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June 2011 Moms
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Pumping trouble shooting question

Birdies08Birdies08 member
in June 2011 Moms

I know a lot of us are done pumping (or at least counting down the days!). I've been working part time, so I haven't had to do it too terribly much, but now I'm picking up more hours and I'm starting to have problems. I would really like to keep providing BM when I'm gone, so I am asking for your expertise! Smile

The problem is that my pump is hurting my left nipple. It seems to be rubbing the skin off. I have a smaller sized flange that I mostly use on my right side, so I tried using that one of the left, but it still happened. I don't think I'm doing anything differently and this just started. Any advice from more experienced pumpers?

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Re: Pumping trouble shooting question

  • jcsumm0jcsumm0 member
    Maybe you need a bigger flange?  My LC told me that you can also rub a little olive oil around the inside of the flange to minimize friction.  You could try that before trying a different size flange.
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  • Jills83Jills83 member
    I agree that you might need bigger, not smaller and some sort of lubricant - olive oil or lansinol.  I imagine you tried repositioning too?  Sometimes I had to stop, readjust, and restart because I would get suctioned in an uncomfortable position. 
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  • JavaVino910JavaVino910 member
    Just wanted to echo the Lanolin advice. I like Medela's the best. Put it on before and after you pump!
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  • MammaBear81MammaBear81 member

    imageJavaVino910:
    Just wanted to echo the Lanolin advice. I like Medela's the best. Put it on before and after you pump!

    I agree with this!

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  • awisernawisern member
    Have you tried less suction?  I was having a lot of issues on one side with cracking and raw nipples.  I tried bigger flanges, I tried smaller flanges.  It still kept happening.  I talked with the LC at work and she said to try less suction.  I was only using it on the middle setting, but she suggested less suction.  It's been 2-3 weeks now with less suction and I still get the same amount of milk, but no cracking raw nipple.
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  • Birdies08Birdies08 member

    imageawisern:
    Have you tried less suction?  I was having a lot of issues on one side with cracking and raw nipples.  I tried bigger flanges, I tried smaller flanges.  It still kept happening.  I talked with the LC at work and she said to try less suction.  I was only using it on the middle setting, but she suggested less suction.  It's been 2-3 weeks now with less suction and I still get the same amount of milk, but no cracking raw nipple.

    I have a manual, but there is a "letdown" setting. I don't think I'd get much milk if I stayed on that setting, though :(

    I definitely don't need a bigger size- the medium one I have looks too big, per Medela's sizing pictures, which is why I got a smaller one.

    I haven't tried a lubricant- I never thought about using it before pumping and I have plenty of lanolin left. Thank you!! 

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