5 Ways to Pump More Milk in Less Time…with More Comfort.
Here’s the thing. Pumping is not a “plug and play” situation. While there can be a learning curve, putting in some effort will pay you back in lots of milky rewards. Let’s dive in to what you need to know to pump efficiently and comfortably!
The truth is that hooking yourself up to a machine and expecting it to do a great job all by itself is unrealistic.
Yes, we have tons of great pumps available now, but understanding how to get your pump to work well takes some effort. But don’t worry - it’s not rocket science.
I want you to spend less time pumping, so that you can get on with all the other things you have to do in a day. Hopefully, that includes taking a nap. 😴 Let’s dive in to the steps that you can take to get there:
#1: Use a Quality Pump
There are some great pumps as well as some that are just so-so. Not everyone values the same qualities in a pump but most people want reliability, power, affordability and the ability to try different settings. Some people also value size, portability and discreteness.
Here are some pumps that I see people getting consistently good results with:
Pumpables (affiliate link)
Baby Buddha (affiliate link)
Keep in mind that this is my opinion based on my experience with clients, as well as feedback from other lactation consultants. If you’re looking for pump reviews, I highly recommend New Little Life.
In the U.S., anyone with insurance can get a free electric breast pump. There will be restrictions based on your policy (you may only get a few choices and you may need to wait until your baby is born), but that’s a great place to start. For more information on choosing a pump and ordering one through insurance, see this blog post.
#2: Get Fitted for Flanges
Unfortunately, the flanges that come with most pumps are too large for most people.
We’ve learned a lot in recent years about what a huge difference the right flange size can make. I’ve seen it over and over in my practice and now we have a big research study to back it up.
The newest information tells us that to get the best fit, we should be measuring the nipple tip diameter, and using a flange that is roughly the same size. Often, people are told that they should add 2-3mm to their nipple size in order to choose a flange, but this may not be the best approach for you.
The reason is that we want to isolate only the nipple moving into the tunnel of the flange. When areola gets pulled into the tunnel, it can result in swelling, irritation and pain. Pain = less milk removed.
You can grab your own guide at https://babies-in-common.kit.com/ffguide
Tip for your nips: Don’t forget to measure BOTH nipples, as it’s not uncommon for them to be different sizes!
Most pump companies don’t make flanges smaller than 21mm, but companies like Maymom have a large number of sizes and shapes that will be compatible with just about all pumps.
For the best fit, I recommend reaching out to a lactation consultant who is experienced at flange fitting. Working with a lactation consultant allows you to try different sizes, shapes and materials, which saves you from ordering parts that may not work.
If you’re in the U.S., here’s a good place to start when searching for a lactation consultant in your area.
#3: Understand Your Pump
Take the time to understand how the settings work on your pump. Just turning it on isn’t going to cut it. A good pump allows you to use a variety of settings, which will help you find what works best for you. Again, I recommend New Little Life for videos that will help you understand your pump.
Here’s a quick overview of pump modes:
Stimulation/Massage Mode
This is what triggers a release of milk, aka a “let down.” This is similar to when your baby first latches and is sucking fairly quickly.
Most people will be able to have a few let downs during one pumping session. Returning to stimulation mode each time milk flow slows will result in more milk releases.
Expression Mode
This is for when milk is flowing well. The rhythm is similar to when your baby is drinking and you’re hearing swallowing.
Why is it important to understand your pump settings? Because our bodies respond differently to different stimuli. Some people respond well to a strong vacuum, others need something more gentle. Some people respond well to a slow speed, others a bit faster.
Understanding how your body responds to your pump will allow you to pump smarter, not harder.
Tip for your nips: If you also breastfeed, often what works best for you will be pretty similar to how your baby nurses. Find the settings on your pump that mimic your baby’s patterns.
You should also understand how the physical parts of your pump work and how often they’ll need to be replaced. I’m talking about the valves, membranes, backflow protectors, etc. How often you replace parts will depend on how much you use your pump, so check your pump manual to learn more.
#4: Use Your Hands
This is one of the most underrated ways to increase milk removal. Using hands-on pumping techniques is often a game changer. Let me explain why.
When your baby breastfeeds, they use their hands to knead and caress your breasts, triggering a release of oxytocin into your blood stream, which then triggers a let down. Also, your baby is adorable, and just looking at them while they’re in your arms will also trigger that surge of oxytocin.
In contrast, your pump is not particularly cute, nor is it caressing your breasts. Maybe that technology is in our future. Not sure whether that’s good or bad.
Anyway, you can simulate this oxytocin release by touching your breasts while you pump. Yeah, it might feel awkward at first. Do this in a private place with no one around if that helps.
A pumping bra will help you so much here! You’ll be able to go back and forth, from one breast to the other, while your pump is doing its thing. Want to make a DIY pumping bra? Check out the post below.
Here’s a great video on the hands-on pumping technique.
#5: Use Distraction (but only the good kind)
If oxytocin = more milk, then stress = less milk. Find some fun distractions that will help you keep oxytocin high and adrenaline low. Here’s a list of ideas:
watch a guilty pleasure TV show or video
make a phone call to a good friend or family member
eat something delicious (treat yourself!)
read a great book that you won’t want to put down
look at photos or videos of your baby
Try not to use pumping time to get stressful tasks done. Efficient pumping doesn’t often go together with doing your taxes or writing that email to your co-worker that you’ve been dreading.
Tips for your nips: If you tend to stress about how much is coming out while you’re pumping, cover your collection bottles with a pair of your baby’s socks. You won’t stress as much about your output, and the smell of your baby will help you release oxytocin!
Lastly, understand what normal milk volumes look like. In general, if you’re replacing a nursing session, you can expect to pump 2-4 ounces, and if you’re pumping between nursing sessions, you may see 0.5-2 ounces.
Keep in mind that your milk production will vary depending on the time of day. Generally, you’ll get more bang for your buck if you pump in the early morning hours when your production is highest.
So, ditch the lactation cookies and the weird drinks, and follow these 5 steps to get the most out of your pump!
Having trouble deciding on a pump? I’ve got 2 more resources for you to check out!
➡️ My blog post on choosing a pump.
➡️ My FREE, 2 minute quiz down below! 👇🏼
