As a breastfeeding mother, you might find yourself in a situation where you're pumping to express milk, whether it's to build a stash, return to work, or provide milk while you're away from your baby. While pumping can be a convenient and efficient way to ensure your baby gets breast milk, many mothers experience challenges in maintaining or increasing their milk supply during pumping. In this blog, we will explore the ways to boost your breast milk supply when pumping, including pumping techniques, optimizing your equipment, and supporting your body for better milk production.

Understanding Milk Supply

How Milk Supply Works

Breast milk production operates on a supply-and-demand basis. The more milk you remove from your breasts (whether through breastfeeding or pumping), the more milk your body is signaled to produce. The body responds to the stimulation of breastfeeding or pumping, and hormonal signals such as prolactin help promote milk production. This natural process ensures that your milk supply adjusts according to your baby’s needs and your own pumping habits.

When you pump, you're mimicking this process of milk removal. However, if you’re not pumping often enough, or if your pumping routine isn't as efficient, your body may not get the signals it needs to produce more milk.

Common Causes of Low Milk Supply While Pumping

Several factors can contribute to a low milk supply while pumping:

• Infrequent Pumping: Pumping too infrequently or skipping sessions can signal to your body that it doesn’t need to produce milk.
• Improper Pumping Technique: Not using the right pumping techniques, like insufficient suction or incorrect flange fit, can result in inefficient milk extraction.
• Stress: Stress, anxiety, and fatigue can negatively affect milk production.
• Dehydration or Poor Nutrition: Lack of hydration or a poor diet can reduce your milk supply.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid issues can impact milk production.

Pumping Techniques to Increase Milk Supply

Pump More Frequently

Increasing the frequency of your pumping sessions is one of the most effective ways to increase your milk supply. Aim to pump at least 8 times a day, or every 2 to 3 hours, to mimic your baby’s natural feeding schedule. Frequent pumping stimulates the body to produce more milk and ensures that your breasts remain emptied, which signals the body to keep producing milk.

Use Hands-On Pumping

Hands-on pumping involves gently massaging your breasts while pumping. This technique helps stimulate the milk ducts and encourages more milk flow. You can use your hands to massage the breast in circular motions and gently squeeze or compress the breast while pumping. This method can help you express more milk in a shorter amount of time.

Double Pumping

Double pumping—pumping both breasts simultaneously—is an efficient technique that saves time and increases milk output. Studies have shown that double pumping can stimulate the production of more milk and increase prolactin levels, which in turn boosts milk supply. If you use a double electric pump, like the MomMed S21 wearable electric pump, you can pump both breasts simultaneously while keeping your hands free for other tasks. This not only saves time but also encourages greater milk production by enhancing breast stimulation.

Power Pumping

Power pumping mimics the cluster feeding pattern that babies naturally follow when they need to increase your milk supply. Power pumping involves pumping for a specific pattern—usually 20 minutes of pumping, followed by a 10-minute break, and repeating this cycle for up to an hour. Power pumping signals the body to produce more milk by simulating the increased demand.

If you're trying to increase your milk supply, consider power pumping once or twice a day, particularly in the early morning when your milk supply is naturally higher.

Optimize Your Pumping Equipment

Use a High-Quality Breast Pump

Investing in a high-quality breast pump is essential for effective milk expression. A high-performance pump ensures that you are able to pump as efficiently as possible, saving you time and boosting milk output. Consider using the MomMed S21 wearable electric pump, which is designed to simulate natural breastfeeding rhythms. With customizable suction settings and a portable, hands-free design, this pump makes expressing milk more efficient and comfortable.

Ensure Proper Flange Fit

The flange, or breast shield, is the part of the pump that fits over your nipple and areola. Using the correct flange size is critical for effective milk expression. If the flange is too small or too large, it can cause discomfort or lead to ineffective pumping. The right flange size will help maintain proper suction and ensure that your milk ducts are fully emptied, encouraging your body to produce more milk.

