How long do you pump for?

For the first 10-15 minutes, you will generally be pumping at a rate of about 20 to 30 pumps per minute. You should slowly decrease the rate as you reach about half of the total amount of milk you want collected.

For example, if you want to express 10 ounces, start by pumping at 20 pumps per minute for 10 minutes, then reduce the rate to 10 pumps per minute for another 10 minutes. The final 10 minutes is usually used to let the milk flow without stopping and to clear If you are still unsure about the length of time you should pump – it depends on your baby’s size and the type of pump you’re using.

A breast pump usually cycles about 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off, and the amount of time you spend pumping varies. If you’re not sure how long you should be pumping, talk to your midwife or health care provider.

How long is the pump?

If you're using a single electric breast pump you'll want to be pumping for about 20 minutes at a time. If you have a double electric breast pump, pumping will take about 30 minutes. If you're using a manual breast pump, you'll want to pump for about 30 minutes at a time.

You'll want to stop pumping when you feel your milk letdown and see your milk forming in the breast. The amount of time that you pump is dependent on how tall your child is. If your child is under the age of five, pump for 20-30 seconds. If your child is older, pump for 30-60 seconds.

Your doctor can help you determine the right amount of time to pump.

How long does it take to pump breastmilk?

There are some women who are able to pump for just a few minutes, while other women need to pump for up to an hour or more. If you are still not sure how long you need to pump, ask your healthcare provider, as pumping for an appropriate amount of time is important for milk supply and your baby’s health.

Anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes is normal, and if you’ve done it before, you’ll know just how quickly you can pump. If you’re feeling discouraged, try not to compare you to other women or your previous milk supply. You’re unique, and the amount of time it takes to express milk is dependent on your body and your baby’s needs.

How long do you pump breastmilk?

Most women will notice that their milk supply decreases after about 16 weeks. The exact amount of pumping needed to maintain an adequate supply is a matter of individual preference. A good general guideline is to pump for 10-15 minutes at least eight times a day.

If you are pumping milk at night, try setting a sleep time and pumping for 10 minutes before bedtime. You’ll likely experience soreness in your breasts if you’re not pumping long enough, or pumping at all. If you’re not feeling sore, your milk supply is probably adequate; however, if you’re still sore five days after your milk begins to come in, you may have under- or over-pumped.

Pumping for 20 minutes at least three times a day is the standard pumping recommendation for nursing moms, but some women pump for 30 minutes or

How long should you pump breastmilk?

The length of time you pump for depends on your baby’s needs, the length of time you pumped before returning to breastfeeding, and your goals for pumping. If you want to build up a stockpile of breastmilk, pumping for 20 minutes may be enough.

However, if you want to have milk on hand for a specific caregiver, a 20-minute pumping session may not be enough. It's important to remember that breastmilk production varies from woman to woman and even from day to day. Just because your friend's baby takes a long time to drink doesn't mean that you will.

And, if you're trying to increase your supply, pumping for a little longer each time you feed will help.