessions down to 10 minutes every 2 hours and still produce ~5-8 ounces per session. If I go more than 2 hours without pumping, it’s very painful & sometimes engorged. I saw the mistake about pumping 10 mins or less. Should I increase my time despite being an over producer? How can I spread out my sessions without getting engorged?
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Holly! Thank you so much! If you’re pumping every 2 hours that’s 12 times a day and 10 minute is actually fine. Why don’t you try pumping for 15 minutes, and then seeing if you’re able to go 2.5 to 3 hours? I hope that works!!
Ashley says
Hi! I am headed back to work at 9weeks and I don’t think my current pumping schedule will be sustainable long term. I am currently overproducing by almost double what my baby eats. I would ideally like to drop from 8 sessions to 7 sessions. How would I go about doing this?
I know (from your post) that you are suppose to add time to keep the 120 rule but ideally I would like to go from a 3:30, 6:30, 9:30, 12:30 am and pm schedule for 15 minutes to something like 6:30am, 9:30am, 12:30pm, 6:30pm, 10:30pm, 2:30am for 18 minutes. I worry about getting an infection or a clogged duct if I adjust the times at 9 weeks. I have been exclusively pumping since she was born. She just turned a month old this week. I would appreciate any tips! Thank you so much!
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Ashley! I think that schedule would be totally fine! I think you can make the switch now or at 6 to 8 weeks if you want to be a little more cautious. Have you had a clogged duct before? If so, I would consider lecithin – but if not, I would be careful but not super worried. Good luck and I hope that helps!
Tash says
My baby is 13 weeks, I’m currently making 43-45oz per day. She drinks 5oz every 2-5 hours during the day (total 25oz). I’ve just dropped to 6 pumps a day every 4 hours. When can I look to drop my middle of the night pump as she has been sleeping through the night for a few weeks.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Tash! I think you could do it now. Usual caveat that I can’t guarantee what will happen with your supply, but now is as good a time as any to give it a shot since you have a good supply and very likely have regulated. Good luck!
Guneet Dhillon says
Hi Amanda,
I’ve been trying everything in the book as an exclusive pumper. My baby girl was born preterm and is 2 months old. I’m barely able to pump 5 ounces total in a day, pumping for 20-30 minutes per session and try to pump 7-9 times a day. Is there anything else I can do to help create an oversupply? I try to stick to this pumping schedule: 12 am/4/7/9:30/12 pm/3/6/9. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 🙂
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Guneet! Congrats on your sweet 2 month old!
It sounds like you are doing all of the right things. Have you worked with a lactation consultant (IBCLC) at all? I think it would be a good idea to get checked for things like IGT (insufficient glandular tissue) and a few other things, just to make sure those aren’t the problem. I hope you are able to find someone to work with! (Sometimes they are covered by insurance.)
Natalie Daniel says
Hello, I’m struggling to reach the 7-10 minimum in pumping sessions. I always make up for it in time so I’m consistently pumping for 150-200+ minutes each day, but the 7-10 sessions seem to allude me. My baby is 6 weeks 10lbs 3 oz and is struggling with acid reflux. It is hard to get her down for her naps without her needing me to hold her so it’s just been difficult to get the number of pump sessions. She’s been so colicky with her reflux there have been several days where I’ve gone 6-7 hours without pumping as she will eat an ounce sleep for 30 minutes (when I try to lay her in her bassinet she wakes up) and then wake up for more. I have an oversupply and my average amount of ounces each day is over 50 ounces. If I continue how I’ve been (5-7 sessions a day and sometimes going hours without pumping but keeping a high number of minutes pumped) will that negatively impact my supply. I’m truly trying my best but it just seems like the magic 7-10 session count continues to allude me.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Natalie! Honestly I think given what you said – you’re hitting the time goal, baby has reflux, baby is 6 weeks, supply is great – you’re fine at 5-7 sessions. I wouldn’t drop any more until after 12 weeks. Good luck!!
Jasmine says
Hello. I am a over supplier my baby is one week. I don’t know if I should pump every 2 hours or how long I should go. How many minutes I am struggling with very bad over supply.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Jasmine! I would recommend pumping 7-8 times a day, for a total of 120 minutes across all the sessions.
