10 pumping hacks we wish we knew sooner

Do you want to reduce stress and pump more breastmilk? Of course you do!

There are lots of reasons why mums need to express breastmilk. But whatever the reason, a breast pump is a perfect tool to help you express and store your liquid gold to feed your baby. 

Here are some of the best breast pumping hacks you’ll wish you knew sooner.

Sponsored by Medela

1. Shorter pumping sessions, more frequently

The more milk you express, the more milk your breasts will make. Some mums find they get more milk from pumping more often for shorter lengths of time, rather than longer stints. Having said that, the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) says time shouldn’t be your main focus. “The number of times you express during the day is more important than the length of time spent expressing.”

2. Experiment

It’s important to remember that all mums are different, and what works for one might not work for another, so experiment with how often you pump. Some mums produce the same amount of milk no matter how many times they pump – mix things up and see what works best for you. 

3. Relax and try this sock trick

If you’re struggling to pump breast milk, this tip from a lactation consultant could help. Speaking to Today, lactation consultant Johanna Sargeant explained that stress and oxytocin can’t co-exist, so “if you’re anxious, you’re not going to make much milk.” Her solution? Place a sock over the bottle you’re expressing into so you can’t see (and stress over) how much milk you’re producing. Genius!

4. Create your own routine

Your pumping routine will vary and depend on your baby’s age and how much milk you need. In a perfect world, you would pump as much as your baby needs to feed, but everyone is different and things don’t always go to plan. The ABA says, “Many mothers find a routine of expressing every 2 – 3 hours during the day, with a session just before going to bed, works for them.” Importantly, listen to what your body is telling you and go with that. 

5. Use breastmilk storage bags when freezing

A perfect storage solution for breastmilk is to use a breastmilk freezer  storage bag. Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags stand upright for easy handling and lie flat for storage. You can also add the date on the bag. With double zip protection and double walls, there are no spills, tearing or cracking of the bags. Medela’s Breastmilk “Store and Feed” Set also comes highly recommended among Tell Me Baby reviewers. 

Read Breastmilk Storage Bag reviews. 

6. Cluster or power pumping

If you find that your supply has dropped, you can try cluster pumping, also known as power pumping. Cluster pumping involves pumping 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, and repeating this for an hour once a day. This should help to bring your supply levels back up. It’s always important to stay hydrated while breastfeeding, but if you’re trying cluster or power pumping, it’s even more vital to keep your water levels up.

7. Double up

Investing in a double breast pump allows you to express both breasts at the same time, which means less time spent at the pump. Research also suggests that double pumping results in 18% more milk volume being pumped over 15 minutes. Winning!

8. Enhance your senses while you pump

The let-down reflex (triggered by a hit of oxytocin) is what gets your milk flowing. To encourage this reflex while you’re pumping, try thinking about your cute baby or flicking through pictures and watching videos on your phone to get that love hormone flowing and hopefully bring about more milk. 

9. Go hands-free

Look, no hands! Using a hands-free pumping bra, like this one from Medela, is great for mums who like to multitask. You can express milk while talking on the phone, reading, or using your laptop. If buying one isn’t in the budget, try making your own: there are plenty of how-tos on google, like this one. 

10. Get your nipple size right

Did you know that all nipples are shaped and sized differently – and that getting the right fit for your breastshield (the bit that actually goes on your breast) can make a difference to your pumping journey? Make sure your breastshield is right for you – here’s an example chart.