Breast Pumps 101: Mama Nurse Tina’s Ultimate Pumping Guide
Okay mama, you’ve got your bottles, your pump, and your baby’s due any day now. And suddenly you’re staring at the pump aisle like “why does this look like NASA equipment?”
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about breast pumps.
Do You Even Need a Pump?
Quick truth bomb: you don’t have to pump if you’re breastfeeding. But pumps are lifesavers if you:
Plan to exclusively pump.
Are separated from your baby.
Need supply support.
Are going back to work.
Or just want a night out without worrying about milk.
Types of Breast Pumps
Silicone Pumps (like Haakaa): Great for passive collection, cheap ($13ish), but don’t rely on them alone.
Hand Pumps: Affordable, portable, perfect for occasional use.
Double Electric (corded): Best for supply protection and efficiency. Think Spectra or Motif Luna.
Wearable Pumps: Convenient AF but should be secondary, not your main pump.
Hospital-Grade: The heavy hitters — usually rented, super efficient.
Pumping Pro Tips
Flange fit matters. Too big or too small = pain and damaged nipples.
More suction ≠ more milk. Comfort is key.
Compression helps. Massage while pumping for better output.
Cleaning: Wash and sanitize all milk-contact parts after each use.
Replace parts regularly: Duckbills monthly if pumping daily, membranes every few weeks, tubing as needed.
How Much Milk Is “Normal”?
Exclusively pumping: 3–4 oz combined per session.
Pumping in addition to breastfeeding: 0.5–2 oz combined is still totally normal.
Our Takeaway
Don’t get hung up on freezer-stash TikToks. You’re feeding your baby, not your deep freeze. Need more pump troubleshooting? Head to bumptolatch.com for my full breastfeeding course, videos, and pumping hacks.
