When it comes to breastfeeding and pumping breast milk, one common question that comes up is how many ounces (oz) mothers should aim to pump every 2 hours. The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the age of the baby, whether you are exclusively pumping or also nursing directly, and your own unique milk supply.
Factors That Influence Pumped Milk Output
There are several key factors that impact how much milk you can pump each session:
- Baby’s age – Milk supply is still regulating in the early months, so output varies. An exclusively pumping mother may see less pumped milk in the first 1-2 months and more later on.
- Time of day – Milk supply is often lower early morning and night vs. during the day.
- Nursing frequency – More frequent nursing signals to the body to produce more milk.
- Pumping frequency – More frequent pumping signals to the body to produce more milk.
- Pumping power – Hospital grade pumps draw more milk than consumer-grade pumps.
- Breast fullness – A fuller breast yields more milk.
- Hydration level – Well-hydrated mothers produce more milk.
- Diet – An adequate calorie and nutrient intake supports milk production.
Keep these factors in mind when looking at your pumped milk output.
Average Pumped Milk Amounts
Now, let’s get into some averages. The table below shows how much milk mothers tend to pump, on average, at different stages:
| Baby’s Age | Average Pumped Milk per Session |
|---|---|
| First week | 2-4 oz |
| 2 weeks to 2 months | 3-5 oz |
| 2-6 months | 4-6 oz |
| 6+ months | 5-8 oz |
A few key notes on these averages:
- Pumping output is highly variable and these are just rough guidelines.
- Many mothers will pump less or more than these averages, which is normal.
- Pumping output depends a lot on the factors discussed earlier.
- Mothers will often see increasing output and efficiency with time and experience.
Is My Milk Supply Normal?
Now you may be wondering – based on the averages above, is my pumped milk supply normal? Here are some signs your milk supply is healthy:
- Your baby seems satisfied after feeding and is gaining weight appropriately.
- You see milk flow easily at let-down.
- Your breasts feel fuller before pumping sessions.
- You do not experience prolonged pain or discomfort.
- Your pump parts, bottle or clothes end up wet after pumping.
The most important signs are your baby’s satisfaction and weight gain. If those look good, try not to stress too much about the exact pumped amounts. Focus more on ensuring you are pumping regularly to signal your body to make milk.
Tips for Boosting Pumping Output
If you do wish to boost your pumping output, here are some tips:
- Pump frequently – Try every 2-3 hours if separating from baby. The more often breasts are emptied, the more milk is produced.
- Ensure proper flange fit – Use correctly sized breast shield flanges so your breasts are drawn well into the tunnels.
- Massage breasts – Massage and compress breasts while pumping to help drain the milk.
- Try power pumping – Pump for 10-15 min, rest 10 min, pump 10-15 min to mimic cluster feeding.
- Relax and stay hydrated – Stress and dehydration can inhibit let-down. Create a calming environment.
- Double pump – Save time by pumping both breasts at once and simulating a feeding.
- Pump after feeding – Take advantage of extra prolactin and oxytocin just after nursing.
Always consult a lactation consultant if you have any concerns. They can assess milk transfer and recommend ways to optimize pumping output.
How Much to Pump at Work
Let’s now get into pumping at work specifically. The goal is to try to mimic your breastfeeding schedule as closely as possible. Here are some tips:
- Aim to pump every 2-3 hours if exclusively pumping.
- If nursing directly from the breast when with baby, pump at least 2-3 times during your workday.
- Schedule pumping sessions based on your typical nursing schedule. Pump around the same times.
- Plan to pump for at least 15 minutes each session for efficient emptying.
- Expect the early morning pumping session to yield less than others.
- Bring multiple pumping kit parts to work so you don’t have to wash between pumping sessions.
Speak with your employer about taking regular pumping breaks and having a private space to pump comfortably. This will help make pumping at work more achievable.
Tips for Storing Pumped Breast Milk
To safely build a stockpile of your pumped milk:
- Store milk in clean bottles or bags designed for breastmilk storage.
- Label all milk with the date it was pumped.
- Use oldest milk first when feeding to avoid waste.
- Store milk towards the back of the refrigerator where it is coldest.
- Avoid storing milk in the refrigerator door where the temperature fluctuates.
- Consider getting a small freezer just for breastmilk storage.
- Lay bags flat to freeze to maximize space.
