Your “Magic Number” is the number of times per day that you need to pump or breastfeed to maintain your breast milk supply. This concept can be especially helpful if you’re returning to work, as it can help you determine how often you’ll need to express milk while you're away from your baby to continue producing enough milk. 

What is Supply and Demand?

Supply and demand is the foundation of establishing and maintaining a good milk supply. When your breasts are full, your body slows down milk production. Think of it like an ice machine—once the bin is full, it stops making ice. But as soon as you use the ice, the machine starts making more. When your baby feeds, or you pump, it signals your body to increase output.

Sometimes babies breastfeed more frequently—this is called cluster feeding, and it’s completely normal. It’s also normal for milk production to fluctuate throughout the day, often dipping in the afternoon or early evening. The good news is that responding to your baby’s feeding cues—or using frequent, effective pumping—helps regulate and even boost production.

You don't need special snacks, drinks, or supplements. The real key to an abundant supply is frequent milk removal. Remember: Full Breasts = Less Milk Production.

Understanding Milk Storage Capacity

Storage capacity refers to how much milk your breasts can comfortably hold when they are at their fullest. This depends on your glandular tissue, not your breast size.

Small vs. Large Capacity

Even if you have a smaller storage capacity, you can still produce a full milk supply. A mother with a smaller capacity might feel full with 3 ounces and may need to breastfeed or pump frequently to prevent breast fullness from causing discomfort or slowing production. Another woman, with a larger storage capacity, may find it takes several hours or more before she begins to feel full and needs to empty her breasts. By considering both breast fullness and storage capacity, you can decide how often to feed or pump to maintain or adjust your supply effectively.

Monitor Removals

If you’re thinking about reducing the number of times you empty your breasts per day, or if you're combining breastfeeding with pumping, it can be helpful to track your daily sessions. Try logging how often you feed or pump over a 24-hour period at least once a week. For example, if your baby usually breastfeeds nine times a day and you'll miss some sessions after returning to work, aim to pump in place of those feedings so the total number of removals stays close to nine. This helps protect your supply and prevents sudden disruptions in your breastfeeding journey.

Adjust Over Time

Take it slowly and adjust as needed. Pay attention to how full your breasts feel and how much milk you're able to pump—these cues can guide any changes you may want to make. If you feel like your supply has begun to decrease, you can add back feedings or additional breast pump sessions to boost production. As your baby grows and your supply becomes more established, you may be able to increase the length of time between feedings or pumping sessions while still maintaining a steady supply.

Support Matters

If you’re ever unsure whether your baby is getting enough, check in with your pediatrician and consider a visit with a lactation consultant. They can assess weight gain, developmental milestones, and diaper counts to help you feel confident that your baby is getting everything they need. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need support in meeting your breastfeeding goals.

Disclaimer: Our classes and accompanying materials are intended for general education purposes and should not replace medical evaluation or consultation. Please seek advice from your own healthcare providers for individualized recommendations.