Looking to boost your milk supply? Try power pumping

Among the concerns that many new moms face is the anxiety about producing enough breast milk for their babies. Enter power pumping, a tried-and-true method to boost milk supply. Recently, a TikTok video on this topic went viral, shining a spotlight on the pumping technique. 

At its core, power pumping mimics the natural pattern of a baby cluster feeding—those intense periods when babies feed more frequently in short bursts. This frequent stimulation signals to a mother’s body to ramp up milk production, ensuring that the increasing demands of her growing baby are met. It’s essentially a dance of supply and demand—but isn’t that breastfeeding, in a nutshell? 

Cluster feeding can trigger your body to make more milk, Andrea Braden, MD, IBCLC, a breastfeeding medicine specialist and CEO of Lybbie, told Parents. “This is how the baby communicates with the parent’s body to change the production of milk to meet their needs,” Dr. Braden said. And by power pumping, you’re doing the same—telling the body to produce more milk thanks to continued stimulation from your breast pump. 

Newborns usually eat every two to three hours after birth, but some feed more often. Some experts say cluster feeding refers to eating more frequently than the two-hour mark. And why do they feed frequently? It may be comfort, or they may be hungry. The baby may do it while going through a growth spurt, too.

“Cluster feeding often coincides with your baby’s fussy time. Baby will nurse a few minutes, pull off, fuss/cry, nurse a few minutes, pull off, fuss/cry… on and on… for hours,” Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC, writes on KellyMom.com.  

How to use power pumping to boost milk supply

While there’s no set schedule for power pumping, it usually involves pumping and taking a break… and continuing that pattern. But remember to take breaks in between pumping sessions because, as you probably know, a breast pump can make you pretty sore. 

You’ll need about an hour a day to devote to power pumping, though some mamas might cycle in two sessions, one morning and one at night. You can also try power pumping with a manual pump by alternating sides.

For example, you may pump for 20 minutes, and rest for 10. Then follow with a 10-minute pumping session, 10-minute break, and go back to 10-minute pumping session. That would be a one-hour schedule. Though you can alternate with shorter spans if needed.

Remember, keeping your pump clean (consider the fridge hack!) and making sure you’re using the right-size flange are other ways to keep the milk flowing. And if you’re having trouble pumping or keeping your milk supply up, be sure to reach out to a lactation consultant.