i 've found the suction is too much for me without the cushion, so i prefer to use cushion but i will message / squeeze the breast while pumping and more milk will be pumped out.
U can check whether your skin is tightly fit the pump. And usually on the first time pumping the milk, the milk is not so much. As it is more difficult for pumping the breast milk, u can try to hot pad and massage before pumping the milk. Hope can help.