Returning to the Breast: A Step-by-Step Guide for Exclusive Pumpers

If you’ve been exclusively pumping and now want to return to breastfeeding—yes, it’s possible. Many mothers make this transition successfully with a little patience, observation, and the right plan. This guide will walk you through the process safely while protecting your milk supply and ensuring your baby continues to gain weight appropriately.

1. First things first: Is your baby latching well?

Before replacing pump sessions with breastfeeding, make sure:

• Your baby can latch deeply and stay on the breast for a full feed.

• You feel your breast soften after the feed (a sign of milk transfer).

• You hear swallowing sounds during the feed.

• Your baby seems relaxed and satisfied afterward.

If any of these are not happening yet, work on latch and positioning first—this is foundational.

2. Start by replacing just one pumping session

Once your baby is feeding well at the breast, you can begin replacing one pumping session with a breastfeeding session.

How to do it:

• Choose a time when your baby is alert and calm (often morning is best).

• Nurse first, then monitor output closely (see weight gain section below).

• If the baby seems hungry after nursing or the latch wasn’t great, pump for half the usual time and offer 30–40 mL (1–1.5 oz) of expressed milk or formula as a supplement.

3. Track baby’s weight gain (super important!)

During this transition, keep a close eye on your baby’s weight. You can do this with:

• Daily weight checks at home (if you have a reliable baby scale)

• Frequent visits to a lactation consultant or clinic to monitor weight professionally

• Or weigh once a week, and look at average daily gain

Healthy gain is typically 20–30 grams per day (0.7–1.0 oz/day)

If your baby is gaining within this range after replacing one pumping session with breastfeeding, you’re on the right track.

4. When do you drop the next pumping session?

Wait 3–5 days between dropping sessions to give your body time to adjust and to ensure your baby continues to gain weight well.

Once you’ve dropped one session and your baby:

• Gains 20–30g daily

• Has at least 5–6 wet diapers per day

• Seems satisfied after feeding

…you can move to drop another pumping session and replace it with a breastfeeding session.

Repeat this process slowly, one session at a time, with 3–5 days between changes.

5. What if baby’s weight gain slows down?

If baby gains less than 20g per day, or you feel milk transfer wasn’t effective:

• Continue breastfeeding at that time

• Reduce your pumping session time by only 50% instead of cutting it out entirely

• Top up with 30–40 mL of expressed milk or formula after the feed

• Reassess in a few days with new weight measurements

This approach gives your baby time to improve at the breast without compromising their growth or your supply.

6. Signs your baby is ready to fully breastfeed:

• Gaining weight well for at least one full week

• Breastfeeding 8+ times per 24 hours

• Refusing or taking minimal supplement after feeds

• Pump output is decreasing without fullness or discomfort

• You feel confident in your supply and baby’s cues

7. Bonus Tips to Support the Transition:

• Try skin-to-skin daily—it boosts oxytocin and helps baby reconnect with the breast.

• Nurse when baby is calm or sleepy—this can help bypass bottle preference.

• Use a paced bottle feeding technique for any remaining bottles to avoid flow preference.

• Keep a feeding log if it helps you track progress and reassure yourself.

You’ve got this.

Returning to the breast after exclusive pumping is absolutely possible—but like all things baby-related, it takes patience and observation. You are not alone in this journey, and every bit of effort you put in makes a difference.

If you’d like personal support, a pumping/breastfeeding schedule tailored to your journey, or tips for getting a baby back to breast, check out my 1:1 consultations or breastfeeding guides.