Nikki says
Any thoughts on how/why I got my period back so quickly? I am almost 7 weeks postpartum and got my period at EXACTLY 6 weeks pp. I was honestly devastated. It made me feel like I failed. I have pumped every 3 hours consistently. Sometimes 4 overnight. The longest I have gone this whole time is 6 hours (one time!). My body obviously needed the rest. If I go 4 hours, then I try to make up for it by getting an amazing extra pump in, etc.
I have struggled with supply and worked so hard to get where I am (25oz a day) that now I am worried my period will have a big impact on supply. Luckily I haven’t noticed a difference, but this is just the first one. Does the return of period usually cause a large supply decrease or small? I know everyone is different, but jw what I can expect.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Nikki! Ugh, so sorry. If it’s any comfort – I got a period at 6 weeks and then didn’t get another until 9 months. I hope that that happens for you too. As far as what to expect, I usually saw a decrease of about 5 ounces or so. Some people may see a little more, others less and some not at all. Good luck!
Dee says
I have only been exclusively pumping for about a month, but I find it difficult to do my night time pumps in that 2-3 hour window and have gone 4-5 hours before pumping again. I’m worried that I will either get mastitis again, or slowly lose my supply. Are there any tips for middle of the night pumps or recommendations. As this has happened more than once or twice.
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Dee! I think it’s fine to have a 4-5 hour break over night – I would just be consistent with it every night. Hope that helps!
Paige says
I was exclusively breastfeeding, and then started adding some pump sessions. Now I’m concerned that incorrect pumping habit messed things up.
I didn’t know you should pump for at least 15minutes. I was only pumping for 10minutes because me letdown is strong and I get a good amount in about 5minutes.
I was doing this habit for a month and now I’m concerned that my body only will do one letdown. Both with baby on breast and pump.
Starting two days ago my baby will nurse great during day but in late afternoon gets upset and wants a bottle.
Not sure if my bad pumping habit caused this? How long with it take to get my body to do more than one letdown per session?
Starting tonight I’m going to power pump 4 nights in a row.
Thank you!
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Paige! It could just be a normal variation – prolactin levels vary throughout the day and for many women, are lower in the late afternoon. I don’t think your pumping habits caused it! Also, since you are nursing and pumping, all of these “rules” don’t really apply. Sorry for the confusion!
Lauren Abbott says
Hi! Would love some advice, my daughter was born late preterm and weighed 5lb8 at birth she had issues with glucose levels and jaundice requiring phototherapy.. I harvested colostrum in hospital and have been exclusively pumping ever since as she hasn’t latched. However, I’ve got 2 other children and I’m struggling with the lack of sleep. My supply is currently between 40-47ounces a day pumping 8 times a day so I’m thinking I have an oversupply. Would it be detrimental if I skip one of the two night pumps to catch up on sleep!? My schedule is currently every 3 hours and try to do one pump 1am and one at 4am would love to drop the 1am for a couple of nights .. Thanks in advance!!
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
Hi Lauren! I think it’s okay to drop the 1am session with that supply. You didn’t say how old you baby is but I would keep the other one until 10-12 weeks if possible. 🙂
Carissa says
Lauren – with that kind of supply you may consider going to a 4-hour schedule. That transition from 3 to 4 hours helped me feel 100x more rested and it didn’t affect my supply because I added 5 to 10 min to my pumping sessions to make up for it. I now do 6am/10am/2pm/6pm/10pm (for awhile I was also doing 2am – I did not drop that until I made sure my supply was very set… but two weeks or so after transitioning from 3 to 4 hours, then I spelt weaned my 2am out… first pushed it to 2:30, next night to 3:00, next night to 3:30… then when I reached 5:30 I sipped the 6am and just pumped a little early that day for my 10am).
Ashli says
When I’m down to two sessions per day, do I increase the amount I’m pumping?
I’ve been exclusively pumping.
Thank you!
Amanda Glenn, CLC says
If you want to maintain your supply (as opposed to weaning), you would keep your total pumping time in a day the same. If you’re weaning, then no, just keep your sessions the same length.
