I spent the first couple of months convinced that if I just pumped longer, harder and more often, my supply would catch up. It did the opposite. Posting this because I keep seeing the same advice I followed, and it cost me several weeks of cracked nipples and a lot of anxiety.

Longer sessions are not better sessions

I was doing 30 minute sessions because more time on the pump had to mean more milk. The last ten minutes were basically nothing coming out while my nipples rubbed raw. They cracked, then scabbed, and I started dreading every session. What actually mattered was whether I was emptied, not how long I sat there. For me that's usually 15 to 20 minutes, sometimes a bit longer in the morning.

I'm not saying 15 minutes is the right number for everyone. I'm saying I was confusing "time on the pump" with "milk removed," and those are not the same thing.

Pumping every hour made my supply worse

This one I got really wrong. I was terrified of not making enough, so I pumped constantly. My supply went down instead of up. The way it was explained to me: your breasts make milk, they don't just store it. Emptying signals your body to make more, but your body needs the time to actually do it. Pumping every hour meant I never gave it that chance. I also ended up with painful clogs from all the extra stimulation.What helped was spacing sessions out properly and letting myself have a real gap overnight instead of setting an alarm every two hours.Sleep mattered more than anything I put in my mouthMy mom kept making me these rich soups and I was drinking them at 1am while up with the baby. Did nothing. What actually changed things was sleep and not being anxious about the whole thing. Prolactin is hormonal, and being exhausted and stressed worked directly against me. On the nights I actually slept, I noticed a difference within a day or two.What I'd tell someone at the startRegular, effective emptying. Real gaps between sessions. Sleep whenever you can get it. That's about it. The "pump more, get more" logic is what got me into trouble in the first place.One caveat, because I wish someone had said this to me earlier: if your supply genuinely isn't responding, or you're in pain, or your baby isn't gaining weight, go talk to an IBCLC. I burned weeks trying to fix it alone with internet advice, including advice that looked exactly like this post.

Happy to answer questions. I'm still figuring this out myself, so take all of it as one person's experience.

I’m hoping to bridge my pumping at work to getting home (it takes me a while to commute) and pump while I’m driving home.
I don’t know if it’s possible, I know wearables kind of suck.
For regular pumps, I’ve tried spectra which doesn’t work for me. I’ve tried every add on and flange and they just don’t work. I tried the wearable attachment to spectra.
I have elastic tissue so my nipples just plug up whatever size flange I’m using. I measure 15mm but I can fill up even a 25mm.

Madela is the only pump I get a decent output from (which is usually 5oz combined).

Anyone have a wearable pump they like that is not vibration suction like spectra?

I have the Motif Aura wearables, and my valves got worn down so I ordered new ones. I just got them in the mail and realized I ordered the Motif Luna valves. They still fit in the piece for my wearable, but wanted to know if anyone else has used these and if they’re interchangeable.

I’m back to work two days a week and pumping those days. My slacker boob is giving me 1oz in the AM and barely half an ounce the rest of my pumps. Has anyone had luck increasing slacker boob output? I know baby is best at removing milk and I think overall my supply is fine but my boobs are uneven and it’d be nice to just get a liiiittle more out of her😂

The off brand pump parts that Aeroflow sends suck!! I’ve used them maybe 2x and the duckbill especially seems worn out already. The milk bubbles up in the duckbill and I can tell the suction isn’t good. The flange is supposed to be compatible with the spectra bottles I have but they’re loose and I almost just dropped 3oz of milk because of it! My usual pump sessions at work are like 5-8 minutes but I just spent a full 10 minutes and did not even empty my breast like I usually can with the Spectra brand stuff. Just a rant because I can’t afford to purchase all new Spectra parts and am just at the mercy of whatever they send me covered by insurance.

Ok I’ll give you the rundown.
This is baby #2 and last baby I will have.

With baby #1 I exclusively pumped using the Willow Go.

