Wondering whether or not you should drop a pumping session? Some exclusive pumpers would like to pump less often, but are worried about their milk supply. Here’s what to consider.
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When I was pumping seven or eight times per day, I really looked forward to the time when I could drop a pumping session.
Even though I planned to keep my total amount of pumping time in a day the same, it’s still a pain to stop what you’re doing, find a place to pump (if you’re not home), get hooked up to/unhooked from the pump, and store the milk.
It’s so much easier to do that four times a day than eight!
What will happen to my milk supply if I drop a pumping session?
Making the decision to drop a pumping session when you’re concerned about your milk supply can be hard.
The thing is, you never know what’s going to happen as far as supply goes when you drop a pumping session until you drop it (and sometimes, you don’t really know until a few weeks later). Your supply could go down, it could stay the same, or it could even increase.
So how do you decide to drop a pump when you don’t know what it will do to your supply? I put together the below flowchart based on my experience that might help you decide.
The main things that you want to take into account are:
- Your milk supply
- Whether or not your supply has regulated
- What you can handle
The Should I Drop a Pumping Session? Flowchart
Supply regulation usually happens by 12 weeks postpartum, and it just means that the extra hormone “boost” than you may have after birth has worn off. After your supply regulates, supply is driven solely by demand.
One thing that I firmly believe (and tried to reflect above) is that if you are losing your mind from pumping too much (or just don’t want to pump so much), that trumps everything else – you should drop a pumping session.
The most important thing that you can give your baby is a happy YOU – not an extra two ounces of breast milk.
Assumptions
I made a couple of assumptions in putting this together:
- The first is that you want to maintain your supply – if you’re trying to wean, you aren’t concerned with keeping your supply (in fact, you’re actively trying to make it go down), and you should therefore ignore this chart.
- The second assumption is that you haven’t already dropped a pumping session within the last two weeks. If you have, I would recommend waiting at least that long, and preferably a little longer.
- Finally, I assumed that you want to drop a pumping session. If you have concerns about supply and are perfectly happy with your current schedule, then there’s no need to drop a pump just because the above chart says to – this is intended more for exclusively pumping moms who are itching to consolidate their pumping time. (Though I’m guessing that that includes most people reading!)
I’ve decided to drop a pumping session. How do I do that?
There are a few different ways to do this:
- Drop the session cold turkey (meaning you just stop pumping at this time)
- Slowly decrease the volume pumped at the session you’re dropping
- Slowly decrease the time pumped at the session you’re dropping
- Move sessions closer together until you can safely drop one.
If you aren’t prone to clogged ducts or mastitis, cold turkey may the be the easiest method. However, if you’ve ever dealt with either, slowly reducing time or volume would probably be a better option.
Much more detail about how to drop a pumping session here.
Finally, remember that when you drop a pumping session, unless you’re weaning, you should always keep your total amount of pumping time in a day the same! Add the time from your dropped session back to the other sessions in order to maintain your milk supply.
Hopefully this gives you a good idea of whether or not you should drop a pumping session! Ask any questions you have in the comments.
Hi! I am exclusively pumping for my 11 week old baby. I only pump 5 times a day (not on a specific schedule but around certain times, when I am able to) for about 20 minutes each. I get on average 35 oz a day which is more than my baby needs so I freeze one, sometimes 2 feeds-worth a day. I have on occasion only fit in 4 pumping sessions but then was anxious to get back to 5 and not lose my supply. Do you think I can safely drop to 4 sessions a day? Would be so helpful! Thank you!
Also- until a few weeks ago (maybe a month?) I found my supply fluctuated a few times despite not changing my routine and I obsessively pumped when I seemed low. That hasn’t happened since- does that mean my supply has regulated?
Hi May! A lot depends on your goals – how long do you think that you want to pump? If you said 6 months, I would think it was okay but would make sure to increase the length of your remaining 4 sessions to 25 minutes each. If you want to pump for longer, like a year, I might hold off for a while still. I hope that helps!
