How often to pump?

Jessica&Brett

This might be a dumb question....  I was pumping every 2-3 hours when DS wouldn't nurse, but now that he's BFing, how often should I pump?

greenmtbride

Depends on what your reason for pumping is.  Do you need to increase supply?  Or are you trying to build a stash, etc? 

When I was building a stash I would just pump once a day when I was fullest.    When I needed to build supply I pumped after every feeding.   When I was back at work and pumping I pumped every 2-3 hours.  

spacystasi

Ditto what pp said.  When Court was one or two months old I would try to pump after feeding (or within an hour afterwards) to try to increase my milk supply.  Now I'm concentrating more on building up the stash and pump once before I go to bed.  That's usually three hours after DS goes to bed, and I normally get 3-4 oz.

iHeartHimMore

I never had much luck with my supply, so I can't be too much help.  But  FWIW, I've read from multiple sources that pumping in the morning yields more than later in the day/night.  So if what you're doing is trying to build a stash, that may be more efficient.  

keri1013

If you feel like you and DS are in a groove and well-established you don't have to pump at all if you don't want to. If you want to try to keep your supply up or build a stash, I totally agree with pp.

Seattle_JiLLn

now that we're bfing full time i don't pump.  i have some stash from the beginning when i was pumping all the time, but i usually just give him a bottle of formula if i am gone for a short time like out to dinner.  i like to keep him flexible so i dont have to freak out abt havibng eough in the freezer.  and i seriously HATE pumping so i just dont