Creating a breastfeeding and pumping schedule that works
Creating a breastfeeding and pumping schedule that works
Post Author
Post Author
Dahlia Rimmon, MS, RDN
Editorial Manager
Medically reviewed by
Medically reviewed by
Nicole Silber, RD, CSP, CLC
Dietitian
Dr. Leo Damasco
Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine
Feeding your baby breast milk is not always simple. It takes planning, patience, and plenty of flexibility, especially if you’re balancing breastfeeding with pumping. For many parents, creating a routine brings structure to the day, makes feedings more predictable, and helps carve out a little breathing room in their own schedule. If you’ve chosen to combine breastfeeding with pumping, this guide will walk you through how to build a routine that supports both you and your baby.
Breastfeeding and pumping overview
Breastfeeding, or nursing, is the practice of a mother feeding her baby breast milk directly from the breast. If you can breastfeed, it’s an excellent way to provide your baby with the essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding until your baby is six months old. However, every family is different, and some mothers may choose to breastfeed beyond six months or stop before their baby reaches six months. Breastfeeding is a personal choice, and ultimately, “fed is best.”
For families who want to provide breast milk but aren’t able to nurse directly or who want to share feeding responsibilities, breast pumping can be a great option. It allows parents to express milk and either store it for later or bottle-feed their baby breast milk. Pumping can make returning to work more manageable, help maintain or increase milk supply, and give other caregivers the opportunity to participate in feeding. Many parents find that combining breastfeeding with pumping creates a flexible routine that supports both their baby’s needs and their own lifestyle.
Benefits of pumping
While breastfeeding directly from the breast is the most common way to feed a baby breast milk, pumping offers unique advantages that can make the feeding journey more flexible and sustainable.
Provides flexibility and independence: Pumping helps establish a milk supply so that mom can be away from her baby for work, errands, or rest, while still ensuring the baby receives breast milk.
Supports shared caregiving: When another caregiver bottle-feeds the baby, it promotes bonding with that caregiver. It also allows partners or family members to actively participate in feeding.
Helps babies who cannot latch: Pumping allows babies with latching difficulties to receive the benefits of breast milk.
Boosts milk supply: Regular pumping can help increase milk production, which is particularly helpful for mothers with low supply.
Relieves engorgement: Pumping can ease discomfort and prevent complications such as clogged ducts or mastitis.
When to start pumping
“Deciding when to pump really depends on why a mother needs or wants to pump,” says Nicole Silber, RD, CSP, CLC, Pediatric Dietitian and Certified Lactation Counselor at Summer Health. “If the baby can latch and mom is available, pumping may not be needed right away, and it’s commonly accepted in the lactation field to wait until breastfeeding is well established, which is typically between 3 to 4 weeks.” Waiting helps reduce the risk of oversupply and minimizes the chance of nipple confusion, which can disrupt breastfeeding.
There are situations where pumping earlier may be necessary. If a baby is unable to latch effectively—whether due to prematurity, a medical condition, or separation from mom, or if pumping is needed to help stimulate milk supply—starting to pump shortly after birth is important to establish and maintain milk supply. Pumping can also help in cases of oversupply, when breasts become engorged, or if a baby isn’t transferring enough milk. In these cases, pumping can provide relief, protect supply, and lower the risk of mastitis.
Do breastfeeding mothers need to pump?
“Pumping is not a necessity,” says Silber. If your baby is nursing well, gaining weight appropriately, and you’re available for feedings, you may not need to pump at all. Some mothers exclusively breastfeed without ever using a pump. If your baby is nursing well, gaining weight appropriately, and you’re available for feedings, you may not need to pump at all. Some mothers exclusively breastfeed without ever using a pump.
That said, many experts recommend having at least a small supply of pumped milk on hand once breastfeeding is well established. “I recommend all breastfeeding mothers, once breast feeding has been established, have two bottles worth of breast milk frozen,” says Silber. “This can be useful in case of an emergency, or if mom needs to be away from the baby unexpectedly.” Even if you don’t plan to pump regularly, building a small “just-in-case” stash can help reduce stress and ensure your baby always has access to breast milk when needed.
Pumping frequency
How often a mother should pump depends on her individual needs, breastfeeding goals, and milk supply. Frequent pumping can help establish and maintain a steady supply. Breast milk production operates on a supply-and-demand system, and the more milk a mother expresses, the more signals her body receives to produce additional milk.
If a mother is producing more milk than needed, reducing the frequency or duration of a pumping session can help prevent discomfort and oversupply. On the other hand, if a mother wants to increase her milk supply, increasing both the frequency and length of pumping sessions can increase her supply.
