Flange size question and a vent about supply

mags507

Question: I have an Ameda pump and currently using the standard size flange.  My nipple does not rub against the edge but my areola does.  Is this OK?  I'm not having any pain or irritation but I wonder if I could pump a little more if I went up a size. 

Vent: This is my second week back at work and I pump 3x at work and get 2.5-3.5 ounces per pumping session.  I send in 3 4oz bottles per day and I'm using milk from my morning pumping session to make up the difference.  Last week I pumped 3.5-4oz per session.  Now I'm stressed about supply.  The really frustrating part is that when I nurse DD she only eats from one side and is very satisfied.  I thought overfeeding was the problem but I stayed home yesterday b/c DD1 was sick and fed DD2 the prepared bottles.  I fed her slowly and stopped after every ounce and she really wasn't satisfied until she had eaten 3.5-4oz.  I guess I expected to have dips in supply when I went back to work but I didn't expect it to happen at week 2!

AmyRI

Unless your nipple is rubbing, you shouldn't go up a size. If you did, too much areola will be pulled in and it will get irritated and inflamed. It won't help you pump more to have a bigger shield. In fact, it might make you pump less because the fit would be bad.

I have always nursed 1 side at a time (had big oversupply issues in the beginning). But when I went back to work, I would nurse 1 side in the AM, pump the other, and then pump both sides 3 times to get the 16 oz he drank (four 4oz bottles). They are just more efficient at nursing than the pump will ever be. Sometimes I even needed to use the milk I pumped on weekends from pumping one side and feeding on the other first thing in the AM. I understand the frustration with not pumping what they take from bottles. Just know that you're not alone, lots of us have the same troubles.

As for the change in supply since last week... how recently have you changed your membranes? (I think Ameda pumps have membranes, too, but correct me if I'm wrong). Have you kept up with water intake and eating?