Flange help?

[Ray]

Hiya so I've been thinking my flange is too big science my areola gets drawn in while pumping. Problem: I'm already using the smallest flangemedela makes.

I'm still keeping up but sometimes only have 6oz after 3 25 min sessions.

Any idea where I can get smaller Flanders to fit? Other ways to increase efficiency? Or increase output?

TIA!

[melody330]

Nov 9, 2016 20:56:54 GMT -5 Ray said:

Hiya so I've been thinking my flange is too big science my areola gets drawn in while pumping. Problem: I'm already using the smallest flangemedela makes.

I'm still keeping up but sometimes only have 6oz after 3 25 min sessions.

Any idea where I can get smaller Flanders to fit? Other ways to increase efficiency? Or increase output?

TIA!

Lol at Flanders

I THINK there are inserts you can put in the flanges. Maybe reach out to your hospitals LC? See if there is a way to get a better fit or if she can check to make sure yours are the right fit.

Are you massage your breast or doing compressions before you letdown ? I make a fist and sort of roll it slowly from my arm pit to my nipple and I get a about an ounce before I even have a let down when pumping.

I saw on...maybe our BMB..that people recommend blue Gatorade to increase pumping output. And make sure you're drinking all the water so you're hydrated.

[bluefairy5]

+1 to blue Gatorade (maybe it's placebo effect, but whatever!) and generally being very hydrated.

I find that massage and compression throughout maximizes my output. I'm sort of between flange sizes (different sizes on each side; fun) and compression has been key for me. If I did completely hands-off pumping, I'd probably get 1/3 - 1/2 of what I do.

It's not a problem if some of your areola is drawn into the flange, FWIW. It's just not supposed to be a lot of it. There is a Medela chart that illustrates good flange fit:

www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tips-and-solutions/13/choosing-a-correctly-fitted-breastshield

[vvvvvfee]

how much of your areola is getting pulled in? it's okay for a little bit of it to get pulled it (see here: www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/assets/file/1908488_RevA%20Breastshield%20Sizing%20Tool.pdf )

there are medela-compatible flanges that go smaller than the smallest medela (21mm).

19 mm: www.amazon.com/One-Piece-Breastshield-Membrane-Personalfit-Maymom/dp/B00HN759Z4
17 mm: www.amazon.com/One-Piece-Breastshieldm-Membrane-Symphony-Maymom/dp/B01FHV15SC/ref=pd_sim_75_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3CEEVK3NXG6JFW2JV34J
15 mm: www.amazon.com/2xOne-Piece-Breastshield-Replacement-PersonalFit-Maymom/dp/B01FHV15RS/ref=pd_sim_75_1?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=YWY13WP7BGCZ05H410SY&th=1

measure across your nipple as described in the above PDF, and then i would try one of the smaller flange sizes above.

are you sure that there's nothing else going on with the pump? do you need new membranes? are all the connections secure? are you using a new pump (double-electric pumps are supposed to have a lifespan of about a year before they start to degrade)?

[Ray]

vvvvvfee

I have new membranes, connections seem good, I've only been using my single electric since August, and only every day the past couple weeks.

At the height of a "suck" my areola is going like 3/4" up the tunnel type part of the flange at full power.

I also need to do better at hydrating though. I suck at it while teaching.

In your link it looks like the part that the membrane attaches to (yellow piece) is separate from the flange. I didn't realize this part could be separated? I was afraid to force mine in case I broke it.

ETA: ok I forced it and got it off and now I feel dumb lol

[melody330]

Nov 10, 2016 21:26:08 GMT -5 @clgsquared said:

Blue gatorade? For reals?

So strange, but I've heard it a few times now. People swear by it.

[rufus426]

A trick that works well for me is to run diapers under hot water and put those on my breasts for a couple minutes before pumping. We have a bunch of newborn diapers that don't fit DD so I just use those.

[seamonster]

You can try boobies tubes (or tube socks stuffed with rice) for heat. And massage.

Hopefully smaller flanges help. If you just don't respond to a pump well that's ok.

[Ray]

Aaaaaaand I'm back lol

So I read on the medela site that the 21mm flange is good for nipples as small as 17mm in diameter.

If I apparently have freakishly small nipples that are only 11mm in diameter, which of the above flange sizes would you recommend (15,17, or 19mm)

TIA!!

[vvvvvfee]

what pump do you have? those flanges aren't compatible with the freestyle or harmony.

you're supposed to use a flange size that is 2-3mm larger than your nipple diameter. so if it's compatible with your pump, i'd probably go for the smallest size that's available (15mm).

[sunfrogger88]

Nov 10, 2016 21:26:08 GMT -5 @clgsquared said:

Blue gatorade? For reals?

Also, Oreos. Have you heard this?

[Ray]

Nov 17, 2016 15:16:30 GMT -5 sunfrogger88 said:

Nov 10, 2016 21:26:08 GMT -5 @clgsquared said:

Blue gatorade? For reals?

Also, Oreos. Have you heard this?

Wishful thinking I think lol I crush Oreos. Because delicious. Not related to supply lol

[Ray]

Nov 17, 2016 10:49:18 GMT -5 vvvvvfee said:

what pump do you have? those flanges aren't compatible with the freestyle or harmony.

you're supposed to use a flange size that is 2-3mm larger than your nipple diameter. so if it's compatible with your pump, i'd probably go for the smallest size that's available (15mm).

Thanks! I have the medela swing