Leaking when pumping

Vickytoria1803

When I pump there is milk leaking out from where the shield meets the breast. It leaks so much that I have to put a burp cloth under my breast to keep dry. I've tried leaning forward but that gets uncomfortable after a while. I've tried using a hands-free pumping bra but nothing seems to keep it all in. It also happens when I just hold it in place. Is this something to do with the size flange that I'm using? Would I benefit from buying pumping pal? Any ideas?

It just drives me crazy being wet and spilling milk!

Carlysearle

I think pumping pal will help. I haven't used them personally but I want to try them. I have a hands free bra but if I lean back then the milk flows backward and leaks all over the bra. I have to sit forward. I usually put pillows behind my back to support it because my back hurts from leaning forward. Hope this helps.

jesuisfatiguee

I would try a different sized flange.

Vickytoria1803

theresat858 said:

I'm confused as to how this is possible. Is the milk dripping into the bottles like it is supposed to? The only time I ever had milk leak was when the pump parts weren't working correctly and the valve wasn't opening so the milk could flow into the bottle.

I would use a hands free bra for sure.  Maybe turn up the suction a bit? Try a different size pump flange as well.  I never had to lean forward with a  well-fitting hands free bra.

Pumping pal's make your nipple turn in  a very weird way...so painful. But they do have a good return policy.

The milk kind of spills out of the flange where it meets the breast. It's not all going into the valve.

vulpini

Does the fit of your flange look good?  Is a little bit of the areola getting sucked into the tube to created a seal?  If not, and it looks like there is a lot of room around your nipple (nipple is small), you may need a smaller flange.

Do you have a very fast let-down and could you be overwhelming the valves by expressing more milk than what can flow down on each suction cycle?  Are you noticing any milk also backing up into the tubing?  You might try lowering the suction in this case to slow down the milk flow a bit.

Vickytoria1803

vulpini said:

Does the fit of your flange look good?  Is a little bit of the areola getting sucked into the tube to created a seal?  If not, and it looks like there is a lot of room around your nipple (nipple is small), you may need a smaller flange.

Do you have a very fast let-down and could you be overwhelming the valves by expressing more milk than what can flow down on each suction cycle?  Are you noticing any milk also backing up into the tubing?  You might try lowering the suction in this case to slow down the milk flow a bit.

Everything seems to fit ok. I have a larger size flange that I am going to try out today to see if that helps at all.

dawn6041

I had this problem and using a smaller size helped me

eves1989

This happens. YOu can check out a different sized flange.

VitaLuna

I think you're better to go smaller than larger, but decide based on how your nipple looks when pumping. I lean back when I pump sometimes and milk collects around the nipple but never leaks out. Sounds like you don't have a good seal from a too-large flange.

InLovewSB

From my personal experience, I would say press the flanges more firmly against your breasts and hunch your shoulders to lean forward a little bit more.  But I can't see what you're doing, so I really can't know.  GL.

Vickytoria1803

Thanks. I'm gonna try whatever it takes.

Vickytoria1803

I have a hygeia enjoye. I called and asked them about this and if they has any recommendations. All they said was to try a diff size flange or use lanolin to try to create a better seal.

Vickytoria1803

theresat858 said:

Vickytoria1803 said:

I have a hygeia enjoye. I called and asked them about this and if they has any recommendations. All they said was to try a diff size flange or use lanolin to try to create a better seal.

Oh.
Well that's the answer right there.

The hygeia valves do not work at all and milk doesn't tend to drip down into the bottles like it should.  I would buy a set of Medela pump parts and just use them with your hygeia.  The tubing fits.

Thanks. I didn't know Medela parts would work. If they do that makes my life so much easier since you can't find hygeia parts in stores!

slh6363

I have a Medela PISA and it happens to me once in awhile and still can't figure out why. Usually it works great but every so often I get leaking and it soaks my bra all around the edges. One thing I noticed as PP stated is leaning back to far can cause it, I've learned I have to in a certain position to get a secure fit. Also sometimes if even a tiny piece of your shirt/bra fabric is touching it can cause a leak.