Pumping Tips for Breastfeeding & Pumping Mamas

Flange Sizing

Measuring your nipples during your pumping journey is extremely important!

• 1Your nipple size can change within a matter of a week — this is why it is super important to measure weekly.
• 2Your nipple size on the left may be different from the one on the right, so measure both.
• 3The most precise time to measure your nipples is right after you pump.

Power Pumping

Power pumping is extremely important if you are an exclusive pumper and/or want to increase your supply while nursing & pumping. As an exclusively pumping mom, adding 2 power pumping sessions per 24 hours can help increase your milk supply. Increasing supply can take a while — no matter what, remember that you are doing an amazing job!

Pumping Sessions to Increase Milk Supply

Some moms want to increase milk supply but don't know where to start.

• 1The more often your breasts empty, the more milk you make as you make room for your milk ducts to be refilled.
• 2Consistency is key in increasing and/or maintaining milk supply.
• 3Pumping every 2–3 hours around the clock helps with increasing milk supply.
• 4Pump for 30–40 minutes per session, or until you empty your breasts.
• 5If you nurse and also pump, nurse your baby first. If baby mostly nurses one side, single pump on the other — this can help letdown more efficiently than double pumping alone. If baby nurses both sides, pump right after.
• 6Don't miss middle-of-the-night pumps (1am–5am). It's hard, but oxytocin levels are higher then and it significantly helps supply.

Hydrate Yourself

Remember that PUMPING & NURSING = Breastfeeding, so staying hydrated matters.

• 1Drinking ample water is super important while breastfeeding.
• 2Try to minimize caffeine intake to 300mg or less per day.
• 31–2 glasses of coconut water can help rehydrate when your mouth is dry.
• 4Keep a large glass of water on your side table before every nursing or pumping session.
• 5Over-hydration can negatively affect supply — as long as you feel hydrated, that's all that matters.

Warmth & Massage

Adding warmth & massaging your breasts before and during nursing and/or pumping can help with efficient milk ejection. There are many lactation massagers on the market today, and most also produce heat — especially helpful when pumping.

Lubricate Your Flange

When nursing, your nipples are lubricated by baby's saliva — it's a similar concept when pumping. Lubricating helps avoid nipple soreness. You can use a little olive or coconut oil, or one of the many pumping sprays out there for maximum convenience.