New parents don’t have a lot of extra time to sit around and pump breast milk, so it can be a struggle when it takes 30 minutes or more to feel “empty.” The good news is that there are some things that you can try to speed up pumping breast milk when it seems to take forever! Here are 12 ways to pump breast milk faster.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, I’ll be compensated at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I love! More info here.
There are two main reasons that pumping can take a long time. For some people, it can be difficult to trigger the letdown reflex, which releases the milk from your breasts.
Others may be able to get a letdown, but then find that they have slow milk flow when pumping.
When Getting a Letdown Takes Forever or You Get No Letdown When Pumping
Obviously, milk isn’t flowing from your breasts all of the time, even though you may leak occasionally. A letdown occurs when milk is released from your breasts.
Usually, letdowns happen in response to a stimulus – for example, from a baby crying or from sensation (such as your baby suckling or your breast pump working at your breast).
For some, letdowns can be harder to achieve. Here are six things to try if you take a long time to get a letdown or are struggling to get a letdown at all.
1. Try Vibration.
Some people have found that vibration can help trigger the letdown reflex. You can try this out with anything you might have at home that vibrates, like an electric toothbrush. If it helps, you may want to invest in a lactation massager.
(*Note: LaVie makes two lactation massagers – a smaller one with just vibration and a warming massager that has heat AND vibration. They are both super helpful – use the code EPUMP on their website for 10% off!)
2. Switch Back to Letdown Mode on Your Pump.
Most pumps have two modes – letdown mode (also called massage mode or stimulation mode) and expression mode.
Letdown is the fast, light speed that you start with, and the expression mode is the slower, stronger pulling that comes later.
If your pump automatically shifts to expression mode but you haven’t letdown yet, you can switch it back to letdown mode until you do, and see if that helps.
Additionally, if you are trying to get a second letdown, you can switch it back as soon as the milk stops flowing.
3. Use a Warm Compress (and Stay Warm Yourself).
Warmth seems to help get breast milk flowing – and being cold can inhibit it. Try applying a warm washcloth or a dry compress like Booby Tubes (use the code PUMPING15 for 15% off) to your breasts before you pump.
Also, keep yourself warm enough to be comfortable. If your lactation room at work is freezing, for example, you could keep a blanket in there or wear your coat while you pump.
4. Relax as Much as Possible.
This isn’t easy when you’re stressed out about pumping and how long it’s going to take. Still, because stress inhibits letdowns, it’s a good idea to try.
I suggest putting a nursing cover or t-shirt over the bottles so that you can’t fixate on how much you’re pumping. Then, focus on something else. Work on a laptop, play games on your phone, read a book, watch a show, etc. If at all possible, do something you enjoy to make pumping less annoying.
5. Try Hand Expression.
Some people find that they are able to get a letdown using hand expression much faster than they can with their breast pump. It’s worth trying it out to see if you’re able to trigger a letdown more quickly that way.
Once you have the milk flowing, you can hook yourself up to your breast pump and pump normally.
More on how to hand express breast milk here.
6. If Possible, Get in the Shower.
If you really struggle with letdowns and are home, it can be worth a try to get in the shower. (I have a letdown in the shower EVERY time. Even when I just finished pumping.)
While it’s not going to be workable to get in the shower, get a letdown and then hook yourself up to pump all naked and everything, you could bring a manual pump in with you and pump that way. (This isn’t something you can do eight times a day; it’s more of an option when you’re desperate.)
When Your Breast Milk Flows Really Slowly
Some parents are able to get a letdown, but still feel like it takes forever to get their breasts to mostly empty. (Note that it’s impossible to completely empty a breast because it’s always making milk.)
Below are six ways you can try to speed up your pumping sessions when your breasts don’t feel empty after pumping for 20-30 minutes or more.
7. Use Breast Compressions.
This is the easiest and most effective thing that you can do to pump faster. When you do breast compressions, you push the milk out of your milk ducts using massage. This is easier to do when you’re wearing a hands-free pumping bra, because you’re not also juggling your breast shields.
There are videos that can help you get an idea of how to do this, but it’s not complicated – you just need to move your hands around your breasts and squeeze. (Warning: Don’t focus too much on one side over the other, or you’ll get lopsided!)
8. Try a Manual Pump.
Some people seem to have more success with emptying with a manual pump rather than an electric pump. Obviously, using a manual pump is less than ideal since you can only do one side at a time (and it can be hard on your hand).
More on manual breast pumps here.
9. Use a Faster Pump Speed.
You should use the fastest speed on your pump that isn’t painful for you.
I always turned the pump up until I started feeling a bit of discomfort, and then dialed the speed back one setting.
10. Try Different Flange Sizes.
If you have the wrong flange size, the suction might not be strong enough to be effective. It’s important that your flanges not be too big OR too small.
If you’re having any pain or discomfort with pumping and it takes you a long time to pump, it might be a good idea to try out some other sizes and see if that helps. More on getting the correct flange size here.
(Pumpin Pals are another good option; they send you three sizes at once.)
11. Try Taking Lecithin.
is a common food additive that many people take for recurrent clogged ducts. It is thought to help by making the milk less “sticky,” and therefore flow more easily.
