How Long Do I Really Have to Pump?

[Aysa_Mom]

If i'm getting more than enough milk to send with my dauther to daycare by pumping for 10 minutes, 2 times a day, can I cut my pumping sessions down to 5 minutes, 2 times a day without it hurting my milk supply?

[Prettyskittle82]

I guess it would depend a little on how long you have been replacing nursing sessions with pumping sessions and how old your baby is. Are you expecting any growth spurts and so on.

I pump 3 times a day for 15 minutes, because sometimes the supply does go down after you substitute nursing sessions with pumping sessions, but I don't think that's always the case.

If you do decide to cut it down to 5 minutes and notice a drop, you can always try things to bring it back up... like pumping longer or more times for a few days... or eating oatmeal, etc.

[KerryS]

If you cut back on pumping, then over time you will have a decrease in supply.

[whitnessforhim]

I agree with Kerry.

[Aysa_Mom]

Ok. I'll continue with my twice daily, 10 min. pumping sessions. I def don't want my supply to decrease.