The results showed that when the mothers used the pump at the highest vacuum they could tolerate (Maximum Comfort Vacuum), their milk flow and volume of milk pumped was higher.
Many moms assume that having a pump with a higher suction strength will automatically mean that they will be able to pump more milk, but in fact, pumping at too high of a setting can actually inhibit your milk production.
What I generally recommend is starting in letdown mode, and then once you see your milk start flowing, switch to expression mode. However, sometimes women find that they get more output by staying in letdown/massage mode for the entire pumping session, and they wonder whether or not this is okay.
Main Takeaway: Breast pump suction, or vacuum, usually falls between 220 and 350 mmHG.
Make Sure You Are Eating and Drinking Enough
Breastfeeding and pumping moms need to consume an extra 300-500 calories per day. Consuming less than 1500-1800 per day can lead to a decrease in milk supply.
Set SUCTION/VACUUM to the highest setting that feels comfortable and no higher. The strongest pump suction does not always pump more milk. You can increase the suction as your milk starts to flow and you become used to the pump, but remember, pumping should never hurt.
Suction pressure should be kept at less than 200 mmHg in adults. It should be set at 80 mmHg to 120 mmHg in neonates.
Generally, moms should be pumping every 3 hours. Pumping more often can help stimulate breasts to produce more milk. Moms can try pumping both breasts for 15 minutes every two hours for 48-72 hours. Then moms can return to their normal pumping routine. Pumping for longer than 30 minutes may not be beneficial.
While the exact time that prolactin levels peak seems to differ from person to person, it most often occurs somewhere between 11 pm and 7 am. High prolactin levels at these times could lead to higher levels of milk production at these times.
You're not getting let down. If your breasts feel like they're full but you're not able to get the milk flowing out when you pump, it could be that you're not achieving let down. The let down reflex releases your milk from the milk ducts. This only occurs when you're either breastfeeding or pumping.
To put a number on it, it usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes after feeding to generate enough milk for your baby, and about 60 minutes to replenish fully. The more often your baby feeds, and the more they empty your breasts, the more milk your body will produce.
Healthy infants who breastfeed effectively are often thought to be more efficient than the expression of milk either by hand or with an electric breast pump. Breastfed infants have been shown to remove 50% of the total volume of milk removed at a breastfeed in the first 2 min and 80% in 4 min [31].
NOTE: It cannot be stressed enough that the amount of milk you able to pump is NOT ever a reliable indicator of how much milk you are producing, nor how much milk baby is taking in. The healthy breastfed baby is usually much more efficient at getting milk from the breast than a pump is.
Pumping Positions
You don't want poor posture during breast pumping because it may lead to irritation. Instead, sit or stand upright with your shoulders open, back straight, feet flat on the floor and arms supported. Try a pillow or armrest to help hold your bottles or milk catcher steady while pumping.
The basic formula F=PxA is used to calculate the force of the suction cup with: F is holding force (or the vacuum force of the suction cup) P is pressure.
For example, a typical vacuum cleaner produces enough suction to reduce air pressure by around 20%.
The suction power is to be measured at the end of the tube of a complete vacuum cleaner (i.e. with tube, hose and filters – but without nozzle). Some manufacturers show the results from measurements made at the suction of the actual vacuum cleaner.
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.
The most important rule for getting a pump is to stay hydrated. More water equals greater blood volume and blood flow, both of which are key to creating a mind blowing pump.
In most cases, a drop in supply between four and 12 weeks is totally normal. 3 Most of us make more milk than our babies need at first, and then things even out, and we make the amount that our babies demand.
If there is a continual delay in letdown from the breast it can lead to reduced milk supply. Babies are also really in tune with how their mother's are feeling. Your baby can totally sense when you are sad, stressed, or anxious.