You don’t need the PERFECT breast pump… you just need to use it correctly.
Your breast pump is a robot—plain and simple. It doesn’t think, it doesn’t feel, and it definitely doesn’t know how your body works unless you teach it. That’s why two moms can use the exact same pump on the same schedule and get wildly different results. It’s not just about owning a good pump—it’s about knowing how to use it for your body. Just like a robot, your pump will only perform as well as the instructions it’s given. So if you’re frustrated with your output or exhausted from over-pumping, the real solution isn’t more effort—it’s smarter programming. Let’s talk about how to make your pump work with your body, not against it.
(This post was originally a video. Check it out, here!)
Your Pump Is a Robot—Not a Mind Reader
This is one of my favorite things to teach: your breast pump is a robot. It does what you tell it to do—but it doesn’t know you. That’s why two moms can use the exact same pump with the same schedule and get completely different results.
Your pump is the tool. You are the programmer.
It’s kind of like baking. The ingredients might be the same—flour, eggs, sugar, milk—but the technique? That’s everything. Depending on how you mix and bake those ingredients, you could end up with pancakes, cookies, or a complete mess.
Pumping is the same way. It’s not just about having the right ingredients. It’s about finding the right recipe for your body.
“I Tried Everything… and It Still Wasn’t Enough”
I’ll never forget a recent conversation with a mom who felt completely defeated. She told me:
“I tried everything. I followed a Pinterest pumping schedule with thousands of saves. I took the lactation supplements my best friend swears by. I bought the pump you recommended on YouTube. I did power pumping, coconut water, even that viral oatmeal recipe. And I’m still not making enough milk.”
Sound familiar?
Maybe you’re in the same boat—doing all the things, checking all the boxes, but still falling short. Or maybe you’re hitting your output, but it’s so inconsistent or exhausting that you wonder how long you can keep it up.
The truth? She had never been taught how to pump efficiently—for her.
Once we worked through that together and customized her pumping strategy, everything changed.
Why Generic Strategies Don’t Work
The internet is full of tips, tricks, hacks, and one-size-fits-all pumping plans. But the truth is, random strategies give random results.
Many moms follow a spaghetti-at-the-wall strategy—try this cookie, that tea, switch pumps, add a session here, skip one there. But pumping success doesn’t come from throwing stuff at the wall and hoping something sticks. It comes from understanding your body and working smarter, not harder.
Let’s talk about what that actually looks like.
How to Find Your Pumping Recipe
These are the five core areas I focus on with every client inside our coaching program. I call them the Proficient Pumping Pyramid—and they are the key to becoming your own pumping expert.
1. Milk Expression Frequency
This is your foundation. You need consistent and frequent milk removal to protect your supply. But here’s the thing—there’s no magic number that works for everyone. One mom might need 6 sessions a day; another might thrive on 4.
➡️ The goal is to find your magic number and then fit that rhythm into your real-life schedule.
2. Flange Sizing
I can’t overstate this—flange size makes or breaks your pumping efficiency. A poorly fitting flange causes pain, leaves milk behind, and tanks your supply.
➡️ One client thought she was a standard 24mm but needed a 17mm. Once we adjusted, her output and comfort both skyrocketed.
3. Letdown Maximization
If you’re only getting one letdown per session, you’re leaving milk behind. A lot of it. Think of it like juicing an orange once and tossing it—when there’s still plenty left inside.
➡️ Most moms can train their body to trigger multiple letdowns in a session. This alone can add ounces every day.
4. Pump Settings + Techniques
There’s no secret “best setting”—but there is a best setting for you. You need to learn how to adjust your suction and cycle speed, and combine that with techniques that mimic your baby as closely as possible.
➡️ A small tweak in suction or switching modes at the right time can make a big difference in flow.
5. Mental + Emotional Factors
This one’s often overlooked, but it matters. Stress can literally shut down your letdown reflex. If you’re anxious, distracted, or overwhelmed, your body may not respond to the pump the way it should.
➡️ One client had a great routine and good output—but hated every minute of it. When we worked on mindset and stress management, not only did her experience improve, so did her milk supply.
Real-Life Pumping Wins
Let me share a few client wins to show you what’s possible:
🍼 “I used to get only one letdown. Now I get three—and I’m getting 2+ more ounces every session.”
🍼 “Within 5 weeks, I went from under-supplying to producing 15 ounces consistently. And pumping doesn’t hurt anymore!”
🍼 “Now I know I can skip a low-output session and make up for it in the morning—and it doesn’t wreck my supply.”
This is what happens when you know your body. You gain flexibility, control, and confidence in your pumping journey.
Don’t Blame the Pump
Look, I get the appeal of buying a new pump and hoping it’ll solve your supply issues. It’s a quick fix. But here’s the truth: in our coaching program, we almost never need to replace the pump. The issue usually isn’t the tool—it’s how it’s being used.
💡 A good pump used inefficiently is a bad pump.
If you’re constantly searching for the next “hack,” it might be time to pause and learn how to make your current setup work better for you.
What Happens When You Learn Your Pumping Formula?
You stop stressing over every ounce.
You stop obsessively checking your freezer stash.
You start building a routine that fits your life instead of forcing your life to fit your pump.
One of my clients recently told me, “I used to dread pumping. Now it’s almost fun. I have the confidence to adjust based on my day, and it feels like freedom.”
That’s what I want for you, too.
You Don’t Need to Know Everything—Just Your Body
Pumping success doesn’t come from mastering every tip or trying every trend.
It comes from knowing how your body responds to a pump, and then using that knowledge to create a custom strategy that fits your goals, schedule, and lifestyle.
Because this isn’t just about milk. It’s about confidence. It’s about peace of mind. And yes, it’s about making this once-in-a-lifetime season of your life just a little more enjoyable.
Ready to Become Your Own Pumping Expert?
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start pumping with confidence, I’d love to help.
👉 Apply to work with me and my team here
Together, we’ll help you:
- Understand how your body responds to pumping
- Set realistic, flexible routines that fit your life
- Gain confidence in your ability to nourish your baby on your terms
Because your breast pump is a robot—and when you learn how to program it for you, everything changes.
You’ve got this. 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.
