Can I pump more milk using a higher suction level?

Try pumping at your maximum comfortable suction level or the highest setting where you can express milk comfortably without feeling pain. Pumping at this level is the best way to maintain efficient milk expression.

To find your maximum comfortable suction level, start pumping at the lowest level and slowly increase the suction until you reach a strength that feels mildly uncomfortable. Then, lower the suction by one or two levels from there. You should be able to feel the suction clearly, but again, you should NOT be experiencing pain or discomfort.

Your maximum comfortable suction level may vary with each pumping session and time of day (especially between daytime and nighttime). Make sure to check and adjust your settings every time before you pump.

Massaging your breasts and nipples before and during expression can help your milk flow smoothly.

Make sure you don't skip stimulation mode at the beginning of your pumping cycle. Stimulation mode stimulates your nipples by mimicking a baby's nursing patterns, which tells your body it's time to produce more milk and release hormones to help you relax.

Breastfeeding is a supply-demand system. Feeding and pumping frequently helps use up your body's milk supply, naturally encouraging it to produce more.

To help build up your milk supply, we recommend expressing milk as often as your baby feeds typically. In the first few weeks after birth this is usually every 2-3 hours or around 8-12 times total every 24 hours.

Remember to focus on being comfortable and pain-free during your pumping sessions for smooth milk flow.

Check out our "How to pump" video below, search for our "I'm feeling pain or discomfort while pumping" troubleshooting article on this website or consult a healthcare professional to learn more.

Yes. Your Philips Avent electric breast pump remembers your last-used settings.

For new pumping sessions, the pump starts softly and then slowly increases to your last-used suction level in both Stimulation and Expression modes.

Remember that your maximum comfortable suction level fluctuates, so you should still consider adjusting your motor unit's settings manually, especially if you feel pain or discomfort when pumping with the last-used settings.