Anecdotally, some people who struggled with the length of time they needed to pump found that lecithin also helped decrease pump time. The suggested dose is one 1200mg capsule 3-4 times per day; either soy or sunflower lecithin is fine.
(Legendairy Milk reached out and gave me a discount code for their sunflower lecithin. Take 15% off with the code EPUMP!)
12. Replace Your Pump Parts.
If it’s been a while, you may want to try replacing your pump parts. They stop working less well over time, which can negatively affect the suction and your output.
Have you struggled with pumping taking too long? Do you have any tricks for how to pump breast milk faster?
References- Bonyata, Kelly, IBCLC. “Lecithin treatment for recurrent plugged ducts.” https://kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/lecithin/
- Bonyata, Kelly, IBCLC. “Let-down Reflex: Too slow?” https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/letdown/
- Medela. “Breast Shield Sizing: How to Get the Best Fit.” https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/article/143/breast-shield-sizing:-how-to-get-the-best-fit
Hello, first of all great blog, very informative!
I’ve gota double pack elvie pumps to start transitioning to exclusive breastfeeding. However I have been encountering so many problems and I have the feeling that instead of increasing milk supply I am actually reducing.
I am currently pumping about 10 times a day for 20/30 min and not able to get more than 500ml. My boy is now 3.6kg which makes him super Hungry, pushing me in the direction of adding formula.
Pumping with an elvie is not really easy cause you can’t see through the hub to really understand whats going on, but I manage to optimize the nipple size and position by using a mirror. Unfortunately, what I’ve notice is that my milk flow is rather short… It only flows for 3 min max. I have tried your recommendation and as well the alternative letdown period with expressing but still not optimal. Would you have any recommendations for me? I am really struggling…
Hi Ana – there’s a FB group called Willow and Elvie Support Group. I would join that and see if anyone has tips for you!
Hello! I have been EPing for a month and produce about 30 oz a day (within an ounce of what my 9 week old needs daily). I use every trick or tool on your site (power pumping, heat, fenugreek, brewer’s yeast, compressions, etc) but it still takes me a very long time to get these 30 oz. 4.25 hours minimum, divided over 7 sessions per day. I want to get this time down without compromising my supply, but decreasing single sessions by 5 minutes will be insignificant. Please help! Thank you for this site!
Hi Caitlin! So sorry to hear it’s taking you so long! – have you tried lecithin to speed things up? I know you’ve tried a ton but didn’t see it on your list.
I’ve switched to pumping during the day, I average about 7 pumps in a 24 hr period and I nurse my baby on demand at night. My output is usually 16 ounces a day. I’m taking domperidone 80mg total throughout the day, sunflower lechtin and moringa. I’m 5 months postpartum. I massage my breasts during pumping. I’ve been sized to a 19mm flange more then once. I sometimes take showers before. I relax and watch Netflix and look at my baby. What gives??
Hi Maria! It sounds like you are doing a GREAT job. It sounds like you are doing all of the right things. I wish I had a magic bullet or something that you haven’t tried to pump more. All I can say is that you are a great mom and are doing awesome for your baby.
I started pumping longer to increase my supply, but now my milk is taking longer to come out. Before my breasts were empty in 20 minutes, now i have hardly anything in the bottle in 20 minutes. How can i bring that time back down without turning the pump up and adjusting my breast to a harder pull that my baby can’t match? I feel like I’m in a losing battle to transition my preemie to exclusively breast-feeding
Hi Tara! Have you tried vibration at all? Or hand expression?
Hello! I have been EPing for 10 weeks. I make 40-45 oz a day in 5-6 pump sessions but each session takes over 60 min to drain until I don’t feel engorged. Even then it’s still dripping but not a sprinkler. In the morning I can get 12+ ounces and at night I get 7-9oz. However if I go longer than 5 hours at night my boobs are hard as rocks with knots from clogged ducts so I use warm compresses and vibration to be sure to empty. I also just got pumping pals. My doctor gave me intra nasal oxytocin also which helped some but not a ton. I don’t want to make more milk but wonder if I need to pump more often, however it’s so hard to make time for that! My baby has slept thru the night since 7 weeks so it has been such a pain to get up at 3am to pump. I go back to work soon and won’t be able to pump this long in the MOTN or at work. Please help!
Hi Christina! So sorry you are dealing with this! Have you tried lecithin at all?
Christina, I am the same way and I also take sunflower lecithin. I’m 5mpp and will be going back to work in a month. No way I can take 2, 1 hour breaks in the work day. I can’t work and pump because I have to do compressions.
Hi, I am a first time mom of a 5 day old! He was having a hard time latching on so I decided to pump and bottle feed him. My milk came pretty fast, but I’m having a hard time pumping it out. I feel like it’s not coming out fast enough? I’m also not sure if I pump long enough. I pump each breast for 15 min. And I end up getting about 2.5 ounces out in total. I stop pumping because my nipples start hurting and nothing seems to be coming out, yet my breast still feel hard and heavy. Any suggestions?
