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Super Genie is one of heavy-duty breast pumps that comes with quite flexible pump setting. While this means you can tweak and do a lof of trial error, these settings can be quite overwhelming for a beginner.
Therefore, in this post I will discuss in detail about how to use Super Genie breast pump so that you get the optimal amount of breast milk for your baby.
This article is part of Pumpable breast pumps series. Other articles in this series include:
- Super Genie Breast Pump Review | 7 Reasons Why Pumping Moms Love It
- Milk Genie breast pump review from Pumpables (portable version, includes video)
- Milk Genie vs Spectra S1 Breast Pump | Which One You Should Choose
- Super Genie vs Spectra S1 breast pump
- Super Genie vs Milk Genie breast pump comparison
- How To Use Super Genie Breast Pump | A Beginner’s Guide
Choosing Your Correct Breast Shield Size
Your Super Genie breast pump comes with liquid shield kit and you need to choose the size when ordering.
Here’s a quick guide about how to choose the correct breast shield size:
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Click here to download a nipple ruler from Pumpables website.
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Measure your nipple after pumping (note: if you are still pregnant, don’t pump. You may need to remeasure once your baby is born and starting to nurse. In some other website, it its suggested to add 3-4 mm to your nipple diameter during pregnancy). You can read Pumpables’ further guide in this article.
What if your breast shield size is not available in liquid shield kit range?
If your breast shield size is not available in liquid kit range, don’t worry. You can always use the universal breast shield kit as long as you maintain it as a closed-system. Pumpables has a lot of variations on universal breast shield size (15 – 36 mm). If you need to go even smaller, Maymom has one in 13 mm.
Still need more info about choosing your breast shield size? You can read my breast shield sizing guide.
Alternatively, you can opt to get an expert guide in choosing your flange size.
Getting to Know Super Genie
First of all, your Super Genie comes with a full manual that you can access in booklet form (comes with the breast pump set) or online (check the online manual here). This guide serves as a complimentary guide from a mom who has been pumping with Super Genie for a while and has learnt some tips and tricks in figuring out how to use the pump.
Super Genie has quite a number of buttons. on the pump body. Most of them works very similar to other breast pumps. You can refer to the picture below to learn which button is for which.
How To Use Super Genie Breast Pump
Just like other breast pumps, Super Genie can be operated in two different modes. Letdown mode to stimulate let-down reflex and expression mode for milk extraction. But it has some special features, recording your pump session and operating the breast pump from the app. Let’s discuss each of the functions one by one.
I have created a quick video showing you how to use Super Genie breast pump. You can watch the video below for quick tutorial or scroll down to read more detailed tips.
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When you turn on Super Genie, it will not start suctioning automatically – it will be on standby mode. The vacuum level is set to 0 and cycle speed is at the slowest to prevent accidental ‘ouch’.
Using The Letdown Mode
Once you press the + button, letdown mode starts and you can adjust the vacuum level and cycle speed.
For a beginner pumper, adjusting too many things while pumping can be overwhelming.
But let me give you a few tips on how to choose the vacuum level and cycle speed in letdown mode:
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Start from the lowest vacuum, and gradually leveling up to the level that is still comfortable for you, no pain please. The highest vacuum is not always better. Remember to choose comfort, because comfort encourages let-down, while pain inhibits let-down.
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Choose the cycle speed that mimics your baby’s suckle best. It’s hard to explain this, but you will feel it. Your perfect letdown setting would feels like your baby’s quick suckle as s/he begins latching.
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If you are not sure which speed to begins with, starts with cycle speed 104. The default program in the app uses 104. Additionally, I have been studying quite a number of pumping programs from various pumping moms, most of them use 104.
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Your first let-down usually happens between 1-2 minutes. If it is longer than that, try to adjust the pump setting (this is provided that you are not under stress, rush, or having other negative emotion that may affect your body’s ability in getting let-down).
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You may also take a lot at other moms’ pumping program and do a trial error with the program to see if it fits you well. More about pumping programs below.
SEE ALSO: 10 Ways To Get Let-Down Quickly While Pumping
Using The Expression Mode
Once your milk starts flowing, you can switch to expression mode. There are 16 levels of vacuum strength available in Super Genie plus 16 different cycle speeds.
That’s a lot of options to choose for.
If you have pumped previously with other breast pump, you can try using the same level and see if it works well for you.
For example, I was using Spectra at level 10 before, so I tried using level 10 too when I used Super Genie at the first time. Personally, I found level 10 in Super Genie is not as strong as level 10 in Spectra so I increased the vacuum level a bit to 12.
For cycle speed, you can begin with 70 if you are not sure which speed to choose (as suggested in Super Genie manual). If you are interested to try more, let me share one tip to find your ideal speed.
Ideally, your milk would stop spraying at the end of the ‘sucking’ phase. If your milk already stops spraying in the middle of the ‘sucking’, you need a faster cycle speed (higher number). On the other hand, if your milk still sprays at the end of the sucking phase, you better use a slower cycle speed.
Once you master selecting the appropriate setting for your letdown and expression mode, the rest is pretty similar. Every time your milk flow slows down, switch to letdown mode to trigger more flow, and so on.
Typically, I suggest trying to get 2-3 letdowns per pumping session to maximize the amount of breast milk you get when pumping. To further optimize your pumping session, don’t forget to apply these effective pumping tips.
Recording Your Pump Session
You can use Super Genie breast pump to record your pump session (it’s called pump program here) and later on, retrieve the setting on your future pumping session and let the breast pump runs automatically.
Pay attention to these two button: record / OK button and P button.
