![]() Rachel Goldstein, Doula, Postmodern Childbirth, New York, NY, and Member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board.Kameelah Phillips, M.D., OB/GYN, New York, NY, and Member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board.Food and Drug Administration, Choosing a Breast Pump, January 2018. ![]() , Common Pumping Problems and Solutions, March 2019., Picking the Best Breast Pump for You, December 2018., Pumping Breast Milk Guide, September 2020.What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.He or she can share some advice as you go about your quest to find your perfect flange fit. If they’re heavy and harder, that means all the milk hasn’t drained and your flange is possibly too big.įinding the perfect flange can take a bit of perseverance, patience and trial and error, but it’s well worth your time and effort. If you’re having trouble, reach out to your doctor or a lactation consultant. Your breasts still feel full after pumping.Your nipples are red or white after pumping.Your nipple and part of your areola are being pulled into the tunnel.Your nipple is rubbing the sides of the tunnel, causing discomfort.Movement should be gentle, much like the movement of your nipple within the tunnel. Your breasts are moving too much or too little while pumping.Some signs that your flanges don't fit quite right include: How to tell if your flange is too big or small Your breasts should feel noticeably softer and lighter once you’re done with your session. Your pump needs to remove the majority of your milk from your breasts to keep up your milk production. Your breast pump shouldn't cause any pain and tenderness. Your breasts should move back and forth every time the pump moves, but gently. Motion of your breast is gentle and rhythmic.You should see a bit of areola pulling into the tunnel with each pump cycle, but not too much or none at all. Only a little areola tissue should be pulled into the tunnel.Center nipples move freely. Your nipple should move freely in and out without touching the sides of the tunnel and without redness or pain.Here are the five major guidelines that the acronym stands for: Most lactation consultants recommend using the "COMFY" test to help determine the right flange size. How to tell if you’re using the correct flange size Remember also that your nipple size (and hence your flange size) may fluctuate throughout your breastfeeding journey. It can take some time to find the ideal gear, but most pump and flange combos are totally fine. You might find that another brand’s flanges work better with your body. Remember to measure both of your nipples as they can be different sizes.įlanges vary from company to company, so you may want to try a few out. Focus on its diameter at the base, and don’t include the areola. You can also estimate with coins: A dime is approximately 18 mm, a penny is 19 mm, a nickel is 21 mm and a quarter is 24 mm.īefore you measure, stimulate your nipple, either by rolling it between your thumb and finger or applying ice to it, to make sure you have its full size. To measure your nipple diameter (its width), you'll need a ruler or a measuring tape. Here's an approximate guide you can use as a flange size chart: Most companies offer a size guide for flanges based on your nipple size. To find your size, check the website of your pump's manufacturer. Which flange size should you use? Check this flange size chart You’re also less likely to stick with it. If pumping hurts, it can impede your milk supply. It can also cause unnecessary nipple pain and even injury to your nipple. If your flange is too tight, it will constrict your breasts, which can cause clogged milk ducts that don’t release milk as quickly.īut if your flange is too loose, you won’t remove all the milk from your breast, which can lower your milk production. Your flange size generally depends on your breast tissue and skin elasticity. The right flange fit will help you express as much breast milk as efficiently as possible. You can find different-sized flanges through your pump manufacturer, sites like Amazon or any baby supply store. The size indicates the diameter of the small tube on the flange's narrow edge. ![]() ![]() But they’re available in a wide range of sizes, generally anywhere from 21 to 36 mm. Most pumps come with a standard 24 millimeter (mm) flange. It forms a vacuum seal around your areola, and then draws your nipple into its funnel to extract milk. A breast pump flange is a funnel-shaped piece of plastic that fits over your nipple. ![]()
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