I've recently been having trouble with having one of my breasts pumping enough milk out while at work. I can tell there's still milk, but it's not coming out. I currently am using pumping pals biggest flange size (which I used for my oldest). Only one stream comes out while pumping, too. I think my nipple/areola is kinda big still for this? I'm using the middle sizes pumping pals flange for the other side. What can I do to help pumping it out?
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Honestly, I had to get an LC's advice. I tried to follow the diagrams that came with my pump/online and thought I needed to size down. When I met with the LC to deal with a separate issue, she was aghast and told me I'd actually needed to size up. She was really rude about the fact that I was doing the best I could with the information available to me, but it was still helpful in the long run I guess. I didn't upgrade to Pumpin Pals until later, so have no idea if I was using the correct size with those or how it correlated to the standard Medela flanges, sorry.
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is it a medela? Did you check your membranes to see if they need to be replaced? It sounds like more of a suction issue that a flange issue. maybe some compression on that side to see if it helps at all? Check all of your connections too.
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@Littlebit7: I have a Spectra pump but use the Medela parts, but have used the Spectra membrane part (that's all one piece) the last 2 days and that hasn't helped.
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Have you tried hand expressing a bit to help get things going? Sometimes boobs just need some extra attention...
I have been having suction problems with my pump and it makes a HUGE difference. Mine were minor so it took a while for me to figure out what was wrong.
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Do your nipples rub the sides when you pump? If not, you're probably fine. I've tried a few different sizes when having nipple pain and the amount of milk never changed, just my comfort.
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I have to massage to get anything out, and I’ve looked up several different diagrams to see if I’ve got the right fit and honestly I’ve read everything from “some areola should come into the flange” to “no areola should come into the flange”. For me I just had to experiment with different sizes and smaller has always worked better for me. But I would definitely get advice from an LC if possible. I have the spectra and have had no luck using Medela parts. I’ve just ordered from the website.
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I have a boob like that...
What I do is that I pump both sides until my “normal” boob is empty then I disconnect the “normal” side and only pump the stubborn one with ramped up suction and pump it for an additional 3/4 minutes. That usually does the trick for me... -
There's a FB group "Fancy Pumpers" I found extremely helpful for specific issues like this. They have videos that can show you how to tell if your flanges are sized correctly. FYI my size changed over the course of the time I was pumping, I had to switch from medium to small flanges. Generally speaking, if any part of your areola is getting sucked up into the flange, it's too big. Just your nipple should be in there.
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@PawPrints: See, that's what I thought too when I was trying to size myself! But the LC told me it was way too small and made me go up two sizes. There's so much conflicting info out there, no wonder it's so confusing
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Okay here is what I suggest, go here and fill out the form and they will accept you into the Fancy Pumpers FB group: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRuxFfdLrepXqqr3WoB52-drJZgXfvVW7_LLfnTG8Xkd0Weg/viewform?c=0&w=1
(They have the form to keep out weirdos, since the group features photos/videos of people's nipples obviously).
They are VERY helpful and knowledgeable about correct flange sizing and will answer all your questions.
I can also post one of their flange sizing photos, warning NSFW!
So don't scroll down if you're on a big monitor at work....
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Warning, NSFW nipple photos posted below.
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@maddyz: @newlypregnantlady: yes, I usually do massage that side when pumping.
@Pumuckl: I'll have to try that
@PawPrints: thanks. I'll check out that group. That pic does help
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Wow this is crazy. I never would have considered that any part of the arreola shouldn’t go in? I don’t think I’ll change flange though if I never had issues last time with pumping output. And so far this time seems to be fine with same supplies as last time? And no pain with pumping.
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@PawPrints: I have never long term pumped/bc, but omg I am feeling dumb right now bc I can only vaguely decipher that picture.
I always just used the one that came with the pump and never had issues, or at least I don't think I did?
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@mrsbubbletea: @2littlepumpkins: The group also has videos which are much easier to tell the difference. But if your output is fine you probably don't need to worry. I could tell when my boobs shrank as my baby got older that the fit definitely wasn't right anymore, so that's why I bought smaller flanges.
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15 comments