Breastfeeding and pumping is a very personal decisions, and there is no wrong or right answer. Some mothers only breastfeed, some only pump, and some do a combination of both. The important thing is to find what works best for you and your baby. Here are some tips on how to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule.
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Sample breastfeeding schedule for a newborn
If you are choosing to exclusively breastfeed your baby, it is always recommended to follow your baby’s hunger cues and feed on demand at least until the breastfeeding relationship has been established.
However it is great to have a guide so you can start to build a rhythm with you baby as they get older.
5AM Breastfeed
8AM Breastfeed
11AM Breastfeed
2PM Breastfeed
5PM Breastfeed
8PM Breastfeed
11PM Breastfeed
1AM Breastfeed
3AM Breastfeed
Sample pumping schedule for a newborn
Lots of moms choose to exclusively pump to be able to give their baby the nutrients in breast milk but also allow them the flexibility of being away if needed. Here is a sample for exclusively pumping schedules.
5AM Pump
8AM Pump
11AM Pump
2PM Pump
5PM Pump
8PM Pump
11PM Pump
1AM Pump
3AM Pump
Sample of a combination of breastfeeding and pumping for a newborn
A combination of breastfeeding and pumping is a great choice to establish the latch and the breastfeeding relationship but also give you the flexibility to be away if needed.
Here is a sample schedule of breastfeeding and pumping for your newborn.
5AM Breastfeed then pump for 10 minutes
8AM Breastfeed
11AM Breastfeed then pump for 10 minutes
2PM Breastfeed
5PM Breastfeed
8PM Breastfeed
11PM Breastfeed then pump for 10 minutes
1AM Breastfeed
3AM Breastfeed
Pumping and Breastfeeding for working moms
If you would like to only pump while you are at work and nurse baby when you are home, here is a schedule to implement for when you return to work so you can keep your milk supply thriving.
5AM Breastfeed
8AM Breastfeed
10AM Pump
1PM Pump
3PM Pump
6PM Breastfeed
9PM Breastfeed
1AM Breastfeed
3AM Breastfeed
If you are about to return to work and your baby refuses a bottle, I have lots of tips on how to introduce a bottle to your baby as well as the best bottles for breastfed babies here.
Pumping to build up a stash
When you are pumping to build up a freezer stash, it is important to pump more milk to last for at least a day. You should also try to pump at the same time each day so that your body gets into a routine. Here are some tips on how to pump enough milk to build up a stash.
Freezer stash pumping can be difficult, but it is important to pump enough milk to last for at least a day. You should also try to start pumping at the same time each day so that your body gets into a routine. Here are some tips on how to do that.
-Pump for at least 10 minutes each time
-Pump every two hours during the day
-Pump at least three times at night, but don’t over do it or the lack of rest can lower your supply.
-If you go back to work, try pumping every four hours during the day and pump before bedtime if you can
-Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day
Power pumping is a great option if you are ever trying to boost your milk production for your freezer stash. You do this by pumping for 10-20 minutes on an off for an hour during the day.
You can read more about how to power pump here.
It is important to eat and drink plenty while you are power pumping to replenish yourself.
Guidelines for pumping
It is recommended to wait to pump until your baby is 6 weeks old. This allows the breastfeeding relationship to be established and allow your milk supply to regulate.
If you start pumping too much and too soon, you can start dealing with an over supply which can cause, clogged ducts, mastitis, and engorgement.
However, if you are planning to go back to work at 6 weeks, you should start after 3 weeks to allow some time for transition and build up that freezer stash.
How often should I pump?
How often you pump depends on how much milk you want to store. If you are only pumping enough to store for a day or two, then having a pumping session every three hours should be enough. If you are trying to pump for a week’s worth of milk, then you should pump every two hours.
How often you need to pump will depend on how old your baby is.
For the first 3 months you need to be feeding or pumping 8 to 12 times in a 24 hour period.
At 4 months this can be dropped down to 6-8 times as long as your baby is gaining weight.
For a 5 to 6 month old it is 6 times a day.
7 to 8 months only 4 times per day.
At 9 months you are able to drop it to 3 times in a day.
And at 10 months on you can pump only twice a day.
Every baby is different and every woman is different with her supply, so these numbers can vary depending on your situation.
How long should I pump for?
It’s important to pump for as long as it takes to fully empty your breasts. If you stop prematurely, this can cause a low supply as well as clogged ducts.
The time that it will take you to pump will vary depending on the person. Some might be as quick as 15 minutes while others could take up to an hour.
Stay organized with your freezer stash
You will want to stay organized with your freezer stash of stored breast milk so that it doesn’t go to waste! Here are a few tips:
1. Start by sorting your milk into gallon freezer storage bags
Have each bag labeled by the month it was expressed.
2. Store them in the back of the freezer
This will help keep at the nutrients safe by ensuring a stable temperature.
3. Use storage containers to keep everything organized
Have the bags stored upright in containers that fit your freezer and have the container labeled with the date the milk was expressed and stored.
4. Keep a list of what you have in your breast milk stash and where it is stored
Having a log is key to staying organized and nothing is lost or gone to waste. Print out this log and have it on your freezer door to log everything to put in and take out.
