Im 6 weeks PP and have been exclusively pumping since my son was 2 weeks old - he had a bad tongue and lip tie which has since been released, but my nips were so torn up I went to pumping to allow them to heal and just haven’t gone back. I was originally using 20mm flanges because that’s simply what felt the most comfortable and I was averaging 1.5oz per side a couple weeks ago, but my right areola was feeling swollen and tender below the base of my nipple so I thought maybe my flanges are too big and I can size down. I tried 18 & 19mm on both sides and 18 & 19 both felt comfy on my left side which is smaller than my right nipple, and 19mm felt good on my right side and the smaller sizes looked to be ‘right’. BUT I started pumping way less! Barely an oz each side on average and my left boob which was the good producer was even hardly giving me an oz. I tried the smaller flanges for a few days and finally went back to the 20s because I was worried about how little I was getting and didn’t want my supply to lower
Once I went back to 20s I’m back to pulling 3oz or close to immediately, BUT they are technically too big (pulling in areola) however they don’t hurt
Has anyone else experienced this? It’s so frustrating trying to regulate my supply and technically the flanges that fit and feel better gave me 30% less
Yes, I have more output with bigger flanges. I initially used the 24s with some issue I can't recall so I thought I needed to go down on flange size and had measured myself at a 19mm or something. However my Lactation consultant encouraged me to go up to 28mm so I did and got even more output. She indicated comfort was important for output and smaller flanges that only take your nipple aren't necessarily better than the larger flanges that take your nipple and some areola. So I go with what's comfortable and gives me optimal output :)
Oh good to know! Everything I’ve read about flanges has been you want as much of just the nip as possible and that’s just the golden rule. Thank you!
I think I measured that my flange size is supposed to be 20 or so, but I use the 24s that came with my spectra. 🤷🏼♀️ They're comfy and I'm supplying more than enough (baby takes a 4oz bottle, I pump 5-7 oz in about 10 min)...I see no reason to change if it's working!
Thank you!
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Have you tried a drop of olive oil on the flange to lube it?
Yes I use coconut oil! The smaller sizes felt and looked good, they just did not get milk out effectively
Yup, I measure at a 19, possibly a 17, but use a 24. I had a lot of edema after birth so needed the larger flanges then and as it went down I think I just got used to them. Tried some inserts that were closer to my measured size and they just did not work for me at all. I figure if I'm comfy and producing then that's good enough for me. I have quite elastic nipples and they do get drawn way down the flange (sometimes even touching where it narrows) and half my areola gets pulled in too nowadays but it works ¯\_(ツ)_/¯