Mindful Mothering Perth

Using an electric breast pump shouldn’t hurt — and the right set-up can make a big difference.

If you’re expressing regularly and experiencing pain, ni**le damage, poor milk removal, difficulty triggering a let-down, or you simply feel like your pump isn’t working well for you, an IBCLC can help.

Pumping isn’t always as simple as putting the pump on and pressing start. There are several things I assess when supporting a mum who is expressing:

• Flange/shield sizing — the fl**ge supplied with your pump may not be the right size for you. And importantly, each breast may need a different size.

• Ni**le movement while pumping — assessing how the ni**le and surrounding breast tissue are being drawn into the tunnel can help identify an inappropriate fit.

• Comfort — pumping should not cause ongoing pain, rubbing, blanching, swelling or ni**le trauma.

• Vacuum and cycle settings — stronger suction does not necessarily mean more milk. Finding settings that are both comfortable and effective is important.

• Milk removal — we can look at how effectively your breasts are being drained and whether changes to your pumping technique may help.

• Your pumping schedule — particularly if you are exclusively expressing, establishing supply, returning to work, combination feeding or trying to increase milk production.

• Hands-on pumping & breast compressions — simple techniques can sometimes improve milk removal and shorten pumping sessions.

• The pump itself — not every pump suits every situation. An IBCLC can help you work out whether your current pump is appropriate for how frequently and why you are expressing.

And remember — more suction, longer pumping and a tighter fl**ge are not necessarily better.

A good pumping assessment should look at the whole picture: your breasts, your ni**les, your milk supply, your baby, your pump and your individual feeding goals.

If expressing isn’t going as smoothly as you hoped, seek support early. Sometimes a few small adjustments can make pumping significantly more comfortable and effective.

Sarah
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Continuity of care matters — especially in the early postnatal weeks.

When you’re recovering from birth, getting to know your baby and navigating feeding, having one trusted clinician who knows you, your baby and your story can make such a difference.

This is particularly important with breastfeeding. Feeding challenges rarely exist in isolation, and they don’t always resolve in a single appointment. Being able to follow feeding, milk supply, breast health, your baby’s growth and your recovery over time allows care to be adjusted as things change — without having to start from the beginning with someone new each time.

Many families are also unaware of the scope of an Endorsed Midwife.

As an Endorsed Midwife and IBCLC, I can provide ongoing postnatal and lactation care, and when clinically appropriate I can also:

• Prescribe medications (no hurried appointments to an after hours GP necessary!)
• Order relevant pathology tests
• Provide referrals to other healthcare professionals and specialists
• Assess both maternal and newborn wellbeing
• Support breastfeeding, expressing, mixed feeding and bottle feeding

For me, continuity of care means you’re not just receiving advice at one point in time. You have someone who knows what happened last week, understands what you’ve already tried, and can continue walking alongside you as you and your baby find your way.

Postnatal care shouldn’t feel fragmented. You deserve care that is connected, individualised and ongoing.

I would love to see Australia’s breastfeeding rates improve — and I believe that starts with supporting one mum, one baby and one family at a time.

Sarah x

This World Breastfeeding Week, we celebrate every family’s feeding journey.

Breastfeeding is a remarkable biological process, but that doesn’t mean it always comes naturally. For many families, it can be filled with challenges, uncertainty, tears, and countless questions before confidence begins to grow.

For some, it means breastfeeding directly at the breast.
For others, it looks like exclusively expressing breastmilk with incredible dedication, day after day.
Others grieve the feeding journey they had hoped for while finding a path that works for their baby.

Every journey deserves to be acknowledged, respected and supported.

As an Endorsed Midwife and IBCLC, I have the privilege of walking alongside families during some of their most vulnerable moments. I see the strength, resilience and unwavering love that parents pour into feeding their babies every single day.

But I’m also writing this as a mum.

When my daughter was born at 25 weeks, our breastfeeding journey was nothing like I had imagined. It began with expressing milk around the clock while she fought to grow in the NICU. It was a journey that required patience, perseverance and hope.

I will always be deeply grateful for the incredible lactation consultants and midwives who walked beside me during that time. Their knowledge, encouragement and compassion gave me confidence when I doubted myself.

Happy World Breastfeeding Week 2026. Thank you to every midwife, IBCLC and health professional who supports families with kindness, knowledge and compassion. The impact you have reaches far beyond the early days.

Sarah xx



📸 Jaycee • Perth Photography 🩷