Hi Amanda. Thank you so much for making this website. I have found it incredibly helpful that all this information specifically addressing my situation is in one place. I am not up to dropping sessions yet since I am still struggling a bit with supply, but I was wondering – does the rule about keeping the time when dropping sessions apply when the original sessions were an hour long? I have a Lansinoh pump, which automatically switches off after an hour, and I’ve been pumping about 5 times a day, almost always for the full hour. My son is 7 and a half weeks old and eating everything I pump (about 30 oz) as well as another 2-12 oz of formula per day. There was one day I only had time to pump 3 times – also an hour each – and that day I got 38 ounces, but I think it was before my supply regulated. Am I pumping too long? I am considering switching to more shorter sessions (maybe 8 sessions of 30-40 minutes) but I am concerned that my breasts might not get fully emptied then. They are often still dripping at the end of the hour. When I do get to dropping sessions, should I be pumping over an hour each session? So far it seems like in general I get more milk if I pump fewer times a day, without increasing the time.
Hi there! Congrats on your sweet baby. I’m going to post an article for you about emptying faster – can you take a look and see if you think any of those options might help you not need to take the full hour? I am not sure that I would add back time after you drop sessions given that you’re already pumping for an hour.
https://exclusivepumping.com/pump-breast-milk-faster/
Thanks. I found that page before and have started working on it already. The breast compressions have been really helpful, but anything that requires my attention while pumping is taking up more of my time rather than saving it since I usually try to get other things done while pumping. Hand expression afterwards helped with my supply, but also made the whole process take longer. I’ve also noticed that flange size/shape and my mood both make a huge difference in how fast the milk starts flowing. I have recently been able to cut down the time to 47-55 minutes sometimes, but other times it takes an hour + hand expression so I don’t know if I’m really saving time yet.
Hi! First off let me say how helpful this site has been, thank you! I am 11 weeks pp. I’m not sure if I have regulated yet, but I’ve been steadily averaging 55-60oz a day and my son is eating about 30. I pump 7x a day. 45 min in the morning and 30 min the rest. I would like to drop since I am such an overproducer and it can be hard for me to get 7 in, but it takes me a while to empty. I know it’s hard to say, but do you think I could drop to 6 a day? Do you think it would work if I pumped for like 45 min 6 times a day?
Hi Ashley, I think that would likely be okay. This post might be helpful in terms of getting to empty faster? I hope it helps!
https://exclusivepumping.com/pump-breast-milk-faster/
I’m currently 14.5 wpp and I’m pretty sure I’ve regulated, producing a little more than baby is currently taking per day. I pump 7x for 130 min (2am, 5:15am, 9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:15pm, 6pm, 9:30pm) and I can’t really move or adjust the 5:30am, 9:30am, or 12:30pm due to my work schedule(6am-3pm). I’ve noticed the 6pm pump is pretty consistently the lowest producing pump–if I’m wanting to drop a pump should I work on dropping that one? Do I try to scoot back my 3:15pm and move up my 6pm to meet somewhere in the middle like 5ish? I don’t really want to drop my 2am since that’s my highest yielding pump…
Hi Katy! Yes, that’s what I’d do – drop the 6 and scoot back the 3:15. Good luck!
My LO is 16 weeks and I pump 6x/day for around 130 min (2am, 7, 10, 1pm, 5, 9) making 32-35oz and want to drop the MOTN. With my 2am and 7am session, I normally get about 14.5oz. If I drop the MOTN, in theory would I still get that 14.5oz during my single morning pump?
Hi Lin! It’s definitely possible. Many people get most of that milk in the morning and maybe some throughout the day. There’s no real way to know until you try it. Make sure to add the time from the 2am session to your other pumping sessions – you may want to make the morning session longest when you do that. Good luck!
Hi! Currently 3.5 months postpartum, pumping 8x a day and making about 30-32oz per day. I would love to drop a session, my schedule is 1am/4am/7am/10am/1pm/4pm/7pm/10pm pumping for 40mins. How exactly would I drop a session and which one?
Hi Jazmin! I would start with the 1am probably! Here’s what I would suggest:
https://exclusivepumping.com/drop-middle-of-the-night-pumping-sessions/
Hi! I my son is currently 2.5 months old and I’ve been pumping and supplementing because I was never able to regulate my supply. I currently pump 6 times a day for an about 120 minutes total. I want to try and slowly drop sessions, as it’s becoming overwhelming to keep up with the 6 sessions. I am just nervous that my supply will drastically drop. I am only producing about 14 ounces a day as I am an under supplier. What do you suggest? Do you think it’s possible to keep my supply the same while eventually dropping to 4 or 3 sessions a day?
Thank you!
