What to know about pumping to increase your supply — how to do it, what to expect, and more. 

In the early days of your breastfeeding journey, you'll likely be focused on establishing a healthy supply.

There are a number of ways to do this, from ample skin-to-skin time to feeding on demand, staying nourished and hydrated, managing stress, and getting enough sleep.

Even though this time can be overwhelming, the truth is that most moms will make enough milk for their babies. One of the coolest things about breastfeeding is that your supply naturally adjusts to your infant’s demands!

But sometimes, interventions are necessary to increase your supply and meet your baby's needs. Introducing a pump and trying out a method called "power pumping" can help!

Below, we'll walk through everything you need to know with tips from our friend, Bri: an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant at SimpliFed and mother of three,

What is power pumping? 

Power pumping refers to pumping for short periods of time in back-to-back sessions. When you do this, you're basically mimicking baby's cluster feeds, which are common in their early weeks of life.

The goal is to remove as much milk as possible, signaling your body to produce more milk.

How often should I do it?

Power pumping can be a lot — physically and mentally — so you should think of it as a short-term strategy. You'll want to power pump just once a day for a maximum of 2 to 3 days. You’ll add this session in addition to all of your existing feeds, whether you're nursing or pumping exclusively.

You can add this in whenever it's most convenient — whether that's first thing in the morning when your milk-making hormones are at their highest and your breasts may be fuller after a longer stretch of sleep, or during one of your baby's naps

How do I do it?

Power pumping is simple. Over the course of an hour, you'll pump for a period of time and rest for a period of time until you reach the 60-minute mark. 

Usually, this looks like an initial 20 minute pump, followed by 10 minutes off and ten minutes on.

How to power pump:

• Pump for 20 minutes
• Rest for 10 minutes
• Pump for 10 minutes
• Rest for 10 minutes
• Pump for 10 final minutes

What should I keep in mind?

Your comfort is key — and power pumping (or pumping of any kind) should never hurt.  

To prevent any nipple harm or discomfort, you’ll want to double-check your flange fit before starting, and pay close attention to how your nipples look and feel throughout the process. This shouldn't leave them raw or irritated!

This is also a great time to try out a lubricating pumping spray, like this one from CoBoo, which can help your pump glide over your nipples and keep things more comfortable.

Don’t forget to ask for help!

Lastly, know that power pumping isn't the answer to all supply issues — your problems could be caused by hormones, issues with your glandular tissue, or something else entirely.

If you aren't seeing results, get in touch with your lactation consultant or healthcare provider for personalized support.

Make sure to follow us @willowpump on Instagram and TikTok and check out our YouTube for more pumping and supply tips. You can find expert-backed guidance on all things pumping and feeding here, and shop our wearable pumps and accessories onewillow.com.