Get the most out of your Willow Go with these time-saving, milk-making hacks from our experts. 

At Willow, we’ve always believed that pumping is breastfeeding. 

Moms who pump, whether occasionally or exclusively, are working hard to give their babies breast milk — researching bottles, washing parts, creating schedules, and so much more. These are moms who have committed to their feeding journey. Yet they are often met with judgment, and left with feelings of guilt or shame, when what they really deserve is recognition and support. This is where our Willow Mom Coaches come in. 

There are many reasons that moms love pumping with Willow Go, and our team of Mom Coaches is one of them. Trained on all things Willow and certified in lactation support, they’re available to assist with everything from onboarding and assembly to sizing and cleaning — and because they’ve also pumped with Willow, they’re able to connect with moms on a personal level. In other words: they get what you’re going through! 

So we decided to pick their brains for their top time-saving, milk-making tips — the things that they’re constantly sharing with Willow pumpers during their virtual support sessions. Read on to meet Cat and Melissa and learn how to make the most out of your Willow Go! 

Top Tips for Transferring Your Milk 

When it’s time to transfer your milk into a bottle, storage bag, or cooler, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting every drop — and avoiding spills. Here’s how to do it: 

1. Keep the pump fully assembled to prevent any splashing.
2. Start to pour with the flange facing up and the container facing down.
3. When you’re almost finished, rotate your wrist and turn the flange towards your body to catch any remaining drops.

If you notice that your milk tends to get stuck in the flange tunnel, lean slightly forward before taking your pump out of your bra — this can help make sure that milk is fully emptied into the container. 

Top Tips for Cleaning Your Pump 

Keeping your pump parts clean isn’t just about preventing the build up of bacteria. It can also help your pump perform optimally and keep your suction strong. (Remember: no matter how often you clean your pump, you’ll still want to replace your parts every 90 days to support optimal comfort and output.)

1. You should always wash your parts in warm, soapy water.
2. Pay close attention to the duckbill — residue build-up will impact suction.
3. All five washable parts can be placed in the dishwasher — just make sure that you’re using the top rack!
4. If you’re on the go, pump sterilizer wipes are totally fine to use (when you get home, though, you’ll still want to wash them with soap and water).
5. Stay away from sterilizer bags or the sterilizer machine you might use for your bottles — these could warp pump parts.

Top Tips for Optimal Output 

When pumping with a wearable, you’ll need to train your body to respond to the pump’s suction — this is true for the Willow Go and for any other pump!     

1. Utilize the “mode” button to toggle between stimulation and expression mode (especially if you know you have multiple letdowns during a single session).
2. If you’ve been using a traditional pump and toggling between modes, try mimicking that same suction pattern with your Willow.
3. Increasing the intensity of your suction levels during a letdown can train your body to let down faster.

You may need to give your body a few days to “catch on” before you’re seeing your most milk, so remember to be patient! While you’re getting up to speed, you can continue pumping with your traditional pump to ensure that you empty your breasts completely.

Top Tips for Exclusive Pumpers

Exclusive pumping can be intense — emotionally and physically — so finding ways to make things easier is critical. 

1. Keep a second set of pump parts on hand to minimize the number of times you need to clean them each day.
2. If you notice your suction weakening from constant use, try sterilizing your diaphragm in boiling water — this can shrink it back down to its original size.
3. Keep cleaning wipes like these from Dapple Baby on hand for times when you’re pumping away from home.
4. If you’re pumping while traveling, our Travel Cleaning Pack has everything you need to wash pump parts and bottles! 

The most important tip? Make sure you’re taking the time to give yourself the recognition you deserve. Pumping 8-10 times a day isn’t easy, and you’re doing an amazing job giving your baby breast milk. 

For more tips from our Mom Coaches, make sure to follow us on Instagram and TikTok @willowpump. You can also find more expert-backed pumping resources, from schedules to sizing guidance to return-to-work tips, here.