If you are a new mom who is pumping milk for her baby, you may have heard the term “bacon mode” or “bacon button” when other moms are talking about their Spectra pump.

Thankfully, they are not talking about a real slice of bacon. 

The moms are talking about a button on the spectra pump that looks like wavy lines, or a small piece of bacon. It is also officially known as the “massage mode” or “expression mode” on your pump if you look at the manual or a guide.

One of my followers asked this question.

“Does anyone else put their pump on the “bacon” mode, then get distracted by a show and forget to turn it back to the expression cycle. I do this so much.”

It is very easy to get distracted if you are multitasking or scrolling on your phone while pumping. It definitely happened to me. 

Below is all the information you need on what the bacon button is, how to use the bacon button, and how it can affect the amount of time you spend pumping and your milk supply.

9 real moms also give their tips and tricks on how they use this button to find the most effective way to pump.

Bacon Mode On Your Pump

The “bacon mode” is a button on the Spectra pumps. It is on the Spectra S1, S2, and Spectra SG gold and it is a circle with a few wavy lines. The image on the button looks like a piece of bacon which is how it got its nickname.

Pressing this button is a shortcut to the “letdown” mode on your pump where it will simulate a fast, shallow sucking motion to trigger a letdown.

This is also known as Cycle setting 70 on your Spectra pump.

How To Use The Bacon Button on Your Spectra Pump

Generally, you will start a pumping session by pressing the “bacon” button on your pump first. Then, after you notice a letdown and milk starts to stream, you will switch your pump settings to a slower speed and higher vacuum or suction strength.

Whenever you notice the flow of milk slowing down, you can press the bacon button to trigger another letdown.

Usually you want to trigger 2 to 3 let downs per pumping session. 

This means you will do the following steps when using your Spectra pump.

1. Start with the bacon mode at Cycle 70 until you notice a letdown
2. After milk starts to flow, switch to a slower speed and higher vacuum 
3. Then go back to bacon mode until you experience another letdown 
4. Finally, switch again to a slower speed and higher vacuum 
5. If needed, repeat steps 3 and 4 for a 3rd letdown

You can read more about recommended spectra pump settings and the length of time per session here.

Spectra Pump Settings: Pro Tips For The Most Milk

Some moms have also been able to reduce the amount of time they spend pumping by leaving their pump on “bacon mode” for their entire pump session.

A drawback to this is that it might not allow you to fully empty. Another drawback is that you could possibly cause damage. 

If you are one of the moms who has been using the bacon button a lot on a Spectra S1 (blue) or S2 (pink) pump, you may also want to take a look at the Spectra Synergy Gold. 

The bacon mode on the Spectra Synergy Gold has a faster cycle and if you use the extraction mode the suction goes to 15 instead of 12. If you have a low supply or if you are slow to empty you may benefit from ordering one of these. Check it out here.

Advice from Real Moms

Here is some useful advice from other moms on using the Bacon button or massage mode on their Spectra pump. 

Mom 1: I Leave My Pump On Bacon Mode

I’m a just-enougher and slowly becoming an under supplier. I’m always looking for ways to increase my supply, and one of those ways was trying a new pattern on my spectra. 

WELL bacon mode on 5 has milk squirting out like it’s their job (oh, what a surprise) and keeps it going forever. 

Other modes I can get a let down but it stops or slows fairly quickly. I’m a little worried that if I use the bacon button the entire time, I’m going to get damaged because it seems so intense.

Mom 2: Cycle Between Different Settings

I use bacon on and off and use bacon to keep getting a let down. Then I switch back over to the other mode. That seems to help pull milk out. 

As soon as I notice milk flow has stopped again, I switch back to bacon and I repeat the entire time I pump.

Mom 3: Use Bacon Mode Every 10 Minutes

At first I just let it turn off by itself and that was that, but I’ve been trying different things. Every 10 minutes I turn it in and sure get a let down every time. Even if it is just a small one. 

I also realized I don’t need the pump cranked all the way up and I respond better to a lower vacuum.

Mom 4: I Always Use High Cycles

My pump never leaves bacon mode. My output is so much better and I empty faster.

Mom 5: Sometimes I Forget To Switch

I usually get distracted watching something on my phone and forget to change out of the bacon mode. I feel like I ruin my whole session when it happens.

Mom 6: I Kept Getting Clogged Ducts

I stayed in bacon mode up until 5 months and my lactation consultant was okay with it as it just works better for some people. 

When I hit 5 months  though I started getting insane clogs and swelling that nobody could figure out. After multiple appointments and scans, I finally figured  out that my body just got too used to bacon. It wasn’t enough suction to remove the milk out of a few ducts. 

Once I changed that up, it stayed clear. So just in case that happens to anyone you’ll know what to possibly try!

Mom 7: Switch Your Pump Settings After A Few Months

I did the same thing with my Spectra S2 in the beginning. I was getting more consistent letdowns that way. Now a few months in I finally found the settings that work best for me. 

I’ve changed flange sizes a few times as well. Everyone is different, play around with the settings to see what you respond to best! 

If you’re still flowing after 15 – 20 minutes, don’t be afraid to go longer. Keep up the good work Mama!

Mom 8: I Respond Best To Bacon Mode

I respond best to massage on the spectra, sometimes for my first letdown of a pump I might switch if the interval between the previous session was longer than usual. But 95% of the time I’m always in massage or bacon mode.

The “right” way to do it is what works best for you. I feel more comfortable and get better output with bacon mode as well.

Mom 9: I Use 2 Spectra Pumps For The Best Output

I get 37 ounces per day on level 5 massage mode. The other setting reduces my supply. I do use two spectra pumps, one on each side. 

Connecting two tubes to one pump gives you half of the suction power. Using one tube and pumping each side separately is time consuming. 

So when my baby was about a week old we bought a second pump so I can pump both sides at the same time for 30 minutes. 

Some people make plenty of milk with one pump but the strongest suction on bacon mode is 5 and since I only use the bacon mode I needed two pumps.

I haven’t tried the Spectra Synergy Gold has two motors, both with strength up to 270 mmHg. Technically this should solve the problem, but since I already bought 2 pumps I haven’t tried out the gold yet.

Pump Smarter, Not Harder

Don’t forget to grab my free guide for subscribers. Pump Smarter, Not Harder: A Time-Saving Guide for New Moms.

Next, Read These Articles

1. 25 Tips to Clear Clogged Milk Ducts
2. 7 Sneaky Tips To Get The Most Milk
3. The Crazy Number of Calories You Burn Pumping

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