I became an "expert" about exclusively pumping and increasing low production because I went through it. I am a low producer. It was so hard on me because I was exclusively pumping but only pumping an ounce of milk a day. I went to numerous lactation consultants to try and get help, but being an exclusive pumper was hard because they kept pushing breast feeding, which my son refused to do. I took all the information each consultant provided me, then spent hours every single day researching what else I could do. I tried herbal supplements, teas, increasing my water intake, power pumping, changing up my pumping times, making and buying different kinds of lactation cookies, and researched pumps and pumping equipment that would make it easier. Everything I researched I tried to implement, even buying different pumps and equipment that I thought might work the best for my specific situation. I turned pumping into a full time job and did that for a full year with my son. Due to all the knowledge I gained, when I had my daughter I was better prepared and was able to pump more for her.

When I write recommendations, I base it on what they say they are experiencing and expectations they have for being a successful pumper. If they are breastfeeding successfully, and pumping when away from their baby, I point out products (such as the Freemie cups or Freemie pump) that can be used hands free allowing them to do more while pumping. If they are an exclusive pumper, I help give them advice on making the most of pumping by incorporating a pumping bootcamp once a month at least to help keep their production up (that's where you power pump every couple of hours for 2 or more days in a row. It's meant to mimic cluster feedings and therefore helps spur the body on to increase milk production), if they are an under producer, I give them a breakdown of everything I did to triple my milk production while also advising a game plan of how to keep their production up. If they are breastfeeding but not producing much, I encourage them to see a lactation consultant to ensure that baby is latching properly, and give advice on how to combat that by arming them with questions for the consultants that include discussing tongue/lip ties, potential nipple shield usage, or using a supplemental feeding system to encourage baby to feed from the breast. I also try to help them understand that this is not their fault and nothing to be embarrassed about. I strongly believe that I would have gotten better quality help in the beginning if I hadn't felt so embarrassed and disappointed with myself and my body. I try to help them understand that this is just something that happens sometimes, and that with a bit of hard work and some dedication, they can change their production and maintain a healthy pumping life that might start out hard and discouraging, but can become satisfying and self esteem boosting.

I try to make all advice I give personalized to the individual asking. To me, nothing is ever one size fits all, so I prefer talking to them individually to help them better tailor a personalized game plan. When I give all encompassing advice, I tend to recommend products I used or things I did to then help inspire women on things they can do or try.