Holly Denette says
Can you mix pumped AM milk with pumped PM milk??
Amanda Glenn says
Yes! Just chill the PM milk so they are the same temperature when you mix it.
Kelly says
I have a 3 month old who was NICU for 4 weeks hence I’m exclusively pumping as he struggles at the breast. I have a great supply so much so I wonder if I have oversupply. However I trend easily to clogging; in the beginning and still now. I take lechitin, pump every 3 hours religiously. The question I have is is there any way I can ease into a 4 hr schedule w/o risking clogs and mastitis? Even at night (that is when I get far more full), I sleep only abt 2.5 he increments to sustain the 3 he schedule. The clogs I have had have been so painful and I want to avoid these! Thank you, great article.
Amanda Glenn says
Hi Kelly! I think you can, I would just do it gradually. Maybe stretch to 3.25 hours, then 3.5, etc. Increase the length of your sessions as you move further apart. I hope that helps!
Melissa says
I’ve been eping for my son since we came home from the nicu. He’s now 10weeks old and I make just enough for each feeding sometimes extra now and then but not enough for a freezer stash. I came down with a stomach bug and was in so much abdominal pain I couldn’t bring myself to pump and missed several pumping sessions that night. Luckily I had enough in the fridge to get him threw the night. But as I began pumping again I’ve noticed my supply drop more and more with each pump and I’m down to 2 ounces when he’s taking 4. How can I get my supply to come back up.
Amanda Glenn says
Hi Melissa! What is your pumping schedule like?
Melissa says
Every 3 sometimes 4 hrs I pump I don’t really keep a set schedule. Because sometimes the times vary with his feedings. I power pumped last night and twice today. Hopeing it brings back my supply. It took a power pump just to get his last feeding.
Amanda Glenn says
Hi Melissa! I hope it helps! Here are a few more ideas that might be helpful!
https://exclusivepumping.com/increasing-milk-supply/
Megan Jung says
Hello,
I am not an exclusive pumper, but man do I feel like I am… My LO is 7.5 months old and our schedule looks like this:
I get up at 3am to pump.
We nurse at 6am, then get ready for work and baby sitter.
I pump on the way to work, on my 3 breaks at work, and on the way home from work.
We nurse sometime between 6 and 730.
I stay up and pump again at 1030.
Through all this, I am lucky if I get 15-18 oz, which is roughly what she goes through at the sitter. I pump on average 15-20 minutes, depending on what my break schedules allow at work and if I get 3 oz per session, it has been a great day.
When I have done weighted feeds, she can transfer as much as 6 oz on one side. I have taken several different supplements to try and boost supply, made lactation cookies, and I do take lecithin for clogged duct issues (though I haven’t had one since I had mastitis in June.). I have also done hand compression while pumping, though I don’t feel like it has made much of a difference in output…
I was using a medela pump in style, but now now I only use that in my car. I use a Spectra S2 all other times (it’s more comfortable) which I have hacked to use my medela flanges and gear. I currently use a 21 cm flange after measuring my nipple following Medela guidelines.
I can’t seem to keep up and would really rather not supplement with formula if I can help it. Do you have any recommendations on how to get the milk that I KNOW is there out…
Thank you,
Megan, a very tired momma
Amanda Glenn says
Hi Megan! When you’re pumping the 15-20 minutes, how many letdowns are you getting?
One thing I think would work (but might be annoying and time consuming) is to do hand expression for 5 minutes after you pump. There are YouTube videos that might help!
Natalie says
You asked what pumping mistakes I made early on. Here’s mine :
My baby was in the NICU on formula. I convinced them to transition to breastmilk and then to breastfeeding, which meant I didn’t need to pump anymore. Turns out I was pumping more than the baby was eating, so when I dropped all my pumps and just breastfed, my supply plummeted.
I didn’t realize it for about a week, but by then my baby was dehydrated, so I had to switch to bottle feeding and pump to get my supply back up. I pumped about 12hrs per day (approx. 20 min. on 10 off during the day) for 3 weeks to get my supply back, and then was able to slowly scale back to 5 pumps per day and still get 40 ounces until my thyroid malfunctioned at 6 months.
