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Moving Away from Top-Ups & Reducing Pumping: A Gentle, Evidence-Based Guide for Parents
- mfalqurashi
- Dec 10, 2025
- 5 min read
If you’ve been expressing and giving your baby extra milk (expressed breast milk or formula) you may now be wondering how to move back towards breastfeeding more directly at the breast.Perhaps your baby is feeding more effectively, gaining weight well and producing plenty of wet and dirty nappies. If so, this may be the moment to begin reducing those extra bottles and moving away from the pump.
This guide explains how to do that safely, comfortably and at your baby’s pace.
Why Top-Ups Begin
• Early or late preterm birth
• Weight loss outside expected ranges (most newborns lose up to around 7% of their birth weight in the first few days, sometimes up to 10%; we expect them to be back to birth weight by around 3 weeks)
• Low blood sugars
• Tongue-tie treatment or recovery
• Multiple babies
• Tube feeding at the start
• Feeding difficulties or a very sleepy baby
• Lack of nappy output, suggesting baby may not yet be taking enough milk
• Lack of support, including delayed or inconsistent help with positioning, latch or responsive feeding
• Baby not latching or removing milk efficiently, leading to reduced milk transfer and slower weight gain
Top-ups are often a temporary step while breastfeeding becomes established. Once baby is feeding well, parents can feel ready to reduce bottles and pump less, but understandably want to do this without affecting supply or baby’s intake.
Many Families Can Breastfeed Successfully From Day One (Even With Multiples)
It’s important to recognise that early feeding challenges are often due to a lack of skilled, consistent support, rather than a parent’s inability to breastfeed. With timely, hands-on guidance ( including help with positioning, latch, feeding cues, and safe skin-to-skin) many parents of twins or triplets successfully breastfeed from the very first day.
Research shows that early support increases milk transfer, protects supply and boosts confidence. When this support is missing, families may be encouraged to top up or limit time at the breast unnecessarily, not because their bodies are unable, but because the right help was not available. With informed & early support, breastfeeding can be both possible and sustainable.
Before Reducing Anything: Is Baby Ready?
Look for:
• Steady weight gain, following the same centile space in the Red Book
• Appropriate nappy output https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/10/mothers_breastfeeding_checklist.pdf
• Comfortable (pain free latch and sustainale for you) & efficient breastfeeds (baby is swallowing well at the breast)
• Baby is settled between feeds, waking for feeds and showing feeding cues.
• No signs of dehydration, such as dark urine or fewer wet nappies
Please seek support before reducing top up if anything is unclear.
Part 1: Reducing Pumping Safely and Comfortably
Reducing pumping gradually protects your milk supply and your breast health.
Step 1: Check the time is right
• Baby feeding well and has a deep comfortable latch.
• Good nappies
• Growth steady
• You feel ready and supported
Step 2: Reduce minutes first
• If you pump for 10 minutes but most milk comes in the first 6, try dropping to 6 minutes
• If comfortable, reduce by a minute at a time over several sessions
• Keep monitoring breast comfort
Step 3: Reduce the number of sessions
• Drop one pumping session every few days
• Continue responding to breast comfort
• If you feel too full at a particular session, pump just enough for comfort (you can use ice pack to reduce swelling and soothe the breast) https://www.breastfeedingsupportnorwich.com/post/the-mastitis-spectrum-what-you-need-to-know
Step 4: Keep monitoring baby
• Weekly weight checks (or as advised).
• Nappy output.
• Baby’s feeding behaviour.
Example Journey: Reducing Pumping
A parent pumping 8 times a day for 10 minutes might:
• Reduce all sessions to 8 minutes
• Drop one session (now 7 per day)
• A few days later, reduce to 6 minutes and drop another session
• Continue gradually until pumping is at a manageable minimum or no longer needed
Every family moves at their own pace.
Part 2: Dropping Top-Ups
1. Ensure baby goes to the breast at every feed
If baby doesn’t latch, express instead to protect supply.
2. Keep night feeds
Prolactin levels are highest at night, supporting milk production more effectively than daytime pumping.
3. If top-ups are large (over ~30–40 ml)
• it can be helpful to reduce the volume first.
• Allow baby to return to the breast to settle or finish, skin to skin, breast compressions and switch nursing can be invaluable here.
• Express if needed to maintain production.
4. Once top-ups are small (around 30 ml or less)
• Check weight gain.
• If all is well, start reducing the number of top-ups.
• A helpful step can be to keep around three top-ups spread over 24 hours.
• Between these, offer frequent, baby-led breastfeeding and skin-to-skin.
• Cluster feeding is common and helps supply adjust.
5. Moving to full breastfeeding
When things are going well and your baby is growing steadily, you may feel ready to drop the final top-ups and transition to breastfeeding at the breast. Take a breath this is a big moment, and you’ve already done something incredible to get to where you are.
• Drop remaining top-ups one at a time.
• Or stop all remaining top-ups if baby’s weight and nappies are consistently good.
• Continue feeding responsively, day and night.
Mixed Feeding as a Long-Term Option
Some families may continue to offer one or two full formula feeds per day or small top-ups at certain feeds and responsive breastfeeding the rest of the time, this can be a sustainable, positive choice, any amount of breast milk is valuable.
Troubleshooting While Reducing Top-Ups or Pumping
Slow down and reassess if:
• You feel overly full between feeds.
• A firm or tender area appears on the breast.
• You experience flu-like symptoms or redness on the breast.
• Baby seems less settled and nappies reduce.
• Weight gain slows.
• Baby works much harder at the breast or becomes frustrated.
If this happens:
• Hold of reducing top ups and keep pumping as is for comfort.
• Offer more skin-to-skin and frequent feeds with breast compressions & switch nursing.
• Review latch and positioning.
• Arrange a weight check & Skilled support you can also call the National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 open 24/7.
• Seek prompt medical advice if mastitis is suspected and read here for first aid https://www.breastfeedingsupportnorwich.com/post/the-mastitis-spectrum-what-you-need-to-know
When to Seek Extra Support
• You’re unsure how quickly to reduce supplements.
• Baby’s weight doesn’t track their centile space.
• You are experiencing anything on the mastitis spectrum.
• Baby is refusing the breast, still sleepy or struggling to stay on the breast.
• You’d like a personalised plan for your feeding goals.
As You Continue Your Feeding Journey
Reducing pumping and stepping away from top-ups is a gentle process that works best when it follows your baby’s cues and supports your comfort. Frequent feeding, cluster feeding and changes in routine are all normal while your supply adjusts.
With support, information and time, most families find a rhythm that feels manageable, connected and nourishing.
Marion Frey-AlQurashi Breastfeeding Counsellor & Mindful Breastfeeding Practitioner
National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 open 24/7. https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/#:~:text=news%3A%20NBH%40Night%20Launching%20friday%2029th%20march%202024&text=From%20Friday%2029th%20March%202024,Helpline%20number%3B%200300%20100%200212.
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