Sometimes breastfeeding doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. Triple feeding is a short-term feeding strategy that combines breastfeeding, supplementing, and pumping to help boost milk production and ensure your baby is well-fed while your supply catches up. This guide walks you through the entire process, offering realistic steps, reassurance, and tips for getting the right support.

What is the Purpose of Triple Feeding?

The overall aim of triple feeding is to protect both your baby’s nutritional intake and your breast milk production while maintaining or improving breastfeeding. It’s typically used for a few days to a week when there are specific challenges—such as low milk supply, difficulty breastfeeding, or concerns about baby’s weight gain.

Main goals of triple feeding:

  • Stimulate milk production at least eight times per day through breastfeeding, pumping, and hand expression.

  • Ensure your baby gets enough milk through breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or supplementation with formula or donor milk, so they stay content and growing well.

  • Provide regular practice at the breast to help your baby improve their latch and feeding skills.

You don’t have to do every step at every feed. There’s room for flexibility, and your plan can be adjusted to your individual circumstances.

Triple Feeding: Step-By-Step

1. Breastfeed (or attempt at the breast)

  • Watch your baby’s early hunger cues—rooting, sucking motions, or fussing—and respond promptly, aiming for at least eight feeds per day. Avoid going longer than one 4–5 hour stretch at night without feeding or pumping in the early weeks.

  • Focus on getting a deep, comfortable latch. Watch your baby’s lips and mouth movements—they should be wide, rhythmic, and relaxed once your baby starts sucking and swallowing. This may take more than one attempt, but it’s worth it!

  • Offer both breasts at each feeding, using gentle breast compressions to maximize milk flow.

  • Switch to the opposite side when your baby is no longer actively sucking and swallowing—sometimes this may be after just 5–10 minutes if your milk supply is low.

2. Supplement as needed

  • After breastfeeding, offer a bottle of breastmilk, donor milk, or formula supplementation if needed.

  • Consider using a slow flow bottle, paced bottle feeding, finger feeding, or cup feeding if your baby only needs a small amount of extra milk.

  • The most suitable method depends on your individual circumstances and your baby’s needs.

3. Pump

  • Use a double electric pump to maintain and build breast milk production.

  • Pump both breasts for 15–20 minutes after each feeding, using hands-on pumping techniques.

  • Additional hand expression for a few minutes after pumping will remove more milk than pumping alone and help increase your supply faster.

  • You can leave any milk needed for your baby's next feed at room temperature for up to 4 hours.

  • Store any extra milk safely following recommended milk storage guidelines.

  • Check your breast pump parts regularly for wear or poor suction, which can affect efficiency.

Tip: Try to keep the total duration of triple feeding around 45–60 minutes when possible. Rest between cycles and adjust your plan if it starts feeling unsustainable.

Tips For Triple Feeding

Set realistic expectations

This is an effective strategy, but it’s also demanding. Most families use it for a short time during the newborn stage.

Get the right support

Your lactation consultant can help fine-tune your plan and determine the optimal duration.

Be flexible

Not every feeding has to include all three steps. Adjust your approach so it feels sustainable for you and keeps your baby well-fed.

Rest and recovery

Ask for help with chores or bottles so you can focus on feeding, pumping, and recovery.

Seek emotional support

Triple feeds can be tiring. Reach out for emotional support from your care team, partner, or friends. If you have medical concerns, always seek professional medical advice.

Tracking Your Progress

Keep a simple log to help see how your progress and strategies are working:

  • Number of feedings and pumping sessions per day

  • Baby’s dirty and wet diapers and weight gain

  • Any improvements in milk flow or baby’s satisfaction

  • Adjustments you make to the next triple feeding session

If you notice steady weight gain and your baby is more satisfied, you may be ready to simplify or reduce steps—always with guidance from your lactation provider.

Are There Alternatives to Triple Feeding?

Some families find that triple feeds are not the most effective form of support for their needs. Depending on your specific challenges, you might explore alternative methods such as:

Limit time at the breast

You may decide to limit the time you spend breastfeeding at each session to a maximum of 10 minutes on each breast if it's taking too long, especially if you are cutting pumping time short.

Supplement at the breast

If your baby is breastfeeding well and you’d like to minimize bottles, a supplemental nursing system (SNS) is a great option. The SNS system includes a small tube inserted in the corner of your baby’s mouth or placed near your nipple that delivers the supplement while they breastfeed.

Offer the supplement first

If your baby has trouble latching, offering the supplement first and the breast after may make the experience more enjoyable for both of you. Don't forget to pump after.

Flexibility and variety

Mix things up by trying a traditional triple feed at some feeds, the SNS system at others, or pumping and offering a bottle at different times.

Nighttime bottles might help

Many moms find that pumping and offering a bottle at night allows more rest—especially if a partner or support person can offer the baby a bottle while you pump.

Prioritize pumping

If triple feeding is wearing you down, focus on one or two key steps instead of all three at each session. Prioritizing pumping will help ensure your milk supply continues to increase, while your baby is growing and becoming more active and alert over time. There is no rush to make breastfeeding perfect yet. As long as you’re making enough milk, many breastfeeding challenges will improve with time and practice.

How to Know When it's OK to Stop?

As your baby becomes more efficient at the breast and your supply increases, you can begin transitioning toward exclusive breastfeeding with the support of your lactation provider. Ongoing monitoring of your baby's feeding satisfaction, diaper output, and weight gain will give you the confidence needed to reduce or eliminate the additional pumping and supplementation.

Triple feeds can be a powerful, short-term tool to boost your milk production, support your baby’s weight gain, and rebuild confidence in your breastfeeding goals. While it comes with its own set of challenges, remember it’s temporary and can be flexible. With the right support, you’ll find the most suitable strategies to ensure your baby is getting the very best start.

Disclaimer: Our classes and accompanying materials are intended for general education purposes and should not replace medical advice. For personalized recommendations, please consult your healthcare provider and/or lactation consultant.