Breast Pump Losing Suction? Here's How to Improve Breast Pump Suction Before You Panic

If you've found yourself Googling "Why is my breast pump losing suction?" or "Why isn't my breast pump working as well as it used to?", you're definitely not alone.

One of the most common questions we hear from mums is:

"My breast pump doesn't seem to have the same suction anymore."

The good news? In most cases, it isn't actually your breast pump that's causing the problem.

The most common cause of breast pump suction loss is worn silicone parts, not the motor itself.

Understanding how your pump works, knowing when to replace breast pump parts, and giving your parts a regular deep clean can often restore your suction and keep your pump performing at its best.

Why Breast Pump Parts Need Replacing

Many mums don't realise that the silicone components of a breast pump are consumable parts.

Unlike the pump motor, these pieces naturally wear over time. Every pumping session stretches, compresses and flexes the silicone, and eventually it loses the ability to create the airtight seal your pump relies on.

The parts that wear the fastest include:

• Duckbill valves
• Flange inserts
• Silicone diaphragms (where applicable)

As these parts age, they're far more likely to cause breast pump suction loss than the pump itself.

That's why replacing consumable parts is one of the simplest ways to keep your breast pump working like new.

The Duckbill Valve: Small Part, Big Job

When it comes to how to improve breast pump suction, the first place we recommend checking is your duckbill valve.

This tiny silicone valve plays one of the most important roles in your entire pumping system.

Each time your pump creates suction, the duckbill valve opens to allow milk to flow into the bottle before sealing tightly closed again to maintain the vacuum.

For this to work properly, the two lips of the valve need to sit completely sealed when they're at rest.

Over time, silicone naturally softens and stretches. Even a tiny tear, a slight split, warped edges or a valve that no longer closes perfectly can allow air to leak into the system.

It doesn't take much...a gap that's barely visible can significantly reduce suction because your pump can no longer maintain a strong vacuum.

This is why worn duckbill valves are one of the biggest causes of breast pump losing suction.

Breastmilk Leaves Behind an Invisible Build-Up

Even if you're washing your pump parts after every use, breastmilk naturally contains fats and oils.

Over time, these leave behind a thin film on the surface of your silicone parts.

You may not be able to see it, but this build-up can:

• Affect how well your duckbill valve seals
• Prevent parts from fitting as snugly
• Contribute to reduced suction

This doesn't necessarily mean your parts need replacing straight away, but they probably need a proper deep clean.

How to Deep Clean Breast Pump Parts

One of the easiest ways to improve breast pump suction is by giving your silicone parts a thorough deep clean every so often.

Here's the method we recommend:

Step 1: Wash with Hot Soapy Water

Using hot water and dishwashing detergent, gently rub the detergent over every surface of your silicone parts using your fingers.

Rather than simply soaking them, physically rubbing the detergent onto the silicone helps break down the fatty milk residue that naturally builds up over time.

Step 2: Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse each piece well under clean running water to remove all traces of detergent.

Step 3: Boil for Five Minutes

Place your silicone parts into boiling water for approximately five minutes.

Boiling helps lift away any remaining oily residue while also sanitising the parts.

Pull them out of the boiling water & place them onto a clean cloth or paper towel, allow everything to dry completely before putting your pump back together.

It's amazing how often this simple maintenance routine restores suction that mums thought they'd lost forever.

How Often Should You Replace Breast Pump Parts?

Even with excellent cleaning, silicone parts won't last forever.

If you're wondering how often should you replace breast pump parts, the answer depends on how frequently you pump.

If you're exclusively pumping or pumping multiple times every day, your consumable parts will wear much faster than someone pumping occasionally.

Some signs it's time to replace your parts include:

• Your breast pump is losing suction.
• Your duckbill valve doesn't sit fully closed.
• You notice tiny tears or splits in the silicone.
• Your inserts have become stretched or loose.
• The silicone feels very soft, or misshapen.
• Deep cleaning no longer improves suction.

Replacing worn consumables is often all that's needed to have your pump performing like it did when it was brand new.

We Always Recommend Having Spare Parts

If you're pumping every day, having spare consumable parts on hand can save you a lot of stress.

Imagine discovering a tiny split in your duckbill valve before your morning pump or noticing your insert has torn late at night.

Instead of being left unable to pump while you wait for replacements, you can simply swap over your spare parts and carry on.

At the very least, we recommend keeping an extra set of:

• Duckbill valves
• Flange inserts

These are the parts that experience the most wear and are the most common cause of breast pump suction loss.

The Bottom Line

If your breast pump is losing suction, don't assume the motor is faulty.

In most cases, the issue comes down to the silicone consumable parts that work hard every single pumping session.

By regularly deep cleaning your silicone parts, checking your duckbill valve for signs of wear, and replacing consumables as needed, you'll help keep your breast pump performing at its best.

A little maintenance goes a long way, and sometimes the smallest parts make the biggest difference.

Shop Replacement Breast Pump Parts

If your duckbill valves or inserts are looking a little worse for wear, replacing them is one of the easiest ways to restore suction and keep your breast pump performing at its best.

Keeping a spare set on hand also means you'll never be caught out if a part tears unexpectedly, especially if you're pumping daily or exclusively pumping.