Sometimes something comes up, and you can’t get a full pumping session in. Should you still pump? Is it better to do a short pumping session, or wait until you can do a full one?
![woman pumping breast milk](https://exclusivepumping.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/short_pumping_session.jpg)
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When you’re exclusively pumping and need to pump every three hours, at some point, you’ll need to go to a doctor’s appointment, work meeting, or social event when you’re supposed to be pumping.
If you’re in this situation and you’re wondering if you should do a shorter pumping session, or wait until later when you can do a full session, I would recommend going ahead and doing the shorter pumping session instead of waiting.
Why should should still pump even if you don’t have time
Here’s why it’s a good idea to sneak in a quick pumping session if you can.
1. Frequent pumping in the early days is important for establishing supply
I usually recommend that exclusive pumpers pump for 120 minutes a day as a minimum guideline until they are ready to wean from the pump.
In the early days, it’s especially important to pump frequently as your milk supply is established.
![120 minute rule at different ages](https://exclusivepumping.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/120_minute_rule_different_ages-copy.jpg)
One potential reason for this is known as prolactin receptor theory. This theory suggests that frequent milk removal early on will increase the number of prolactin receptors in the breast, increasing your milk production capability throughout your pumping “career.”
Therefore, even if you can’t get a full pumping session in, squeezing in a quick pumping session to remove milk will be helpful for your milk supply.
2. The more milk you can remove, the better for your supply
You’ve probably heard that breastfeeding is a system of supply and demand.
The more milk that you “demand” (remove via pumping or nursing), the better for your milk supply. In many cases, doing a short session when it’s time to pump and making up the rest of the time later will get you the most milk possible.
3. It gets you in the habit of not skipping sessions
Usually, nothing bad will happen to your supply if you skip one pumping session.
But if it happens often, it’s more likely that your supply could be impacted or that you could get a clogged duct.
Staying in the habit of squeezing pumping sessions in even when it’s inconvenient will help you avoid this trap.
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Ways you can sneak a session in if you don’t have time for a full session
Here are some options for making sure you can get some pumping done, even if it’s not a full session.
1. Pump for less time
This is pretty straightforward – you just pump as you normally would, and stop when you’re out of time.
2. Use a manual pump for however long you can
The time it takes to get set up with an electric pump can take away from the amount of time that you have to pump.
Additionally, when you’re pumping on the go, bringing an electric pump and going to the hassle of setting yourself up to pump can be inconvenient (say, at a bachelorette party).
In cases like this, you can use a manual breast pump for as long as possible.
If you’ll be out of the house when you need to pump, you can put the pump in your bag. Whenever you’re able to get away for a few minutes, sneak off and use it without having to take the time to get your normal pump set up and ready to go.
![going out and don't want to bring your giant breast pump and bag? Pack a manual breast pump in a gallon-sized zip-top plastic bag](https://exclusivepumping.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/manual_pump-copy.jpg)
3. Take advantage of the drive/commute
If you’re driving or being driven somewhere, try pumping in the car on the way there rather than trying to squeeze a session in before you can leave.
![pumping in the car](https://exclusivepumping.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/pumping_and_driving.jpg)
More on pumping in the car here.
Should you make up the time later?
Yes. Ideally, you could tack on the remainder of your pumping time from your shortened session at the next pumping session, since you might be more “full” at that time.
For example, say you normally pump for 20 minutes, but you were only able to sneak in a 10 minute pumping session at 2pm. Your next session is at 5pm.
If possible, you’d do 30 minutes at 5pm, and then pump normally from there onwards.
If that’s not possible, try to make up the missed time at a different session later that day.
What if you really can’t sneak in a session?
Sometimes it’s just not possible to pump.
When that happens, you can either add all the time from the missed session to your next session. (So, in the above example, you would pump for 40 minutes at 5pm), or you can add an extra session sometime later that day.
Let us know in the comments how you handle it when you can’t do a full pumping session!
References
- Bonyata, Kelly, IBCLC. “How does milk production work?” https://kellymom.com/hot-topics/milkproduction/
![Should You Still Pump When You're Short of Time? Plus tricks to sneak pumping sessions in!](https://exclusivepumping.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/should_you_still_pump_short_on_time.jpg)
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