If you find your current pump flanges uncomfortable or ineffective, consider adjusting the size or switching to a more comfortable option, such as silicone flanges. Many pumps, like MomMed’s electric pumps, offer customizable flange sizes for a more personalized fit.

Check Pump Settings

Most modern pumps, like the S21 wearable electric pump, come with adjustable settings that allow you to change suction strength and rhythm. Experimenting with these settings can help you find the most effective combination for your milk flow. For some moms, higher suction or a faster rhythm may help express more milk, while others may need a gentler setting for comfort. Adjusting your pump to your specific needs can help you express milk more efficiently and increase your supply.

Support Your Body for Better Milk Production

To increase your milk supply while pumping, taking care of your body is key. Proper hydration, nutrition, and rest can significantly impact your ability to produce milk. Here’s how to support your body for better milk production:

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of fluids is essential for milk production. Aim for at least 8–10 glasses of water daily, and consider adding hydrating beverages like coconut water or herbal teas. Staying hydrated will help maintain an adequate milk supply, especially when you’re pumping frequently.

Eat a Balanced Diet

A healthy diet plays a crucial role in your milk supply. Focus on nutrient-dense foods, such as proteins, healthy fats, and calcium-rich items like leafy greens and dairy. Consider including lactogenic foods like oats, garlic, and fennel, which are known to support milk production. Balanced meals help maintain your energy and ensure you’re fueling your body to produce more milk.

Get Enough Rest

Sleep and rest are vital for maintaining a healthy milk supply. While caring for a newborn can be exhausting, try to get as much rest as possible. Lack of sleep and exhaustion can reduce the production of prolactin, the hormone that helps with milk production. When possible, take naps, get help with nighttime feedings, or relax during the day to allow your body to recharge.

Try Lactation Supplements (If Needed)

If you’re still struggling to increase your milk supply, you might consider using lactation supplements. Herbs like fenugreek, blessed thistle, and milk thistle have been traditionally used to support milk production. Before using any supplement, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe for you.

Create a Relaxing Pumping Routine

Finding a comfortable space, using relaxation techniques, and sticking to a regular pumping schedule are essential components for boosting milk production. These factors help reduce stress, promote milk letdown, and ensure a consistent milk supply. Here’s how to incorporate them into your pumping routine:

Find a Comfortable Space

A comfortable and quiet space is key to a successful pumping session. Choose an area where you can relax without distractions. If possible, create a cozy environment with supportive seating and soft lighting. A comfortable chair or pillow can help ease any strain on your back, arms, or shoulders. Wearable breast pumps like the MomMed S21 offer the added benefit of hands-free convenience, allowing you to pump comfortably while sitting back or even walking around.

Use Relaxation Techniques

Stress can hinder milk production, so practicing relaxation techniques during pumping can make a big difference. Try deep breathing exercises, visualizing your baby, or listening to calming music. Some mothers find that looking at photos or hearing their baby’s voice helps them relax and encourages milk flow. Relaxation aids in the release of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for milk letdown.

Stick to a Routine

Consistency is key when it comes to increasing milk supply. Try to establish a pumping schedule that fits into your daily routine. Sticking to regular pumping times helps train your body to produce milk at those intervals. Over time, this consistency will help ensure that your milk supply remains steady and that your body responds more efficiently to pumping sessions.

Conclusion

Increasing your milk supply while pumping requires a combination of effective pumping techniques, the right equipment, and self-care. By pumping more frequently, using hands-on methods, and considering power pumping, you can stimulate more milk production. Invest in high-quality breast pump like the MomMed S21 wearable pump, which makes pumping more comfortable and efficient.

Support your body by staying hydrated, eating nutrient-rich foods, and getting enough rest. Additionally, creating a stress-free, comfortable environment will help with milk letdown and overall supply. Lastly, be patient and consistent—milk production can take time to increase, but with these strategies, you’ll be on the right path to achieving your pumping goals.