Written by Karen Miles, IBCLC
Clinically reviewed by Laura Serke, RD, CSPCC, LD, IBCLC
Does the pumped milk volume needed to fill your sweetie’s tummy when you are apart feel like a mountain that is too difficult to climb? A few little tweaks to your pumping routine may be all that is needed. We’ve got you covered with plenty of ideas for ways to maximize your breast milk output at the pump.
1. Determine: Keep or replace your breast pump and pump accessories?
Many breast pump manufacturers have a warranty of just one to two years on their pumps. If you have an older child that you previously pumped for and now are using that personal pump for baby number two, it is likely time to retire it. When too much time has passed, the pump motor may become less effective to yield a good output. And you want your time at the pump to count!
If you’re ready to part with your pump, search your pump manufacturer’s website for warranty length and whether or not they have a pump recycling program. Then, if you can only get one pump through your insurance or a purchase, opt for a new, bilateral electric pump (also called a “double electric pump”). Make sure it is one with plug-in-the-wall capability. That will typically net more milk output for time spent than a rechargeable wearable pump, or a single-side only pump (aka manual or “hand” pump).
(A well-fitted wearable pump, however, can sometimes be a helpful secondary pump to the trusty bilateral, plug-in-the-wall electric pump. Particularly if it helps you add more pumping sessions to your daily schedule during times when you really want or need to be somewhat mobile and able to multi-task.)
And if you find yourself struggling with milk output when using a new, personal, bilateral electric pump that is plugged in, here’s a great alternative to try: Check with your local hospital, lactation clinic, WIC program, or community parent-support organization to see if they have a multi-user “hospital-grade rental pump” – one with a durable, powerful motor that you can use short or long-term until your milk supply is where you want it. For some parents, a hospital-grade rental pump can add up to better milk output than any personal-use pump.
In addition, keep in mind that pump accessories such as tubing, membranes, or duck bills can wear out quickly – in as little as weeks or a few months depending on the pump part, manufacturer, and frequency of use. And little micro-tears or stretching of pump accessories can add up to less effective pumping. So keep extra pump accessories on hand for when it is time to swap out for new ones (or earlier than that, if a tear, visible stretching, or mold occurs). Check your pump manufacturer’s website for recommendations on how often to replace your pump parts/accessories.
2. Get to know your pump settings.
There is typically one setting for the suction strength and another for speed. Understanding what the settings are mirroring in a breastfeeding relationship can help you better navigate when to turn up or down your pump’s dials or touch controls.
I love how my Milkify colleague Laura Serke, RD, CSPCC, LD, IBCLC, describes pump settings to pumping parents:
“When starting a pumping session, a setting with a lower strength, but faster pattern mimics baby ‘sip sip sipping’ to start the milk letdown. When the milk is flowing, a higher suction, but slower pattern mimics baby ‘sip-swallowing’ and continues the milk flow. If your milk flow slows down, you can try going back to a lighter, faster pattern. Remember, more suction doesn’t always mean more milk if it causes pain, pinching, or irritation.”
3. Get a flange fit (or a re-fit, if it's been awhile).
You know, those cone-shaped things that contact your breasts when pumping? Find out whether or not they are sized appropriately to your breasts, nipples, and your level of nipple/areola elasticity at the current stage in your breastfeeding journey. It’s a balance between comfort and output.
A flange fit is worth doing…
a) if you have never had a flange fit before
or
b) You already had a flange fit in the hospital on day one or two postpartum, but now weeks later you question whether the fit has changed (it may have). Perhaps you are experiencing some pain with pumping even on a gentle pump mode, or are not getting as much output as you used to get at the pump.
Ideally, schedule a flange fit visit with a lactation consultant (IBCLC), preferably one who has a wide array of flanges that are in different sizes, shapes (pano, saucer, conical, etc.), and materials (hard plastic vs. more flexible silicone flanges) that you can actually try on while pumping during the visit. Of course, be sure to bring your pump(s) along with you to the visit. That way, your consultant can measure your nipples and watch you pump in different flange sizes and types, to decide on the flanges that are most comfortable and net the most possible output for you. (Sometimes that means a different flange size for each breast!)
For some people, “pump inserts” are also needed to go inside the flanges to make them more snug if their measurement is between two available flange sizes. Your lactation consultant can advise if inserts are needed or not.
4. Increase daily pumping frequency.
The number of times you pump over each 24-hour period may have a direct impact on your total daily breast milk output. That’s because milk output past the first few weeks postpartum is primarily milk-removal driven and not as much hormonally-driven as it was in the early days.
In addition, each mother’s anatomy is different in terms of how many times a day milk removal is needed to maintain and not drop the milk supply. Lactation consultant Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, RLC, FILCA, in a Clinical Lactation journal article, dubs it the “Magic Number” that is unique to each person.
Likewise, each person has a different “breast storage capacity” that impacts that magic number. Those with large storage capacities can remove milk fewer times a day and still maintain their supply, while those with smaller breast milk storage capacities have to remove milk more often to maintain their supply. (And if you are wondering, breast storage capacity is not related to breast size.)
So if you are just shy of getting where you need to be for pumped milk volume, and have the bandwidth to add another time or two at the pump each day – even if for just five minutes – consider doing so. Assuming you don’t work the night shift, a good time to add an extra full or mini pump session is first thing in the morning early before the rest of your house is awake (or in the middle of the night, if you are up anyway). That’s the time when prolactin, that lovely milk production hormone, is generally high.
