World Breast Pumping Day is a moment to recognise the many parents who express milk – whether occasionally, regularly, or exclusively – and the physical, emotional, and practical work that comes with it.
Pumping can be part of a feeding journey for many reasons: returning to work, supporting a baby in neonatal care, sharing feeds, managing comfort, or creating flexibility day to day. While every experience is different, many pumping parents say the same thing afterwards – there’s so much they wish they’d known sooner.
To mark World Breast Pumping Day, we’ve gathered reflections from pumping mums, shared in their own words. Their advice is honest, reassuring, and grounded in real life – from choosing the right pump to letting go of pressure and expectations.
Grace expressing milk at work using the Ardo Melia Wearable Breast Pump
Start With the Right Pump for You
“My advice would be to start with the right breast pump – and to do this you must think about what you want from your breast pump. Is your pump to give the occasional bottle? To exclusively pump? Or for comfort when going back to work? Making sure the pump is right for you gets you off to a good start. Make sure it’s comfortable and correct fitting, check the breast shell/flange size against your nipple. Pumping, like breastfeeding, shouldn’t be uncomfortable.”
— Grace Redmond
Grace shares more about returning to work and continuing to breastfeed in her story for Ardo, which you can read here.
Fit Matters More Than You Think
Several mums highlighted breast shell fit as something they wish they’d understood earlier.
“Make sure you get the correct breast shell/flange size! I bought a flange insert kit and a nipple measurer online. It was not only more comfortable, but I was able to express more effectively and in a shorter amount of time.”
— Mel McClure
Comfort isn’t a luxury when pumping – it can directly affect how effective and sustainable it feels over time.
Wearables Are Helpful – But They’re Not Always the Whole Picture
“I wish someone had told me the difference between wearables and a primary pump. Wearables are great for convenience, but a primary pump with a well-fitted flange is the foundation for establishing a strong milk supply.”
— Nikole Dagna (@spillthemilkmom)
Many parents find a combination works best – using convenience where it helps, while making sure milk supply is well supported in the early stages.
Natalie looked at baby pictures to help her pump more milk
Relaxation, Snacks, and Looking After Yourself Matter
“When I was pumping in hospital for my newborn, I found looking at pictures of her helped me to relax and pump more milk. Good nipple cream and snacks were also a must!”
— Natalie Batten-Phelps
Natalie shares her wider feeding journey, including time spent in neonatal care, in her breastfeeding story on Boobingit, which you can read here.
Hands-Free Doesn’t Mean You Have to Be ‘Productive’
“Using a hands-free pump doesn’t mean you need to be doing anything other than opening snacks for yourself! When I am at work and on a pumping break, my hands-free pump means I can easily eat, drink or read whilst expressing milk.”
— Hollie Beckford (@thewanderlustlondonmum)
Hollie shared her experience of returning to work as a breastfeeding mum with Ardo, including how pumping fitted into her routine. You can read her story here.
Hollie with the Ardo Alyssa Hands-Free Breast Pump
Take Your Time – There’s No Rush to ‘Get It Perfect’
“When it comes to pumping, my tip is to take your time getting it right – breathe, relax, drink and snack.”
— Kat Yates (@devonmummyto2girls)
Pumping, like feeding, is a learning curve. Many parents say things improved once they gave themselves permission to slow down.
Kat shares more about her breastfeeding journey here.
Kat breastfeeding whilst using the Ardo Alyssa Double Electric Breast Pump
A Final Word for World Breast Pumping Day
If there’s one message pumping mums want to pass on, it’s this: you’re not doing it wrong, and you’re not alone. Whether you pump once a day or build your feeding journey around it, support, comfort, and realistic expectations make all the difference.