Follow these guidelines on breastmilk storage duration:
- Countertop: 4-6 hours (ideal: 1-4 hours)
- Refrigerator: 4 days (ideal: 72 hours)
- Freezer: 6 months in back, 3 months in door
- Deep freezer: 12 months
Proper storage and handling is key for preserving your milk. This allows you to refrigerate small amounts as you pump during the day and combine into larger batches to freeze at the end of each day.
Daily Milk Needs for Babies
To help estimate how much milk you will need each day, here are the typical daily breastmilk needs for babies:
| Baby’s Age | Average Daily Breastmilk Needs |
|---|---|
| Newborn to 1 month | 24-30 oz |
| 1-3 months | 30-36 oz |
| 3-6 months | 32-40 oz |
| 6-12 months | 24-30 oz |
This gives you a rough estimate of how much milk you will want to pump each work day. Of course, every baby is different so focus more on your baby’s needs and hunger cues.
Also keep in mind that pumping output does not necessarily equal milk supply. Some women are able to pump in smaller quantities but produce more milk while nursing directly. Pay more attention to your baby’s fullness and satisfaction than to pumped volumes.
Setting a Pumping Schedule
Setting up a consistent pumping schedule is key to keeping up your supply while at work. Try following these steps:
- Take note of your current nursing schedule. When does baby feed now? How long are sessions?
- Block times in your work calendar to pump. Mimic current nursing sessions the best you can.
- Add in an extra session if possible, such as right before/after commute.
- Schedule at least 15-20 minutes for each session to optimize emptying.
- Find a designated private space where you can pump comfortably and without interruption.
- Communicate schedule with co-workers so meetings can be worked around sessions.
If needed, start preparing your body 1-2 weeks before returning to work by pumping any excess milk after or between feedings. Gradually increase pumping frequency and length to build up your supply.
Troubleshooting Low Pumped Volumes
If you begin pumping at work but have lower output than desired, troubleshoot with these tips:
- Review pump parts and ensure they are clean, dried, and assembled correctly.
- Try using a higher suction setting and pumping for longer sessions.
- Massage and compress breasts while pumping.
- Ensure flanges fit correctly – not too small or large.
- Try pumping shortly after nursing to take advantage of hormones.
- Analyze pump log to identify any gaps or opportunities to pump more frequently.
- Speak with a lactation consultant about potential issues.
Remember that pump output is not always indicative of true milk supply. Focus on your baby’s fullness and weight rather than pumping totals specifically. But do take action if you notice a dip in supply to help get back on track.
Increasing Milk Supply
If you need to increase milk supply, try incorporating these strategies:
- Pump more often – Strive for 8-10 pumping sessions per 24 hrs.
- Power pump – Pump every 10 min for 1 hr to mimic cluster feeding.
- Try skin-to-skin – Skin contact helps increase prolactin and oxytocin.
- Stay hydrated – Drink enough fluids to nourish milk production.
- Use breast compressions – Compress breasts while pumping to fully empty milk ducts.
- Eat nourishing foods – Focus your diet on whole grains, fruits/veg, proteins.
- Get extra rest – Take naps or go to bed early to support milk production.
- Reduce stress – Relaxation helps your let-down reflex function optimally.
Herbal supplements like fenugreek, blessed thistle, and fennel may help some mothers. Speak to a lactation consultant or doctor for personalized guidance on increasing your milk supply.
Weaning from the Pump
When you are ready to wean from pumping, here are some tips to do it gradually and comfortably:
- Drop one pumping session every 3-5 days.
- Slowly reduce pumping time per session before dropping sessions.
- Shift pumping from breasts to just one breast at a time.
- Consider dropping the overnight pumping session first.
- Hand express just enough to relieve fullness if needed.
- Wear a comfortable, supportive bra as needed.
- Apply cold compresses or ice packs to ease discomfort.
- Take an OTC pain reliever as needed per your doctor.
Expect it to take 2-3 weeks to fully wean as your body adjusts to ceasing milk production. Enlist support from loved ones during this transition phase.
Conclusion
Pumping breast milk while working can take some strategic planning, consistency, and teamwork. But taking the time to pump on a regular schedule helps many working mothers continue providing breastmilk for their babies. Be patient with yourself – it takes some trial and error to figure out a system that works for your body and your lifestyle. And as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant or your doctor if you need extra support.