What’s power pumping?
Power pumping is a pumping technique used to mimic cluster feeding, when a baby feeds frequently over a short period. This method tells the body to produce more milk in response to increased demand, and is used to help a mother increase her milk supply. Typically, power pumping involves pumping in short increments, like 10 minutes of pumping followed by a 10-minute break and then repeated over the course of about one hour.
How to create a pumping and breastfeeding schedule
“To create a schedule, I recommend working closely with your local or virtual lactation specialist, to get a custom schedule that works best for you and your baby,” says Silber. “They specialize in keeping the mother’s mental and physical health in mind, since pumping and breastfeeding can be very demanding.”
When building a schedule, consider your breastfeeding goals and your feeding approach. Are you exclusively pumping, combining breastfeeding with pumping, or supplementing with formula? Your schedule will vary depending on these factors, your baby’s feeding patterns, and your personal routine.
Keep in mind that it’s common for some mothers to produce less milk when pumping than when the baby feeds directly from the breast. To compensate for this reduced output, she may need to add 1 to 2 extra pumping sessions per day. This can happen for several reasons:
Breastfeeding is driven by hormonal feedback, and if the baby isn’t present, the hormones that signal to the body to produce milk are less active. To counter this and help stimulate the milk-producing hormones, watch a video of your baby or smell their blanket while nursing.
A pump provides an artificial suck, which some mothers respond to less effectively than the baby’s natural feeding. Adjusting pump settings or using a pump with a stronger motor can often improve milk output.
Typically, it’s recommended to pump at times that match your baby’s feeding schedule. However, this is not always feasible for working mothers or you need to rest. If milk input is slow, consider adding in an extra pumping session or increasing the frequency of sessions, even if your baby is feeding less frequently. This can help maintain or improve your milk production.
Sample schedule for a newborn
Ideally, milk should be expressed (whether through the breast or a pump) every 1.5 to 3 hours (or on average every 2 hours) around the clock. This typically amounts to at least 10 sessions in a 24-hour period to support adequate milk supply for a newborn.
Sample schedule for 6 to 9 month old baby
“At this age, most babies can go 3 to 4 hours in between feedings, so mom can begin to pump every 3-4 hours to match,” says Silber. “She does not need to pump overnight unless she is leaking or feels engorged.” If you feel like you’re not producing enough milk, add in an extra pumping session in the morning when breast milk production tends to be the highest.
Sample schedule for 12-month-old baby
At this age, milk is supplementary and solids are the main part of a baby’s diet. A baby may be drinking 12 to 16 ounces per day of milk and/or weaning to cow’s milk. If your baby is continuing on breast milk, they may feed 2 to 3 times per day, typically when they wake up and before bed. For pumping, a similar schedule of 2 to 3 sessions per day, spaced every 6 to 12 hours is usually sufficient to maintain milk supply.
Feeding tips for working mothers
Whether you work from home or away, feeding your baby requires planning and organization. Here are some helpful tips to make the process easier and more manageable:
If you plan to return to work, start pumping 2–4 weeks before your first day. This helps establish a supply, builds your milk stash, and makes the transition easier.
For mothers working outside the home, schedules may be less flexible. She may go longer stretches without pumping and will need to make up for it with an extra session before or after work. Morning sessions often yield the most milk, so consider adding an extra session then.
Have backup options at work, such as a handheld pump or hand expression. These methods can be helpful if she cannot or prefers not to use a mechanical pump at work.
FAQS
What are common schedule challenges?
One of the most common challenges for breastfeeding and pumping mothers is managing supply and demand with sleep. Milk production works on a supply-and-demand system, and the more frequently milk is expressed, the more the body produces. This can make it difficult for a mother (especially in the early weeks) to get long stretches of sleep without it affecting milk supply. “ I also like to be positive and share that it is possible to re-boost your milk supply if it has dipped,” says Silber. “Most interventions take a few days to see the increase.”
How do breastfeeding and pumping schedules change with time?
As babies grow, their feeding patterns become more predictable. The frequency of feeds typically decreases as they are able to go longer stretches between meals. This means breastfeeding and pumping schedules also become more spread out throughout the day, with longer breaks in between feed or pump sessions. For example, in the first month, babies may feed 10 to 12 times per day. By around six months, most babies feed approximately 4 to 6 times per day.
How long should you wait after breastfeeding before pumping?
You can begin pumping right after breastfeeding. This is especially if you are trying to increase your supply.
If you have questions about your breastfeeding or pumping, reach out to your local or Summer Health lactation specialist for support. Summer Health is a pediatric telehealth platform offering 24/7 care, providing answers for everything from urgent concerns to everyday questions about your child’s health.
