12/15/2025
If you are using a pump but not using your hands, you are leaving precious milk behind and underselling your potential supply. The #1 pumping hack recommended by lactation consultants is simple: Hands-On Pumping.
The Science Behind Hands-On
Your pump is great at creating suction, but it isn't perfect at fully emptying every duct and reservoir. Research shows that combining breast massage and compression with electric pumping achieves two critical things:
More Milk Removal: Massaging mechanically pushes milk forward, allowing the pump to remove significantly more milk than it would on its own.
Stronger Supply Signal: The more milk that is effectively and efficiently removed from the breast, the stronger the signal your body receives to make more milk.
How to Do It:
During the Session: Once the milk flow starts to slow down (around the 5-7 minute mark), use your fingers and the heel of your hand to gently massage all around the breast, moving from the outside toward the ni**le.
Compression: As you massage, gently compress the breast against your chest wall to push the remaining milk toward the fl**ge.
This technique is the difference between an average pump session and a high-yield one. Start using your hands, and watch your output increase!
