Power Pumping with the Right Pump: How Equipment Makes All the Difference

Power pumping relies on two important points: consistency and the right equipment. Many mums try power pumping, using either an electric breast pump or a wearable breast pump, but get frustrated when it doesn’t “work”. They need to discover the best breast pump for power pumping instead of powering through with a pump that’s only making it harder.

We’ll show you how the right equipment can make power pumping faster, comfier, and more effective. We’ll even show you what features to prioritise in a breast pump, such as hospital-grade suction and comfort, and why these matter to power-pumping mums.

What Is Power Pumping (and Why It Works)

Power pumping is a way to mimic cluster feeding to boost your milk supply. Babies as young as newborns will feed more frequently and for longer when they cluster feed to demand more milk for spurts in their growth and development. When breastfeeding mums experience a dip in their milk supply, power pumping can increase milk supply.

The aim is to signal a bigger demand on your body to produce more milk. This won’t mean you’ll be filling bottles in quick succession after the first couple of sessions. It requires consistent effort, and over time, you’ll notice your milk supply increase.

Go back to basics and read more in our Power Pumping 101 guide.

Why the Pump You Use Matters

Following a power pumping schedule with the wrong pump is like making a cup of tea with a chocolate teapot - you probably won’t get very far! An electric breast pump with a weak suction or a noisy motor can make power pumping less productive, discouraging, and even painful over time if you have the wrong breast flange size.

Power pumping requires reliable suction and a secure seal for efficient and comfortable pumping. Investing in a breast pump that uses soft silicone breast flanges makes a huge difference to your comfort, as you’ll be pumping in short bursts for up to an hour. Our iconic duo, Bloome and Smart Electric, both feature hospital-grade suction for the best efficiency and are designed with your comfort in mind.

Choosing the best breast pump for power pumping = more milk and less frustration.

Features That Make a Pump Power-Pumping Friendly

Electric breast pumps and wearable breast pumps all have a lot of desirable features that make their performance and design stand out from the noise. When it comes to choosing the best breast pump for power pumping, you’re going to want to know which features are a priority to get right.

• Hospital-grade suction: Consistent, strong performance for extended sessions. Look for a breast pump that has a suction of up to 300 mmHg or stronger.
• Multiple modes & levels: Customising stimulation and expression modes means your pump can mimic your baby’s feeding rhythm to encourage the demand for more milk.
• Comfortable breast flanges that fit: An essential feature for any breast pump, the breast flange size is important to get right for your comfort and nipple health. The wrong size long-term can cause discomfort or further feeding complications.
• Closed system design: Keeps milk safe from contamination as it flows through the parts of the pump, as well as maintaining the hygiene of your breast pump.
• Ease of cleaning: Less time washing, more time resting.
• Battery life: Important for longer sessions and flexibility if you’re pumping on the go or hands-free.

💡 Tip: Comfort and consistency are more important than fancy tech.

Power Pumping with a traditional Electric Breast Pump: Strength & Reliability

A cordless electric breast pump, like Lola&Lykke’s Smart Electric, is perfect for mums who want a strong suction for effective supply boosting. This portable breast pump is small enough to fit in your handbag and is a trusted pump for those sit-down sessions at home. The hospital-grade suction means mums can effectively remove milk whilst customising their pumping settings, and pumping directly into a breast milk bag or bottle.

If you want a pump, store, and feeding solution in one device, the Smart Electric Breast Pump will quickly become your breast friend.

Power Pumping with a Wearable Pump: Hands-Free Flexibility

Mums need flexibility (and both their hands!) when life gets busy. Bloome gives you freedom to move during power pumping sessions so you can work, play, and multitask as you boost your milk supply with hospital-grade suction. If you prefer discreet, hands-free convenience, a wearable breast pump like Bloome can make power pumping so much easier. Choose from 4 expression modes and switchable cup sizes as you quietly pump with one of the lightest wearable breast pumps.

💡 Pairing both pumps can be ideal: Wearable for flexibility, traditional electric for strength.

Building Your Power Pumping Setup

We touch on how to create a power pumping schedule in our Ultimate Power Pumping Schedule guide, but here are some handy tips on how to achieve power pumping with a single and/or double breast pump. You can also power pump one breast and nurse your baby on the other.

Before you set up your power pumping session, take a moment to create a space that brings joy amongst the chaos. Think comfortable soft furnishings, nursing-friendly clothes, milk-boosting snacks, warm compress, and must-have pumping accessories to make each pumping session feel less like a chore and more like “you time”.

👉 Double Pump (both breasts at once):

1. Pump for 20 minutes
2. Rest for 10 minutes
3. Pump for 10 minutes
4. Rest for 10 minutes
5. Pump for 10 minutes

👉 Single Pump (one breast at a time):

1. Pump right 20 min → Switch to left 20 min
2. Rest 10 min (both breasts)
3. Pump right 10 min → Switch to left 10 min
4. Rest 10 min (both breasts)
5. Pump right 10 min → Switch to left 10 min

Common Mistakes When Power Pumping

If you have tried power pumping before and not seen the results for yourself, there’s a chance that other factors were hindering your progress. Power pumping is not only about being consistent, but it’s also about recognising what isn’t working, so you work towards an efficient pumping set-up that gets you results.

• Using low suction or a poor flange fit
• Expecting instant results
• Skipping rest intervals
• Over-pumping and causing soreness
• Not maintaining proper hygiene

FAQs About Power Pumping and Equipment

1. Do I need a hospital-grade pump for power pumping?

A hospital-grade breast pump helps, but it isn’t mandatory. Strong, consistent suction is key to power pumping success.

2. Can I use a wearable pump for power pumping?

Yes! Especially if it has hospital-grade suction like Bloome.

3. How long does it take to see results?

Usually, 3 - 7 days of consistent sessions. Use a power pumping schedule like the examples shared in this guide for the best results.

4. Can I power pump while breastfeeding?

Yes. As you nurse your baby on one side, you can pump on the other for efficiency. Feeding and milk stashing at the same time is a double win.

Final Thoughts: The Right Pump Makes Power Pumping Easier

Every mother’s body and breastfeeding journey is different. Parenthood teaches you patience in ways you didn’t even think possible, and waiting to see results from power pumping is one of them! With the right pumping set-up, power pumping is more comfortable, efficient, and sustainable.

Whether you need flexibility or power, Lola&Lykke has you covered. Try the Bloome Wearable Breast Pump for hands-free ease, or the Smart Electric Pump for strong, consistent sessions.