A breast pump is a tool. So it follows that there are ways to both optimize it for your experience, as well as troubleshoot any issues that may cause discomfort or impact supply.

Getting started

If you’re new to wearable pumps, it can take a little time to adjust to your Willow Go or 360 pump to get the output you want, comfortably. 

Make the most of your pumping session

To make sure you’re pumping effectively (removing all you can) and efficiently (doing it quickly), check your flange size. If it’s too big, it likely won’t hurt you, but also won’t stimulate your breasts as much as ideal. This can mean that you won’t completely empty your breasts, which in turn can impact your supply.

Also do your best to pump in a calm environment, as this can lower your heart rate and help promote milk letdowns. 

“Take deep breaths, drink water, bring your knees to your chest, or try a little meditation,” says pediatrician Dr. Laurie Jones. “It’s worth taking the time to get into a good mind-set to speed up your pumping.”

Address low or high milk production

One of the most common worries among those who pump is that their milk production is lower than needed. Often, those worries are unfounded. So double-check your expectations,¹ doing your best to avoid comparing your output with guidance for formula volumes. What you perceive as low supply may actually be totally sufficient for your baby!

That said, one of the best tools for growing your supply is to maximize direct breastfeeding.

Schedule a virtual visit with a SimpliFed lactation consultant for ongoing breastfeeding and baby feeding support starting as early as pregnancy to help you prepare. It’s covered by most health plans.

“Milk production is based on milk removals,” Dr. Jones says. “You might feel like pumping is going well, but if you're leaving a fair percentage of milk in your breast every time by, say, not pumping long enough or not getting enough letdowns, your production will respond accordingly and drop.

There are, of course, medical causes of low supply as well, ranging from chest surgeries and retained placenta to prematurity and tongue tie. Seek help from a credentialed lactation specialist, if you suspect that your supply isn’t meeting your baby’s needs—and the sooner the better.

If you’re developing a milk stash, on the other hand, this is a sign that you might be pumping more milk than your baby needs. It’s up to you whether you keep pumping at your current rate—there’s nothing wrong with a little backup!—or dial it back a bit to adjust to your baby’s needs and avoid overproduction.

Aim for several letdowns per pumping session

Many people are surprised to learn that most pumping sessions should actually involve two to three letdowns to remove as much milk as possible. When breastfeeding, you might not notice your baby stimulating sequential letdowns. But when pumping, as your flow slows, you might have to manually change the setting back to letdown mode.

To help stimulate letdown, most pumps make short, quick pulls. Within a few seconds to a minute, your milk should go from drips and drizzles (your letdown) to more powerful sprays of milk (extraction). When the stream slows to a trickle, you can try for a third letdown.

Just as with direct breastfeeding, it’s entirely possible that you’re having multiple letdowns without changing your settings or noticing them. But if you’re concerned about low supply, inducing subsequent letdowns is an area you can focus on.

Address painful or uncomfortable pumping

If you’re experiencing any discomfort when you pump, the first thing to troubleshoot is your flange size. Getting the right size is actually a big deal! If your nipples are sore, this could be a sign that your flange is too small, causing rubbing against the flange tunnel and constriction of your milk ducts.

Strike a deal if your breasts go on strike

If your milk flows fine when your baby is breastfeeding directly, but not when you’re trying to pump, you may have what Dr. Jones calls “smart boob syndrome.” This is when your breasts know your pump is not a baby—and stages a temporary strike.

To troubleshoot this, you can focus on your mind-body connection by doing things like setting up a calm environment, smelling your baby’s onesie, watching videos of your baby, and listening to relaxing music. Dr. Jones says you could even try habituating yourself to a sound or smell when you’re direct breastfeeding, and see if that helps your milk flow when you pump.

If you’re not sure whether this is what’s going on, have your baby nurse on one breast while your pump on the other; if your milk flows, it’s a sure sign that your boobs are too smart for their own good.

Pumping has a serious learning curve. You might feel like something is off but have no idea what it is—or try all these troubleshooting techniques and still have issues with pain or supply. Timing can be critical, so try to schedule a visit with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant as soon as possible.

The vast majority of insurance companies are required to cover lactation consulting; they often cover six to eight visits. You can schedule a virtual visit with SimpliFed if you need help quickly.