Pumping can honestly feel like the ultimate love-hate relationship. On one hand, you’re turning your body into a 24/7 cafe for your baby (pretty cool right?). But on the other hand, there are times when your breasts just go “Nope. Not today.”
If you’ve ever sat down, strapped yourself (and your boobs) in, hit start, and stared at your flanges thinking “why is no milk coming out?”, you’re not alone. While pumping can be rewarding, it can also bring tears, frustration, and stress. But it doesn’t have to!
Before you throw your pump across the room, let’s talk about why your breasts sometimes don’t respond to pumps anymore and what you can actually do about it. This whole process isn’t about shaming your body. So, take a deep breath and let’s figure this out together!
Breasts Not Responding To Pump Anymore: What To Do
Here’s the thing: breasts no longer responding to pumps is common. Like, really common. Many moms experience moments (and stretches of time) where their breasts feel hard, full, or super uncomfortable, but there’s no milk when pumping.
First things first, this doesn’t mean your body is broken or that you’re no longer able to supply milk. What it does mean is that something in the milk-making equation—like your body, pump, milk ducts, stress levels, or even timing—just isn’t lining up.
This post is here to hold your hand and walk you through this period. First, let’s look at some of the most common reasons breasts stop responding to the pump. Then we’ll discuss a few ways you can get things flowing again!
Why Is No Milk Coming Out When Pumping?
Struggling to get milk to come out when pumping? You’re not alone! Here are some common reasons why your milk may not be coming out when pumping:
Pump Parts Need Replacing
Over time, the tiny pump parts, like valves and membranes, can wear out. If your pump isn’t suctioning properly, your breasts probably won’t respond as usual. This is such a sneaky one, because your pump may look fine, but it’s not actually creating the right suction rhythm. Check out my post “Why Is My Breast Pump Not Suctioning" for a deep dive on this.
Stress and Exhaustion
Your body is the one producing breast milk, but your brain plays a big role in that, too. If you’re anxious, stressed, or exhausted (aka every postpartum mom ever), your let-down reflex can stall. It’s not helpful, but it’s real. Deep breathing, calming music, or even just closing your eyes and relaxing for a moment can be a real help. But remember, if you’re struggling, reach out to someone who can help!
Pumping Sessions Are Short or Infrequent
Milk supply really depends on demand. If you’re skipping pumping sessions or cutting them short, your breasts may stop responding because they don’t think they need to make as much milk. Over time, this lowers the amount of milk you produce. It’s important to establish a consistent schedule—this tells your body “Hey, I’m not out of commission! It’s just not time to pump yet.” For more on this, check out my post “Three Secrets to Creating a Consistent Milk Supply.”
Your Body Isn’t Letting Down
Breast pumps are mechanical, which is a super important thing to remember. They don’t cuddle, coo, or breathe on you the way your baby does. And sometimes, your breasts may not respond to a pump because your body doesn't associate it with feeding. As a result, your milk ducts don’t get the same let-down signal. Things like stress, being rushed, or exhaustion can make this worse.
Incorrect Flange Size
If your flange doesn’t fit, your breasts won’t release milk efficiently. Too tight and it hurts, but too big and it pulls too much areola in. The wrong size flange can completely stop milk production in its tracks. Many mamas don’t realize that they need to measure their flange size (not guess) to get it just right. My flange ruler freebie is super helpful for this.
Engorgement or Blocked Ducts
Hard, full breasts with no milk coming out? This sounds like engorgement or a blocked duct to me. Pumping may feel like nothing is happening because milk is literally stuck behind the clog. This is painful and frustrating, but also totally fixable.
Hormonal Changes or Periods
As your hormones change postpartum, especially when your period returns, your breasts may temporarily have an undersupply (or even oversupply). They may even just respond differently to pumping. This doesn’t mean your supply is completely gone; it’s usually just a short-term change.
Incorrect Pump
Not all breast pumps are created equal. If you’re using a secondhand pump, one designed only for occasional use, or one that has a weak motor, your breasts may not respond well. Sometimes the issue isn’t you, it’s the pump. Here’s a great guide on how to choose a breast pump.
What To Do If No Milk Comes Out When Pumping
Okay, so you’ve strapped in, hit start, and your breasts aren’t playing along. What now? Here are some practical tips to get things moving again:
Try Hand Expression
Sometimes, your boobs may respond better to your own hands than a pump. A few minutes of gentle hand expression can trigger letdown, and then you can switch over to an electric pump. Even if you don’t get much milk at first, it’s a good way to tell your body it’s go time.
Use Massage and Heat
Before pumping, you can try to place a warm compress on your breasts or take a warm shower. Then, gently massage your breasts, working from the outer edges towards the nipple. This can help your milk ducts open up, making it much easier for your breasts to let down. Some moms will even use lactation massagers, like the LaVie massagers, while pumping. They have vibration and warm-up and be very comfortable.
Check Your Pump Parts
Inspect the valves, membranes, flanges, and tubing for any signs of damage or wear. If anything looks stretched, cloudy, cracked, or loose, replace it. Worn-out pump parts are one of the main reasons that breasts don’t respond to the pump anymore. This replacement pump parts guide is handy here.
Create a Relaxing Routine
This is where the deep breathing comes in. Sit somewhere comfortable and quiet, put on your favorite show or some relaxing music, and do a few minutes of slow, calming breaths. You’re signaling to your brain (and your let-down reflex) that you’re safe, not stressed, and ready to start expressing milk.
Adjust Your Settings
Experiment with suction strength and speed. Start with a fast, light suction (like a baby triggering let-down), then move to slower, stronger pulls. Sometimes, your breasts just need a different rhythm to release milk comfortably.
Check Your Flange
Bodies change, especially postpartum. If it’s been a while, measure your nipple again to see if you need a different size flange. Even a few millimeters can make a massive difference in how well your breasts respond to the pump. Here’s how to measure your flange size properly.
Be Hands-On (Literally…)
While pumping, use your hands to massage and compress your breasts. This hands-on (pun intended) approach can help your milk flow more efficiently and increase the amount of milk you get in each session.
Pump Often
If your milk supply has dipped a little, add in some extra pumping sessions to help create a consistent milk supply. Even short sessions can signal your body to make more milk. But remember, your mental health should always come first. If you’re feeling miserable, consider scaling back and focusing on other helpful strategies. And if you’re not sure where to start, a 1:1 consultation with one of our supportive lactation consultants can guide and support you along the way.
Address Blocked Ducts or Engorgement
If your breasts are rock hard with nothing coming out, try warm compresses, gentle massage, and different pumping positions. Sometimes, leaning forward or using gravity can help with this. If the pain continues, check in with your healthcare provider or lactation consultant.
Be Kind to Yourself
Last, but certainly not least, be kind to yourself. This isn’t a practical tip, but it’s definitely an important one. Pumping is a skill, not an instinct. Some days will be a breeze, and some will feel a little tricky. If nothing else works, step back, breathe, and know this: your worth as a mom is NOT measured in ounces.
Don’t forget: you’re never alone on your pumping journey!
If your breasts aren’t responding to the pump anymore, it doesn’t mean that you’re broken or that feeding your little one is over. It means that something needs adjusting. This could be pump parts, flange size, your schedule, or even your stress levels.
You don’t ever have to do this alone. I’m here for you! Pumping doesn’t have to feel like a battle. With the right info, a few tweaks, and a lot of compassion for yourself, you can get your breasts to respond again. I’m proud to offer The Ultimate Pumping Course, 1:1 consults, and free resources like the milk storage guide and pump matching quiz to support you on your journey. You’ve got this!
