Breast Pump Help

brittneyandadam

So I got my pump in the mail yesterday, yay! I opened it up to figure it out and read directions...and it came to the part about fitting the breast shields. DH started laughing at me b/c I was sitting topless on the couch holding a shield to my boob while studying the diagram in the booklet. I can't for the life of me figure out if the shield is the right size...or if I need a bigger set.

Does it matter how much of the breast is covered by the sheild? Or should I just make sure that my nipples are centered and my areolas aren't being sucked into the channel? I'd like to have this figured out before I bring baby girl home...but I can always bring the shields with me to the hospital...

bumpuser10199668

I have NO idea. I'm scared of the breast pump because it seems so confusing. But maybe you can take it with you to hospital and have the LC there help you?

brittneyandadam

CarmAlarm said:

I have NO idea. I'm scared of the breast pump because it seems so confusing. But maybe you can take it with you to hospital and have the LC there help you?

This is why I opened it up and tried to figure it all out! So intimidating! DH did make plenty of "sucking" jokes...so that helped take the edge off lol

conradraging

I tried mine out and legit felt like a cow. If I wasn't so cheap I would've already run in the direction of formula.

Djcieply

The shield size should not matter. The diameter of the part your nipple goes in is where they want you to have a good fit. Here is a chart from the Medela site about how the shields are supposed to fit.


https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/assets/file/Choosing the right size breastshield(1).jpg

brittneyandadam

Djcieply said:

The shield size should not matter. The diameter of the part your nipple goes in is where they want you to have a good fit. Here is a chart from the Medela site about how the shields are supposed to fit.


https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/assets/file/Choosing the right size breastshield(1).jpg

Yeah, that's the diagram that came in the book...didn't really help or explain anything.

Djcieply

This link explains things a little bit more but it pretty much just says to see your lactation consultant for proper fit. But it also said the breast shield size could go up or down when your supply is established.

https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/13/choosing-a-correctly-fitted-breastshield

Djcieply

The lactation consultant at my hospital is pretty horrible, she never even came in to see me when I had DS. I asked to see her numerous times and nothing. I just like to warn people that you may plan on seeing them but they may not want to be much help. So try and be as informed as you can.

mrsdanielleM2010

I'm bringing it to the hospital. Already in contact with the lactation consultants (they came to our all day L&D class to introduce themselves) and they seem pretty good. Scary business man.

conradraging

I'm a firm believer in never asking for help so I'm just gonna play with it and figure it out. Or not. And starve my poor child.

Oh hey similac. You mean I can feed you to my baby and drink all the whiskey I want? Innnnteresting

mrsH1112

Im so intimidated.  I havent even gotten my pump yet.  I plan on taking a breast feeding class with the LC's at my hospital in a few weeks and then meeting them once I deliver.

bf43005

I opened the box, took out all the parts, looked like a deer in headlights, and put it all back in the box!  LOL!  I didn't make it any further because it seems so intimidating.  Though that was about a month ago and tonight I'm going to a breastfeeding class and I'm hoping to get a little insight.  If I get any helpful information regarding pumps I will be sure to pass it along. 

JackieB15

I just used the shields that came with my pump and was fine. If a LC isn't helpful, just try them and if you don't seem to be pumping enough, try a different size.

I was completely intimidated by the pump and didn't pump as early as I could have because I didn't want to take it out of the box. But once I sat and figured it out, it wasn't so bad.

JackieB15

Another great resource if you have one near you is Baby Cafe. I went to one a couple of times before I went back to work. It's a nice place when you need to get out of the house and find a little support. They aren't everywhere, but if there's one local to you, I recommend it.

https://www.babycafeusa.org/your-nearest-baby-cafe/united-states.html

kaleb87

I also recommend taking it to the hospital. Not only did the lactation consultant help me find the right fit, but also showed me how to break it down and clean everything properly.
Another thought, once your milk comes in your breast may become engorged so even if one shield is comfortable/fits now, it may not once you have milk.

