As a breastfeeding mother, a breast pump can be a valuable tool to help you continue to provide breastmilk to your baby even when you can't be there in person. However, if your Lansinoh breast pump (or a pump from any manufacturer for that matter) isn't providing suction properly, it can be frustrating. In this article, we will share some troubleshooting tips to help you identify and fix some common causes of suction issues, so if you're a mom who's ever asked "why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning properly?" this is the article you've been looking for!
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Introduction to Breast Pump Troubleshooting
Breast pumps are designed to mimic the natural nursing motion of a baby - but they are still machines and that means that sometimes they don't work as intended. As a mom therefore, it's important to know how to troubleshoot your breast pump, so that you can identify more minor technical issues and take care of them yourself, without needing to send the machine away to effect repairs that could be done at home, causing you unnecessary inconvenience.
It is important to realise that not every issue can be resolved at home. Sometimes your breast pump may need to go back to the manufacturer for professional repair or replacement - however, each of the points that the Limerick team will raise in this article ARE things that you can safely do at home.
As part of our research for this piece, we consulted Lansinoh's own FAQ page, where one of the questions deals with potential causes for a lack of suction. The answer provided did raise a number of valid points, but having read the list we noticed that there were other potential causes for a lack of suction with a Lansinoh pump that were not dealt with at all. Our team will provide a more complete troubleshooting checklist below.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
The importance of maintaining a vacuum
Before we begin to deal with specific points of failure, it's important to understand the importance of maintaining a vacuum when you pump. A vacuum is used to mimic a baby's nursing pattern and promote milk expression, but it must be maintained from one end of the system to the other. Any leak will cause the pump to lose suction.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
The power supply
The first thing to check when troubleshooting a breast pump is the power supply. If you're plugged up to a socket then generally speaking the pump will either work or it won't - but if you're using a battery of some sort, power supply can diminish gradually, leading to a gradual loss of suction.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Knots, kinks, or cracks in the tubing
This is the first point of failure that refers back to our section on maintaining a vacuum. Knots, kinks or cracks in the tubing can prevent the vacuum from reaching all parts of the system, either because a knot or kink creates an airtight barrier or blockage that the vacuum can't progress past (essentially holding air inside the system), or because air is being sucked into the system through a crack in the tubing, preventing a vacuum from forming.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Tubing connection points
Another potential reason why your Lansinoh breast pump isn't suctioning properly is issues with the tubing connection points. The Lansinoh FAQ page specifically mentions making sure that the correct ends of the tubing are connected to the breast shield and the pump itself - but the principle applies to all connection points within your pumping system. Anywhere where a connection is made - from pump to tubing, tubing to tubing, or tubing to breast shield, it needs to be made properly. Again this is due to the need to maintain a vacuum, since any connection point is a point where - if the connection is not made properly - air can leak in and prevent a vacuum being formed, resulting in a loss of suction.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Perishable parts
Perishable parts such as the diaphragm and valves can also cause suction issues when the time comes for them to be replaced. To troubleshoot this issue, you need to check the diaphragm, valves, and other perishable parts like gaskets regularly for any signs of wear and tear, be aware of how long they have been in use or when they were last replaced, and buy and install replacement parts if you notice any damage, or if they reach the end of their service life.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Incorrectly-installed diaphragms
Wherever your pump makes use of diaphragms, they need to be installed correctly or it can cause suction issues. Because many pumps - including Lansinoh pumps - use different diaphragms in different ways for different things, it's hard to advise on what to do here on a case by case basis, except to remind you to follow any guidelines you're given in the user documentation for your pump.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Poorly-fitting breast shields
Using breast shields that don't fit properly can also cause suction issues. Using breast shields that are too small likely won't cause suction issues (though it may well be uncomfortable for mom), but using breast shields that are too large almost certainly will, since they will leave gaps between the breast and the shield that can allow air to leak in, again preventing a vacuum from being maintained and causing suction issues.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Double pumping vs. single pumping
Double pumping (that is, pumping from both breasts at the same time) is known to improve milk let-down, and yield better results from a pumping session. If you're single pumping and not achieving the volumes that you're looking for then we understand that it may seem like there's a suction issue of some sort. However, this might not be the case, and the difference may be the difference between single and double pumping.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Water, condensation or other liquids in the system
Water, condensation, or other liquids in the tubing or motor can cause suction issues. This is because the liquid can completely block the interior diameter of the tubing. Unless that liquid is able to escape somehow, it will again prevent the vacuum you need from reaching all parts of the system, resulting in suction issues. To prevent this situation, ensure that the entire system is clean and dry before using it. After each pumping session, you can also detach the tubing and breast shields from the motor and let them air dry, and if you notice any condensation or moisture in the tubing, take steps to remove the liquid before you pump.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Incorrect pump settings
As a machine, a breast pump can only do as it is told - so the last thing that we want to mention when it comes to potential points of failure are the settings dialled in on your pump. It's all too easy for these dials or buttons to be adjusted accidentally. and depending on how they are adjusted, that can feel like there's a lack of suction present.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
If all else fails, contact customer support
If you've tried all the troubleshooting tips above but are still experiencing issues with suction, then it's time to contact customer support, whether that's Lansinoh, Limerick, or another breast pump manufacturer. They will be able to provide further assistance and guide you through any additional troubleshooting steps that you can take at home, or how to send the pump back to them for repair or replacement.
Questions moms ask: "Why is my Lansinoh pump not suctioning?"
Conclusion
Issues with suction can be frustrating and affect the amount of milk you can pump. By following the troubleshooting tips discussed in this article, you can identify the common reasons why your breast pump isn't suctioning properly and perhaps fix the issues yourself. Lastly, don't forget to visit the Limerick resource center for answers to more questions moms ask - like "why do my nipples turn purple sometimes?", "why is licorice root in skincare bad?" or "where can I sell a breast pump?" - and if you have a question that you'd like answered in plain English, and in an understanding, welcoming and supportive environment, you can always head over to our pages on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and ask your question there. The Limerick team and other moms just like you will be happy to help!