5. Plan for some short-term power pumping.
Don’t worry; heavy dumbbells are not required for this! Just a defined window of time for concentrated breast pumping. I know, more time at your pump is probably the last thing you are craving right now. But just a little increased pump use for a small portion of a day or two can net big gains for your future milk supply.
Besides working for Milkify, my colleague Laura Serke works in a Level III NICU as a dietitian and lactation consultant. She recently shared with me, “In the hospital I work for, we sometimes have parents try a 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off power hour to see if it increases their supply over the next few days. This mimics how a baby would cluster feed to take in more milk during a growth spurt.”
Remember: The goal with power pumping is not to fill up a hundred freezers with breast milk. You don’t want to set yourself up for clogged ducts or mastitis due to over-the-top milk production. So limit the power pumping, for your own sanity and health. You just want to bump up your supply a bit if necessary for day-to-day needs, plus some surplus for emergencies.
6. Add light breast compressions with pumping.
Do this just before each time pumping to help you feel relaxed and encourage letdown. You can even do this during pumping to net even more milk!
Just be careful to use only gentle compressions or light sweeping of the skin – not deep massage or excessive force, cautions the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine in one of their clinical protocols for healthcare providers. Likewise, they recommend not using any vibrating or massaging devices on the breast so as not to cause any inflammation or harm to breast tissue.
7. Hand-express milk for a few minutes after pumping.
If you haven’t heard of hand expression before, it essentially involves drawing out breastmilk from your breasts, using only your hands and a catching device like a clean spoon or mug. Or a bowl, if you worry about milk splattering!
During hand expression (aka “manual expression”) of breast milk, your hands work in ways your pump can’t exactly mirror, and so are a nice complement to pumping. Adding hand expression after pumping can make a big difference in overall breast milk yield, according to past research done by Dr. Jane Morton and colleagues.
If your pump kit comes with a flange (a funnel shape) that connects to a collection bottle, then you can use that setup after pumping as a hand expression “catching bowl”! Simply turn off your pump. Then, hand-express milk drops directly into your flange and collection bottle setup which are positioned below your breast.
An added bonus for your hand expression efforts? Hand expressed milk tends to consist of more fat than pumping alone does, to help your baby grow! A study published in the journal Breastfeeding Medicine looked at the milk of 21 mothers of newborns, using a human milk analyzer. The study revealed that “Manually expressed human milk had higher fat content than milk expressed by electric pump.”
Learn the steps to hand expression by reading this CDC how-to sheet. Or, watch this excellent NHS how-to video to learn how.
8. Spend some skin-to-skin time with your baby after feeds.
Also known as “kangaroo care,” it can help you de-stress and encourage oxytocin production, that love hormone that also helps with milk letdown! Plus, if you are trying to persuade your baby to do more direct breastfeeding, it makes the breast/chest easily accessible, with all the warmth and smells that may draw a baby to breastfeed. As an added bonus: Skin-to-skin time can help regulate your baby’s body temperature and blood pressure.
9. Set the mood for milk.
Time at the pump can drag on, particularly if you’re hooked up to a plug-in-the-wall pump multiple times a day. To help pass time, while at the same time encouraging relaxation and milk letdown, try these ideas:
- Consider swapping out scrolling newsfeeds on your cell for flipping through favorite pictures or videos of your sweet baby. Thinking about your baby, instead of something potentially stressful like bad news, may help you relax more which can promote milk letdown.
- Listen to relaxing music that calms your mind.
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Hide your pump bottles if you are too fixated on them when pumping. Do this by covering them up with clean socks! It may help you feel less worried about the number of ounces or milliliters.
10. Schedule a lactation support check-in.
Have you already explored many of these ideas for maximizing milk supply and feel you need more personalized lactation guidance? Consider scheduling a visit with a trained lactation support person for additional tips and encouragement. There are many options to choose from. Depending on your needs and what's available in your community, this might include an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), or one of the many other options for breastfeeding support. (Check out this blog to learn more about lactation care and support options.)
If you're struggling to boost your milk output while pumping, an in-person visit with an IBCLC can be one of the best investments that you make in your lactation journey and may be covered in full or part by your health insurance plan. (If in doubt, call the member services phone number on the back of your insurance card to ask about lactation consultation coverage.) Don’t forget to bring your breast pump and all your pump parts with you to the lactation consultant visit. (And your baby, too, if possible!) That way the lactation consultant can watch you pump and feed your baby, make sure both flanges fit and pump settings are optimal, and offer individualized suggestions – including, for example, how to add pumping if you are mostly feeding your baby at the breast. If an in-person visit simply isn't possible, no worries! A telehealth lactation consultant appointment can still equip you with some valuable pointers and a personalized lactation game plan.
And here's a bonus tip for you, dear pumper:
Take time to savor the precious moments with your baby, regardless of the number of breast milk ounces you collect on a given day. After all, there are many ways to love your baby besides providing breast milk.
Karen Miles is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Lactation Content Specialist with Milkify.
Laura Serke is a Registered Dietitian and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with Milkify.
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or be a substitute for medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider for any questions you may have related to your own health, or your baby’s health.
