Pumping Basics

Pumping can feel overwhelming at first—but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re building a small stash, heading back to work, or exclusively pumping, the basics come down to one core idea: regular, comfortable milk removal supports milk production. With the right tools, a bit of practice, and a plan that fits your life, pumping can become a manageable (and even empowering) part of feeding your baby.

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Types of Breast Pumps

Hand Expression

Best for: Early postpartum (colostrum), quick relief, times without a pump, building foundational skills

Manual Hand Pump

Best for: Occasional pumping, travel, quick relief, simple needs

Examples include the Haakaa and the Medela Harmony. Manual hand pumps are also a great option if wanting to collect breast milk on one side while baby is feeding on the other side. Baby sucking can trigger the letdown in both breasts, allowing the manual pump to collect milk on the other side. They are also a great resource when you need to maintain an increased supply, such as when you are feeding multiples. 

Electric Pump (Single or Double)

Best for: Regular pumping, maintaining or building supply, exclusive pumping

This category includes hospital grade electric breast pumps, portable electric breast pumps, and wearable-portable electric breast pumps. 

Hospital grade pumps tend to have the strongest suction so people who are exclusively pumping might benefit from renting one. They also have a “closed” system allowing one pump to be shared with others. Some examples include: the Medela Symphony, the Spectra S1 and S2, and the Ameda Pearl. 

Portable electric pumps may be slightly less powerful than hospital grade electric pumps but they tend to be sufficient for most parents who pump in addition to breastfeeding. They are also easier to pack and bring with you than a hospital grade pump so they work well for a return to work situation. Some examples include: The Ameda Mya Joy, Lansinoh Natural Wave, and Medela Pump in Style. 

Wearable-portable electric breast pumps are excellent for moms on the go and who need to pump hands free. These are practical and tend to be discreet, often making less overall noise than other electric pumps. Some parents prefer to use these in addition to a higher powered double electric pump. Some examples include: The Elvie, the Momcozy M5, The Willow Go, and the Eufy S1 Pro. 

When to Start Pumping

When to start pumping depends on your circumstances and goals. 

When baby is unable to nurse or you want to pump exclusively

Start pumping as soon as possible—ideally within a few hours of giving birth or within a few hours of their last attempt at the breast. Hand expression can be a good option when a manual or electric pump is not available (ideally with lactation support).

When you are away from baby or you want to practice bottle feeding

Consistently removing milk from your breasts tells the body to keep making breast milk, so use a pumping schedule that mirrors baby’s regular feeding times. Regularly pumping can also help avoid breast engorgement and clogged milk ducts, which tend to happen when you go too long between nursing or pumping. 

If baby is not gaining weight or your supply is determined to be low 

Add one or more pumping sessions into your daily routine as soon as you realize there is an issue. Support from a lactation consultant can be particularly helpful in this scenario. For example, they may advise you to pump after each feed if baby isn’t latching well to the breast and is therefore not obtaining the amount of breast milk needed for growth. This can often be referred to as “triple feeding” with baby latching to nurse for a limited time, pumping, and then feeding the pumped milk via bottle to baby at each feed. Alternatively, they may suggest adding just one additional pumping session to increase your milk supply. Individualized support is important. 

If you are preparing to go back to work or travel away from baby 

Start pumping before the separation (at least a few weeks before you’ll be away from baby) so you can practice. You can start with a short pumping session (3 to 5 minutes) to get used to it, then increase the length of the session over time. 

In our experience, pumping once or twice a week in the months leading up to a return to work helps build a small but significant “freezer stash” of stored breast milk. This can ease anxiety about transition back to work, and it can be helpful if you experience a temporary milk supply dip in the first weeks back at work. Check out how to safely store and reheat breast milk for guidance. 

How Long and How Often to Pump

Try to match your pumping schedule to baby's feeding pattern, which changes as they grow. For many families, this looks like pumping every couple of hours, especially in the early weeks and months. Check out pumping schedules for detailed guidance.

Pumping Equipment

Sometimes all it takes to increase your milk supply is to get a better-fitting flange. A poorly fitting flange can cause nipple pain and damage—too small or too large can lead to rubbing and soreness. Most pumps come with a standard “medium size” 24mm flange, though flanges can range from 13mm to 36mm depending on brand. 

Signs your flange fit may be off:

Try this:

How to Measure Your Nipples for Correct Flange Size

Getting the right fit starts with a simple measurement. Using a ruler or soft measuring tape, measure the diameter of your nipple at the base (not the areola) in millimeters. From there, most find that adding 2 to 4 mm to that measurement gives the most comfortable and effective flange size. Keep in mind that your left and right nipples may differ, so it's worth measuring both.

A well-fitting flange allows the nipple to move gently and freely within the tunnel during pumping, without pain, color change, or swelling. When in doubt, a lactation consultant can assess your fit in person and help you find the size that works best for your body.

Creating a Pumping Station at Home

Set yourself up for success with a dedicated space:

Why it helps: Reduces stress and makes pumping easier to stick with.

How to Clean Breast Pump Parts

After each use

Right after pumping, take apart the pump kit, then use warm, soapy water to wash the pump parts that touched breast milk. Rinse with warm water, then let air dry on a clean surface. Store the clean parts in a sealed container.

Refrigerating pump parts between pumping sessions may be an option in some cases, but proper cleaning is the gold standard for safety.

Once a day (or as needed)

It’s a good idea to sanitize pump parts once a day for safety. This is especially important for newborns under 2 months old, premature babies, and babies with a weakened immune system. You can sanitize pump parts by boiling or steaming them in water. Some dishwashers can also be used to sterilize pump parts as long as they are dishwasher-safe and not packed into the washer with cooking equipment and tableware that is heavily soiled.

Examples of Popular Pumps

There are many high-quality pumps available today, and the “best” one depends on your needs, lifestyle, and how often you plan to pump. Many families use more than one type of pump. Comfort, fit, and consistency matter more than the specific brand—what works best is a pump that fits your body and your routine.

Hospital-Grade / Multi-User Pumps

These are powerful, highly effective pumps often used in hospitals, and they can be especially helpful in the early postpartum period or for medical needs. Because these pumps are quite pricey, they are typically rented rather than purchased. 

Examples: Medela Symphony, Ameda Platinum

Best for: Establishing supply, exclusive pumping early on, or when baby is not feeding effectively

Double Electric Pumps 

With a strong suction and adjustable settings, these are reliable, efficient, are great for regular use, and many are covered by insurance in the United States. They typically require electricity to operate, though some use rechargeable batteries. 

Examples: Spectra S1, Spectra S2, Medela Pump In Style, Motif Luna, Lansinoh Smartpump

Best for: Daily pumping, maintaining supply, returning to work

Hands-Free Pumps

These wearable pumps fit inside your bra with no external tubing, allowing you to move around when pumping. Note that milk output may be lower for some, and they are often more expensive. 

Examples: Elvie Pump, Willow Go, Willow 360, Momcozy Wearable Pumps

Best for: Multitasking, pumping on the go, convenience

Portable / Compact Electric Pumps

Lightweight and rechargeable, these pumps can be paired with traditional or wearable-style set-ups, offering a good balance between power and portability.

Examples: Baby Buddha, Pumpables Genie Advanced, Spectra S9

Best for: Parents who want strong suction in a smaller, more portable design

Manual Pumps

Manual pumps are simple, affordable, and easy to use. While they’re not ideal for frequent pumping (so much work!), we love to keep them in our bag for quick pumping sessions on the go.

Examples: Medela Harmony, Lansinoh Manual Pump

Best for: Occasional use, travel, or backup