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Ready set pump

Learn how to make breast pumping second nature.

What should I know when I start pumping?

Once you have a pump, you can start collecting milk any time. In the first two weeks after your baby is born, you may want to pump occasionally to relieve engorgement - you can save this milk, but don't get carried away. Pumping a lot in these early weeks tells your body that you had triplets, and brings in an enormous milk supply. While this may sound like a good thing, it puts you at very high risk for breast problems like clogged ducts and engorgement.

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Why does a good flange fit matter and how can I get it?

Every mother needs a good flange fit for greater comfort and better milk flow. What determines a flange’s size—and your fit—is the width of its opening. To get an idea of your flange size, compare your nipple to a US nickel. If your nipple is wider than a nickel, you will likely need a larger-than-standard size breast flange. But because the breast changes as you pump, measuring tools alone are not the most reliable gauge.

 

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When should I pump?

When should you pump if you're home with your baby and fully breastfeeding? Here are some tips you may find helpful:

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How Much Milk Should I Expect?

How much milk you can pump will vary. These are some of the factors:

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How can I pump more milk?

To get more milk, you may not need strong suction. Set your pump at the highest suction that feels good and no higher. (If you're gritting your teeth, it's up too high! Pumping should not hurt.)

Pumping milk is not like sucking a drink through a straw. With a straw, the stronger you suck, the more you get. When pumping, most milk comes only when a let-down, or milk release, happens. Without a milk release, most milk stays in the breast.

 

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How do I clean and care for my pump?

Simple Steps to Keep Your Ameda Breast Pump Clean
Keeping your breast pump clean is not time consuming. But there are a few things you can do to simplify your pump care — so you can spend more time with your new baby.

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Should pumping always feel comfortable?

Some moms assume pumping should be painful. Not so! “No pain, no gain” does not apply here. Painful pumping means something needs to be adjusted. What causes pain? The two most common causes are: 1) pump suction set too high and 2) flange fit issues.

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How can I get as much milk with my new pump as my old pump?

Mothers are often confused and upset when they switch from one breast pump to another and find they suddenly express less milk. Why is this so common? The short answer is because conditioning is an important part of milk expression.

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