How Long Should I Pump For and Why?
There is no set amount of time for you to pump by the clock, it's all about what your goals are and how your body responds to the pump.
When figuring out the ideal time for you to pump, what do we need to consider?
What purpose is the pump serving for you?
Are you exclusively pumping and the pump is solely responsible for driving your milk production?
Are you pumping while at work where time constraints are a real concern?
Or, are you just pumping to prevent engorgement while separated from your baby for a short period?
How well do you respond to your pump?
If you respond really well and a short pump session removes enough to meet your goals, great.
Some may need longer and that's okay.
Unless you routinely need more than 30 minutes, I would say you are in the normal range (and more than 30 minutes may be normal for some).
Are you at risk for breast and nipple trauma?
Pumping shouldn't hurt.
Pain is a sign that something is not right and we need to address it to protect you from damaging your nipple and breast tissue.
Nipples do swell with pumping, so after 30-40 minutes, even a well fitting flange can be problematic.
Pumping more than 30-40 minutes should warrant a consultation to make sure you are optimally set up for success.
What is the average pumping session time?
On average a pump session is 20-30 minutes when pumping every 3 hours.
If you are just pumping to replace a feeding and primarily nurse and respond well you may be able to get by with 10-15 minutes.
If you are exclusively pumping, extremely short pump sessions could hurt your long term supply as they limit the total amount of stimulation you are getting. If you are exclusively pumping, make sure you are getting at least 120 minutes of pump time a day during the first few months to support a healthy milk supply. Don’t let that hormonally driven oversupply lull you into thinking you can get away without enough stimulation long term.
If your pump sessions are longer than you would ideally like, here are four strategies to try and make pumping more efficient:
Check your flange size and style to make sure you are using your best option for your unique anatomy. If you are using hard plastic flanges there are certainly options out there that might help you.
Use heat before and during pumping. LaVie warming massagers can help with this, and the vibration feature can assist let down as well.
Breast massage before pumping can help jumpstart stimulation and get the milk flowing faster.
Hands on pumping can greatly assist in reducing time and increasing output. I have found some clients to resist this option as it is not compatible with wearable pump options.
Take our Crash Course in Pumping! This video course is designed to answer all your questions about pumping and more!
If all of the above options are still resulting in long pump times, there are a handful of supplements that can be used to improve your ability to empty your breasts more rapidly. You could either book a consultation to get one-on-one guidance, or check out the Guide to Galactagogues for those seeking a DIY approach to lactation success. Either option would provide you with high quality evidence based information to help you decide if these supplements are right for you.
But don’t ever feel like you have to struggle through pumping challenges on your own! I can help you one-on-one to truly find the solution you need to best meet your goals and find that sweet spot in your pumping routine.
