Flange size problem and will it cause a supply issue?

[jt2378]

Hello to you wonderful ladies, I have been a lurker and now want to be more active and part of this community  I have learned so much through all of you so far so thank you!

My DD is 6 months on Saturday and has been EBF since birth and I am so thankful all has gone really well! I was home until she was 4 months old and have been pumping 3 times a day at work and all was going fine. All of a sudden last week it seems like my nipples shrunk dramatically and the flanges no longer fit properly and I went from pumping 4 - 5 oz a session to barely 2 ozs and it took much longer per pumping session.  I noticed the seal was not as tight and most of my areola was being pulled into the tube.  Can this happen so suddenly like this?

Of course I needed the small size from Medela and they do not carry them in the store.  So they are scheduled to come tomorrow thankfully but I have been pumping this way since last Wednesday.  Will this affect my supply? I still nurse on demand when I am with her but I am paranoid that my breast shrinking is a sign my supply is decreasing even though I have read that is not the case.

I guess I am just looking for reassurance that this is the issue and once I try with the smaller size all will be fine again.

Thank you for any advice! I appreciate it!

[ellabee]

This happened to me. I went from the standard medela flange to a smaller size around 8.5 months. My boobs got really big during my pregnancy and then they shrunk again.

I noticed that my letdown was taking a lot longer than it used to, then after checking my pump suction and changing my membranes, I realized that a lot more of my areola was being pulled in than it used to.

It took me a week to change to the smaller flanges, but after switching, my output was better.

[babycaps]

I had the same problem as well!
It's annoying but your supply will hold

[briannea]

I'm only three months pp but i switched to the small flanges a week ago. I had ordered them originally but never used them since my nipples swelled up so much during pumping. Now there is less swelling and I'm happier with the small. My breasts have not shrunk, they seem to keep getting bigger.

[jt2378]

Thank you all so much for the advice, here is hoping the small size is all I need because that is as small as they go

What happens in the case you needed them even smaller??

[casey]

Mar 2, 2015 19:52:35 GMT -5 jt2378 said:

Thank you all so much for the advice, here is hoping the small size is all I need because that is as small as they go

What happens in the case you needed them even smaller??

There are options, even if a different brand. Here's hoping the smaller size does the trick - agreed it can Impact supply over time, but you should be able to bounce back. 

[jt2378]

casey,

Thank you, very helpful to know about a different brand, I didn't even think of that!

[liziz]

casey any specific recommendations?

I'm using the smallest Medela ones, but they have always been a bit large (LO is almost 8 months old now). There used to be soft fit ones, but I guess those got discontinued?

[casey]

Mar 3, 2015 15:11:06 GMT -5 liziz said:

casey any specific recommendations?

I'm using the smallest Medela ones, but they have always been a bit large (LO is almost 8 months old now). There used to be soft fit ones, but I guess those got discontinued?

im afraid I don't. I'ce got 27mm ... Just helped a friend find some on Amazon. She got these: One-Piece Breastshield (19 mm, Extra Small) w/ Valve, Membrane for Medela Breast Pumps (Pump in Style, Lactina, Symphony, Single Deluxe, Double Ease, Manual); Smaller Than Medela Personalfit 21 mm Breastshield; Made by Maymom www.amazon.com/dp/B00HN759Z4/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_02L9ub0Z3V9BM
www.amazon.com/dp/B00HN759Z4/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_02L9ub0Z3V9BM