Some women gently stimulate the nipple before using the pump. This option can cut pumping time in half and some believe that milk production in stimulated more effectively. If double pumping, expect to pump for around 8-10 minutes. Human milk can vary in color, consistency and smell depending upon the time of day the milk was expressed and the age of the baby at the time of pumping. Good times to express milk are upon awakening in the morning or when the baby has not completely emptied the breast.
Effectiveness improves with practice.
A nursing baby will always be more effective at emptying the breast than a pump. If the amount pumped in the beginning is small, that does not necessarily reflect the mother's milk supply. Back Storing breast milk Fresh milk should be stored in hard plastic or glass containers or special mother's milk freezer bags. Inexpensive plastic bottle bags are not intended for milk storage. Cool freshly expressed milk in the refrigerator before adding to a container of frozen milk.