How to Increase Milk Supply by Pumping: 7 Proven Tips for New Moms

Every mom’s feeding pattern and milk supply are unique. Some babies thrive on frequent, smaller feeds, while others take more per session. 

If your baby is gaining weight steadily, producing at least six wet diapers a day after the first week, and seems content after feeding, your milk supply is likely just right. However, if your milk production is not keeping up with your baby’s nutritional needs, you may be dealing with low milk supply.

Several factors can impact your milk production, many of which are manageable once identified.

• Infrequent nursing or pumping: Skipping sessions or long gaps between feedings can reduce breast stimulation and signal your body to slow milk production.
• Poor latch or ineffective milk removal: If milk isn’t fully expressed, whether by your baby or by pumping, your body may think more milk is not needed.
• Incorrect flange size during pumping: A poorly fitting flange can cause pain, restrict milk flow, and limit output. Proper sizing is crucial for effective milk supply by pumping.
• Stress, hormonal imbalances, or underlying medical conditions: Issues like thyroid dysfunction, retained placental fragments, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can interfere with milk supply.

Our lactation consultants can help assess your specific situation and provide personalized recommendations to improve milk supply and comfort.

Your body establishes its milk supply in the first few weeks after birth. This window is crucial for setting the stage for long-term production.

If your baby is nursing, encourage feeding whenever your baby is hungry with a goal of 8 to 12 feedings in 24 hours. If your baby is unable to feed at your breast or you choose to pump exclusively, those need to be pump sessions. Ideally, if your baby is not nursing, begin pumping your breasts within about 2 hours after delivery.

Aim for pumping both breasts at the same time for 15 - 20 minutes each session. Early and consistent pumping helps stimulate milk production and ensures your body gets the message to keep making milk. Skipping the early session can make it harder to build a robust milk supply later on.

If your baby is nursing well and you would like to boost your milk supply, it is typically best to consider pumping after your baby is about 3 weeks old. To create a freezer stash, consider adding an extra pumping session during the day, especially in the morning when milk volume tends to be highest. This can be done about 20 or 30 minutes after the morning feed is completed.

If exclusively pumping, every missed pumping session is a missed opportunity to stimulate your breasts for milk production. Your body relies on this consistent feedback loop to know how much milk to make. If milk isn’t removed regularly, your body may interpret it as a sign that less is needed and downregulate production.

Create a realistic pumping schedule that fits into your daily routine, and set phone reminders or calendar alerts if needed to help you stay on track. Protecting your time to pump is an investment in your milk supply and your baby’s nutrition. Our team can help you create a schedule that balances your goals and schedule.

Compared to single pumping, double pumping promotes better breast drainage, an essential signal for your body to produce more milk. It leads to an increase in prolactin (the hormone that drives milk production), which can lead to increased milk volume and higher fat content.

Using a double electric pump can allow you to express milk from both breasts at the same time, making the process more efficient, practical, and time-saving, especially important for busy moms and those who are exclusively pumping.

Breast compression is a technique that uses your hands to help your breasts empty while using a pump. This is easier to do while single pumping and using both hands to gently squeeze your breast while the pump is expressing milk.

Breast massage helps your body release milk by preparing your breasts before placing the pump on. To try it, gently massage your breasts before pumping using circular motions starting from the outer edges and your armpit and moving towards the nipple.

It can also be helpful to stop your pumping session halfway through, remove your flanges, and repeat this massage briefly. This can help stimulate letdowns, which is your body’s natural reflex to release milk, and improve milk flow. After pumping, some moms find it helpful to hand express using their fingers around the areola to remove some final drops.

Cluster pumping, also known as power pumping, involves short, frequent sessions for a set time to increase milk production. It mimics your baby’s cluster feeding behavior, which naturally boosts supply during growth spurts. 

While there’s no set timing or duration, the goal is to substitute one or two regular pumping sessions with a focused pumping session. This may look like:

1. Pump for 20 minutes
2. Rest for 10 minutes
3. Pump for 10 minutes
4. Rest for 10 minutes
5. Pump for 10 minutes

The number and length of cluster pumping sessions needed can vary from person to person. Some moms notice an increase in supply after just a few days of incorporating some power pumping sessions, while others may need to add power pumping sessions over the course of a week to see results. 

At CLS, our lactation consultants can help you create a personalized power pumping schedule.

One of the most overlooked reasons for low output is using a breast pump with the wrong flange size. A flange is the funnel-shaped part of the pump that fits over your nipple and areola to create suction. A poorly fitting flange can cause pain, nipple damage, or inefficient milk removal, leading to poor pumping output, frustration, and reduced supply.

Your nipple should move freely in the tunnel of the flange without rubbing against the sides or excessive areola being pulled in the pump. At CLS, our lactation specialists can help you choose a breast pump with the correct flange size and fit to express milk comfortably and effectively using a breast pump.

Before you begin using a breast pump, you should also ensure it is in good working condition and suited to your needs. 

Here are a few key tips for breast pump maintenance:

• Keep your pump clean and sanitize parts regularly.
• Replace worn or damaged parts as needed and per the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Read your pump’s manual and become familiar with its settings.
• Visit the manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting tips and tutorials.
• Don’t hesitate to reach out to our lactation consultant for personalized support.

We know this sounds easier said than done, but your physical and emotional well-being directly affects your milk supply. Milk production requires calories, hydration, rest, and a calm nervous system.

In general, it is important to listen to your body, eat according to appetite, and drink according to thirst. It is common to feel more hungry and thirsty when providing milk for your baby. You will have more energy if you are eating well and drinking plenty of fluids.

The amount of fluid that each breastfeeding mother needs is a little different. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least one cup of water each time you pump or nurse, then spread out the consumption of more fluids throughout the day.

In addition to hydration, plan to consume an extra 300 to 500 calories daily to support milk production, on top of your usual calorie needs.

Deep breathing, skin-to-skin time with your baby, or even a warm shower can help relax and promote milk letdown.