torn skin from pumping - bigger shields? turn down suction?

Mrs.MauiBride24 · May 2012

I returned to work last Monday and thought I was doing great with my pumping routine.

Monday of this week I forgot my breast shields so I had to buy new ones. I bought the medium soft cup (Medela) and I had previously been using the medium hard plastic. The shield torn the skin of my right nipple. By Wednesday it felt like it had healed ok. Stopped using the new soft cups immediately and went back to my regular hard plastic mediums. Yesterday, I got a second skin tear. This time on my left nipple!

I had been doing just fine with size medium, but I am going to try using the larges to see if that helps. I've also turned down the suction (because it hurts!) so hopefully I can heal up this weekend and be back in the game for next week.

Any suggestions? Think it's the breast shield size? Am I just not used to pumping 3-4 times per day compared to once/day while on leave?

kris_kelsey · May 2012

suction shouldn't break the skin, but abrasions (rubbing) would...so I would think it is shield size. Can't say for sure though.

Ashley&Scott · May 2012

Do you apply lanolin before pumping? It helps reduce friction.

Mrs.MauiBride24 · May 2012

Ashley&Scott:
Do you apply lanolin before pumping? It helps reduce friction.

Of course I forgot it today. Two pumping sessions w/o. I'll get some from the LC before my next one. (Thank goodness I work in the hospital!)

Mrs.MauiBride24 · May 2012

kris_kelsey:
suction shouldn't break the skin, but abrasions (rubbing) would...so I would think it is shield size. Can't say for sure though.

Thanks. I was hoping this wasn't true because I felt like I was getting more recently by turning up the suction from where I used to set it. I'll try to use the larger shields consistently and see if that solves my problem.

funchicken · May 2012

There's a graphic on the Medela website that shows how to tell if you're using the correct size flanges. If it's tearing the skin, it sounds like they're too small. Also, I keep the suction at the lowest setting because my skin is too sensitive for anything higher. Don't pump through pain. If it hurts, something isn't right.

mrs.gee · May 2012

A little olive oil on the nips also works well to avoid abrasion. Feel better!

AmyRI · May 2012

I find that the shape of the breast shields is just painful in general.

I seriously love my Pumpin Pal breast shields. They are so so so much more comfortable. I don't ever use lanolin anymore because I just don't need it, even when I pumped 4-5x per day.

The website oversells it and is kind of cheesy, but their product is great. https://www.pumpinpal.com/

Mrs.MauiBride24 · May 2012

AmyRI:

I find that the shape of the breast shields is just painful in general.

I seriously love my Pumpin Pal breast shields. They are so so so much more comfortable. I don't ever use lanolin anymore because I just don't need it, even when I pumped 4-5x per day.

The website oversells it and is kind of cheesy, but their product is great. https://www.pumpinpal.com/

Sweet! I ordered a set! Thanks.

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torn skin from pumping - bigger shields? turn down suction?

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