question for the pumping pros...

erinchrisitne424 · November 2014

So I have been mainly pumping and slowly beginning to breast feed more. Question is I am pretty sure.my flanges maybe too large after looking at a few pictures of how they are supposed to fit. Are your areolas supposed to get sucked into the flange while pumping. O have just been using the 24mm since that's what I used with DS1 and I didn't know much about pumping so I didn't know there were different sizes then. My nipples look tiny in the 24mm flange and mainly what gets the suction is my areola and it is always swollen looking after pumping with a little nip on the end. Any advice is appreciated. Also approximately how much is it to meet with a LC the hospital I delivered at offers free consultations but I am not close to that hospital anymore. So I'm not sure if it is typically a cost or if all hospitals offer it.

Emerald27 · November 2014

If your areola is pulled into the flange, it's too big. Moving to a smaller size will be more comfortable and may increase your pump output!

When searching for an LC, look for an IBCLC. International board certified lactation consultants have better/more training, more coursework, continuing education, and must regularly sit for a rigorous certification exam. You're more likely to get trustworthy, up to date information from an IBCLC. The letters matter.

The cost of a lactation consultant varies depending on where you live. Some offer free walk-in clinics. Others meet by appointment only and always charge a fee. You'll have to call around.

La Leche League Leaders are accredited volunteers (not always IBCLCs but sometimes they are), who have good training and info for offering reliable information and encouragement. LLL help is always free, and many LLL Leaders do private home visits (also free). If money is tight, calling your local LLL Leader might be the perfect way to go.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

I know on the medela site they say your nipple should move freely within the flange, and very little areola may be pulled in. If your nipple rubs on the side, it's too small. I have the 21mm and my nipples rub. The 24mm they move freely and a very small amount of areola is pulled in and is red and tender. I may be kind of screwed and measure in between sizes. :-??

erinchrisitne424 · November 2014

@MrsSinner402 Most of my areola is being pulled in and there is a lot of room around my nipple. I think I should try the smaller one.

@Emerald27 Thank you so much for all the information. I am going to look for a LC to call. The 2 that work at our local breastfeeding supply store are bother IBCLCs they chard $30 for a half hour and $60 for an hour and then half that for a second consult (Does that seem reasonable?). I also found that the hospital near us has them on staff, but I am not sure what I need to do to be seen by them so I plan on calling tomorrow. I am going to look and see what the deal is with our local LLL, but I would rather see someone that really knows their stuff

erinchrisitne424 · November 2014

Also-does anyone have experience with the medela "soft fit" shields? Do these really make pumping anymore comfortable?

Emerald27 · November 2014

IBCLCs in my area typically charge $100/hour for a home visit, so I'd say that price sounds great!

I didn't mean to imply that LLL Leaders don't know their stuff. They go through an accreditation process and do stay current on breastfeeding recommendations. They can help with many situations, and very importantly, they know when to refer a mother to an IBCLC. The point I was trying to make is that they're volunteers. That's not their career...so they're free. :P

erinchrisitne424 · November 2014

@theresat858 Thank you for the info. I will have to call about that since my insurance seems to cover a lot more than I expected,

kindacrunchy · November 2014

Thank you for this thread! I have been pumping some everyday so DH can give DD a bottle everyday and haven't been getting a lot even though I have plenty of milk (DD is getting plenty). I didn't realize before but I think I'm using shields that are too large.

erinchrisitne424 · November 2014

@Kindacrunchy yeah i just realized the more I pumped the more uncomfortable it was so I started looking to see if something didn't fit right. I had no idea until now that the fit could effect how much output you got while pumping, but it makes sense because my boobs feel less full after nursing than after pumping and they don't hurt after nursing either.

JessAnnJ · November 2014

Your nipple expands when you pump so don't judge the size by how your nipple looks when you first start pumping.

JessAnnJ · November 2014

Call your insurance about lactation coverage. We have to go to the hospital but it's covered through my maternity benefit.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

JessAnnJ said:
Your nipple expands when you pump so don't judge the size by how your nipple looks when you first start pumping.

I don't. After it expands, the base of my nipple rubs on the sides the whole time. I've tried to find videos of what it should look like during pumping but I'm having no luck.

nightowl1989 · November 2014

@MrsSinner402‌ I have the same prob. 24mm rub and the next size up is way too big.

JessAnnJ · November 2014

MrsSinner402 said:

JessAnnJ said:
Your nipple expands when you pump so don't judge the size by how your nipple looks when you first start pumping.
I don't. After it expands, the base of my nipple rubs on the sides the whole time. I've tried to find videos of what it should look like during pumping but I'm having no luck.

