Exclusive pumping question

Bub is a week old. Just wondering if I am able to maintain my breastmilk supply for a long term (eg 10-12 months) if I'm only pumping every 4 hours. Right now, I am getting more than baby needs - at least 120ml on average per feed.

I worry that when she needs more, I am not able to meet it.

What have others done? Should I be pumping more often?

Your urgent help is much appreciated.

Thank you.

It depends on your body but in principle it shouldn't be a problem. My wife pumped exclusively with two kids for 12 months each. It was about every 4-6 hours (longer at night). As baby needs more, you'll pump for longer and production will increase.


No need to pump more often. Just pump for a longer duration as you need more help.

Dear Gemma ,

A newborn baby of one week old will feed at least 8-12 times in a 24 hour period particularly a few times overnight. Although you are pumping adequate amounts of breast milk for your baby at this time it would be wise to help maintain your milk supply to increase your pumping to at least 8 times a day and if possible once or twice overnight. The hormone Prolactin which is responsible for the milk production is highest between 10pm and 3am . Missing feedings between these times can often lead to a drop in milk supply . You and your baby would be very welcome to come to Well Baby clinic to discuss this in further depth .

With best regards.


Well Baby Clinic 2849 0328


Matilda International Hospital

There is a book called (rather appropriately!) SOS (Save Our Sleep) which suggests pumping when you have more milk (ie,in the morning) so you have extra milk for a good feed at night. This also means that when the babies have a growth spurt and feed more (usually in the short term) that you have a bit 'extra' to give.


I managed to still feed my baby (now 7 1/2 months) without using this system, and only feeding without pumping. However, I would say that any time she was crying, she was fed on demand (although now I understand that sometimes she was crying because she was tired) it meant that my milk was stimulated enough to be a good supply.


But well done for seeking advice/help as support is somewhat lacking in so many places.


Out of curiosity, are you pumping so much because you're returning to work and want to build up a good stash, or just to increase your supply to start with so going forward you feel you have enough?

Yes, my decision to pump exclusively is because I have to go back to work but I still wish to provide my baby with as much breastmilk as possible.

I direct feed 2-3 times a day but we often top this up with expressed breastmilk given via a bottle afterwards. I believe she's not latched on properly despite her "gulping" sounds because the area under my breasts are very sore. It's almost like she's developed a bad habit where she will come off if she's not happy with the way she's latched. Prior to this, she could latch on better and I could burp her. Now I dread latching because of the pain. I still direct feed at the very least twice a day for "bonding" more than anything. The rest of the time, I pump to keep up my milk supply. I'm slowly building up a fair amount in the freezer so that my helper can help me feed while I'm at work. Gosh, the very though of going back to work depresses me but I have no choice.


To Matilda, thanks for the tips. I am trying my best to pump more often as per your advice. So I'm doing it 3 hourly in the day time and four hourly at nights. Eg. 1am, 5am, 8.30am - then 3 hourly from then on up until night time again. I hope this is enough to maintain my supply for the longer term?


It's quite tough because all I ever do each day is pumping, washing and feeding. Fortunately bub is very quick when she drinks. I'm just wondering whether or not it is possible to ease off on pumping once my milk is established? Like pump 4 times a day like axpatguy's wife and still get enough to feed her? If so, when can I start easing off?


Will give your clinic a call soon.


Thanks so much to all who have replied. I needed the help so much :-)

"I'm just wondering whether or not it is possible to ease off on pumping once my milk is established? Like pump 4 times a day like axpatguy's wife and still get enough to feed her? If so, when can I start easing off?"


I think it very much depends on your body. My wife was lucky in that she always had plenty but other mums struggle. Only way to know is to try and see what happens.

From my experience, and from what I have heard, it can be hard to pump as much as they would consume, ie, I can regularly pump an average of 100 ml, but she will take 180 ml from a bottle. However, once your feeding settles down to a more regular pattern it will become easier to work out. Ie, your first feed of the day won't be a problem, let's say that is at 7 am, then you have the 11 am feed and the 3 pm feed so you may only need to supplement those feeds with some extra/pre-expressed milk - and will you possibly be home for the 7 pm feed?


Please also note that stress and even doing too much exercise can affect how much milk you produce so you must look after yourself - you have already given your baby a great start with the milk he/she has already had.


As xpatguy says, the only way you will know is to try and see what happens, but please don't beat yourself up if it doesn't go quite according to plan. Supplementing any feeds with formula is not the worse thing you can do.


Good Luck! : )

Hi, firstly congratulations on your baby's birth, it's very hard to get yourself together enough in the first week to get help with problems. Please go ahead and contact your clinic or a breastfeeding counsellor such as the La Leche League though. During the first few weeks a good supply with pumping only can be maintained easily but if a good supply by pumping enough (night time as well) and feeding regularly is not established, your supply will decrease. A good counsellor will help you with your latch easily at this stage, so you will be able to breastfeed as well, if you wish to and will be able to give advice on a good pumping schedule too.

Check out the LLL website further information on pumping too.

Good Luck.