Hi Ashley! I would maybe try dropping to 5 and see what happens! Make sure to increase your time to keep it at 120 minutes a day. If that goes well, I’d give it a few weeks and maybe drop to 4. I don’t think I would go down to 3 until you’re within a month or two of wanting to wean. I hope that helps!
4.5mpp and pumping 30min at 4a/7:30a/11:30a/4p/7p/9p. If I slowly dropped my 4am pump, would that make me extremely engorged then by my 7:30am pump time? Or does our body get used to the new schedule and begin to only produce BM during those scheduled pump times?.. if that makes sense?
Hi Nicole! You want to go slowly so your body gets used to it. You would be very full, but it should be manageable if you go slowly enough. Good luck!
Help! I’m 6 mo pp and I’m pumping 5x a day (6,10,3,7,10) at 30-45min a pump. I would love to drop a pump but not sure how to start. You also mentioned that you keep the amount of time pumping the same so even if you pump one one or two times a day, you’re still pumping for 4-5 hours? That seems odd to me.
Hi Erika!
Here is exactly how to drop a session. I would probably drop the 7pm and move your 3pm back to 4pm or 5pm if possible (though I know that can be a hard time).
https://exclusivepumping.com/dropping-pumps/
For the pumping time the same – I wouldn’t recommend dropping to 1-2 sessions a day until you’re ready to wean, and I usually recommend pumping for 120 minutes a day regardless of how many sessions you have until you start to wean. So no, not 4-5 hours a day. 🙂 Hope that helps!
Hi! Baby is 4 months old and I am pumping 5x a day (160 min/day) producing about 32-34 oz. I would love to drop to 4 pumps a day. How much does supply “drop” though for most people? Is it like a few oz a day or can it be drastic like in half?
Im ok with supplementing a bit if needed, but dont want to SIGNIFICANTLY drop my output– so nervous but need sanity!!
Hi Jenna! When going to 4 ppd I don’t think it will be that dramatic (you might not even lose any) if you keep your total pumping time in a day the same. 3ppd might be a different story (or not – but 4 is less risky). Good luck!
Yes, I’m taking lecithin. I don’t know if that causes any side effects to my baby. His stool seems to be more watery.
What I meant by emptied is no more milk coming out from pumping.
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for your reply. I don’t think I can pump for 30-45mins each session. Basically my breasts are emptied within 10-15mins. I tried to lengthen the time in between two sessions for 8hrs today. Clogged ducts happened again.. Everything was good earlier.. now I’m frustrated.
Are you taking lecithin at all?
When you say your breasts are emptied – what do you mean?
Hi Amanda,
I need help! I got mastitis when my baby was 7 weeks old. After finishing the 10-day antibiotics, I decided to drop pumping sessions as I will be returning to work in a few weeks. I think I did it too aggressively. I dropped 2 pumping sessions within 4 days. It was 6 pumps daily (every 3 to 5hrs, 27-30oz, 120mins a day). Then I dropped it to 4 times daily, every 6hrs, and shorted to 70-100mkns. My body didn’t adjust to it that well. I have had lumps come and go. It’s getting so hard to pump but I’m still able get some milk out. Volume dropped about 1-2oz per day since last Thursday. I was hoping to keep one or two pumping sessions and now I don’t know what to do now. The nurse said it’s a normal process of weaning off. She told me it’s all or nothing. She told me to stop pumping and let the milk dry up. The lumps may or may not go away.
Any ideas how I can keep some milk supply while making the lumps go away?
Hi Mandy! You can definitely try two sessions per day. I would make them 30-45 minutes long if you can. As for getting there – I would just drop one pumping session at a time and do it slowly so your body has time to adjust. That should help with the lumps. I think the nurse is wrong, FWIW. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, though some people will struggle to maintain a supply with two sessions a day. Good luck!
Hi!
I have an almost 9week old and had a very rocky start due to poor latch and transfer. I managed to get my supply up from 2oz a day to 20-22oz (got 23 yesterday!). My LO takes about 24 oz a day and I pump 8 times a day for the 4.5-5 hours (about 30 min each time with some extras thrown in here and there). I go back to work in a month and am desperate to drop a pump to get more sleep. Any advice on how to drop a MOTN pump without losing supply? Am losing my mind here!
Hi Samantha! Congrats on your 9 week old! That’s awesome about your supply. Here some info about dropping the middle of the night session:
https://exclusivepumping.com/drop-middle-of-the-night-pumping-sessions/
Basically your best best is to keep your total pumping time in a day the same. You’re pumping a LOT already but I would do that first and then maybe see if you can cut that down a bit?