I will definitely be taking my pump to the hospital again. Last time I was cheap and only got a my first year pump because I didn't want to spend the money incase breast feeding didn't work out for us. This time I went all out and got a medela pump and can't believe the differences between the two, so I know I will need help again.

JustCricket

You're not really going to know what size flange you need until you start pumping. Basically you just try them all out until you feel like you have a good fit and you can see the nipple part doing what it's supposed to be doing in the tunnel of the flange. It definitely took me a solid day to realize that I was totally pumping with a size too small.

emmylu30

I was an exclusive pumper with DS.  I started off with the shields provided but found that no matter how much I lubed up with lanolin cream before pumping (totally necessary btw) I still had a pinching feeling on my nipples.  I moved up a size and had no issues after that.  Like PP's mentioned above your boobs and nipples will change after you give birth so may have to wait to see which shields are the most comfortable once start pumping.  

Edit to add that your milk may not come in before you leave the hospital after giving birth so may have to go back after your milk comes in if you need help with sizing or questions.  

JustCricket

mamakate12345 said:

FYI to all...the first few sucks from a pump can feel pretty shocking.  It pinches a bit and isn't very pleasant.  After the first few sucks though, as long as you are positioned correctly, it does not hurt.  Thought I'd share so you all don't throw it across the room on your first try, I almost did! 

ugh yes! EVERY TIME!! although some pumps are nice and have a super soft setting you can use at first so its not AS shocking

emmylu30

mamakate12345 said:

FYI to all...the first few sucks from a pump can feel pretty shocking.  It pinches a bit and isn't very pleasant.  After the first few sucks though, as long as you are positioned correctly, it does not hurt.  Thought I'd share so you all don't throw it across the room on your first try, I almost did! 

Thanks for clarifying that!

amom2four

I got my pump ordered today and am planning on buying the next size up to take with me just in case. I had a single electric and manual with dd but only ever needed to pump enough to cover while I was in surgery when she was 5mos, and I just used the size flanges that came with the pumps.

CplusJ=S

My LC fitted me with the largest size flanges when I had my daughter and honestly it made a huge difference in my output. I would definitely recommend getting a professional opinion of you are unsure at all. I wasn't even offered a pump in the hospital with my daughter. The LC there was worthless. I hired a private LC and got much better results.

Ivorytower2

I did exactly this and since then it's been sitting in the corner staring me down every time I walk by.

bf43005 said:

I opened the box, took out all the parts, looked like a deer in headlights, and put it all back in the box!  LOL!  I didn't make it any further because it seems so intimidating.  Though that was about a month ago and tonight I'm going to a breastfeeding class and I'm hoping to get a little insight.  If I get any helpful information regarding pumps I will be sure to pass it along. 

jmolr

Is there a lactation consultant at your hospital?  You won't need to use the pump until then and they can tell you what size shield you'll need.  

amom2four

Also ask about a consult after you are discharged. I was able to go in about a week after we went home and have a time to go in and do a weighed feed and ask any questions. That would also be a good time to get questions answered about your pump.

Edited because autocorrect thinks it's smart and I apparently can't proofread.

brittneyandadam

Thanks guys...guess I'll just wait and bring everything to the hospital. They have several LC's that meet with you when baby is born and they have a wonderful support program for after you're discharged. I can call or stop in for free counseling services.

TinkL0ver

After birth I wasn't even told to pump for a while. It wasn't until I went to visit her in the NICU that her nurses asked if I was able to express anything that I realized I had dropped the ball a little bit. No LC came to visit me ever so I just had to wing it. I pretty much just opened everything, put the only shield it came with on and pressed the power button. I'm still not sure I have the correct fitting one even three weeks later but I express enough as it is and don't really feel much pain so it's not a huge issue for me. It's not nearly as intimidating once you try it. 

Texasgurly0313

I took mine with me to my LC appointment today, and she verified that the size flange I was using was good.  

You also have to make sure that the suction level you use is good as well.  Highest suction doesn't always mean highest output.  

Linz-E

Im bringing mine to the hospital for the LCs to look at because I am clueless and quite frankly don't want to deal with it right now.