Feeding your baby breast milk is not always simple. It takes planning, patience, and plenty of flexibility, especially if you’re balancing breastfeeding with pumping. For many parents, creating a routine brings structure to the day, makes feedings more predictable, and helps carve out a little breathing room in their own schedule. If you’ve chosen to combine breastfeeding with pumping, this guide will walk you through how to build a routine that supports both you and your baby.
Breastfeeding and pumping overview
Breastfeeding, or nursing, is the practice of a mother feeding her baby breast milk directly from the breast. If you can breastfeed, it’s an excellent way to provide your baby with the essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding until your baby is six months old. However, every family is different, and some mothers may choose to breastfeed beyond six months or stop before their baby reaches six months. Breastfeeding is a personal choice, and ultimately, “fed is best.”
For families who want to provide breast milk but aren’t able to nurse directly or who want to share feeding responsibilities, breast pumping can be a great option. It allows parents to express milk and either store it for later or bottle-feed their baby breast milk. Pumping can make returning to work more manageable, help maintain or increase milk supply, and give other caregivers the opportunity to participate in feeding. Many parents find that combining breastfeeding with pumping creates a flexible routine that supports both their baby’s needs and their own lifestyle.
Benefits of pumping
While breastfeeding directly from the breast is the most common way to feed a baby breast milk, pumping offers unique advantages that can make the feeding journey more flexible and sustainable.
Provides flexibility and independence: Pumping helps establish a milk supply so that mom can be away from her baby for work, errands, or rest, while still ensuring the baby receives breast milk.
Supports shared caregiving: When another caregiver bottle-feeds the baby, it promotes bonding with that caregiver. It also allows partners or family members to actively participate in feeding.
Helps babies who cannot latch: Pumping allows babies with latching difficulties to receive the benefits of breast milk.
Boosts milk supply: Regular pumping can help increase milk production, which is particularly helpful for mothers with low supply.
Relieves engorgement: Pumping can ease discomfort and prevent complications such as clogged ducts or mastitis.
When to start pumping
“Deciding when to pump really depends on why a mother needs or wants to pump,” says Nicole Silber, RD, CSP, CLC, Pediatric Dietitian and Certified Lactation Counselor at Summer Health. “If the baby can latch and mom is available, pumping may not be needed right away, and it’s commonly accepted in the lactation field to wait until breastfeeding is well established, which is typically between 3 to 4 weeks.” Waiting helps reduce the risk of oversupply and minimizes the chance of nipple confusion, which can disrupt breastfeeding.
There are situations where pumping earlier may be necessary. If a baby is unable to latch effectively—whether due to prematurity, a medical condition, or separation from mom, or if pumping is needed to help stimulate milk supply—starting to pump shortly after birth is important to establish and maintain milk supply. Pumping can also help in cases of oversupply, when breasts become engorged, or if a baby isn’t transferring enough milk. In these cases, pumping can provide relief, protect supply, and lower the risk of mastitis.
Do breastfeeding mothers need to pump?
“Pumping is not a necessity,” says Silber. If your baby is nursing well, gaining weight appropriately, and you’re available for feedings, you may not need to pump at all. Some mothers exclusively breastfeed without ever using a pump. If your baby is nursing well, gaining weight appropriately, and you’re available for feedings, you may not need to pump at all. Some mothers exclusively breastfeed without ever using a pump.
That said, many experts recommend having at least a small supply of pumped milk on hand once breastfeeding is well established. “I recommend all breastfeeding mothers, once breast feeding has been established, have two bottles worth of breast milk frozen,” says Silber. “This can be useful in case of an emergency, or if mom needs to be away from the baby unexpectedly.” Even if you don’t plan to pump regularly, building a small “just-in-case” stash can help reduce stress and ensure your baby always has access to breast milk when needed.
Pumping frequency
How often a mother should pump depends on her individual needs, breastfeeding goals, and milk supply. Frequent pumping can help establish and maintain a steady supply. Breast milk production operates on a supply-and-demand system, and the more milk a mother expresses, the more signals her body receives to produce additional milk.
If a mother is producing more milk than needed, reducing the frequency or duration of a pumping session can help prevent discomfort and oversupply. On the other hand, if a mother wants to increase her milk supply, increasing both the frequency and length of pumping sessions can increase her supply.
What’s power pumping?
Power pumping is a pumping technique used to mimic cluster feeding, when a baby feeds frequently over a short period. This method tells the body to produce more milk in response to increased demand, and is used to help a mother increase her milk supply. Typically, power pumping involves pumping in short increments, like 10 minutes of pumping followed by a 10-minute break and then repeated over the course of about one hour.
