Medela breast shield help. Probably TMI. But I have no shame

[DVMmomma]

Last I checked we were all in the wtf boat when it came to sizing on breast shields. Just wondering if anyone had any revelations in this department. My issue is this- I have big boobs (32H) but my nipples are not terribly big. Consequently I've been using the 27mm shields but I feel like a lot of areola gets sucked in and my nipples come out being all distorted and cone shaped when I'm done pumping. Should I use a smaller shield? It seems like no matter what I do my areolas are all up in there. Maybe I have weird nipples?

[mislogis]

As long as your getting a good let down, and it's not painful, continue on as you are.

[kirabou]

Jan 24, 2015 11:11:18 GMT -5 mislogis said:

As long as your getting a good let down, and it's not painful, continue on as you are.

Yeah, I agree with this. If you're getting satisfactory output, no clogged ducts or pain, I think you're okay. For a while, when I was using too-small flanges, my nipples were looking blanched for quite a while after pumping, and I had pain for around 30 minutes after each session. That's how I knew it was time to switch. 

[jlynn62511]

Pre baby I was a 34 DDD now I'm much larger. I use the standard size that came with my medela pump. At the beginning when I was really engorged, I was wearing a 40 G and didn't have any problems. My nipples and boobs always come out looking deformed after pumping. They go back to normal shape after a few minutes. It's not painful so I guess that is just normal. I figure those bad boys are never going to look the same again! haha

[DVMmomma]

Jan 24, 2015 11:17:47 GMT -5 jlynn62511 said:

Pre baby I was a 34 DDD now I'm much larger. I use the standard size that came with my medela pump. At the beginning when I was really engorged, I was wearing a 40 G and didn't have any problems. My nipples and boobs always come out looking deformed after pumping. They go back to normal shape after a few minutes. It's not painful so I guess that is just normal. I figure those bad boys are never going to look the same again! haha

This is my sadness! I liked my pre baby boobies and nipples!

[cdseno]

I just saw this on Facebook and thought of you. If your nipples are actually rubbing on the sides it is the wrong fit, but mine get all weird when pumping too but it isn't uncomfortable.

[inaya]

I think it's pretty normal to have misshapen nips after pumping.

I had better luck with some extra tissue getting pulled in anyways. And the flanges I use now are designed to have extra tissue pulled in so I don't even worry about it. Like mislogis said, if it's working and not hurting, don't worry about it.