Best time of day to pump breast milk

Is there a “right” time to pump each day?

Table of Contents Show

Is it better to pump in the morning or at night?
How many times a day should I pump while breastfeeding?
What time of day is breast milk lowest?
What time of the day do you produce the most milk?

There are no special rules about when to pump. While it’s likely you’re producing the most milk early in the morning, you should really schedule your pumping sessions based on when you feed your baby. Some women feel they have more milk in the morning, while other moms feel they have a fuller supply in the afternoon or night. Everyone’s milk supply is different and you can get your best results based on your own routine.

When you decide to start pumping on a regular basis, it is best if you have your pump set up and clean all of the time.

Each pumping session will yield a different quality of milk, so be sure to combine the milk produced from various sessions throughout the day.

You will want to collect low-fat milk and high fat milk so that the bottles you leave for the baby offer complete nutrition.
To do this you should choose some feedings to use the pump before you start the nursing session, and other times to pump after you feed the baby.
Each of these pumping sessions should last about 5-10 minutes each.

If you have long breaks in the daytime when your baby sleeps, pump then.

For example, if your baby sleeps from 2pm – 6pm, then you could take that opportunity to sit and pump for 15 minutes at 4pm.
If your baby takes a long sleep break from 9 am until 1pm, you may choose to pump at 11:30am for 15 minutes.
Consider these long sleep breaks as opportunities for you to use the double pump for 12 – 15 minutes. You may find that you have a higher yield at these pump sessions, and that can be very encouraging for a mother who has milk supply concerns.

Another good time to use the breast pump is during feedings when your baby only nurses on one breast.

Although this does not always happen for every nursing, many moms report that the baby will only take from one side at a particular feeding.
Place the pump device into the single sided position (if applicable) and only pump the side that the baby did not nurse on. Remember you are always going to pump and pool the milk, so you are always getting the best nutritional composition of milk for the baby.

Looking for additional help with pumping your breast milk? Tell us about the challenges you’re facing and one of our lactation consultants can provide personalized suggestions for you.

Deciding when to do things, whether a household chore or exercise session, is as much about finding the best time of day as it is about making room in your schedule. So you save the dishes for the end of the day, when your brain is too tired to do mental work, and you try to exercise first thing before other priorities inevitably come up. If you plan to feed your baby with expressed breast milk, you'll want to know when is the best time to pump? Timing is especially crucial when it comes to pumping because the time of day can affect how much milk you get.

Experts usually recommend pumping in the morning to get the most milk in one session. What To Expect suggested pumping for about an hour after your baby first nurses. Why is the morning a magical time to pump? Tommee Tippee explained that your milk-producing hormones work while you sleep. This is why you may wake up feeling engorged or very full if you didn't nurse during the night. Also, if you pump at the same time of day, everyday, your body will fall into a routine and be ready to deliver milk at the appointed hour.

Beyond the morning, finding the best time to pump often comes down to your body and your schedule. If you're still breastfeeding and with your baby most of the time, "pump between breastfeeding, either 30 to 60 minutes after nursing or at least one hour before breastfeeding. This should leave plenty of milk for your baby at your next feeding," according to Ameda's Breast Pumping Guide. Pumping alongside breastfeeding can enable you to leave your child with another caregiver from time to time. If you're on maternity leave from a job you plan to return to, pumping before you go back to work helps you stockpile breast milk in your freezer.

Once you go back to work, pumping can get trickier. What To Expect recommends pumping on a schedule that resembles your baby's usual feeding schedule. Some mothers use car adapters and hands-free pumping bras (you can buy a fancy one or just cut holes out of an old sports bra) to pump during a commute. Of course, you'll also need to pump during the work day. Don't wait until you go back to find out how your company plans to accommodate your pumping schedule. Before or during your maternity leave, it's wise to talk to your supervisor and/or HR department about where you will pump and when.

The good news about pumping at work is that your milk supply should generally be established at this point. You can skip night pumpings and, if your baby cooperates, get the sleep you so desperately need to function. Pumping sessions will usually be shorter at this point — about 10 to 15 minutes — so they shouldn't interrupt your work flow too much if you pump about four times during an eight-hour workday. Having trouble with milk letdown? Many mothers look at pictures or videos of their baby in order to stimulate oxytocin and milk expression.

Overall, finding the best time to pump is about discovering what works for you. Plenty of women intend to pump after going back to work, but then find it's not working well. Don't feel guilty about reducing your pumping sessions or stopping altogether. As a wise friend of mine put it, "I realized I don't have to do this." However many weeks or months of breast milk you've already given your baby is a gift that will continue to provide health benefits. In the end, a happy and healthy mother is essential to having a happy and healthy baby.

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Is it better to pump in the morning or at night?

Many moms and lactation consultants recommend pumping once between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., as most moms tend to have a high output at this time. In addition, your prolactin levels are highest at night, so you're taking advantage of the milk-making hormone by pumping at night.

How many times a day should I pump while breastfeeding?

Tips for Pumping Breast Milk: The majority of new mothers get the most milk early in the day. Plan to pump at least 8-10 times in a 24-hour period (if exclusively pumping) You can pump in-between, or immediately after, breastfeeding. Make sure the pump flanges are the right size.

What time of day is breast milk lowest?

Low milk supply at night Therefore, your overall prolactin levels could drop if you skip on night feedings, leading to a low milk supply. Additionally, breast milk tends to have a higher fat content at night, so it's very nutritious for your baby.

What time of the day do you produce the most milk?

Pumping both breasts at the same time raises the milk producing hormone Prolactin, and increases milk supply. Women produce different amounts of milk at different times of day. The highest milk volume is usually in the morning and the lowest is in the late afternoon or early evening.