Decoding the Jargon: A Beginner’s Dictionary for New Mums

A Beginner’s Dictionary for New Mums

If you’ve started researching breast pumps recently, chances are you’ve come across words like flanges, duckbills, let-down, and expression mode and thought… “Excuse me, what language are we speaking here?”

Welcome to the world of pumping, where suddenly you’re expected to know what a diaphragm is while surviving on two hours of sleep and half a cold coffee.

The good news? Once you understand the basics, pumping becomes so much less overwhelming. So here’s your beginner-friendly guide to the pumping terms every new mum should know.

Flange/Shield

“The funnel-shaped bit that sits on your boob.”

A flange (sometimes called a breast shield) is the part of the pump that fits over your nipple, areola and breast.

And yes, size matters. A lot.

Using the wrong size can lead to:

• Pain or rubbing
• Reduced milk output
• Swelling
• Nipples turning white after pumping
• Having to crank the suction way too high just to feel anything

Here’s the biggest thing new mums don’t realise:
Most mums are actually using flanges that are too big.

Your flange should fit closely around your nipple without pulling in areola tissue. If your nipple is rubbing hard against the sides or too much breast tissue is being drawn in, it’s probably time to reassess your sizing.

At The Night Owl, our wearable pumps come with 24mm shields, and smaller flange inserts can be added to customise the fit.

Tiny tweak. Massive difference.

Flange Inserts

“The little silicone helpers.”

Flange inserts sit inside the shield to make the opening smaller.

Think of them like shapewear… but for your pump.

If your nipples measure smaller than the standard shield size, inserts can help improve:

• Comfort
• Suction
• Milk removal
• Overall pumping efficiency

A properly fitted insert can genuinely change your entire pumping experience from “absolutely not” to “okay wait… this is actually working.”

Duckbill Valve

“The tiny part doing a surprisingly big job.”

Duckbills are the small silicone valves usually found at the bottom of your pump collection cup.

They help create suction and stop milk flowing backwards through the pump.

Tiny? Yes. Important? Extremely.

Worn-out duckbills are one of the most common causes of:

• Sudden suction loss
• Lower output
• Weak pump performance
• Leaking

If your pump suddenly feels “off,” your duckbills are often the first thing to check.

Pro tip: Silicone parts don’t last forever. Regular replacement is part of maintaining good suction and pump performance.

Diaphragm

“The hidden suction hero.”

The diaphragm is another silicone part inside your pump that helps create the vacuum needed for suction.

If it becomes warped, stretched, or damaged, your pump can lose efficiency fast.

Heat from steam sterilisers, dishwashers, or boiling water can wear silicone parts out quicker than most mums realise.

Hand washing in warm soapy water and air drying thoroughly is usually the safest option for wearable pump parts.

Your pump works as a system, so even one worn part can affect the whole experience.

Let-Down

“When your milk starts flowing.”

Your let-down reflex is when your body releases milk in response to stimulation.

This is controlled by oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.”

Things that can help trigger a let-down:

• Looking at your baby
• Smelling your baby
• Relaxing
• Warmth
• Gentle breast massage
• Using stimulation mode first

Things that can block it?

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Rushing
• Panic Googling “why am I only pumping 20ml?”

Your brain plays a huge role in milk flow, which is why pumping while stressed can sometimes feel impossible.

Stimulation Mode

“The fluttery setting.”

This is usually the mode with short, fast suction patterns designed to stimulate your let-down.

It mimics the quick sucking a baby does at the beginning of a feed.

A common mistake new mums make is switching to expression mode too quickly.

Instead:

1. Start in stimulation mode
2. Wait for your let-down
3. Then switch to expression mode once milk starts flowing

Think of stimulation mode as warming the engine up before driving.

Expression Mode

“The milk removal mode.”

Once your let-down has happened, expression mode uses slower, deeper suction patterns to help remove milk more efficiently.

This is where the bulk of your pumping session usually happens.

And no, stronger suction does not always mean more milk.

In fact, suction that’s too high can cause swelling and reduce output over time.

Comfortable pumping is usually more effective pumping.

Wearable Handsfree Pump

“Freedom, but make it lactation.”

Wearable pumps sit inside your bra without cords hanging everywhere, letting you pump hands-free while getting on with life.

For many mums, wearable pumps can be a total game-changer because they allow you to:

• Feed bub while pumping
• Make lunch
• Drive
• Work
• Chase toddlers
• Feel slightly more human again

Modern wearable pumps like the Mumma Owl Wearable Breast Pump combine hospital-grade suction with portability and discretion, making pumping fit more naturally into everyday life.

Because honestly? Nobody has time to sit attached to a wall for hours.

Power Pumping

“The cluster feeding simulation.”

Power pumping is a pumping method designed to mimic cluster feeding and encourage milk supply.

A common schedule looks like:

• Pump 20 mins
• Rest 10 mins
• Pump 10 mins
• Rest 10 mins
• Pump 10 mins

It’s not an instant fix, but some mums find it helpful during periods of supply dips.

Also: it feels like a full-time job while you’re doing it.

Output

“How much milk did I pump?”

Output simply refers to the amount of milk expressed during a pumping session.

It's important to remember that output can vary from session to session and is influenced by factors such as the time of day, hydration, stress levels, flange fit, pump settings, and how recently you last fed or pumped.

Comparing your output to another mum's can be a fast track to frustration, as everyone's breastfeeding journey is different.

The Biggest Thing to Remember

Learning to pump is a skill.
Nobody magically knows this stuff straight after giving birth.

Every mum starts somewhere, and honestly, most of us learned what a duckbill was against our will.

Be patient with yourself while you figure out:

• Your flange size
• Your settings
• Your routine
• What works for your body

Because pumping shouldn’t feel confusing forever.

And once the jargon finally clicks?
You’ll sound like a lactation consultant in the group chat too.