Why the Same Pump Settings Feel So Different (and How Genuine Lactation Helps You Find What Works)
By Jessica, IBCLC, Genuine Lactation
If you’ve ever looked at your breast pump and thought:
“How can Level 1 on this pump feel totally different from Level 1 on that one?”—
you are not alone.
Nearly every pumping parent I’ve worked with has felt confused (or downright frustrated) by this. Today, I want to break it down in clear, honest terms—so you can finally feel confident about your pump settings and why they matter.
🍼 No Industry Standard—Just Confusion
Unlike most medical equipment, breast pumps have no real standardization.
This means:
✅ One manufacturer’s “Level 3” isn’t the same as another’s “Level 3.”
✅ “200 mmHg” on two pumps doesn’t always feel the same.
✅ “60 cycles per minute” can create completely different sensations.
And here’s something most parents don’t realize:
Even when the numbers match, the pattern of the suction is different—and those patterns can make or break your comfort and milk supply.
This is why so many parents hit a wall when they switch pumps based only on sales claims or one-size-fits-all advice.
✨ What Makes Genuine Lactation Different
Here’s the truth:
Most providers and consultants rely on marketing materials or generic charts when recommending pumps.
At Genuine Lactation, we don’t.
We maintain a private database of thousands of real, independently-measured pump performance graphs—so when I help you choose or adjust a pump, I’m not guessing.
I’m not reading from the pamphlet a rep handed me.
I’m not regurgitating whatever sales pitch is popular this year.
I’m showing you data—clear, specific, verified—and translating it into practical strategies you can use right away.
This is why clients working with Genuine Lactation often see smoother transitions and better results when switching pumps or troubleshooting supply.
This isn’t just theory. It’s real science applied to real life.
🔍 Understanding the Numbers (and Why They Don’t Tell the Whole Story)
Let’s break down the two main numbers you’ll hear about:
1️⃣ Suction Strength (mmHg)
Measured in millimeters of mercury.
Higher numbers = more suction force.
But more suction doesn’t equal better results. In fact, many parents experience soreness and lower output when suction is too high.
2️⃣ Cycle Speed (cycles per minute)
How many times per minute your pump pulls and releases.
Faster cycles can feel lighter and fluttery.
Slower cycles feel deeper and longer.
But here’s the crucial piece other guides usually leave out:
The shape of the suction wave.
This is the part the pump companies rarely talk about—because it’s much harder to market.
📊 Suction Patterns: The Missing Link
Imagine each suction cycle as a little mountain:
The pump starts at zero.
Climbs to maximum suction.
Releases back down to zero.
But how fast or smooth this climb and drop happens makes a huge difference in how it feels and how your body responds.
🌟 Example 1: Standard Up-and-Down
✅ Quick climb to peak suction, immediate release.
✅ Rhythmic and steady.
(Think Spectra or Motif Luna.)
🌟 Example 2: Quick Climb + Long Hold + Fast Drop
✅ Climb fast, hold at peak, then drop sharply.
✅ Feels very strong—even at moderate suction.
(This is why Baby Buddha pumps feel so intense.)
🌟 Example 3: Smooth Gradual Release
✅ Slow climb and slow release—like a wave.
✅ Often feels gentler, even at high suction.
(This is why many love the Medela Symphony.)
🌟 Example 4: Very Fast, Short Pulses
✅ Quick tugs with barely any hold time.
✅ Light, fluttery sensation.
(Seen in the Elvie Original.)
🧠 Why This Knowledge Matters
When you switch pumps, your body has to adjust not just to the suction strength or speed, but also to the pattern.
If your current pump has a smooth, sustained pull and you move to a pump with fast, choppy pulses, your output may drop while your body adapts.
This adjustment can last:
A few days for similar patterns.
Up to a couple of weeks for major differences.
Most frustration and supply dips happen because no one explained this.
This is exactly why Genuine Lactation exists—to bridge this gap with evidence-based guidance instead of trial and error.
🛠️ How We Use Data to Support You
Here’s what sets our process apart:
1️⃣ Real, independently tested performance data.
We don’t rely on vague claims or sales sheets.
We measure and graph pump output ourselves.
2️⃣ Customized recommendations.
We match your settings, cycle speeds, and suction pattern to new pumps so your body doesn’t have to start from scratch.
3️⃣ Clear transition plans.
Instead of “just see how it goes,” you get step-by-step guidance and specific settings to try.
4️⃣ Ongoing support.
If something feels off, we help you tweak until it’s right.
This is why our clients move from pumping frustration to pumping success more smoothly and confidently.
💡 Tips for Parents Making a Pump Change
✅ Give yourself at least 3–7 days to adapt.
✅ Track how your breasts feel and how your output changes.
✅ Resist the urge to crank the suction higher.
✅ If something feels wrong, it probably is—reach out for help.
Remember, you don’t have to figure this out alone.
💪 Genuine Lactation: The Difference is in the Data
Every pump company says their product is the best.
Every sales pitch tells you their suction is “hospital strength.”
But real, individualized lactation care goes beyond marketing.
At Genuine Lactation, we don’t just tell you what the box says. We show you the data and help you apply it to your body, your goals, and your life.
That’s the difference between guessing and knowing.
If you’re ready to take the mystery out of your pump settings and feel confident in your feeding journey, I’m here to help.
You deserve evidence-based care and real support—not sales tactics.
Happy pumping—you’ve got this. And I’ve got you. ❤️
🌿 Ready to Move from Frustration to Happy Pumping?
If you’re tired of second-guessing your pump settings or struggling to figure out why your results keep changing, you don’t have to do this alone.
At Genuine Lactation, we combine real data, deep expertise, and truly personalized support to help you find the pump strategies that work for your body—so you can get back to focusing on what matters most.
✨ Let’s speed up your journey to confident, comfortable, happy pumping.
🔗 Book a Pumping Strategy Consultation Today
or
📧 Get Signed Up For Genuine Lactation On-Demand Today
You deserve evidence-based guidance and a partner who knows how to help.
I’m here when you’re ready. 💛