I can tell you weren't I just wanted to add that for others. When I started pumping I bought smaller flanges because I was looking at how my nipple looked at the beginning when I really needed bigger ones. I did the same thing looking all over for videos and not finding any. I think what you are doing is correct and the 24 is the correct size. You buy the smallest flange where your nipple does not rub at any point during pumping. I do get some redness on my areola and I think that is hard to avoid entirely if you are EPing. I use lanolin and pump on the lowest possible setting, which I'm sure you are already doing. I think some of us just have nipples that are more sensitive than others.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

JessAnnJ said:

MrsSinner402 said:

JessAnnJ said:
Your nipple expands when you pump so don't judge the size by how your nipple looks when you first start pumping.
I don't. After it expands, the base of my nipple rubs on the sides the whole time. I've tried to find videos of what it should look like during pumping but I'm having no luck.
I can tell you weren't I just wanted to add that for others. When I started pumping I bought smaller flanges because I was looking at how my nipple looked at the beginning when I really needed bigger ones. I did the same thing looking all over for videos and not finding any. I think what you are doing is correct and the 24 is the correct size. You buy the smallest flange where your nipple does not rub at any point during pumping. I do get some redness on my areola and I think that is hard to avoid entirely if you are EPing. I use lanolin and pump on the lowest possible setting, which I'm sure you are already doing. I think some of us just have nipples that are more sensitive than others.

Yeah, mine have known nothing but pain and trauma from day 1.

So it has been a struggle to try anything because basically everything hurts. :-<

Leysin97 · November 2014

MrsSinner402 said:

Your nipple expands when you pump so don't judge the size by how your nipple looks when you first start pumping.
I don't. After it expands, the base of my nipple rubs on the sides the whole time. I've tried to find videos of what it should look like during pumping but I'm having no luck.

Here's a video that shows correct fit close up. I actually had one too small, then too big. Just ordered the in between and hope that fits.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YW0HblxDBis

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

Leysin97 said:

MrsSinner402 said:

JessAnnJ said:
Your nipple expands when you pump so don't judge the size by how your nipple looks when you first start pumping.
I don't. After it expands, the base of my nipple rubs on the sides the whole time. I've tried to find videos of what it should look like during pumping but I'm having no luck.

Here's a video that shows correct fit close up. I actually had one too small, then too big. Just ordered the in between and hope that fits.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YW0HblxDBis

How is there no areola being pulled in?! Not fair. My 24mms look like that but it pulls my areola in too, not just the nipple. Does this mean I should try a size up? Or wouldn't that pull in more areola?

erinchrisitne424 · November 2014

I still can't decide if my flange is too tight or too loose I am leaning toward too much space why it sucks So much of my boob.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

I went ahead and ordered the next size up, 27mm to try those.. we'll see if they do the trick. I've tried 21, 24, and all three Pumpin Pals sizes. No dice yet.

JessAnnJ · November 2014

It looks like the bottom of her nipple would have eventually started rubbing. I also think she must have like the perfect pumping nipples or something because my torn up nipples look nothing like that.

erinchrisitne424 · November 2014

Yeah @JessAnnJ‌ my nipples are bruised looking and feeling from pumping. Not so much torn up but super tender. They Dont look anything like that either.

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

Dude mine are black and purple on the tips and flaming red and raw on the areolas. :-<

MrsSinner402 · November 2014

keelyd said:
I'm with all of you on the pump-induced nip pain. I fucking dread hooking myself up to that damn machine.

It doesnt hurt during the pumping. Its the initial turning on of the machine that hurts the worst. When they get sucked in. Ouch! And of course the rest of the day they're sore.

Aurora1181 · November 2014

Not sure which pump y'all are using, but on my medela symphony I keep the suction level right in the middle. Ive read that you should keep it just high enough to not be painful. As PP said, right when I turn on the machine it's like OUCH but then I hardly notice it. Then again I pump 8x a day so maybe I'm just used to it now..

erinchrisitne424 · November 2014

I use the medela PISA. I barely turn that sucker on. And I have hickey nips. I used it with my first and I don't remember them hurting so bad but that was 4 years ago but I feel like I forgot a lot from last time.

The pumping doesn't hurt that bad but they hurt really bad afterward. Whereas when I nurse it kills at first and eases up after a minute or so. Can't wait to meet with the LC tomorrow hoping she has some good tips for me.

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