Do you need help creating breastfeeding and pumping schedules, but you’re not quite sure where to start? 

This complete guide to pumping and breastfeeding for beginners will help you fill in the blanks on how to successfully establish your milk supply, build a freezer stash and how to get ahead of breastfeeding complications before they strike! 

I’ll even provide you with sample newborn pumping schedules and some to increase your milk supply. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to access a free pumping course!

Breastfeeding and Pumping Tips to Establish Milk Supply

It is so important to establish your milk supply as soon as possible!

Building a freezer stash depends on your breast milk regulating to safely over-produce beyond what your little one consumes per day.

Starting a strategic breast pumping schedule right away can make a huge difference in your milk supply later on too.

How to Establish Your Supply Before Milk Regulates

When your milk first comes in, your body pretty much relies on postpartum hormones to produce milk.

Once these hormones regulate, so does your milk supply and then the supply and demand switch turns on.

If your goal is to have an over-supply for the purpose of building a decent-sized freezer stash, you may want to start pumping right away.

I mean, at the hospital!

Whip out that breast pump and use it once or twice per day for 10-15 minutes after you have nursed your baby.

Please note that pumping before 3 weeks postpartum is not usually recommended and I’ll explain why in the next section.

Pumping and Breastfeeding Guidelines for After Birth 

In some instances, a lactation consultant will advise you to wait 2-3 weeks before you begin a breast pumping regimen. This is because they recommend you let your baby regulate your supply to avoid complications that an over-supply may result in.

It is always best to consult with a lactation consultant if you are experiencing any problems.

However, if you are worried about having a low supply, beginning a breast pumping regimen right away may drastically increase your overall milk production.

Below, you will see a sample newborn breastfeeding and pumping schedule to give you a better idea of how to go about implementing a routine. 

You will also find a sample breastfeeding and pumping schedule for moms with an established milk supply who want to beef up their production after the next section.