A few tips may help you combine breastfeeding and pumping. These may include breastfeeding first, using your hands, keeping accessories handy, and learning bottle-feeding techniques.

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Cara Dolan/Stocksy United

Peanut butter and jelly. Movies and popcorn. Shoes and socks. Some of the best things in life come in combos. But what about breastfeeding and pumping?

If your milk supply is low or you just need some extra expressed milk for bottles, you may be wondering how to combine breastfeeding and pumping, if it will increase your supply, or if there are any downsides to it.

Have no fear: We’ve got answers! Plus we have some tips if you do decide to try breastfeeding and pumping.

There are many reasons you might choose to do a combination of breastfeeding and pumping. A few common ones include:

  • Increasing your milk supply. Breast milk production generally works on supply and demand. The more milk is drawn out, the more milk your breasts may potentially make. If you are trying to increase your milk supply, this can be a good first step to try.
  • Helping with discomfort. This involves clearing milk out of your breasts to help with clogged ducts and mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue).
  • For bottles. You may want to have some breast milk for bottle feeding if you need to be away from your baby for any length of time.
  • Breastfeeding difficulties. If your baby has challenges latching or drinking a sufficient amount from your breast alone, it can be helpful to have some extra milk on hand to follow up breastfeeding with a bottle.

If you’re considering combined breastfeeding and pumping, here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

  • Breastfeed first. It’s generally best to pump after breastfeeding. That way your little one can have their fill first, you’ll be able to empty your breasts fully after, and your breasts will have maximum time to refill before the next feed!
  • Use your hands. Hands-on pumping and hand expression can help to increase the amount of milk you get out of your breasts. Doing these things can also help increase the amount of milk your breasts produce in the future.
  • Get storage. You may wish to use a Haakaa silicone breast pump or other milk storage container to collect the milk leaking from the breast your baby is not currently using, so this milk isn’t lost before you pump.
  • Find the best fit. Before pumping, make sure to double-check the flanges to make sure that they fit properly. This can help prevent damage to your nipples and discomfort while you pump.
  • Keep accessories handy. You may want to place a few baskets around your house near your favorite breastfeeding locations that hold a water bottle, easy-to-eat adult snacks, nipple cream, burp clothes, wipes, and diapers, so you don’t have to get up to look for these items once you start feeding and pumping.
  • Learn bottle feeding techniques. Use the paced bottle feeding method to help ensure that your baby is more likely to want to continue breastfeeding. (As an added bonus, a 2018 study showed that this may just help to prevent respiratory and ear issues!)
  • Warm up. If you’re having trouble getting your body to let down with the pump, consider placing something warm on your chest first and looking at videos of your little one while you pump.

What is power pumping?

If your goal is to increase your supply, you may want to consider a technique known as power pumping. Power pumping mimics the more frequent feeding style of an infant who is cluster feeding.

Exact power pumping schedules can vary. Generally, you’ll want to try pumping for 1 to 2 hours per day for 1 or 2 weeks to increase your milk supply.

A sample power pumping routine might look like this:

  • 20 minutes pumping
  • 10 minutes rest
  • 10 minutes pumping
  • 10 minutes rest
  • 10 minutes pumping
  • 10 minutes rest
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Potential benefits

  • increasing the amount of milk your breasts produce
  • extra expressed breast milk for periods of separation or if you become ill
  • relieving engorgement pressure and helping prevent clogged ducts
  • encouraging your baby to accept bottle feeding so they don’t rely solely on breastfeeding
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Potential downsides

  • Oversupply issues, such as clogged ducts, engorgement, and mastitis, may occur if the additional pumping increases your supply too much.
  • Milk can spoil if it’s not properly handled and stored.
  • More pumping will mean more things to keep sanitized to prevent the spread of germs.
  • Pumping supplies add additional costs.
  • Your breasts/nipples may be more tender due to the longer amounts of suction.
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You should speak with your doctor or your child’s pediatrician for guidance if you have any specific health concerns or if problems develop when you combine breastfeeding and pumping.

Making decisions around formula, breast milk, and pumping can feel overwhelming. Being informed can help you feel more confident in whatever choice you make.

There are many individuals and organizations that can offer you advice and resources. A few places you can reach out are:

If you find that your breast milk supply is lower than you (or your baby) would like it, a combination of breastfeeding and pumping might help. Pumping after breastfeeding sessions can also offer a way to collect breast milk for bottles when you need some extra sleep or have to be away from your baby for an extended period of time.

Schedules for breastfeeding and pumping can vary depending on many factors, so you may want to discuss your situation with a lactation consultant.

If you experience breast discomfort or find that your milk supply is at an uncomfortable level, you’ll want to talk with your doctor or a lactation professional. Their support can help to make your experience breastfeeding and pumping a more comfortable one. It’s important to remember that everyone’s experiences are different!

You may find that you love doing a combination of breastfeeding and pumping, or you might discover just like peanut butter and jelly, it’s overrated to you. It’s OK to feel however you feel. There’s no one right answer when it comes to feeding a baby!