Hi pumping friends! Jessica here from Genuine Lactation. If you’ve ever found yourself totally frustrated trying to get your wearable pump to actually align right on your nipples, you are not alone—and I want to explain why this problem is happening for so many people… and how we can fix it.

Mirror Learning Gone Wrong

Let’s start with something simple but powerful: mirror learning.
We’re biologically wired to learn how to breastfeed by watching others. But with wearable pumps, we’re being misled by social media videos showing people quickly shove their pumps into their bras like it’s no big deal:

“Just throw it in your bra like this!”
“Boom, done!”

Except… no. That’s not how proper alignment works. And when you copy that “shove and hide” method, you often end up with:

Low milk output
Nipple pain or bruising
Uneven drainage
Long-term supply issues

The Real Way to Align a Wearable Pump

To get your pumps truly centered, you have to do a few things differently:

Access your bra layer.
You can’t align blindly through a shirt. You need a mirror, a private spot, and the ability to see what you’re doing.
Adjust your body.
Whether you're leaning over (dangle method) or reclining slightly (lean back method), you need to work with your anatomy, not against it.
Customize your bra.
Most bras aren’t made to hold wearable pumps. You may need to tighten straps, reposition cups, or use different bras altogether.

Check out our free YouTube tutorials to learn more about these techniques:

Why It Looks Easy (When It’s Not)

If you’ve seen me pop pumps in like a pro, here’s the truth: I’ve used wearable pumps weekly for the last five years. Even after weaning my youngest, I’ve continued using them to test products, try bras, and help clients troubleshoot.

So yes—it’s muscle memory now. But it didn’t start that way. And you can build that muscle memory too, once you understand how your unique anatomy works with the pump.

The Output Test: Was Your Pump Aligned?

After pumping, check your nipples for these signs:

✅ A centered ring right at the base of the nipple = good alignment
❌ Ring farther up the nipple = flange too small
❌ Ring back on breast tissue = flange too big
❌ Off-center rings or multiple marks = misalignment or bra fit issue

If your output is consistently lower than 80–90% of what you get with a traditional pump, alignment is one of the first things to fix.

View your nipple front and side immediately after removing your wearable cup or pump- use the markings to check flange fit!

View your nipple front and side immediately after removing your wearable cup or pump- use the markings to check alignment!

Want Step-by-Step Help?

Our On-Demand Pumping Program includes a full 30-minute class on wearable pump alignment.
We cover:

Visual demos of all the major techniques
Bra hacks that actually work
Common mistakes no one talks about
How to know when it’s your fit (not you)
A quick guide to troubleshooting output drops

🎥 Access the Pumping Alignment Class in our On-Demand Program »

Still feeling stuck or overwhelmed?

You can also book a 1:1 consultation with Genuine Lactation. As pump experts, we’ll coach you through the alignment strategies that work best for your body—and help you craft a solid, customized plan for your pumping journey.

📅 Book a One-on-One Pumping Consultation »

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to settle for poor output or constant confusion. You can learn to get your wearable pump aligned correctly—we’re here to help you do it.

If you're not seeing that "bull’s-eye" ring after pumping, it's a sign something’s off… and it's fixable.

💬 Got questions? Reach out.

🎓 Ready to level up your skills? Grab that class—or book a consult.

Happy pumping!

Why Is Aligning Wearable Pumps So Hard?