How Maria Saved $5,000+ in Formula Costs by Pumping Efficiently 🤯 | Client Success Story

Breastfeeding and pumping journeys are rarely linear—what works one day might not work the next. That’s exactly what Maria, one of my coaching clients, experienced. She started off nursing her son Lionel, but when breastfeeding became difficult, she turned to pumping. For months, things went smoothly—until suddenly, they didn’t.

At around nine months postpartum, Maria’s supply plummeted. She found herself supplementing with expensive, allergy-friendly formula that Lionel refused to drink. Frustrated and determined, she knew she needed a new approach. That’s when she found my program, and within weeks, she not only recovered her supply but also built a freezer stash that lasted well beyond weaning.

Maria’s story is a powerful reminder that knowledge, strategy, and support can change everything. Here’s how she did it.

(This blog post was originally a video. Check it out, here!)

From Nursing to Pumping: “I Didn’t Know What I Didn’t Know”

Maria’s journey started like many others—she planned to nurse her baby exclusively. But from the beginning, Lionel struggled with latching. He was gaining weight, so she kept going, but she could tell he wasn’t interested in staying at the breast for long.

Eventually, Maria transitioned to exclusive pumping. Without much guidance, she did what most moms do—put the pump on, let it run for 20 minutes, and assumed that was all there was to it. For a while, this method worked. She wasn’t producing extra milk, but Lionel was fed and growing.

Looking back, she realizes she didn’t really understand the mechanics of pumping. “I thought pumping was just plug-and-play,” she admitted. “I didn’t know what I didn’t know.”

The Supply Crash and Expensive Formula

At around eight or nine months, Maria’s milk supply suddenly dropped. A combination of illness, stress, and exhaustion left her producing less than half of what she once did.

With no other option, she introduced formula—but Lionel had a cow’s milk protein allergy, meaning he needed hypoallergenic formula, which came with a hefty price tag. “One small can cost around $45 to $50,” Maria told me, “and he hated it. I even tasted it myself, and honestly, I don’t blame him.”

She knew she needed another solution. That’s when she remembered my YouTube channel and decided to take the next step—joining our Pumping for Working Moms coaching program.

Learning to Pump Efficiently

Maria initially joined the program as a last-ditch effort, unsure if it would actually work. But within days, she realized just how much she had been missing. She flew through the curriculum, eager to learn everything she could about how pumping actually works.

One of her biggest revelations was understanding letdowns. Before, she had been mindlessly pumping—putting the flanges on, hitting the start button, and waiting for 20 minutes. She had no idea that she could actively trigger multiple letdowns to get more milk in less time.

“Once I learned how to work with my body instead of against it, everything changed,” she said. “I wasn’t just sitting at my desk pumping all day anymore—I was actually getting results.”

She also realized that increasing supply wasn’t about spending more time pumping, but about pumping smarter. Power pumping multiple times a day and extending sessions wasn’t the answer—effective technique was.

Within a few weeks, Maria’s supply began climbing back up. After about a month and a half, she was producing more than ever before and was even able to freeze extra milk.

Weaning: A Surprising Emotional Challenge

Maria had originally planned to breastfeed for a year, but once she reached that milestone, she kept going. Pumping was working, Lionel was thriving, and she felt proud of what she had accomplished.

Ultimately, she decided to wean because she and her husband were ready to try for another baby. While the process went smoothly from a physical standpoint, the emotional side caught her off guard.

“I thought I’d feel relieved to stop, but instead, I felt this weird sense of loss,” she admitted. “Seeing my milk supply go down reminded me of when it dropped unexpectedly before, and it brought back all of those emotions.”

Once she fully weaned, though, she felt a sense of peace. The pumping gear was packed away, the daily routine of measuring milk was gone, and she could finally enjoy the freedom of having her body back. And of course, there was one other major perk—dairy.

“The first thing I did was order a giant, cheesy pizza,” she laughed. “After a year without dairy, it was amazing.”

What Maria Wishes She Had Known

Looking back, Maria wishes she had sought out help before her supply crashed, rather than waiting until she was in crisis mode. She encourages other moms to be proactive rather than reactive.

“I wish I had educated myself more before having the baby,” she said. “I read one book on breastfeeding, but it didn’t even mention pumping. I just assumed everything would work because… well, I have boobs, so why wouldn’t it?”

Now, she knows better. And if she has another baby in the future, she plans to start off with the right knowledge from day one.

The Power of Support

Maria’s story is a testament to how the right information and support can completely transform a breastfeeding journey. Without guidance, she was stuck in an exhausting cycle of ineffective pumping, long hours, and dwindling supply. But once she learned how to pump efficiently, everything changed.

Most importantly, she was able to end her journey on her own terms—not because her body forced her to stop, but because she made the choice to move forward.

If you’re feeling lost, frustrated, or just want to make pumping easier, you don’t have to do this alone. My coaching program is here to help, whether you’re trying to rebuild supply, manage pumping at work, or navigate weaning.

Click here to apply for a free Discovery Call and see if this program is the right fit for you!