How often should I pump?

Question

I am an exclusive pumper and my son is 3 weeks old.   My son eats about 2.5-3 oz every 2.5-3 hours.  I pump 5-6 oz every 3 hours.  Apparently it's suggested to pump every 3 hours until baby is 3 months but since I pump more than he eats is it safe for me to go ahead and pump every 4 hours?  I've already started freezing milk and have like 30 bags already.

Answer

Since it sounds like you have a good supply, you could probably get away with a slight adjustment to your pumping schedule. The longer you wait between pumping sessions, the more you’ll end up with each session. Also, be careful about going too long and getting a clog.
Part of your pumping schedule depends on your freezer stash goals. All you have to keep in mind is that it’s a supply and demand thing. The less you pump, the less your body believes your child needs. The first few weeks are crucial to letting you body know what’s needed.
Personally, I wanted to freeze as much as I could so that whenever I decided to stop pumping, I knew he’d have plenty to get him through the transition. 
I’m 2 months pp and have 1,400+ ounces in my freezer as I pump more than double what he eats in a day (60+ vs 24-26). I still pump as many times as he eats a day (6, down from 7) and my supply has only continued to get stronger. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

I would still pump every 3 hours, if I were you. Just from my past experience, I dropped a pump before I was 12 weeks PP and my supply tanked dramatically after a couple days, so I went back up. It could have been just my body though. When I was 15 weeks, I went to 6 pumps and it remained steady. They say your milk supply doesn't regulate until you're 12 weeks in. At 3 weeks, your body's still trying to figure out how much to produce. Maybe you could drop a pump and see how your body adjusts. If what you're producing is good enough, then great. Remember, you can always go back up and pump more if you need more milk.

Answer

I would keep pumping every 3 hours and just make a stash with the extra. I would t chance your supply dropping so early on.

How often should I pump?

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