Expressing

• Comfort starts with the right fit. When you’re using a wearable breast pump, choosing a horn size that matches your nipple and positioning the pump correctly can make all the difference to how easily your milk flows. 
• Make sure your nipple sits in the centre of the tunnel before you begin 
• Wear a well-fitted nursing bra that keeps the pump steady without squeezing.  
• Start on a low, gentle mode or level then build up the suction only if you need to. 

A wearable pump is designed to slip into your routine. But between fluctuating milk supply, shifting breast size, and figuring out new equipment, it can take a moment to settle in. The reassuring part? Small tweaks quickly add up. With the right fit, the right hold, and the right rhythm, pumping becomes calmer, quicker, and far more comfortable. 

This guide shares the simple adjustments that help your breast pump work with your body from day one, from matching your horn size, to choosing a mode that mirrors your baby’s patterns, to making sure your bra is doing its fair share of the work. 

You deserve a setup that supports you and helps milk flow smoothly. 

How can I make my breast pump more comfortable? 

If you’re new to your wearable pump or finding that something feels off, the best place to start is by tailoring the pump to you: 

Experiment with the settings 

Begin on the lowest suction and increase gradually until you reach a level that feels right for you. Let comfort lead the way. 

Check your bra size 

Your bra size often shifts during pregnancy and afterwards, so a new fitting can help you find nursing bras that support you properly. 

Our anatomic wearable pump is shaped to sit securely inside a supportive bra. The ideal fit keeps the pump upright and level against your breast, even when you’re moving around. 

If things feel too tight, use the included bra adjuster clip to give the pump and your breast a little more breathing room. 

Measure your nipples 

The correct horn size helps each session feel smooth, effective, and gentle. 

Our pumps are supplied with a 24mm horn plus 13mm, 15mm, 17mm, 19mm, and 21mm inserts so you can find your best fit. 

A horn that’s too large may leave milk behind and cause discomfort, while one that’s too snug can put pressure where you don’t need it and may contribute to blocked ducts. You shouldn’t feel pinching, rubbing, or soreness. 

For more detail, take a look at our fit guide. 

Choosing the right settings on your wearable breast pump 

Every parent’s milk flow is different, and it can even vary from day to day. Don’t hesitate to adjust your horn size or switch modes to suit how your body feels. 

Big breasts, small breasts, full breasts, softer breasts, there’s no single “correct” setting. What matters is that pumping never hurts. The perfect setting is simply the one that feels natural to you. 

How to choose your mode 

Our wearable pump uses a two-phase suction pattern that mirrors how babies naturally feed. It offers four adjustable modes designed to stimulate, encourage let-down, and express efficiently. 

It has 2 massage modes (with 6 levels) that stimulate breast milk production and encourage let-down. 

~ Soft-stimulation Mode 

• Suction levels 1–6 
• A short sucking pattern to stimulate the mammary glands and breast milk flow. 
• Best used at the start of a session to encourage let-down.  
• Mimics the gentle, rapid sucking a baby uses to bring breast milk in at the start. 

≈ Stimulation Mode 

• Suction levels 1–6 
• A pattern of 10 short and one long pull to efficiently express breast milk and empty hindmilk.  
• Ideal for boosting output.  
• Reflects the mixed rhythm (short, quick sucks with longer pulls) that babies often use to keep milk flowing and reach the fattier hindmilk. 

And 2 express modes (with 9 levels) that closely mimic a baby’s natural sucking rhythm to gently and efficiently express. 

🌢🌢 Double Drop Mode 

• Suction levels 1–9 
• Faster suction pattern with more pulls per minute.  
• Imitates the steady, rhythmic sucking of a content feeding baby, keeping expression comfortable. 

🌢 Expression Mode 

• Suction levels 1–9 
• A longer, deeper suction pattern designed for fast, efficient breast milk expression.  
• Gentle but effective, it helps stimulate foremilk flow and supports full expression.  
• Mirrors the longer, stronger sucks that efficiently drain the breast once milk is established. 

What are suction levels? 

Suction levels let you adjust how strong each pull feels. 

• Lower levels: Gentle and ideal for sensitive breasts or early in the session. 
• Higher levels: Firmer pulls to help maximise expression once your flow is established. 

Think of it like increasing the intensity in small, manageable steps. 

Start low, go slow 

Begin with the lowest level and gradually move upwards until you find your sweet spot. If anything feels too forceful or distracting, step it back. 

Switching modes and levels during a session is perfectly normal. Your comfort and milk supply shift over time, and your pump should adapt with you. 

What comfortable pumping should feel like 

A comfortable session should feel steady and predictable. Expect a gentle tug, nothing sharp, nothing that makes you brace. As your breast milk lets down and the flow picks up, many parents describe the sensation as a firm, consistent massage. 

Your breasts should feel supported but never squeezed. You shouldn’t be waiting for the minutes to tick by. Ideally, you can read, relax, or get on with something light while you pump. 

A warm tingling feeling during let-down is completely normal. Sharp pain, stinging, pinching, or soreness afterwards is not. If anything feels wrong, pause, adjust your bra or horn size, or switch to a softer setting. Your comfort matters. 

Take the COMFY test 

• Centre of your nipple moves freely without discomfort 
• Only a small amount of areola is drawn into the tunnel 
• Motion feels smooth and rhythmic 
• Feels good with no pain or pinching 
• Yields well-drained breasts that feel softer and lighter afterwards 

Still not comfortable? 

Reach out to our Parent-care team, or speak with your GP or a lactation consultant. You deserve to pump in comfort, without pain.