Pumping Schedule
Pumping Schedule by Age: Exclusive Pumping and Breastfeeding Schedules
How often to pump depends on your baby's age:
- 0 to 4 weeks: 10 to 12 times a day, every 2 to 3 hours
- 1 to 3 months: 8 to 10 times a day, every 3 hours
- 3 to 6 months: 6 to 8 times a day, every 4 hours
- 6 months and up: 5 to 6 times a day, every 5 hours
Pump for 15 to 20 minutes each time, and keep one night session until your supply is steady.
Pumping Basics
How Often and How Long Should You Pump?
Your body makes milk on supply and demand. Regular sessions with even gaps keep your supply steady.
How Many Times a Day
10 to 12 times as a newborn, then fewer as your baby grows. See the schedule for your baby's age below.
How Long Each Session
About 15 to 20 minutes, or until about 2 minutes after your milk stops flowing.
Pump Both Sides
A double pump saves time and can help you empty more fully.
Keep Gaps Even
Space sessions evenly through the day. Long gaps tell your body to make less milk.
Want to make more milk? See how to increase milk supply and power pumping.
Newborn, 0 to 6 Weeks
Pumping Schedule for a Newborn
The first weeks set your supply, so pump often and keep gaps short.
- Exclusively pumping: 8 to 12 sessions a day, every 2 to 3 hours, including at night.
- Nursing and pumping: nurse on demand, and pump after a few feeds a day.
Pump at Night
Prolactin is highest at night. Keep at least one night session in the early weeks.
Pump After Nursing
Pump within 30 minutes after a feed. That extra emptying helps build supply.
1 to 3 Months
Exclusive Pumping Schedule: 1 to 3 Months
Most moms pump 8 to 10 times a day at this age, about every 3 hours, including the night.
Supply often settles around 6 to 12 weeks, and breasts feel softer. That is normal.
Every 3 Hours
Example: 6, 9, 12, 3, 6, 9, then 12 and 3 at night.
Track Your Total
Log each session. Your daily total shows whether your schedule is working.
3 to 6 Months
Exclusive Pumping Schedule: 3 to 6 Months
Most moms pump 6 to 8 times a day now, about every 4 hours. Supply has settled, so you can space sessions out a little.
Every 4 Hours
Example: 6 and 10 in the morning, 2, 6 and 10 in the afternoon and evening, and 2 at night.
Drop One Session at a Time
Drop one session, then watch your daily ounces for a few days before dropping another.
6 to 12 Months
Exclusive Pumping Schedule: 6 to 12 Months
Most moms pump 5 to 6 times a day now, about every 5 hours. Your baby is starting solids, but breast milk is still the main drink until 12 months.
Every 5 Hours
Example: 6 and 11 in the morning, 4 and 9 in the afternoon and evening, and 2 at night.
Watch for Dips
If your total drops after you drop a session, add it back and try power pumping for a week.
Breastfeeding and Pumping
Breastfeeding and Pumping Schedule
If you nurse and pump, your baby's feeds come first. Pump to build a stash, to keep supply up, or to cover bottles when you are away.
After the Morning Feed
Many moms pump after the first feed of the day, when they are often fullest.
Between Feeds
Pump 30 to 60 minutes after a feed, so there is milk for the next one.
Back at Work
Pump about every 3 hours at work, about as many times as your baby takes a bottle while you are away.
Night Pumping
Pumping at Night
Why It Matters
Prolactin, the hormone that makes milk, is highest at night. Night sessions protect your supply in the early months.
When Can I Stop?
Many moms drop the night session after about 3 months, once their daily total stays steady. Drop it last, and watch your ounces for a few days.
Make It Easier
Set up your pump before bed. Cubtale alerts you when it is time to pump, so you can sleep until then.
Storing What You Pump
Store Each Session Without the Pitcher Method
Many pumping moms pour each session into one pitcher in the fridge and portion it out later. This is called the pitcher method. With numbered labels, you don't need it.
Each session goes into its own bag with a numbered Cubtale label. Cubtale saves the amount, date and location, tells you which bag to use next, and alerts you before milk expires.
Label Once, No Handwriting
Stick a numbered label on the bag and enter the number in Cubtale.
One Session, Several Bags
Pumped a lot? Split one session into numbered bags.
Oldest First
Cubtale follows the breast milk storage guidelines and shows which bag is next.
Works for Every Caregiver
Partners and daycare can scan a label and mark milk as used. Labels fit any bag brand.
Smart Pumping Schedule
A Pumping Schedule Built Around Your Sleep
Tell Cubtale when you wake up, when you go to sleep, and your baby's age. Cubtale builds a personalized pumping schedule that gives you the longest stretch of sleep it can, while keeping enough sessions and short enough gaps for your supply.
More Sleep
Sessions are spaced to protect your longest sleep stretch.
Night Alerts
Cubtale alerts you when it is time to pump, including at night, so you don't sleep through a session.
Grows with Your Baby
As your baby gets older, your schedule moves to fewer sessions.
One-Tap Logging
Log left, right and total ounces, and see your supply trend.
Pumping Schedule FAQ
How often should I pump?
It depends on your baby's age: 10 to 12 times a day at 0 to 4 weeks, 8 to 10 times at 1 to 3 months, 6 to 8 times at 3 to 6 months, and 5 to 6 times after 6 months.
How long should I pump each session?
About 15 to 20 minutes, or until about 2 minutes after your milk stops flowing.
How many times a day should I pump?
Exclusively pumping moms usually pump 8 to 12 times a day in the first months, then fewer as supply settles. See the schedule for your baby's age above.
What is a good pumping schedule for a newborn?
Pump 8 to 12 times a day, every 2 to 3 hours, including at night. If you also nurse, pump within 30 minutes after a few feeds a day.
Should I pump after breastfeeding?
Pumping after some feeds can help build supply or a stash. Many moms pump after the first morning feed, when they are often fullest.
When can I stop pumping at night?
Many moms drop the night session after about 3 months, once their daily total stays steady. Drop it last, and add it back if your supply dips.
How can I make a pumping schedule that lets me sleep?
Space your day sessions evenly and keep one night session in the early months. Cubtale builds a personalized schedule around your sleep and alerts you when it is time to pump.
What is the pitcher method, and do I need it?
The pitcher method means pouring each session into one pitcher in the fridge and portioning it later. With numbered Cubtale labels, each session stays in its own tracked bag, so you don't need a pitcher.
Pumping Guides
More Pumping Guides
Breast Milk Storage
How long breast milk lasts at room temperature, in the fridge and in the freezer.