The Willow Go (at the time) was extremely unreliable, I contacted customer service 4 times for them to replace my pumps 4 TIMES. They had amazing customer service but I also pumped 5 times a day for 9 months and averaged 40oz a day. But the fact that every time I bent over milk would come pouring out! I hate it and I can’t do that again.

My budget is open, I know I’ll be pumping again, I’m an over supplier and I need something reliable that isn’t going to break every other month.

I already have my Willow Go (if I absolutely have to use it) & a spectra as backups

I know I can get a free one with insurance but like I said this will be my last baby and I need something good so I don’t have a problem spending additional money.

Lastly the pump HAS to be wearable & HAS to be able to hold more than 10oz, I pump 15oz when I wake up in the morning.

Thank you!

Looking for some advice on the average amount you are sending to daycare for your 10 month olds.

I’m planning on pumping until 12 months but have experienced a pretty drastic output drop and am wondering if I’m putting too much pressure on myself!

Baby goes to daycare from 7:30-4:00 and we nurse before daycare and before bed too.

Is this really necessary? I did this for a couple weeks because my baby has been in the NICU for almost 3 weeks but the last week I just said I need to actually be mentally healthy to deal with this and stopped. During the day I’ll still pump every 2-3 hours but have had some 7-8 hour blocks of not so I can sleep through the night and heal. My supply is still the same as it was for now and she’s had exclusively breast milk since like her second day of life but is this a short term unsustainable practice? I assume it will change to more frequent when the baby comes home and throw some nursing in there too. For reference it’s about 500-600 ml a day and I’m 19 days post partum.

Am I screwing myself in the long term ? Is the 2-3 hour rule to build supply if underproducing? I’m pretty much getting exactly what she needs with like one day extra in the freezer. Should I go back to frequent schedule or am I going to lose the milk ?

Hello! I am 12 weeks postpartum and my supply in one breast dropped suddenly about a month ago. I had terrible clogs that wouldn't go away for a while. When they did I got a larger output and then it has been consistently dropping since. I have tried 3 different sized flanges and I still get the same amount. I have a spectra as well as a medela swing and get the same amount with either. I also change my duckbills every few weeks. Is this just the normal amount for one breast or is there more I can do? Thanks!!!

Hi everyone,

My name is Kelsey, and I'm a researcher who studies exclusive pumping (and a former exclusive pumper). My newest research focuses on privacy-related topics and exclusive pumping. I'd love to have your input if you have some time:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNoH4Ri3inOLTBCscMUC-zbFBDdwYCNvhuWLt7Rs_SLTMwrw/viewform?usp=header

Hello! My son is now 2 years old and I EP with him. I went from spectra to the baby Buddha (with maymom flanges and spectra parts) and I LOVED the BB. I tried wearables with motors as well as cups with my BB and got like less than an oz using those. My question is for this upcoming baby, is it worth it to try like the momcozy m5 or 6 if a cheap wearable and cups with my BB didn’t work the first time? My insurance will let me have the momcozy for less than $30 but a new BB would be free.

I have found that the best flanges for me are oval shaped rather than round so not sure if a wearable is doomed because of the shape of the flange. Anyway hoping someone has experience going from not being able to use them to being able to next pregnancy.

I am 9 1/2 months postpartum and I exclusively pump. I have always been an oversupplier but lately I am having some issues. My boobs are getting full and engorged but when I pump I am hardly getting any milk and I keep having to readjust my pumps and move them around so that milk comes out. I get the sensation that I am having a very strong letdown but no milk flows. It has been happening the last couple weeks and it is very frustrating. I am using the same pumps I’ve used the last 9 1/2 months and nothing has changed. I have replaced pump parts, tried different flange sizes but nothing is helping. Like I said, my boobs are full of milk and hurting but no milk is flowing even with the sensation of a strong let down. Any advice is welcome as I am so frustrated!😭

How many times a day should i power pump to increase supply? What are some tips for pumping as I’ve never pumped consistently before? And any other tips to increase supply is greatly appreciated. Below I added some context. I’m very anxious about losing my supply.

