Power Pumping: Real-Life Strategies to Support Your Milk Supply
If you're seeing a dip in milk supply, or just want to give your supply a little boost, power pumping might be just what you need.
This is one of my favorite temporary tools to help increase supply without overcomplicating your routine. Whether you’re nursing, exclusively pumping, combo feeding, or just trying to build a little freezer stash, power pumping is a simple and effective method that can help.
What is Power Pumping?
Power pumping is just a way to tell your body, “Hey, we need a little more milk.”
It mimics how babies nurse more often during growth spurts… on and off, on and off, on and off for an hour to help naturally boost your supply. You’re just using your pump to give yourself similar (extra) stimulation, once a day, for a few days in a row.
One important note: A power pumping session replaces one of your regular daily pumping sessions—it’s not something you’re adding on top of everything else. You’ll still do your usual pumping sessions, but this one session will follow a different pattern to get extra stimulation. If you are exclusively nursing you can do a power pumping session after a nursing session. I find early morning nursing sessions are often easiest to fit in when nursing full time.
What Does a Power Pumping Session Look Like?
The ideal session lasts about 1 hour and follows this rhythm:
Pump for 20 minutes
Rest for 10 minutes
Pump for 10 minutes
Rest for 10 minutes
Pump for 10 minutes
This pattern mimics a baby’s cluster feeding behavior, giving your body the signal to make more milk.
Don’t Have a Full Hour? That’s OK.
If you’re short on time, here are some shorter versions that can still give you valuable extra stimulation:
30-minute modified session:
Pump 15 min
Rest 5 min
Pump 5 min
Rest 5 min
Pump 5 min
45-minute version:
Pump 20 min
Rest 5 min
Pump 10 min
Rest 5 min
Pump 5 min
💡 The goal isn’t to do it perfectly—it’s to give your body a different kind of stimulation that encourages milk production. It’s okay if it doesn’t look the same every day.
Boost It with Breast Massage
You can gently massage your breasts while pumping to help improve milk flow and encourage more complete drainage.
👉 Use your fingertips to gently massage in a circular motion around the breast.
Think “move the skin”—you don’t need deep pressure. This light movement helps open up the milk ducts and supports better milk flow.
How Often Should You Power Pump?
Here’s what I typically suggest:
Do one power pumping session per day (replacing one of your usual pumps)
Try this for 2–3 days in a row
Then take a break for the next 3–5 days and return to your regular routine
Give your body time to respond
✨ Babies often feed more for a day or two during a growth spurt, then go back to their usual feeding patterns. Your body often responds best with that same pattern.
This should be a temporary tool to help—not something you’ll need to do forever.
If needed, you can always do another round of power pumping later.
When Power Pumping Might Not Be the Right Fit
Power pumping isn’t for everyone, and that’s totally okay. It may not be helpful if:
You’re already managing oversupply or fast letdown
You’re experiencing nipple pain or trauma
You’re feeling stressed or burned out, and adding more pumping isn’t realistic right now
💛 Sometimes the key is adjusting your setup—not adding more. If you’re unsure, we can work together to fine-tune things like flange fit, pump settings, or your overall schedule.
Gentle Encouragements from Me to You
I know how emotional this journey can feel, especially when supply is in question. Be kind to yourself. This is just one tool, not a reflection of how well you’re doing. Remind yourself…
“Every drop counts.”
“This doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective.”
“I’m showing up for my baby, and that matters more than anything.”
Need Personalized Support?
If you're unsure where to start or want help creating a plan that works for your baby, your body, and your lifestyle—I’m here for you. I offer gentle, real-life guidance for all types of feeding journeys.
📍 In-person visits in Oak Brook, IL
🌐 Virtual consults available anywhere in the U.S.
💙 Most visits are covered by insurance
📅 https://www.makanawellness.com/book-consult