https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:05:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220622 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 06:48:22 +0000 silver1 1220622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup I just rubbed them over nipples and also some in the flanges/tube and its safe for baby. I guess baby just got used to drinking olive milk :-) I eventually switched to Motherlove nipple cream as container was less messy for travel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220599 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 04:41:57 +0000 jetsa 1220599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The purple nipples sound like blanching to me. I get it and it causes pain between nursing sessions. <a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipple-blanching/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipple-blanching/</a><br /> Olive oil in your milk won't harm it. Emab contains it and it's safe for baby. No idea on flange size :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220573 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 01:34:09 +0000 kjpugs 1220573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pregnantbee: sadly washing and drying didn't do the trick. I had hoped/assumed it would. I might just do some ghetto alterations to make it tighter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220572 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 01:31:47 +0000 anbanan15 1220572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: I agree it sounds like a flange size issue. I used the regular size for awhile, then had to size up and eventually had to size down to the smallest size as my breastfeeding journey continued and my breasts changed shape in the 21 months I nursed/pumped. Flange size can also influence production, so I wouldn't be surprised if you see an increase in pumping outputs once you get the proper flange size.</p> <p>Are you using a Medela? You can call their customer service and tell them your issues and they can help you trouble shoot and make suggestions on proper flange size. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220525 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 23:37:02 +0000 pregnantbee 1220525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Jumping in to say wash your hands free bra. Should shrink back. And like others, I agree about trying the diff flange sizes. May need a size up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220508 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 23:17:49 +0000 kjpugs 1220508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I used to have no pain so the resurgence is no good. I'm going to try less suction but right breast seems to hold out for a suction of 10 or so :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220490 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 23:01:13 +0000 Anagram 1220490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: I use olive oil to help with the friction too. I just put little in the inside of the flange where the nipple is sucked in-- not on the nipple itself. I've always pumped at a low setting (I still only pump at a 5) because i experienced a lot of pain at first too. I bought every single flange size out there and they all hurt.</p> <p>However, over time... I guess my nipples hardened up a bit because pumping doesn't hurt at all now. I'd say pumping was painful until 2 months or so. Now at 4 months it's easy-peasy physically speaking. Now it's just keeping to a pumping schedule while trying to entertain a very impatient LO that is challenging. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220441 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:14:21 +0000 kjpugs 1220441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@silver1: I'm doing 20-25 minutes, and yep using a pumping bra, although it has gotten a bit loose with use so I cut holes in a bra that doesn't fit, haha. Classy.</p> <p>Did you put olive oil all over your nipple or just where the flanges go? Wouldn't it get into the milk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220437 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:12:50 +0000 silver1 1220437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>also my flanges were too small and I went up a size </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220435 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:11:29 +0000 silver1 1220435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>do you use a pumping bra to hold flanges in place? I personally didn't but I could manage holding both with one arm. How often and how long are you pumping? not sure about the purple color. But I got red streaks after the first few days and was in a lot of pain. LC called it pump trauma for pumping too long. I was prescribed nystatin cream and it help cleared up the pain. I was advised not to pump for more than 20-30 min (at medium setting). I could go as high a setting that I could bear with a little discomfort/no pain. LC also advised me to just use olive oil and stop the lanolin as it was too thick (rub nipples? don't remember the reason). hope it helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220422 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:07:28 +0000 Adira 1220422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you try varying the speed and/or suction of your pump? When I first started pumping, I pumped at the strongest suction and my output seemed great, but after a while, it really started to hurt one of my nipples. I finally lowered the suction and was able to still get great output (the same really) and the pain went away!</p> <p>Also, it may be worth it to order different flange sizes just to try them out. You never know what might work! I ended up having to go down a size to find a flange that worked for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220421 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:07:18 +0000 Corduroy 1220421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish I could help you with your questions. I was also going to suggest checking the flange size for nipple pain. </p> <p>I only nurse on one side so one of my breasts is very small. There's not mutch for the flange to grab on to so it breaks suction from time to time. Even with a hands free bra I find holding that side up helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220417 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:05:58 +0000 swedishfish 1220417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: hmm, I'm not sure. I feel like the hospital should have you figure out which size flanges you need before you're discharged! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220414 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:03:31 +0000 Charm54 1220414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yikes - that sounds painful. My first thought was flange size too...when my milk really came in all of a sudden my 24mm were WAY too small even though they were fine for the first three weeks. I switched to 30mm and they are much better. </p> <p>Also as the day goes on I have to turn down my pump strength...I start the day at 10 and by the end of the night I'm at 5. I could probably get more if I was at 10 all day but I couldn't deal with the pain!</p> <p>Hope it gets easier soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220413 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:02:40 +0000 kjpugs 1220413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: I would think I should go larger since I've very large breasted, but with the flanges making the air/popping off noise, it make me wonder if larger would be worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220411 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:00:24 +0000 swedishfish 1220411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kjpugs: the same thing happened to me. At first it was mild discomfort and then switched to pain. Those diagrams are terrible! I still don't know if I'm using the "right" size flange, ha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220405 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 21:56:34 +0000 kjpugs 1220405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: the weird part is I was using the same size flange just fine for about 3 weeks and THEN it started hurting. I look at the diagrams but it doesn't seem too big or too small based on the pictures that came with either pump I've used. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220404 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 21:54:28 +0000 swedishfish 1220404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lanolin made my nipples start to crack in the hospital. I switch to the earth mama angel baby nipple balm when I got home and haven't had an issue since.</p> <p>Pumping hurt until I changed flange size. It definitely shouldn't be hurting you so much!! I hope you figure out how to make it more comfortable soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/random-pumping-questions-for-you-pumping-moms#post-1220390 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 21:46:54 +0000 kjpugs 1220390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I've been EP for almost a month now due to low supply. I've had a few issues this week and I'm not sure how to deal with them. I thought I'd ask the HB crowd before shelling out more $$ for an LC visit.</p> <p>I got a hospital grade pump 8 days ago. Since then, my production has continued to really increase but I've also developed some issues. Mostly- PAIN! My right breast requires me to be on suction 10 to produce anything. It's also the breast I'm having the most issue with. After pumping my nipples look purple- and pumping HURTS! I noticed some cracks on my right nipple- they had scabs but not blood- it looks like it was just fluid leaking and scabbing up. Every time I pump I dread it because of the pain. I also noticed that when not pumping, if I breathe in, when I exhale (if doing a large breath) I feel pins and needles pain in both breasts, mostly the nipple area. As for helping my nipples, I applied neosporin to the cracks when I noticed them last pumping session, and use lanolin on the nipples after ever session. I have regular lanolin, my brest friend non-lanolin balm, and earth mama angel baby. When not pumping I always have on the throwaway nipple pads, not because I'm leaking, but for comfort.</p> <p>Also over the last 3 or so pumping sessions the flanges seem to be coming loose, and my nipples aren't going in as far. Usually my nipple is in the tube part but now sometimes air is going into the cup part and breaking suction. Not sure why this is happening so randomly. I've never had this issue before. I have heard lanolin can be used during pumping? Would that help keep the flanges comfortably in place?</p> <p>Any tips are welcome! </p>