How to Test Your Breast Pump’s Suction for Under $20

Is your breast pump working as it should? A sudden drop in milk supply can feel overwhelming, leading many parents to wonder if their pump is the problem. Before jumping to conclusions about your body’s milk production, the first step is to troubleshoot your pump. Pumps can wear out, lose suction, or have issues with tubing and membranes.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create a DIY breast pump suction gauge for less than $20. This simple tool will help you measure your pump’s vacuum strength, so you can confidently assess if the problem lies with the pump or something else.

Why Test Your Breast Pump’s Suction?

A drop in milk supply doesn’t always mean your body is the issue. Pumps can fail over time, and testing the suction strength helps you:

Identify if your pump needs repairs or replacement.
Avoid unnecessary stress about milk production.
Stay on track with your pumping goals.

By creating a homemade suction gauge, you’ll have a quick and affordable way to test your pump whenever you notice changes in output.

Here’s a visual of the parts you’ll need to assemble your gauge:

Parts needed for a DIY breast pump suction gauge

What You’ll Need to Make a DIY Breast Pump Suction Gauge

Creating a suction gauge requires just a few inexpensive parts. Here’s what you need:

A Vacuum Gauge: This measures how strong the suction is. Here’s the one I recommend. The one I use measures vacuum pulls up to 20 mm Hg, which is perfect for this project.
A 1/4" Female to 1/4" Barbed Male Adapter: This connects the vacuum gauge to the stopper. Find it here. Make sure it fits snugly into the stopper so no air escapes.
A Rubber Stopper: This creates an airtight seal in your pump flange. Here’s a link to the stoppers. Choose the size that matches your flange:
- #4 Stopper: Fits flanges 19–23mm.
- #5 Stopper: Fits flanges 23–28mm.

💡 Pro Tip: Buying adapters and stoppers in bulk and splitting costs with friends can make this even more budget-friendly.

Step-by-Step: How to Assemble Your Breast Pump Suction Gauge

Follow these simple steps to put together your suction gauge:

Connect the Adapter to the Vacuum Gauge: Screw the barbed male adapter into the bottom of the gauge until it’s secure.
Attach the Stopper to the Adapter: Push the stopper onto the barbed end of the adapter. Twist it gently to create a snug, airtight fit.
Insert the Gauge into Your Pump Flange: Place the stopper into your pump flange, ensuring a tight seal so no air escapes.

💡 Important: Always attach the stopper to the adapter before inserting it into the flange to prevent it from getting stuck. If your stopper gets stuck inside the flange, it can be difficult (or impossible) to remove.

How to Test Your Breast Pump’s Suction

Now that your suction gauge is assembled, it’s time to put it to action. First, make sure you have your pump set up for single pumping since you’ll only be testing one flange. Once that’s done, follow these steps:

Insert the assembled gauge into your pump flange.
Attach your pump to the flange as normal.
Turn your pump on and set it to the highest suction level.
Observe the gauge reading to see the maximum suction strength.

Compare the results to the manufacturer’s stated vacuum power for your pump. I’ve made it easy with this chart of common suction levels.

Completed setup of a homemade pump gauge connected to a breast pump

💡 Tip: Don’t worry about small differences in numbers. The goal is to ensure your pump is in the general range of its expected suction strength.

Troubleshooting Your Breast Pump

If your pump isn’t pulling the expected suction:

Check Connections: Ensure tubing, membranes, and backflow protectors are securely in place. If single-pumping, block the other tube to create a seal.
Replace Parts: Try replacing worn membranes and tubing, as they can lose effectiveness over time.
Power Check: Make sure your pump is plugged in or fully charged.

If your pump still isn’t working properly after troubleshooting, contact the manufacturer to check the warranty or consider replacing the pump.

Final Thoughts

Remember, low milk output doesn’t always mean there’s a problem with your body. Testing your pump’s suction is a quick and easy way to rule out equipment issues, giving you peace of mind and helping you focus on what matters most: feeding your baby.

If you found this guide helpful, let me know in the comments or reach out with any questions. You’re doing an amazing job, one feed at a time!

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