Enough Is Enough

Making Sense of Your Milk Supply

By Brenda Nixon

Electric pumps on the market include the following:

• Small, semi-automatic pumps, which might not be effective but are popular in the department and baby stores because of their low price.
• Hospital or professional-grade models – The price can be prohibitive, so you might consider renting one. "If Mom is on WIC (Women, Infant, Child Program), some WIC offices will loan out electric pumps for a returnable fee," Sarah says. Many hospitals loan out models to women who delivered at their facility.

Regardless of equipment, plan on 15 to 45 minutes to get milk from both breasts. Because each breast functions independently, you may see a difference in the amount from each. Usually expressing milk becomes more familiar and productive with practice.

If you are determined to pump and want the most milk, try these tips:

• Take a warm shower or place warm, moist towels over the breasts first. This may help increase blood supply to the area and ease the process.
• Express in the morning when milk supply is highest.
• Allow at least an hour before or after nursing to give the body time to replenish its supply.
• Avoid squeezing the nipple, as this will close the ducts.


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