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Breast Pump: Maintaining Milk Supply

How To Maintain Milk Supply with a Breast Pump

The amount of milk your body makes depends on the number of times your breasts are emptied throughout the day. Draining the breast by pumping often, like your baby would be nursing, will build or maintain a good supply of pumped milk.

Pumping Basics

Most babies breastfeed about eight to 12 times every day. Pumping should closely follow the same pattern as your baby would be breastfeeding.
Pump every three hours around the clock or at least eight times in 24 hours until you build a good milk supply. Some moms find it helpful to set an alarm on their phone to remind them it is time to pump.
Pumping usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. Pump for two minutes after your milk stops flowing to build a good milk supply.
Use a medical-grade or hospital-grade electric breast pump with a double pumping kit if your baby is not feeding well at the breast. Ask your lactation consultant if you're not sure you are using the right kind of breast pump.
The milk-ejection (or let-down) reflex causes the breast to release milk. Some mothers have a tingling feeling in the breast when their milk lets down. It is important to stimulate this reflex when using a pump. Look at a picture of your baby or have a piece of your baby’s clothing or blanket that has your baby’s scent on it close by, or pump where you can see your baby to help with milk let-down. Using relaxation or deep breathing exercises can also help.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with a variety of foods. Keep a water bottle with you and drink plenty of water. Limit alcohol, caffeine and smoking.
Some medications can affect milk supply. Check with your doctor before taking any medications.

Breast Pump Rental

Medical-grade pumps can be rented for use by the day, week or month. Ask your care provider for more information or call the Center for Breastfeeding Medicine, 513-636-2326, for locations of pump rental stations.
If you receive WIC benefits, your local WIC office may be able to provide a loaner pump free of charge if your baby cannot breastfeed.
Many insurance providers, including Medicaid, cover the cost of pump rental when a "medical necessity" exists (for example, the baby is not able to feed at the breast). Your doctor can give you a prescription. Check with your insurer if you have questions about your coverage. Some insurers require durable medical equipment rental from preferred providers. Let your care provider know if you need a letter of medical necessity for your insurer that states the reason why you need to pump breast milk.

Milk Collection

Pump in a clean location. Sanitize surfaces with an antibacterial wipe.
Wash your hands before pumping.
Assemble your kit for double pumping. Pump both breasts at the same time to increase milk production hormones and save time.
Center your nipples in the breast shields and turn on the pump with the suction adjusted to the lowest setting. You can increase the suction as needed to a comfortable level. More suction will not make more milk.
Check to make sure the flange (the piece that fits over the nipple) is the correct size. Your nipple should not rub the barrel or appear tightly squeezed when pumping. The wrong flange size can lead to decreased milk supply and pain with continued use. Ask your lactation consultant for help.
Sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths to relax.
Refer to the Health Topic "Collection, Storage and Use of Expressed Breast Milk for Well Infants" for information on milk storage.

Pump Cleaning

Use dish soap to clean all parts of the pump kit that touch milk after each use (collection bottles, flanges, backflow valves and membranes). Disassemble all pieces and wash in a basin of warm, soapy water. Rinse well. Air dry on a clean paper towel. Make sure the thin white membrane is dry before reassembling the backflow valve.
If the backflow valve is working properly, you should not see milk in your pump tubing. If milk does get into the tubing, wash, rinse and air dry.
If moisture builds up in the tubing, leave the pump on while cleaning parts and disconnect bottles and shields from tubing. The movement of air through the tubing will dry it. Make sure the tubing does not touch the floor.
Wipe the breast pump and counter with an antibacterial wipe after pumping.
Sterilize your kit pieces that contact the milk once a day. Parts can be sterilized by boiling for 15 minutes or running through a dishwasher cycle or using a sterilization bag.

Additional Tips

Pumping should not hurt. Tell your lactation care provider if you are experiencing pain.
Stop the pump and change bottles if the milk level approaches the backflow valve.
Use warm, moist compresses and gentle breast massage prior to and during pumping if you are having trouble with milk let-down. Your breasts should feel softer after the milk has been drained by the pump.
To increase milk supply, pump more frequently. Your supply should start to increase within a few days of frequent breast emptying.
Some mothers find it helpful to keep a written log of time spent pumping and volume of pumped milk. You can check your log to make sure you are pumping frequently enough.

Breastfeeding mom's demonstrate various breastfeeding positions, skin-to-skin, Jenna Dilger (mother) and son Theo

Expert Breastfeeding Consultation

Our International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants look to provide every mother with the support needed to have an optimal breastfeeding experience, whether that be inpatient, outpatient, or in a primary care setting.

Center for Breastfeeding Medicine

Last Updated 05/2024

Reviewed By Olga Tamayo, MSN, RNC, IBCLC

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Health LibraryBreast Pump: Maintaining Milk Supply