For breastfeeding or chestfeeding parents, knowing how much milk the baby is getting can seem like a mystery. How much breast milk you need to pump can depend on your baby’s age, weight, and other factors.
Even if you know exactly how much milk they’re getting because you’re pumping and feeding your baby with a bottle, you might worry about the amount and length of your pumping sessions. Are they frequent and long enough to get your baby the milk they need?
To lower your stress levels, we’ve gathered information to help you determine how much milk, on average, you should expect to pump.
We encourage you to speak with your doctor, your midwife, or a lactation expert about your specific situation if you have any questions or concerns.
Keep in mind that everyone is different — and ultimately, if your baby is growing and their pediatrician has no concerns, then chances are you are producing enough.
As babies grow, they need different amounts of milk. Their milk needs also change as you begin to introduce solids.
Every baby is also unique, and their milk needs may look different during periods of cluster feeding. Breastfed or chestfed babies also tend to eat more frequently than formula-fed babies.
Your baby’s stomach size and hunger cues are your best guide to when it’s time to feed them. You can also look out for other cues, such as wet and soiled diapers, to see whether your baby is getting enough milk.
Infants and toddlers present with different cues to let caregivers know they are hungry or full. The
| Hunger signals | Signs your baby is full | |
|---|---|---|
| Birth to 5 months | turns head toward bottle or breast; places hands over mouth; puckers or smacks lips; clenches hands; crying (late-stage hunger) | turns head away from bottle or breast; closes mouth; relaxes (unclenches) hands |
| 6 to 23 months | they get excited when they see food; reaches out toward bottle or other food source, or uses other hand motions; opens mouth | closes mouth; pushes bottle or food away, or uses other hand motions to indicate disinterest; turns head away from breast, bottle, or food |
Overall, the goal is to pump enough milk to fulfill your baby’s average daily intake. As your baby grows, their stomach volume will also follow suit.
Rather than focusing solely on your baby’s age to determine their milk needs, it’s important to use a combination of their age, body weight, and hunger cues as your guide. Also, while newborns may nurse 8 to 12 times per day, the frequency decreases to about 7 to 9 times per day when your baby is 1 to 2 months old.
With all that in mind, the number of pumping sessions necessary to meet your milk goals can vary greatly, as can the amount of milk you produce in each session.
What to expect in the first 2 weeks
In the first 2 weeks of baby’s life, you should expect to feed them around 8 to 12 times per day. Your midwife or doctor will likely recommend feeding your little one every 2 to 3 hours.
And yes, that includes overnight. And yes, some babies eat even more frequently than that.
Getting baby to latch on and feed in the first hour after they’re born and making sure they can nurse 8 to 12 times per 24 hours in the first few days of life are two things that can make a huge difference in your long-term milk production.
Your milk may come in more quickly if you’ve had babies before. On the other hand, some people experience a slight delay in their milk coming in. This can be due to several factors, like:
- premature birth
- cesarean delivery, commonly referred to as a C-section
- severe stress
What to expect in the first month
After the first couple weeks, you should expect to produce more milk per session, about 2 to 4 oz., and may be able to stretch out some of the overnight feedings (maybe to 4 to 5 hours between feedings). In total, you should expect to average around 8 to 10 sessions per day.
However, cluster feeding may also continue during this time. During periods of cluster feeding, feeding sessions may become shorter and more frequent, and they may also become irregular.
When baby is cluster feeding, they can be extra fussy, sometimes rejecting the nipple only to demand milk a few minutes later. Cluster feeding is your baby’s smart way to tell your body to make more milk, often when they’re getting ready for a growth spurt or developmental leap.
What to expect in the first 2 to 4 months
Around the time baby reaches 2 to 4 months old, the feedings should become more regular, though you may still encounter some periods of cluster feeding or shifts in feedings if they are sick or reaching a new developmental milestone.
Growth spurts are also common at both the 2- and 4-month stages, which may cause your baby to eat more than normal. While every baby is different, it’s important to keep this in mind and to follow their hunger cues.
Some babies at this age may even need up to 150 mL (5 oz.) per feeding. You might find the exact amount varies by time of day, with some babies nursing more at night.
After this stage, a baby’s daily milk intake doesn’t typically change until around 6 months of age, when they may start eating solids. You can also expect to feed your baby an average of 8 times per day. Every baby has different needs, so you can expect a range of between 4 and 13 feedings every day within the first 6 months.
Remember again, though, every baby is different, so if your baby still feeds more often, that’s likely OK.
What to expect in months 5 and beyond
As your baby begins eating solids — typically at 6 months — you may see a reduction in the number of feeding sessions per day.
That said, some babies take longer to become interested in solids than others. Babies will get the majority of their nutrition from breast milk up to 1 year old, but solid foods can still be introduced after 6 months to aid in their development.
Even after introducing solids, your pediatrician may recommend continuing to breastfeed at a minimum through the first year of your baby’s life. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding until a baby is at least
If breastfeeding or chestfeeding is not working for you or your baby, discuss other feeding options and recommendations with a lactation specialist, if you have access to one, and your child’s pediatrician.
Ultimately, the best thing for your baby is to ensure they are getting enough nutrients, which can be achieved through breast milk, formula, solids, or a combination of these.
It might be time to seek some assistance if:
- you find that your milk supply is steadily declining
- you have concerns about your baby’s feeding behavior
- your baby is not wetting diapers as they should
- your breasts are in pain after pumping sessions
Support groups offer a chance to ask questions about latching, length, and frequency of feeds, and breast discomfort. If you’re interested in connecting with such a group, you can reach out to the nearest La Leche League or check with your doctor, midwife, or local hospital.
Pumping and breastfeeding or chestfeeding are very personal experiences. For some people, it’s possible to let down a great deal of milk quickly, but for others, the process can be frustrating.
It’s typical to worry when you have a newborn, but advice from your midwife, doctor, lactation consultant, or even other people who’ve been there before can help you relax.
If you’re worried about a specific problem or fear that you’re not producing enough milk for your baby, it’s a good idea to reach out to their pediatrician or a lactation consultant.