How to Bring in a Full Milk Supply with a Breast Pump

By Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, Ameda Products

Co-author of Breastfeeding Made Simple and The Breastfeeding Answer Book

 http://www.ameda.com/breastpumping/most/tips.aspx

 

After birth, if you find yourself faced with a pump rather than your nursing baby, you may feel sad. It may help to think of the pump as a useful tool to help you get ready for breastfeeding.

 

Begin pumping by keeping your goal in mind: To pump a full milk supply — 25-35 ounces (750-1050 ml) per day — by Day 10 to 14. Right after birth, your body is primed and ready to make milk. Don’t wait too long. If you do, it may be much harder to reach this goal.

 

When do you start? If you can, start pumping within the first six hours after your baby’s birth. As soon as possible, pump at least 8-10 times every 24 hours. This is how many times each day your baby would be breastfeeding. In general, the more times each day you pump, the more milk you make. The reverse is true, too. The less you pump, the less milk you make.

 

What do you need to know from Day 1 to 4?

 

If your baby is not breastfeeding, use a hospital-grade rental pump.

Plan to dual pump (both breasts at once). This saves time and boosts milk supply faster.

Until your milk "comes in" on Day 3 or 4, pump at least 10-15 minutes per breast.

Pump at least once during the night. Don’t go longer than about 5 hours between pumpings. (Full breasts make milk slower.)

 

 

When your milk increases about Day 4, make these changes:

 

Pump longer — two minutes after the last drop of milk or 20-30 minutes, whichever comes first. (Drained breasts make milk faster.)

Focus on the NUMBER of pumpings each day, not the time between pumpings (i.e., every 2 or 3 hours).

 

 

Many moms find it simpler to focus on their daily total. And it is this daily total that is most important to your milk supply. Rather than trying to pump at set times, instead think: "How can I fit in my 10 or so pumpings?" If you find you can’t pump during part of the day, pump every hour when you can. Keep that daily total in mind. 

 

Also, try to keep the longest stretch between pumpings as short as you can. (Full breasts make milk slower.)

 

When you reach 25-35 oz. (750-1050 ml) per day, you’ve met your goal. Most mothers can then pump fewer times each day and still keep up their milk supply. You may also be able to sleep through the night without a drop in milk supply.