Try This Genius Pumping Hack if You’re Stressed Over Your Low Milk Supply

The misguided idea that “breast is best” causes a lot of stress for new moms. Unfortunately for some, the amount of milk they produce determines whether they think they’re good or bad parents. The truth is, your mind can be your own worst enemy. Johanna Sargeant took to her Milk and Motherhood Facebook account to share a simple trick that helped her not only take the stress out of pumping, but even boost her milk supply.

“When I was told to pump after feeding to boost supply, I’d sit there and watch. I’d double pump for 20 minutes after every feed, and become more and more demoralized at the lack of milk in that bottle,” she recounts. “I realized that, for my own mental health, I needed to stop watching.”

Of course you’re thinking—well, that’s a lot easier said than done. And it’s true. Which is why Sargeant decided to cover her pumping bottle with a baby sock, that way when she’s pumping she’s not obsessing over whether she’s making enough and if she should pump for a longer period.

“We know that oxytocin release is inhibited by stress, and oxytocin release is required for letdowns, so if you find you are getting stressed while watching, try it,” she advises.

Moms who swear by the hack claim it has helped them produce more than two to three times more milk, the mom says. Sargeant claims “removing themselves mentally” makes all the difference.

There are lots of different supplements designed to help moms boost their milk supply, but sometimes all you need is the right mindset to really get you going. Sure, a positive attitude won’t work magic, but if nothing else, it will put you in a better mental state and help you be a happier parent.