It's common for breastfeeding parents to wonder how to increase their breast milk supply. In addition to frequent nursing, it can really help to pump to boost breast milk production. Show
In fact, the regular and frequent use of a breast pump to remove breast milk from your breasts can help you create, maintain, or increase your breast milk supply. This is because breast milk production is based on a supply and demand system. So, the more breast milk you remove, the more you will make. Whether you're pumping in addition to breastfeeding or exclusively, fully draining the milk from your breasts and the stimulation of the breast pump encourages your body to make more breast milk. Learn more about how to increase breast milk supply by pumping. Verywell / Cindy Chung How Pumping Affects Milk SupplyPumping can be a very important strategy for increasing your breast milk supply. These tips may help improve your odds of seeing an increase in your supply.
Use the Right Breast PumpUse a hospital-grade pump or a high-quality electric breast pump. A pump that's operated by hand or a small electric or battery-powered pump is OK for occasional pumping, but it is not strong enough to build, maintain, or increase a healthy supply of breast milk. A double pump may be a good investment, especially if you're pumping exclusively, since it's a great time-saver. Use the Pump CorrectlyFor the best results, follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use the pump correctly, and make sure the pump is good working order. If you have questions, contact the manufacturer or ask a lactation consultant. Be sure that the pump flanges (shields), the part of the pump that goes over your breasts and nipples, fit you properly. Using breast flanges that are too big or too small can lead to breast issues such as sore nipples or damaged breast tissue. Prepare Before PumpingBefore you start to pump, wash your hands and choose a breast milk storage container that fits your needs. You'll be pumping for 20 to 30 minutes, so get into a comfortable position. You may feel thirsty or hungry while you're pumping, so place a glass of water or juice and some healthy food next to your pumping spot before you begin. It will be easy to grab a snack and sip a drink if it's within your reach. Your body needs lots of fluids and some extra calories to produce milk. Pump OftenIf your baby will take the breast, breastfeed first and then pump after each feeding. You may not get much at first, but if you consistently stimulate your breasts by pumping, your body should get the message to make more milk. If you're exclusively pumping, express your breast milk as often as possible to stimulate the production of breast milk. Aim for every 3 hours if you can. Try Skin-to-Skin ContactResearch shows that kangaroo care, which is spending time in direct skin-to-skin contact with your baby, can increase the amount of breast milk that you're able to pump. If your baby is in the hospital and cannot breastfeed, talk to the hospital staff about using kangaroo care as often as your baby can tolerate it. If possible, pump while you're near your baby, or even holding your baby. When you're pumping away from your child, try to relax and think of them. Looking at a picture of your child, listening to a recording of their coos or cry, and holding a piece of clothing or a blanket that carries their smell can help stimulate your let-down reflex and get the breast milk flowing. Apply Warm, Moist HeatBefore you pump, place warm, wet washcloths on your breasts. The moist heat can help bring about the flow of your breast milk. This is especially helpful if you have difficulty with let-down. Pump for 10 to 15 Minutes on Each BreastIf you are pumping one breast at a time, switch back and forth between breasts whenever the flow of breast milk slows down to a just a few drops or stops completely. If you're pumping both breasts at the same time, you can pump until the flow slows or stops, rest for a few minutes, and then start to pump again. As you pump, massage or stroke your breasts to help remove more breast milk. Use GalactagoguesAsk your doctor or lactation consultant about galactagogues. Pumping along with the use of certain medications or herbs can help to increase your supply of breast milk. The use of medications and herbs on their own will not help very much. Breast stimulation and the removal of milk from the breasts is necessary to see results from galactagogues, so make sure that you keep on pumping frequently. Keep Your Equipment CleanAfter each use, follow the manufacturer's instructions for wiping down and cleaning your breast pump and tubing. Wash your breast flanges and breast milk storage containers in hot, soapy water. Then, rinse them well and allow them to completely dry so they'll be ready to use when you need them next. Store Your Pumped Breast Milk SafelyAfter you finish pumping, properly store the breast milk that you've collected. Breast milk can be left out at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen. In the right container, and at the right temperature, breast milk can be stored for six months or even longer. Take Care of YourselfWhen you're taking care of a little one, and there's always so much to do, it's easy to put yourself last. But if you don't take care of yourself, it can affect your breast milk supply. Try your best to eat a well-balanced diet with extra calories, drink plenty of fluids, and get some rest. When to Pump to Increase Breast Milk SupplyThere are many situations in which you might need to boost your breast milk supply by pumping. These include:
Where to Get HelpIf you have any questions about your breast milk supply, breast pumps, or pumping, talk to your doctor, a lactation consultant, or a local breastfeeding support group such as La Leche. These resources can help you decide on the pump that is right for you. They can also provide you with additional help and support as you work on building and maintaining your milk supply. Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Additional Reading
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Donna Murray, RN, BSN Thanks for your feedback! How long does it take for breasts to refill?As mentioned, the breast is never completely empty, but milk flow is greatly reduced by nursing to the point where no significant amount is expressed. It typically takes 20-30 minutes to rebuild to an adequate flow and closer to an hour to rebuild to peak flow.
How many times a day should I power pump to increase supply?How often should I power pump? Once per day is great. If you want to do twice and you can manage it, that's fine, but make sure that you don't pump so much that you get burned out and miserable. You are worth more to your baby than a few extra ounces of breast milk.
Will pumping for 5 minutes increase supply?An important thing to remember is that if you are pumping to increase your supply, pumping longer will not help. It is more effective to pump more frequently for a shorter amount of time. For instance, pumping for 5 minutes every hour is more effective than pumping for 20 minutes at one time.
How often should you pump to build up milk supply?Pump every three hours around the clock or at least eight times in 24 hours until you build a good milk supply. Some moms find it helpful to set an alarm on their phone to remind them it is time to pump. Pumping usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.
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