Hi,
My LO is 14 months old and I currently exclusively pump with a goal to stop in 2 months. I currently pump 4 times a day, 40 min sessions and it is enough for her for the day. If I drop to 3 sessions with adding that 40 min time into the 3 sessions, do you think this would work? Im prone to clogs, but am so over the 4 sessions taking time away from my family. Thanks! I love your site so much!
Hi Ash! You can’t know for sure until you try, but I think it’s worth a shot! Good luck!
Hi there,
I recently had a bout of mastitis but it seemed to resolve quickly with antibiotics. I am pumping about 7 times a day for 12
mins each and roughly making 55-65 oz a day while my baby only takes about 26-32oz a day.
I am so tired! When would I be able to drop the middle of the night pump? He’s going to be 8 weeks old this week. I do become pretty engorged although I have been using cabbage leaves and that definitely helps. I only plan to go until he’s 6 months old with EPing, but I’m just wondering how I can get rid of a late night/early morning session.
Hi Arianne! At 8 weeks with a 6 month goal and that supply, I think you’d be okay to go to a 6-8 hour break overnight now. Ideally you’d wait until 12 weeks, but your health/a happy mom is important, too. Is your baby sleeping through the night?
Hi there!
I am currently pump 7 times a day for 20 minutes each session (total of 140 minutes a day). I started doing this before I knew the 120 rule. I would really like to get down to 120 every day. Is this possible? I am 13 wpp and regulated milk at this point. Thanks!
Hi Hilary! This post has some information that might be helpful on how to do that! Basically, you drop the extra 20 minutes slowly. Hope this helps!
https://exclusivepumping.com/120-minute-rule/
Hi Amanda,
My son is 7.5weeks and drinks 20-25oz each day. I pump 7 sessions for a total of 36oz. I’m not sure if my supply is regulated yet as I get some occasional let down still, breasts seem to be softer but sometimes feels stiff before pumping.
I’m wondering if it’s ok to drop to 6 sessions; I’m planning to breastfeed til at least 6 months or more (max 1 year) depending on how it is when I return to work when he’s 5 months old.
I’m just worried if my supply will decrease a lot if I have my period later on.
Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!!
Hi Priscilla! I can’t for sure but would guess it would be okay. Just make sure to make your sessions longer so that your total pumping time in a day is the same!
Thanks for the suggestion!! I’ll try that
I pump 6 times a day 25-30mins each session and get 55-60oz on average in a day. My baby will be 12 weeks in a few days time and I wanted to drop a session as it’s been incredibly hard for me mentally but I’m not sure if my supply has regulated yet. I want to make it to 6 months and have been stashing the excess in the deep freeze to try to get her to a year with milk. I got rid of the middle of the night pump session a few weeks ago but I still leak quite badly over the 6 hours of sleep I get, and my chest is always engorged when I get up. I know I have a massive oversupply as baby only eats about 20-24oz a day but I don’t want to risk dropping sessions before my body is ready and ruin my supply for her. Any advice is totally accepted and appreciated!! 🙂
Hi Finnegan! I think you are doing great! It might just take a bit more time for your body to not be so engorged overnight, and hopefully the leaking will let up soon. You could maybe try cabbage leaves and see if that helps you stretch out the time without pain?
For the leaking, these pads might be helpful as I found they stay in place better overnight:
https://www.davinandadley.com/products/paisley-bra-liner
Hi! I’m so happy to have found your site and the great info! Very helpful.
My supply recently dropped and I got my period. I wanted to give a good try of regaining my supply to what it was before accepting the new volume.
I nurse/pump and additionally rotate day/night shift work. I use to pump 5-7 times (1 hr 20 min total) for a total of 25-35 oz. but since my period, I Have been pumping 6 times For 1 hr 20 min total and produce only 20 oz.
For me to Try to regain, I was planning to pump every 2 hours for 6 sessions but my question is how many days should I attempt this before conceding that my supply is diminished?
Additionally if I accept my new volume, could I be pumping less sessions Or less total time during the day or should I maintain the # to maintain my current supply?
Hi Carolyn! I wonder if a calcium/magnesium supplement might help with supply dropping as a result of your period? Here is more info:
https://exclusivepumping.com/what-to-do-when-your-period-tanks-your-milk-supply/
I would give it about 2-3 weeks. Good luck!