Hi Jenny! Congrats on your baby! That’s a good amount to pump at 5 days pp, but it does sound like maybe you have extra milk that isn’t getting out. I would maybe try hand expression or vibration and see if that can help get the milk flowing again after it stops. Congrats again!
No I haven’t. I was just reading the post. I will give it a try. Thank you very much
Hi! I was breastfeeding and pumping once a day for 3 months since my baby was born until recently that my baby had foremilk/hindmilk imbalance and has been rejecting my boob. I decided to pump more to maintain my supply and bottle feed, I still offer the boobs and from time to time she will breastfeed. I pump 2-3 times a day because I spend a lot of time with baby since she only naps while being held. When I pump my right breast can get 6-10 ounces in 15-30 minutes and milk stars coming out really soon. However, the left breast moist if the time won’t start until I am done with the right one or after 15-30 min pumping. Sometimes it takes me 1 hr to 1hr 15 min to finish pumping because of the left breast. This breast can produce 3-4 oz at a time. It’s been always less than the right one and less nipple pores work compared to the right one which is like a sprinkler. My baby has always preferred the right breast. Any idea why this happens and how can I make left breast more efficient and faster? Thank you very much.
Hi Perla! That sounds frustrating! Have you tried vibration on the left side? Or heat?
I’ve been exclusively pumping for my 4 month old for 2 months now, I pump every 3 hours from 7am to 11pm/12am. Lately, most times, I have less than .5oz after 30mins And I have to go for at least 45mins to an hour to get anything decent but still won’t even get to the hind milk. In the morning I get a lot more, but for example now; I pumped for an hour and 15 mins and only saw the hind milk coming from my left breast, I had to stop because my daughter was getting fussy and needed me but I still had milk flowing. I know that there will always be milk dripping, but when do I know that it’s tome to stop? At what point am I considered done/have pumped enough?
Hi Hana! Is it taking your milk a long time to let down? Or is the problem more that it flows slowly once it lets down?
I am approximately 5 1/2 months pp. My son will be 6 months on the 20th of this month. He has been BF exclusively until he started daycare at 3 months. I pump first thing in the morning before getting ready for work, 3x at work and 2x in the evenings; a total of 6 pump sessions (6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm). I average 3-4 oz a session.
He has begun stage 1 baby food at 4 1/2 months. He is up to 2 jars a day. He drinks 5oz of breast milk a bottle and take approximately 5 bottles a day. He wakes up at about 2am and 5am for milk milk from the boobies.
I recently went out of town and breast fed exclusively. When i returned to my regular routine my out put was barely 2 1/5 to 3 oz a session. I’m afraid I may have cause a reduction. I am writing you on day 3 of returning to my regular schedule and i’m seeing some improvements today. I would like to continue providing breast milk for my baby until he turns 1.
Any suggestions?
Oh how stressful! I’m glad you’re starting to see improvement! I would take a look at the below post and try some of these strategies – oatmeal and power pumping for sure. Good luck!!
https://exclusivepumping.com/increasing-milk-supply/
I’m currently 6 months in, lately it’s been taking up to 7 min before milk starts flowing, I pump 4 times a day and it usually takes me about 35 to 45 min to “empty” I have changed all my parts so I’m no sure what’s going on here 🙁 do you think the lecithin would help in my situation? I dont suffer from clogged ducts.
It might be worth a try! You could also try warmth and vibration to see if that speeds up the letdown?
Hi I’ve been struggling with the flange size for my pump. I’m down to the size 21mm and I still think I need to go lower based on the diagram. I feel like I’m not understanding it completely, I’m a big girl with big breasts and areola. How can my nipple size be so small? Last time I pumped (years ago w my son) I thought they may have been too small and kept going up sizes. But now I’m not sure..
Hmmmm. Okay, I haven’t tried this by maybe it will help? Here is a way to figure out your flange size by measuring with a few different coins:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtfSX83g3-5/
Let me know if this is helpful!! One thing to note is that breast size and nipple size don’t necessarily correlate. Anyway, I hope this helps!
Pumpin’ Pals made ALL the difference for me. I found a 21mm to be too big too. Try the extra small pumpin pals – great customer service too!
This site was super helpful!
https://pumpables.co/pages/fitting-room
Hi,
Currently been EPBing for 6 months now (yay!) also Returned to work last month (boo!). I’m currently pumping 5x day and only pump 2x at work. I’m using freemie cups that adapt to my Medela pump. My right boob has been slacking significantly… I can only get about 1-1.5oz while pumping at work… I’m thinking it may be the freemie cups.. but I used get get a significant amount prior to a week ago. Once I get home and pump with my regular flanges set and hands free bra and message my breast I can get about 4oz from my “slacker” boob. I’m wondering if this continues (only producing a few ounces at work and more later during the day) would decrease my milk supply? I’m really uncomfortable with using the flanges and hands free bra set at work as I travel from school to school and the freemie cups just make things a lot easier.
Hmmm – it sounds like breast compressions really help your output. The lower output only happens on one side, only when you use the freemie cups? I do think it would decrease your milk supply if it continues, unfortunately, I’m sorry! Maybe you could use the freemies at one session and the flanges at the next one to fully empty? Could be a compromise?