From Low Milk Supply to Milk Donation: Phoenix’s Pumping Success Story
Phoenix recently completed our Pumping for Working Moms program, and her journey from low supply and formula supplementation to exclusive pumping and milk donation is one that will absolutely speak to any mom who’s ever doubted if she’s doing enough.
This post is a first-hand look at Phoenix’s experience, the mental and emotional shifts she made, and how she took control of her feeding journey with confidence.
(This post was originally a video. Check it out, here!)
“I Always Knew I Wanted to Breastfeed—But That’s Not What Happened”
Phoenix is a first-time parent and a registered nurse from Ontario, Canada. Before her son was born, she did all the right prep: watched videos, read articles, and practiced nursing positions. She assumed she’d breastfeed—just like so many of us do.
“At the hospital, he latched great. A lactation consultant came in and said everything looked perfect. But within a few days at home, I just knew something wasn’t right. He didn’t seem satisfied, and he wasn’t gaining weight like he should.”
By five days postpartum, her baby had only five wet diapers and wasn’t regaining weight. This started her down the road of triple feeding—breastfeeding, bottle feeding, then pumping—every few hours around the clock.
“It felt like every provider had a different opinion. One told me we were doing great, and the next one told me he was severely underfed. I was confused, exhausted, and just really overwhelmed.”
Why She Reached Out for Support
At five weeks postpartum, Phoenix booked a consult for the Pumping for Working Moms Program.
“That morning, we had another appointment and the nurse told me he still wasn’t getting enough. It was the final straw. I remember texting my partner from the car saying, ‘I’m doing this—I’m joining the program.’ I knew I needed consistent, evidence-based support. I was done second-guessing myself.”
Her main goal? To provide as much breast milk as possible. Formula shortages in Canada were creating extra pressure, and emotionally, she was ready to ditch the triple feeding routine.
Her First Days of Exclusive Pumping
On her first full day of exclusive pumping, Phoenix collected about 300 mL total—roughly 10 ounces.
“It was humbling. I had to let go of the idea that I’d be perfect right away. I told myself, just focus on building the habit. The technique will come later.”
She followed the strategies laid out in our curriculum, leaned into our private client community for encouragement, and committed to her schedule—even during overnight pumps.
“I watched every module while I pumped. I knew if I could build this system and be consistent, the supply would follow.”
And it did. Within a few short weeks, her supply steadily increased—eventually reaching over 1,200 mL per day, enough to fully feed her son with breast milk.
“I Went From Barely Pumping Enough to Donating to Three Families”
By summer, Phoenix had not only met her supply goals—she was exceeding them. She began donating milk through a local Facebook group to help other families struggling with supply or formula access.
“I still get emotional talking about it. One of the babies I donated to was really sick and wasn’t gaining weight. After just one day of getting my milk, the mom messaged me and said her baby started smiling and playing again. I thought, this is why I do this. That was such a full-circle moment for me.”
Her original goal was to provide 80% breast milk by 12 months. But with consistent pumping and smart strategy, she surpassed that goal within weeks—and has maintained 100% breast milk feeding since then.
Returning to Work as a Pumping Nurse
Phoenix returned to work at 8 months postpartum—a bit earlier than the typical 12-month maternity leave in Canada.
“I had been exclusively pumping for so long by that point, I felt totally prepared. I knew how to manage my sessions, how to store my milk, how to troubleshoot dips—it was not the stressful transition I had feared.”
At that point, she was pumping five times a day (down from her initial 9–10 sessions), and had the flexibility to adjust her routine as needed. Even when she traveled internationally for work, pumping stayed consistent and manageable.
“I was pumping in a hotel in the middle of Mexico thinking, Wow, I really figured this out. It had become second nature. I wasn’t stressed. It just worked.”
Why Exclusive Pumping Worked for Her
Though exclusive pumping wasn’t her original plan, Phoenix found it offered flexibility and stability she didn’t expect.
“One of the biggest gifts of exclusive pumping was that my partner could share in the feeding journey. He got to bond with our son in a way he couldn’t have if I’d been exclusively nursing. And for me, it gave back time. I could hand off a feed and go rest or take care of myself.”
Other unexpected perks?
- The ability to track every feed and feel confident her baby was getting enough.
- Empowerment through knowledge—no more second-guessing.
- A smoother return to work, thanks to an established, efficient system.
- The joy of supporting other families through milk donation.
“You Have to Be Your Own Advocate—But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone”
Phoenix shared how powerful it felt to shift from confusion and self-doubt to confidence and control.
“What really changed for me was the mindset. I used to just want someone to tell me exactly what to do. But by the end of the program, I was that someone. I could assess, troubleshoot, and adjust on my own. That was so empowering.”
She encourages other moms to get support sooner, not later.
“If you’re struggling, don’t wait until you’re at rock bottom. Ask for help early. There’s no shame in needing support—and there is a way forward. You can do this.”
Final Thoughts
Phoenix’s story is proof that with the right strategy and support, it is possible to overcome low supply, ditch the chaos of triple feeding, and even give back to others.
If her journey resonated with you and you’re thinking, “I want that too”—you can absolutely get there. That’s what our Pumping for Working Moms program is designed to do: equip you with the tools, structure, and community you need to confidently reach your feeding goals.Ready to get started? Apply to work with me at newlittlelife.com/apply. I’d love to walk alongside you.
Happy pumping!
Meet Allison Tolman, LPN, IBCLC!
She is the owner and founder of New Little Life, a company dedicated to providing objective information and support for pumping mothers. With 15+ years of experience in various pregnancy and postpartum fields including as an LPN, birth doula, childbirth educator, and IBCLC, her current research focuses on testing and exploring breast pumps to find the most practical way to help pumping mothers reach their goals as well as teaching lactation professionals to better understand the complex art of pumping.
