NICU Parents Guide for Pumping and Breastfeeding

Pumping Your Milk • Plan to pump 8-12 times throughout the day and one pumping at night. That is every 2-3 hours during the day and every 3-4 hours through the night. For example if your last pumping for the day was 11pm, pump once during the night and again at 6 or 7am. This is as often as your baby would breastfeed. • In the first few days after birth, pump each breast, preferably at the same time, if using a double pump for 10-15 minutes. If using a single pump you must pump each breast for 10-15 minutes each breast. As you produce more milk, watch for it to stop dripping and then pump 2 minutes longer, up to a total of 30 minutes.

• In the beginning you may not see any milk or only get a few drops of milk at each pumping. That’s OK and normal. You must still continue to pump. Your baby only needs tiny amounts of your milk in the first few days and any amount you get will be used. • Remember the more you pump, the greater your milk supply. You will start with a few drops and should obtain 20-30 ounces (600-900ml) every 24 hours by the time your baby is 2-3 weeks old.