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Adjust the setting to your desired vacuum and cycle speed
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Press record button
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Begin pumping as usual, switching from letdown to expression mode or vice versa as needed
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Once done, press P button to select which program this will be stored. You can save up to 2 programs in the breast pump.
How To Use Super Genie app
You can use Super Genie app to do manual pumping, create a pumping program, sync the program to your pump, or share your program. I seriously think it’s pretty cool because this app makes sharing pumping program among moms super easy.
This is what you can do with Super Genie app:
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manual pumping, adjust cycle / vacuum from your phone instead of your pump
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create / edit a pump program
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share a pump program
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sync a pump program so that it is stored in the pump
There are some plus points when you create your program with the app.
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Smoother pump program. If you record manually, you will have some unintended pause when you are switching mode (from massage to expression and vice versa) because you need time to adjust the vacuum / speed. This issue is minimized when you create the program with the app. The program will be more seamless and thus giving you a better pumping experience.
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You can create a complex program as you need. I have seen a relactation pump program with 4 different settings for massage mode only. This is made possible with the app.
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You can even add pause inside your program. Some application for this pause feature: to have 10-minute break when doing power pumping or 2-minute break to do hand expression. Pretty cool, right!
The video below will show you things that you can do with Super Genie app.
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RELATED: How to Increase Your Milk Supply While Pumping
Manual vs Prerecorded Pumping Program | Which One To Use
Having known that you can use either manual or automatic / prerecorded pump program, you may be wondering: which one should you use? Should you use the manual or the prerecorded program?
I guess it depends on your situation.
When you first begin pumping with your Super Genie, I suggest you to pump manually to get the feel of the pump and find your most suitable pump setting. It may take a few weeks to get accustomed to a new breast pump, so give yourself ample of time in doing this.
As you understand your pumping better, you may observe a few things:
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does your let-down typically occurs at similar timing
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does your milk flow typically stops after several minutes
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do you notice how many let-downs you usually get in a single pump session
If you can see a good pattern regarding your let-down and milk flow, you may benefit using a pump program, whereby you can set how long you use the letdown mode, how long you use the expression mode, and so on. Otherwise, if you can’t see any pattern in your pump session, you better stick with manual operation.
When you have noticed your own pumping pattern, you can begin automating your setting with your very own pumping program. You set which vacuum and speed for each mode and for how long. And whether you want to repeat the process (i .e. Having multiple massage mode and expression mode cycles).
A pump program is also a good way to see pump settings from different moms. Yes, having Super Genie has given me a new hobby, checking out pump program shared in Pumpables community, lol. It is a good experience to know what kind of setting works for different moms and you may try the pattern that they are using so that you can pump and drain your breast faster.
How to Join Pumpables Community
Pumpables community is open to all moms, whether you are using Pumpables breast pump or not, and whether you are already pumping or still preparing for your future pumping plan.
You can click this link, scroll down to the bottom until you see Join Our Community of Mums on Facebook link.
Finding out pumping program in the Community
So you want to take a peek on others pumping program?
There are a lot of moms sharing their favorite pump programs in the community.
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Join the community (Fb group, link above)
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Inside the group, simply search Super genie pump program or search this name ‘chelsea whalen’ because she’s the one starting a thread filled by a lot of pump programs.
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Choose the program of your interest and import it to your app (see the video to learn how).
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Once it is stored inside your app, select the desired pump program and choose Edit if you want to check which vacuum level / cycle speed / pump cycles/ pattern being used or simply play to try it out directly.
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Enjoy! I hope you can learn a few tricks and tips by trying other people’s program.
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I hope this little guide may help you in figuring out how to use Super Genie breast pump and maximize your pumping output.
Still Have Questions?
Feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll try to answer to the best that I know. Alternatively, you can always approach Pumpable customer service (either via email and Fb message) or post a question in Pumpables community.
Marsha Pearson says
The Super Genie seems like it will be the best answer for most women who are experiencing issues and need to use a breast pump. Though you mention that it might be difficult for the beginner, let’s face it, most who are needing this solution are beginners. I look at it differently. It’s better to have a product with flexible features. That way, you have more options when it comes to customizing the product for you.
Rina says
Hi Marsha,
I totally agree with you. It may take some time to learn how to use a breast pump effectively, whatever breast pump you are going to use. By having Super Genie which offers flexible setting, you may be able to find your preferred setting faster, not to mention the comfort given by the liquid kit. I’m sure any pumping mama would quickly fall in love with Super Genie dearly.
Shamael says
Thank you so much!
I am benefiting from the blog and the wonderful information presented clearly and smoothly.
I was feeling a little frustrated after the acquisition of Supergenie, I have a premature baby and I have difficulty pumping milk, and when I found the blog on Google, I read all the information and publications, and after trying it the steps, and joining the Facebook group and importing some programs achieved great and great results! ????
Thanks for the moms support and thanks for your time with the experience and jotting down all the details.
Keep offering the best. I’m from Kuwait ????????
and this means your blog is for all mothers in the world ????????????
Rina says
Hi Shamael,
Yayy, I am so glad that you found this blog useful. I hope you enjoy pumping with Super Genie now and have great milk output. Super Genie is really a great breast pump. And lastly, thank you for taking time leaving the comment here, you made my day!
Baby Rose says
We were little sceptical whether to pump or not after reading mixed reviews however I would like to admit that the product makes life easier for a nursing mom.
Rina says
Yes, Super Genie is definitely a game-changer for pumping mom. A lot of moms are in love with how easy it is to use Super Genie breast pump. It is programmable so you can multitask and it has a great support group.