How much breast milk you express will depend on your situation and your baby's needs. For example, you may need to express more for your newborn baby if they are unable to breastfeed.
Some breastfeeding mothers find it hard to express milk, even if they are breastfeeding with no issues. Some find it easier to express by hand, while others prefer using a breast pump.
Any amount of breast milk that you can express for your baby is helpful. Your public health nurse (PHN), lactation nurse or midwife can help you.
Newborn babies
If you need to express milk for a newborn, here's a guideline on what to expect during the first few days. The amounts shown are estimates for healthy full-term babies.
It is important to express at least 10 to 12 times in 24 hours during the first few days.
The amount of milk can vary at each session, depending on the time of day or how much rest you get. Even if you get little or no milk, it is important to keep stimulating your breasts to build up a supply.
You may notice a decline in your milk supply on day 2. But after this your milk supply should increase.
| Day | Milk expressed in 24 hours | How much your baby will get at a feed |
|---|---|---|
| Day Day 1 | Milk expressed in 24 hours 0ml to 123ml | How much your baby will get at a feed from a few drops to 5ml (about 1 teaspoon) |
| Day Day 2 | Milk expressed in 24 hours 44ml to 335ml | How much your baby will get at a feed from 5ml to 15ml |
| Day Day 3 | Milk expressed in 24 hours 98ml to 775ml | How much your baby will get at a feed from 15ml to 30ml |
Certain things may affect the amount of milk you can express.
These can include:
- having a premature birth
- being sick
- how soon you express milk after birth
- how often you express
- how much you drink or eat
- how much you smoke
- how much alcohol you drink
- how much sleep and rest you get
- your stress levels
- your ethnicity or race
Some health conditions can impact on milk production, such as breast surgery or diabetes.
If you are looking to increase your milk supply or your supply drops, you should express more often. You can increase your milk supply by power pumping.
If you’ve never used a pump before, it might be helpful to think of the first few pumping sessions as practice. With time and practice, it becomes easier and the amount of milk you express will increase.
Ask our breastfeeding experts
How much milk a growing baby needs
How much milk a baby needs will change as they grow.
During the first week, most full-term babies take no more than 5ml to 60ml at a feed. This is because their stomachs are very small.
Your baby's weight and their dirty nappies can help you tell if your newborn is getting enough breast milk.
After 4 to 5 weeks, babies usually take:
- about 90ml to 120ml per feed
- 700ml to 900ml a day
Your baby's milk intake usually stays about the same between months 1 and 6. But it may increase during growth spurts. This is called cluster feeding.
After 6 months, your baby’s milk intake begins to decrease gradually as you wean them onto solid food.
How much to express if away from your baby
Babies age 1 to 6 months who are only fed breast milk take about 750ml a day.
To calculate how much to express:
- estimate how many times your baby feeds in 24 hours
- divide 750ml (average daily intake) by the number of times they feed in a day
This gives you a rough guide for how much you need to express for 1 feed.
For example, your baby feeds 8 times in 24 hours.
750/8 = 94ml (per feed)
Tips for short-term separation
Planning ahead of time will help you build up enough supply for your baby while you are away.
You can express once or twice a day, after or between feeds. If you are breastfeeding on 1 side, you can express on the other side. It may look like small volumes, but frequent small amounts will add up to make full feeds.
Expressing at around the same time each day will help your breasts adjust more easily.