5. Rotate your stock to use the oldest first
Always put the fresh pumped milk in the back and pull the older milk to the front so that is can get used before it goes past it’s shelf life.
What are Breastfeeding & Pumping Schedules?
A breastfeeding and pumping schedules are what you decide to do with your time while the baby is feeding. Some mothers only breastfeed, some only pump, and some do a combination of both. It’s best to choose whatever works for your lifestyle and your baby.
Why Establish a Breastfeeding & Pumping Schedule?
Establishing a breastfeeding and pumping routine is important for many reasons.
One reason to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule is because some mothers who only pump may not be producing enough and want to produce milk for their baby.
Some women also like the freedom that comes along with establishing a breastfeeding and pumping schedule.
How to Establish a Breastfeeding & Pumping Schedule
Establishing a good breastfeeding and pumping schedule can be easy. Many mothers do a combination of both breastfeeding and a pumping session because it gives them the flexibility they want to go out and about while still providing their baby with enough milk.
One way to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule is for you to pick a time when you will pump every day, such as in between feedings or after the baby goes to bed. Benefits of a Breastfeeding & Pumping Schedule
The benefits of breastfeeding and pumping are numerous. Some reasons mothers pump is because they’re unable to breastfeed or perhaps they want to do both. The benefits of establishing good breastfeeding and pumping schedules include the following:
– You’ll always know when you can pump
– You’ll always know when you last pumped
– It will give you more flexibility in your daily routine
Tips for Sticking Breastfeeding and Pumping Schedules
Sticking to breastfeeding and pumping schedules can be easy if you stick to a few very simple rules. The following are some important tips that you should follow:
– Keep a log book of when you breastfeed or pump
– Always keep a spare supply of milk in the fridge
Why establishing breastfeeding and pumping schedules are important
There are many reasons why mothers might choose to establish good breastfeeding and pumping schedules.
Some mothers only breastfeed, some only pump, and some do a combination of both.
The important thing is to find what works best for you and your baby. Here are some reasons why mothers might choose to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule.
Benefits of having a good Breastfeeding and Pumping Schedule
There are many benefits to establishing breastfeeding and pumping schedule. One benefit is that it can help you produce more milk for your baby. Pumping also gives you freedom and flexibility, since you can pump milk at any time.
It also allows you to continue to breastfeed even if you can’t be with your baby all the time. Tips for Sticking to Your Breastfeeding and Pumping Schedule
One tips for sticking to a breastfeeding and pumping schedule is to make sure you have everything you need, like breast pumps, storage bottles, nipple cream, etc.
Another tip is to keep your baby’s feeding schedule in mind when choosing how often you want to pump, since this can help you produce more breastmilk.
You can also find a comfortable environment and position for pumping, whether at home or on the go.
Storing your breast milk
It’s important that you follow storage guidelines to prevent any bacteria from growing in your breast milk. You can store your breast milk in a freezer safe bag inside of a sealed container, such as a bottle or a tote bag.
Make sure your milk is labeled with the date and time it was expressed, so you can remember how long you’ve kept it for.
How to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule
How to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule can be easy. Many mothers do a combination of both breastfeeding and pumping because it gives them the flexibility they want to go out and about while still providing their baby with enough milk.
Breastfeeding and pumping is a very personal decisions, and there is no wrong or right answer. Some mothers only breastfeed, some only pump, and some do a combination of both.
The important thing is to find what works best for you and your baby. Here are some tips on how to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule.
Pick a time
One way to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule is for you to pick a time when you will pump every day, such as in between feedings or after the baby goes to bed. You might also want to pick a feeding schedule for your baby. This way, you can plan when you will breastfeed or pump accordingly.
Be prepared
Another way to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule is to make sure that you have everything ready before hand.
For example, always keep a spare supply of milk in the fridge and make sure that you have your breast pump, storage bottles, and any other supplies you will need when you’re feeding or pumping.
Get comfortable
One tips for sticking to a breastfeeding and pumping schedule is to find a comfortable environment and position for you pumping sessions, whether at home or on the go.
For example, if you want to be discrete while pumping in public, make sure your shirt is covering your breast and you have a cover up if necessary.
How to prepare for breastfeeding and pumping
Educating yourself is the best way to prepare. Read up on all the breastfeeding books, meet with a lactation consultant, and take a breastfeeding class.
The best thing you can do is put your baby to the breast as often as possible or for exclusive pumping, stick to the pumping schedules to keep up your breast milk supply.
Combining breastfeeding and pumping is a great way to make sure your baby has enough milk while still giving you some freedom. Here are some tips on how to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule that works for both you and your baby. If you’re just starting out, try picking a time when you will pump every day, such as in between feedings or after the baby goes to bed. You might also want to pick a feeding schedule for your baby. This way, you can plan when you will breastfeed or pump accordingly. Another way to establish a breastfeeding and pumping schedule is to make sure that you have everything ready before hand. For example, always keep a spare supply of milk in the fridge and make sure that you have
Be sure to read How Much Breast Milk Should I be Pumping? and Best Breastfeeding and Solids Schedule for 6 Month Olds
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