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How To Combine Breastfeeding And Pumping: Evidence-Based Guide For New Moms

ByAhanaf Nisha
Updated: 27 Jan 2026, 8:00 pm
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Deepthi Bawa, Senior Consultant – IVF and Reproductive Medicine, Sparsh Hospital

Breastfeeding is essential for the baby to nourish their body and bond with their mother. However, for working mothers, regular and frequent breastfeeding can be difficult, especially when they return to work. Some mothers experience low milk supply while breastfeeding. Combining pumping and breastfeeding helps them maintain a milk supply that they can store for their baby.

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Breastfeeding offers nutritional and emotional benefits to the baby. While breastfeeding, oxytocin is released, which is often called “ the bonding hormone”. This helps promote love, trust, and bonding between the infant and mother. Breastfeeding also increases a mother’s self-esteem and confidence and triggers a sense of accomplishment. But some women may find it hard to exclusively breastfeed or have a low milk supply to meet the infant’s needs.
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Combining breastfeeding and pumping helps sustain milk supply, prevent engorgement, and ensure a regular supply of milk for the baby. Pumping also allows mothers to have some more time to relax and spend some time alone without worrying about feeding the baby. Mothers can start pumping after 2 to 3 weeks postpartum to help the breast milk establish. Waiting for 3 weeks reduces breastfeeding challenges and nipple soreness.

How Breastfeeding and Pumping Work

Breastfeeding works on a supply-and-demand principle. The breast produces more milk when you frequently breastfeed or pump. During breastfeeding, oxytocin is released to stimulate milk ejection, and prolactin supports milk production from the mammary glands. Combining pumping and breastfeeding stimulates milk production, and completely emptying breast milk increases milk production. Double pumping that mimics a baby’s nursing pattern increases milk volume.

Here are a few situations when combining breastfeeding and pumping helps:

  • If you are returning to work, pumping ensures babies have breast milk even without your presence
  • If the baby has latching difficulties due to premature birth or flat nipples
  • If you have a low milk supply, pumping stimulates milk production
  • An abundant milk supply leads to engorgement and clogged ducts, which you can tackle through pumping
  • Building a breast milk stash makes it easy for you to travel and feed late at night.

When to Start Pumping

To start pumping, wait till 3 to 4 weeks after childbirth. This time allows for establishing breastfeeding and stabilising milk supply. Exclusive breastfeeding is important for bonding and relaxation for both mother and the baby. Milk supply increases in the first two weeks and stabilises around 4 to 6 weeks.

Early pumping may lead to nipple confusion and an imbalance in milk supply. However, if the baby is born prematurely, struggles to nurse, or is separated from the mother or is in the NICU, you can start pumping early within 6 hours of postpartum.

If you are starting to pump after establishing breastfeeding, wait for 20 to 30 minutes after breastfeeding. This allows the breast to refill the milk. To improve milk supply, it is recommended to pump 8 to 12 times over 24 hours, with each session lasting 10 to 15 minutes.

Types of Pump

  • Manual Pump: These are portable, affordable, and not loud. It is cordless and battery-free, making it perfect for travel and outdoor use. Mothers can adjust pressure and strength to avoid nipple discomfort and trauma. Before using manual pumps, gently massage the breast and give a warm compress to increase the flow. Adjust the flange centre to the nipple and mimic infant suckling.
  • Single Electric Pump: These are faster than manual pumps and perfect for moderate pumping. It comes with single and double-flange and rechargeable options. For occasional pumpers, a single electric pump can be a great choice.
  • Double Electric Pump: For mothers who have premature babies, are returning to work, and pump frequently, this can be a great option. Double pumping reduces pump time, which reduces fatigue and discomfort during pumping. Milk from double pumping has higher calories and more fat content (1).
  • Hospital Grade Pumps: These come with powerful motors which work under a closed system. They have barriers that prevent milk from entering the motor, which reduces contamination. Hospital-grade pumps are effective and mimic a baby’s suckling and milk removal. For early pumpers, these can work well for establishing milk supply during the first few weeks and can be switched to other options once the milk supply is regulated.

Choosing the Right Pump

Pumping is all about choosing what is comfortable for mothers. Depending on the lactation stage, comfort, and needs, choose a pump. Here are a few things to consider before choosing a pump:

  • Frequency: For occasional pumping, choose manual or single pump. For frequent pumping, opt for double electric.
  • Budget: A Manual pump may be cost-effective, while a single or double pump may be expensive.
  • Portability: See if you can carry it for work or travel.
  • Noise: Prolactin levels peak at night, making it perfect for pumping. Choosing quiet pumps is recommended.
  • Cleaning: Check if the pump is dishwasher-safe. Daily cleaning reduces infection by 95%.
  • Durability: The motor lasts for 1500+ hours, and the rechargeable battery is great.
  • Suction Strength: The Pump should be adjustable and mimic baby suckling. Too low may result in poor milk supply, while high suction can be painful.
  • Flange size: It should fit properly on the nipple to avoid pain and enhance milk ejection.

Preparing for Pumping

  • Relax: Oxytocin helps with milk letdown, which is triggered by relaxation, nipple stimulation, and skin-to-skin contact.
  • Hydration: Before pumping, drink enough water and aim for 3-4 litres of water daily. Dehydration reduces milk supply.
  • Hygiene: Wash your hands and the pumping parts before starting.
  • Environment: Sit in a comfortable, quiet and warm space. Make sure the light is dim. Keep your baby’s photos and videos in front of you to boost output.
  • Warm Compress: It increases blood flow and milk letdown.
  • Breast Massage: Massage in a circular motion from the outside to the nipple to increase milk flow.
  • Position: Sit upright and fit the flange in the centre.

How to Breastfeed and Pump at the Same Time?

To combine breastfeeding and pumping, try double pumping. Double pumping is nursing your baby on one breast while pumping the other breast. When double pumping, you can stimulate milk production and increase the milk supply. Here's how you can double pump easily:

  • Find a calm and comfortable place to sit
  • Position your baby on one breast comfortably and attach the pump to the other breast
  • Allow the baby to nurse fully
  • Start pumping after 20 minutes of breastfeeding
  • Massage the breast to encourage milk flow
Milk Storage:

  • Freshly expressed milk can be stored at room temperature for 4 hours at a lower ambient temperature.
  • You can store milk up to 4 days in a standard refrigerator to maintain its quality and reduce bacterial growth.
  • If you want to store it for longer, you can store it in a deep freezer for up to 6 to 12 months.
Storing milk for longer periods ensures you have enough milk stash on hand to feed the baby during an emergency. Although storing milk preserves it, some vitamins and enzymes begin to degrade over longer periods. When freezing milk, choose clean, BPA-free plastic bottles or glass bottles. Don't give the baby a hard rock of cold milk. Combining breastfeeding and pumping offers many benefits. However, growing babies thrive on their mother's touch and exclusive breastfeeding. So try your best to nurse on demand rather than relying on stored milk for a few months.

FAQs on How To Combine Breastfeeding And Pumping: Evidence-Based Guide For New Moms


  1. What is the 30-30-30 rule for pumping?
    The 30-30-30 is a power-pumping method, where you pump for 30 minutes, rest for 30 minutes, and pump again for 30 minutes to mimic natural feeding and stimulate milk production.
  2. Should I empty my breast when pumping?
    Emptying your breast while pumping signals your body to produce more milk. Before pumping, hand-massage the breast and apply a warm compress for maximum milk production and ejection.
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