How to create a pumping and breastfeeding schedule
“To create a schedule, I recommend working closely with your local or virtual lactation specialist, to get a custom schedule that works best for you and your baby,” says Silber. “They specialize in keeping the mother’s mental and physical health in mind, since pumping and breastfeeding can be very demanding.”
When building a schedule, consider your breastfeeding goals and your feeding approach. Are you exclusively pumping, combining breastfeeding with pumping, or supplementing with formula? Your schedule will vary depending on these factors, your baby’s feeding patterns, and your personal routine.
Keep in mind that it’s common for some mothers to produce less milk when pumping than when the baby feeds directly from the breast. To compensate for this reduced output, she may need to add 1 to 2 extra pumping sessions per day. This can happen for several reasons:
Breastfeeding is driven by hormonal feedback, and if the baby isn’t present, the hormones that signal to the body to produce milk are less active. To counter this and help stimulate the milk-producing hormones, watch a video of your baby or smell their blanket while nursing.
A pump provides an artificial suck, which some mothers respond to less effectively than the baby’s natural feeding. Adjusting pump settings or using a pump with a stronger motor can often improve milk output.
Typically, it’s recommended to pump at times that match your baby’s feeding schedule. However, this is not always feasible for working mothers or you need to rest. If milk input is slow, consider adding in an extra pumping session or increasing the frequency of sessions, even if your baby is feeding less frequently. This can help maintain or improve your milk production.
Sample schedule for a newborn
Ideally, milk should be expressed (whether through the breast or a pump) every 1.5 to 3 hours (or on average every 2 hours) around the clock. This typically amounts to at least 10 sessions in a 24-hour period to support adequate milk supply for a newborn.
Sample schedule for 6 to 9 month old baby
“At this age, most babies can go 3 to 4 hours in between feedings, so mom can begin to pump every 3-4 hours to match,” says Silber. “She does not need to pump overnight unless she is leaking or feels engorged.” If you feel like you’re not producing enough milk, add in an extra pumping session in the morning when breast milk production tends to be the highest.
Sample schedule for 12-month-old baby
At this age, milk is supplementary and solids are the main part of a baby’s diet. A baby may be drinking 12 to 16 ounces per day of milk and/or weaning to cow’s milk. If your baby is continuing on breast milk, they may feed 2 to 3 times per day, typically when they wake up and before bed. For pumping, a similar schedule of 2 to 3 sessions per day, spaced every 6 to 12 hours is usually sufficient to maintain milk supply.
Feeding tips for working mothers
Whether you work from home or away, feeding your baby requires planning and organization. Here are some helpful tips to make the process easier and more manageable:
If you plan to return to work, start pumping 2–4 weeks before your first day. This helps establish a supply, builds your milk stash, and makes the transition easier.
For mothers working outside the home, schedules may be less flexible. She may go longer stretches without pumping and will need to make up for it with an extra session before or after work. Morning sessions often yield the most milk, so consider adding an extra session then.
Have backup options at work, such as a handheld pump or hand expression. These methods can be helpful if she cannot or prefers not to use a mechanical pump at work.
FAQS
What are common schedule challenges?
One of the most common challenges for breastfeeding and pumping mothers is managing supply and demand with sleep. Milk production works on a supply-and-demand system, and the more frequently milk is expressed, the more the body produces. This can make it difficult for a mother (especially in the early weeks) to get long stretches of sleep without it affecting milk supply. “ I also like to be positive and share that it is possible to re-boost your milk supply if it has dipped,” says Silber. “Most interventions take a few days to see the increase.”
How do breastfeeding and pumping schedules change with time?
As babies grow, their feeding patterns become more predictable. The frequency of feeds typically decreases as they are able to go longer stretches between meals. This means breastfeeding and pumping schedules also become more spread out throughout the day, with longer breaks in between feed or pump sessions. For example, in the first month, babies may feed 10 to 12 times per day. By around six months, most babies feed approximately 4 to 6 times per day.
How long should you wait after breastfeeding before pumping?
You can begin pumping right after breastfeeding. This is especially if you are trying to increase your supply.
If you have questions about your breastfeeding or pumping, reach out to your local or Summer Health lactation specialist for support. Summer Health is a pediatric telehealth platform offering 24/7 care, providing answers for everything from urgent concerns to everyday questions about your child’s health.
Summer Health offers fast and reliable pediatric urgent care through online doctors, all via text. Whether you’re worried about your baby's fever, rashes, or other children's health concerns, we provide expert advice and support anytime, right from your phone.
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