How often should I pump milk

After giving birth, women have to go through a long breastfeeding period. During breastfeeding, some women still need to go to work. At this time, they need to use a breast pump to extract breast milk and store it in the refrigerator for the baby's needs. Or some women who secrete too much breast milk also need to use a breast pump. However, if you use a breast pump too frequently, it will cause certain damage to women's breasts, so how often do you need to wash your breasts while using a breast pump?

How often should I breast pump?

1. It is best not to pump milk on one side for more than 15 minutes at a time. This will not only make the mother tired, but also will not help increase milk supply. If you use a single-sided breast pump, when the milk flow slows down, you should switch to pumping the other breast, and cycle on both sides for about 3 to 5 times, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes in total. If it exceeds 30 minutes, the mother will be very tired. You can use it every 2 to 3 hours.

2. If you use a double-sided breast pump to suck both breasts at the same time, each time of sucking will take about 15 to 20 minutes. When your milk flow slows down, gently massage your breasts.

In the early stages when your milk supply is low, if the milk stops coming out while you are pumping, you can pause for a moment and gently massage your breasts to help stimulate the milk let-down reflex.

How to use a breast pump correctly?

After giving birth, as long as the baby is around, you can breastfeed at any time and there is no need for a breast pump. If your baby doesn't suck milk, or your milk supply is low, you can use a breast pump to maintain milk supply and increase milk production.

But you must always remember that sucking milk creates emotional communication with your baby, which can help you secrete prolactin faster, and a breast pump is just an auxiliary tool. Once the amount of milk is balanced, you should stop using the breast pump and breastfeed instead, because letting the baby suck will cause milk shock to come faster.

If the baby is premature, hospitalized for jaundice, or is relying on breast milk, you should use a breast pump more regularly to ensure both sides are sucked, and switch to breastfeeding after returning home.

Breasts cannot be emptied empty. If you find the strength that suits your breasts and make good use of the breast pump, you generally don't have to worry too much.

Mothers can actually adjust the frequency and duration of breast pumping according to their own situation. If you don't have enough milk, you can help with milk secretion by eating more milk-stimulating foods. At the same time, be careful not to eat irritating foods, as they may cause the milk to have an odor and affect the baby's digestive system.