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We all know that pumping can really, well, suck. What we need is a hack to pump more milk. Pronto! Because even if you have a great milk supply, you might not get very much milk out. And when you aren’t sure how awesome your milk supply is, you can get seriously discouraged if your pumping session only yields a tiny amount of milk.
From both breasts combined!
But the truth is, there’s more at play than just milk and boobs when you’re expressing milk.
The psychology of pumping breastmilk
There’s a whole psychological factor going on behind the scenes when you’re pumping. The psychology behind expressing breastmilk isn’t an official field of study YET, but I’m sure it totally will be. Or at least should be.
Because here’s the thing:
- If you’re worried, you won’t pump as much.
- If you’re stressed out, you won’t pump as much.
- If you’re tired, you won’t pump as much.
- If you’re constantly watching the bottle, you won’t pump as much.
See a pattern? Yeah, there are all kinds of ways to NOT get much milk when you pump. And they all center around your psyche.
Related Post: The surprising signs of low milk supply
Before you start thinking the odds are stacked against you, just know that it’s completely possible to pump a ton of milk. But you need to get some rest and clear your mind. Take a few deep breaths, center yourself.
Okay, ready?
Here are some more things you can do right away to begin the process of mega-efficient milk pumping.
- Keep a picture of your baby close by – not a phone pic, but one you can hold in your hands.
- Watch a sweet video of your baby
- Listen to relaxing music
- Read a book or watch an (enjoyable) movie
- Pray or meditate while pumping – that may sound silly, but there are all kinds of studies out there on the stress-busting benefits of prayer and meditation!
The hack to pump more milk
Here it is…..
drumroll please….
cue the awesome in 3…2…1
Slip a baby sock over the bottles you’re pumping into!
This hack works to get more milk from your boobs every single time you pump because it forces you not to peek. Or stress over how much you’re getting (or not getting).
You see, every time you look at your progress on those ounce markers, your stress hormones creep up a bit. Even if you don’t feel it, your boobs respond to that pressure to perform and it actually has the opposite effect on them.
Related Post: How to increase milk supply quickly
So even if you think watching the bottles fill up is harmless, you’ll get more milk out if you just stop.
Just stop it. Now!
Give it a try
This hack really works. That is, it really works as long as you don’t peel the sock back and peek at the numbers on your bottle.
Seriously, no peeking!
Moms everywhere are going a little bit nuts over this hack to pump more milk, and rightfully so. I mean, it’s easy, you have a gazillion baby socks laying around the house anyway, and it makes magic happen.
So if pumping breastmilk leaves you with disappointing results, grab some baby socks, slip them over your bottles, and do something besides watch the milk levels rise. Your milk stash will thank you!
Have you tried this little trick? Please share your results!
