Reducing Pumping

Reducing Pumping: A Guide for When Breastfeeding Improves

By Lucy Lowe IBCLC - revised December 2025

Many families start pumping and giving extra milk (expressed breast milk or formula) to support their baby’s feeding and growth. If your baby is now feeding more effectively at the breast, you may be ready to reduce pumping. This guide explains how to do that gradually, comfortably, and safely.

You’re likely ready to begin reducing pumping if:

Your baby is latching well and feeding effectively.

They seem satisfied after most feeds.

Weight gain is steady and following their usual centile pattern.

Wet and dirty nappies match what’s expected for their age.

Supplements (extra milk after feeds) have reduced or are no longer needed.

You have support from your IBCLC, midwife, health visitor or GP as needed.

Understanding your baby’s growth:

Some weight loss in the first days is normal. Most babies regain birthweight by around two weeks.

After that, babies should gain steadily. Babies generally follow their centile line. If weight crosses down multiple centile spaces, speak to your Health Care Provider.

You can track their weight in the red book or the eRedbook webpage: https://www.eredbook.org.uk/

What to expect in nappy output

Wet nappies (minimums - more is great!):

Day 1 - 1 wet nappy

Day 2 - 2 wet nappies

Day 3 - 3 wet nappies, getting heavier!

Day 4 - 4 wet nappies, getting heavier!

Day 5 - 5 heavy wet nappies

Day 6 and onwards - 6 heavy wet nappies with pale‑urine

These are the minimum amount of wet nappies expected

Poos:

By day 5, poos should be soft and yellow.

In the early weeks, a baby should have at least 2 poos per day

After around 6 weeks, some breastfed babies poo less often — this can be normal if they are otherwise feeding well, nappies are wet enough and weight gain is good.

Seek support from your Health Care Provider urgently if wet nappies reduce, urine becomes darker, or poos remain small or infrequent in the early weeks.

How to reduce pumping gradually

Adjust gradually while keeping your breasts comfortable and keeping your baby well‑fed.

Key points:

Make small adjustments.

Reduce time or number of sessions — not both at once.

If breasts become uncomfortably full, pump or hand express just enough for comfort.

Keep an eye on nappies, behaviour and weight.

Option A: Reduce pumping by minutes first

(Ideal if you’re still doing many pumping sessions per 24hrs)

Identify your “effective time” — many people make most of their milk in the first 8-10 minutes.
Cut every session down to that time (e.g., from 10 minutes to 8).
Stay at this level for 24–48 hours.
If comfortable, reduce by another 1–2 minutes every few days.
When most sessions are down to around 5 minutes, you’re ready for Option B.

Option B: Reduce the number of sessions

(Ideal once sessions are short or if you pump very frequently)

Drop the least productive session of the day.
Wait 2–3 days to adjust.
If comfortable, drop the next session.
Continue until you reach your desired routine (e.g., pumping only once per day) or stop pumping altogether.

Example scenario

Let’s say you’re pumping 8 times a day for 10 minutes per session:

Reduce all sessions to 8 minutes for a couple of days.

Then reduce to 6 minutes for another few days.

Drop one session (now 7 sessions/day at 6 minutes).

After a few days, reduce to 6 sessions/day at 5 minutes.

Continue slowly reducing minutes and sessions until your breasts are comfortable and baby is thriving without top‑ups.

It’s normal if one time of day feels fuller — you can pump slightly longer then, while keeping other sessions short.

Red Flags

Stop the reduction process and seek support if you notice:

Fewer wet nappies than expected

Poos not becoming yellow/soft by day 5

Weight plateaus or drops

Increasing fussiness while feeding

Breast pain, redness, fever, or flu‑like symptoms (possible mastitis)

Looking after your breast health

Cool compresses after feeds can reduce swelling.

Gentle, light strokes towards the armpit (not deep massage) can reduce breast swelling.

If any lump remains or you feel unwell, contact your Health Care Provider.

If you’re still using some top‑up feeds:

Reduce supplements slowly with guidance from your IBCLC or Health Care Provider.

Methods like paced bottle feeding, cup feeding, or at‑breast supplementers can help maintain breastfeeding.

Many babies can move away from top‑ups gradually once their feeding strength and milk transfer improve.

For some babies, continuing some supplements will be necessary.

Quick Summary Checklist

Baby breastfeeding well

Good nappy output

Steady weight gain

Reduce pumping minutes first… then sessions

Go slowly and adjust for comfort

Watch nappies, behaviour and growth

Seek help if you have any concerns

Troubleshooting:

Further information on:

Engorgement

Blocked ducts and Mastitis

Dropping Top Up’s Gradually

Breast lumps: https://breastfeeding.support/breast-lumps/

*Please see your Healthcare Provider if you have any breast lump or changes that lasts longer than a few days*

Picture: Bottles of frozen expressed breastmilk

Picture: Expressed Breastmilk