Does Breast Pumping Burn Calories?

The short answer to this is “yes!” but let’s get into why and how pumping breast milk burns calories, along with how many calories you burn breastfeeding. Certain variables play into this, such as frequency of pumping sessions, amounts expressed, whether you’re pumping for one or multiples, and more.

When it comes to caloric expenditure, the short answer is no—it doesn’t significantly matter whether you are nursing or using a breast pump. The energy your body expends is primarily used to produce the breast milk itself, rather than to physically extract it. Because of this, pumping and breastfeeding burn roughly the same amount of calories as long as the same volume of milk is produced. However, your total daily calorie burn will depend on several other factors.

• Exclusively breastfeeding/pumping or supplementing?

• Basal metabolic rate (resting rate)

• Activity levels

• Age of the baby/caloric density of the milk

• Frequency of the feedings

• Milk produced to milk expressed ratio

• Breast pump efficacy

• Prepregnancy weight

• Weight gain during pregnancy

Exclusive breastfeeding means no supplementation from any other source or the introduction of solid foods (baby food, cereals, etc.). Breastfeeding mothers who exclusively breastfeed can expect to burn up to 500 calories per day on average. This will vary depending on whether you're breastfeeding multiples, your individual metabolism, weight status (+/-), and the baby's age. 

If supplementation with donor milk or formula has been introduced, the body demands fewer ounces. So naturally, there are fewer calories burned, along with less breast milk produced by the mother over time. In theory, we can expect to draw a direct parallel to exclusive pumping.

There are 20-22 calories per ounce of breast milk. The recommendation is to have 8-12 feedings a day. This comes out to an average of over 500 calories burned a day.

Also in the mix is the energy spent reproducing the milk that was expressed to maintain the milk supply. You can figure in the energy it takes to hold the baby vs. holding up the pumping equipment, and whether the mother is sitting or standing... so many potential variables! Having a good breast pump to keep up with demand will also impact how many pumping sessions it can last through, how many ounces it consistently removes, and the stimulation it provides to the breast tissue to help replenish milk.

Pumping and breastfeeding moms both worry about getting enough calories to support milk supply and production. However, depending on your pre-pregnancy weight and the amount gained during pregnancy, your body is prepared to produce the milk needed without taking in additional calories.

It's not recommended to cut calories or go on restrictive diets, but to incorporate nutrient-dense snacks to fuel your day. A return to prepregnancy weight status can happen in most cases, even with extra calories added to the daily intake.

Society throws around terms like “healthy diet” or “balanced diet,” pressuring people to lose “baby weight.” But ultimately, when it comes to postpartum life, nursing mothers need more support to focus on nutrient-rich foods, gentle activity levels, and less on calorie intake and body weight. Sound medical advice and lactation support are key to milk production and meeting your baby's calorie needs.

To maintain your milk supply and support your body's daily calorie burn, establishing a consistent routine is key. First, determine how much breast milk your baby actually needs. If you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby but want to implement a pumping regimen to build a freezer stash or boost your supply, knowing how much is needed can be the difference between a healthy stash and an oversupply. 

On the other hand, if pumping exclusively or part-time, your pumping schedule will naturally look quite different. As a general rule, pumping or otherwise expressing your milk should happen as often as your baby would naturally feed. If a pumping session is meant to replace a full nursing session, this typically means pumping every 2 to 4 hours for approximately 15 to 20 minutes at a time. In general, breastmilk-fed infants take an average of about 25 ounces every 24 hours from four weeks up to six months when solids are introduced. 

As mentioned earlier, having a reliable breast pump is essential for keeping up with your baby's demand, maximizing your milk output, and giving your body the stimulation it needs to maintain your supply. Whether you are exclusively pumping, building a freezer stash, or balancing nursing and pumping, Motif Medical offers a complete line of breast pumps designed to fit your lifestyle.

The exact number varies from person to person, but on average, exclusively breastfeeding mothers burn between 400 and 500 calories per day. This energy is primarily used to produce the milk itself.

Because the calorie burn comes from your body's production of breast milk rather than the physical act of extracting it, pumping and breastfeeding burn roughly the same amount of energy. You expend about 20 to 22 calories for every ounce of breast milk your body creates.

Because the calorie burn comes from your body's production of breast milk rather than the physical act of extracting it, pumping and breastfeeding burn roughly the same amount of energy. You expend about 20 to 22 calories for every ounce of breast milk your body creates.

Information provided in blogs should not be used as a substitute for medical care or consultation.