Emma Johnson says
Hi! I so hope you see this. What happened when your thyroid malfunctioned?? I’ve been having supply issues and have had pretty constant thyroid issue since my son was born.
Vanessa says
Hi there,
I just started exclusively pumping and saw it was mentioned to try and skip a night feeding to get more rest. Is there a way to avoid that painful feeling in your boobs or that’s just inevitable? Thanks!
Amanda Glenn says
Hi Vanessa! You sort of have to train your breasts to go longer and longer to get away from that painful feeling (versus just skipping it). You could try pushing it back an hour to get more sleep maybe?
Natalie says
I find that sleeping on my back without a bra reduces breast fullness pain.
Rose says
I have a 5 week old little one and I’m EPing. I only produce enough to get him through the day/night. I don’t have any to store in the freezer. Is there something wrong with my ducts, why don’t I produce enough to fill my fridge/freezer? And how long does he get my milk, 3 months, 5 months, a year? Just wondering how long I should be pumping for.
Amanda Glenn says
Hi Rose! Congrats on your baby! You are doing great – lots of women don’t make enough to feed their babies, so it’s great that you do! If you wanted to try to increase your supply here are some ideas:
https://exclusivepumping.com/increasing-milk-supply/
Sherry says
This is probably a very selfish question… I have been pumping exclusively for the last 8 months consistently (about 5 or 6 times/day). From time to time, I notice that the pump does not bring down all the milk, and have had to hand pump to get all out. How does a combination of hand pumping and pumping affect the shape of my breasts after? (Will they look droopy?)
Amanda Glenn says
I don’t think that’s selfish at all!
I can only speak to my experience but everything went back to normal afterwards (except size – it’s like the kids sucked all the meat out). But the purple nipples, shape, lopsidedness was not an issue after weaning.
Hope this helps!
Becki says
I’ve been exclusively pumping for 10 days and I really need to increase my supply to keep up with my little guy. He’s 3 weeks and almost 11 lbs, started at 8 13. I just started fenugreek and I really feel like I am Goldilocks with the flanges. I am using 28s (spectra pump) but have tried 24 and 32. I struggle with clogs on the right side but I pump every 2-3 hours day and night. Any advice for a gal who really wants to make it to the 8 week mark?!
Amanda Glenn says
Congrats on your baby Becki! A few ideas:
* maybe try lecithin for the clogs?
* You could try pumpin pals if you want to keep looking for a flange that fits. Maybe coconut oil would help with 28s work better for you?
* I would try to go 4 hours once at night if you can so that you can get through one full sleep cycle and stay sane. Obviously the baby might get in the way of that, but if you can make it happen it will really help!
I hope that helps let me know if you have any questions!
Natalie says
I find that lying on one side or holding my baby against that side causes clogged ducts.
Christina says
I have found that fenugreek doesn’t work for me! Try legendairy milk products! They’re magic! I barely made enough and started taking their supplements and am now freezing from 8-12 ounces a day and feeding my baby 4 oz bottles every 3-4 hours!
Danielle says
My daughter is 5 months old and I’m exclusively pumping. I went from 6 to 5 pumps a day at 3 months and I’ve heard/been told that you should wait until 6 months to drop down to 4 pumps. I’m consistently producing what my baby eats…more often than not a little extra as well. My pump times are currently 6:30 / 10:30 / 2:30 / 6:30 / 10/10:30. I would like to drop the 6:30 pm pump now, if it’s okay not to wait until 6 months. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Amanda Glenn says
Hi Danielle! There’s no hard and fast rule that’s true for everyone, so I wouldn’t worry about that 6 months / 4 pumping sessions “rule”. It’s more about your tolerance for risk and weighing how annoying the 6:30 session is (that’s a rough time for sure) versus the risk of losing supply. Anything can happen when you drop a session – your supply could drop, stay the same, or go up – and there is no way to know ahead of time which group you’ll fall into. You can always try it and keep a close eye on supply and add it back in as necessary? Good luck!