Breast milk follows the laws of supply and demand—the more you express, the more your body produces. But how much milk you make and how long it takes to empty your breasts can vary from person to person. Once you’ve established your milk supply, the key to maintaining it is to empty your bre...
When should I start pumping?On average, it takes six to 12 weeks to fully regulate your milk supply-—nursing anywhere from eight to 12 times a day. “Practicing effective milk removal from the start is key to setting you and your baby up for breastfeeding success,” says Szerszen. So if you pl...
How often should I pump?Any time you’re away from your baby, pump at the same time you would normally nurse—usually every three hours or so. (Remember: making milk is directly connected to demand! In the absence of your nursing babe, your robot babe can help keep your milk flowing. ) Szerszen r...
Does extending time between pump sessions boost my supply?While you might think that lengthening the time between pumping sessions would help increase your milk supply, that method has proven to be less effective at fully emptying breasts than pumping on a predictable schedule every few hours. “Y...
What happens if I miss a pump session?Missing one or two regularly scheduled pump sessions can leave you feeling uncomfortable and engorged, but it won’t affect your supply. Just try to pump as soon as you can after your skipped sesh. But keep in mind that skipping more sessions over time will d...
What’s power pumping?Power pumping mimics cluster feeding—when babes nurse for a shorter amount of time, but more often—and can help you boost your milk supply. While it shouldn't be a long-term practice, power pumping is a short-term tool to help you increase your supply. (If you’re pro...
How much breast milk should I freeze?Many new moms worry about building a large freezer stash of milk, but Szerszen says that’s really not necessary. “If you’re going back to work, you only need enough for a few days. ” In general, babies consume between 1 and 1 ½ ounces per hour...
How do I know if my flange is the right size?Your nipple should fit comfortably in the center of your flange (also called a breast shield) and move freely in the pump tunnel without too much extra room. An incorrect flange size can impact milk production, injure the nipple, and lead to clogged duct...