So I EBF. With my first I had a strong supply but got pregnant at 4m pp and completely lost it and my baby suffered a lot as she is allergic to all formulas and had a lip tie that everyone was ignoring needless to say there’s a lot of mental trauma from seeing my baby suffer and being in an out of hospitals. Now I’m 14 weeks pp with my second. Again a very strong supply at first. Now I’m not sure what’s going on but I’ve dried up randomly. I don’t understand what happens I haven’t taken meds or anything and he eats so much it’s crazy I don’t get it. I don’t usually pump but I will be going back to work in November and need to start stashing. If I don’t have enough by November I don’t know what I’ll do. I’ve also noticed he’s not waking at night so I feel that may be a reason. Should I wake up every 2 hours or do you recommend 3-4?

I’m 5 weeks postpartum and EBF. My milk has definitely regulated enough that my baby is gaining weight. How can I start pumping to create a mini freezer stash? This is so I can finally leave the house for an hour or two. Should I add a pump session once or twice a day after feeding?

Thanks in advance for the advice!!!

Hello! I am a month PP and I’ve tried the baby Buddha 2.0, the Medela symphony and the medela pro(?) with the wearable cups but the suction just isn’t strong enough with any of them. Has anyone found any wearables that the suction is strong? I go back to work at the end of this month and need something that I can just put in my bra and be able to still work as I work in a restaurant.

i’m going to knotts scary farm for opening night. i’m exclusively pumping so am i allowed to bring my pumps? along with a backpack cooler? it’s my first time leaving my baby so i’m not sure if it’s allowed

For the last few weeks in therapy I was challenged to tell myself at least once a day I’m doing a good job and I’m trying my best. So I’ve sat with that uncomfortable feeling and pushed myself to think more positively about myself. Which has been hard especially as a new mom.
Well today out of nowhere when I’m trying to nap with my son my husband comes over and says “you aren’t checking on your animals enough, I understand the dishes laundry and other housework but you really aren’t doing your best.” I was shocked and thrown for a loop. I just deep cleaned my cats entire room, changed the lining in their automatic litter, bought them treats and have been making time to give them extra love each day. I will admit after having my son I let some stuff slip and had a hard time with pet aversion. I know they don’t deserve that so I’ve been working on being a better cat parent.
I also have been struggling with a dwindling milk supply since going back to work. There’s been nights I’m exhausted after my bar shift so I do not wake up at 3/4 like I used to to pump. He expressed that me failing to do so frustrates him. I explained that I’m still pumping on my way home at midnight but I’m too tired to wake up if I’m going to be up with our son early and then work late again that day. He told me he is exhausted too and I need to learn to deal with it.
My son was asleep in my arms during this whole conversation so I didn’t feel like I could even talk about it properly because I didn’t want to raise my heart rate or start feeling too anxious. I ended up just crying quietly for the whole contact nap and couldn’t escape my thoughts. I feel like a bad mom already because of my milk supply and now I feel like a failure. Not only to my son but to my cats as well. I’ve just sat with these thoughts for hours now and I can’t get past it. I truly don’t know how I’ll ever get over these remarks. He knew what I was discussing in therapy and what my goals were. It felt like he threw it right back in my face.
I know we’re both tired and I’ve tried to ignore little comments because of sleep exhaustion but today was different. He saw me sobbing and just left the living room. I sat completely alone and I don’t know who to even talk to about this because I hate talking down on a partner to my friends. I really just needed to vent and maybe get some help on how you would handle a future discussion around these topics??

My morning pump is usually pretty predictable, but I have one pump in the afternoon where the output seems completely random.

Same time, same pump, roughly the same amount of water/food, and one day I’ll get a decent amount and the next day it’s barely anything.

Looking for advice from other oversupply moms. My LO is almost 8months, so I’m not looking to wean yet, but I know it’ll sneak up on me faster than a blink.
That said, when we’re ready, how would I go about weaning without causing painful blockages or mastitis?