How do you know if your flange/shield is too BIG?

jenna1008

I have looked at all of the charts online, but I was wondering what it FEELS like when it's too big.  I had trouble BFing last round, and I never could pump more than an ounce per session.  I am wondering if it was because my nipples are/were too small for the flange I was using (medium.)  I just want to make sure I have the right parts so that I can be as successful as possible.  Sorry that this is kind of a paranoia post!

alexaac

For me, it felt "pinchy" and left a bright red ring around my nipple bc too much was getting sucked in.  I just ordered a smaller size to see if it would be more comfortable... and it was, but only on one side.  So now I use 2 different sizes. lol.  I didn't really see a difference in milk output, personally- so I just went with comfort.

MrsCAA

it will pull a lot of the areola into the flange (and will most likely be painful).  It takes some people (including me) to pump a lot at the same time of day for their boobs to adjust to pumping and get a lot out, Also compressions while pumping will help over time to increase production (see link- and dont worry i never squirted like the vidoe, and start with only drops and getting maybe 1 oz total after 15 min and after  3 months i was getting 8 oz out in 20 min in the morning)

 https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/MaxProduction.html

LemonBlush

I thought maybe my flanges were too small so I bought a flange the next size up. When I tried to use it, it wouldn't even pull my nipple much so it was too big.