Hellobee Boards

@Danizaur: Hmm…I'm confused by your statement regarding your areola. How did you decide you needed different sized flanges.

A little bit of the areola is normal. I'm surprised a 21 is still too big. I've seen lots of sets of breasts at this point, and have never had anyone need a 21. It might be worth seeing an LC and getting fitted.

@Danizaur: is your nipple/areola dragging against the side of the flange? or do you have space between?

@Danizaur: gotcha. Not sure if there are inserts not made by medela that would help you?

My LC told me that a little areola was ok - I think I used 24mm ones - it was def more than just my nipple.

You said it "hurts" - - like pain? or uncomfortable?

I think its normal to be uncomfortable at 1st - just like nursing - your nipples have to get use to all the pulling. I say try it with the new shields and give it a few days.

I also really loved the comfort ones they sell!!

@Danizaur: I had to use the 21mm shields, but pumping still hurt for the first couple of months. I think part of it was that I was using the nipple shields when nursing DD, so they never got used to abuse (so to speak ). I found I had to put the pump on the absolute lowest speed for the first few min, and then *slowly* increase the speed in order to not hurt. I also found that putting some lanolin on the nipples before pumping made a big difference.

Is any of your nipple dragging on the side? Because some areola pulling into the flange is ok. You should have space all around your nipple so it isn't dragging.

Does it hurt the whole time? Can you turn down the suction? Mine would hurt a little bit at first but once it got going the pain went away. Even then the pain was minimal.

Also you can use some nipple cream to see if that helps. I used to slather on Earth mama angel baby nipple cream on before pumping. Maybe try seeing a LC consultant if it continues to hurt.

As an aside. I had the absolute hardest time with positioning my baby at first. For the first few weeks I had to sit in the glider with the boppy on my lap. I couldn't figure it out any other way. The more head control they get, the easier it will get and with more practice too. I don't think I got comfortable with positioning until he was like 3 months.

@Foodnerd81: I could see why it's laughable. I've seen so many breasts it's bananas!

@Danizaur: I would really suggest that you get fitted by a LC. The size of the nipple and areola are certainly not always in line with breast size, but having a size 21 shield on a large breast just doesn't seem logical. You may need a soft flange rather than a hard flange in order to give you some flex if your breast is large and nipple super small.

@Cara M. 17: if you rub against the side it could mean that it's too large as well, because it's pulling in too much of your breast. So it can go either way

@Danizaur: My nips always hurt worse when I use the manual pump. Always. I also have small nipples, and the standard (25 mm flange) or the M flange (30 mm with a 28.5 mm insert) fit me the best. Some areola is normal. Starting pumping early is good I think, especially for building a freezer stash. What I did that early was pump whichever side she wasn't feeding on. I'm so glad I have my stash now, because I'm able to continue to EBF despite being on a medication where I can't feed for two sessions and have to pump and dump.

I always had to put a little EMAB nipple butter or Motherlove nipple cream on prior to pumping or the pump would pull my skin and it would hurt. I've also heard of others using just regular EVOO to help if you don't have any EMAB or Motherlove creams.

@Danizaur: oh hon. I promise you I had so many days like that. Everyone expects you to be so happy and I'm sure you are but it is SO hard. Things will get better but those newborn days are tough. Call the nurse when you're having a good moment and if you cry, you cry. They've heard it ALL. I think getting some help from an LC would really help, even if taking the first step isn't easy.

Hugs

@Danizaur: FYI, I thought mine looked like the last picture, but I had a LC check it and she said it was fine. She said like 90% of people are fine with the normal size and the rest of people are fine with going a bit up or down.

Pumping isn't comfortable. Like BFing it will take a while to get used.

@Danizaur: The electric may be a better place to start because it may have a pulse to start stimulation and then after 2 minutes go down to a more regular pace. Start at a slow level (my medela was 1-10 and I started around a 3/4).

Try it with the electric for sure. Usually your nipples get bigger after a few minutes of pumping, so my flanges seemed big at first but are actually good (I use 24s) after a few minutes. I also suggest seeing an LC to help!

@Danizaur: I'm glad that the electric felt better. I just wanted you to know that everything you're feeling (nervous, scared, etc) is SUPER TYPICAL! Try not to put too much pressure on yourself. I think I pumped 3x on my 3 month maternity leave and I was able to pump at work until F was 12 months old.

It'll all be okay. Does your hospital or some place have a nursing support group? My hospital had one weekly for free. I didn't have "issues" but I went for the reassurance and it made me much more confident! Keep on keeping on, girl.

A lot of pumping really is just experimentation. I have TINY nipples, but the regular and small flanges hurt really badly and on a whim I tried the large. Basically, it looked the opposite of the"ideal"picture and sucked in my ENTIRE areola, but I found that it was by far the most comfortable and how I got the most milk. Totally crazy, but maybe worth a shot?