To celebrate Pump Momma Pump’s 7th Birthday, I’m sharing the 7 Things I Wish I Knew at the start of my pumping journey. Here’s #2: Flange sizing is SO important! I talk about flange size a lot because it’s one of the most impactful parts of your pumping accessories, next to your pump itself.
Education about flange sizing has been historically… awful. How many of you were even sized at all? Or perhaps you were told that the 24mm that came with your pump is good enough? Or, more absurdly, were told to size UP to a 27 or 30 when the average mommas is more like a 17mm? Lately, though, there have been great strides toward not only figuring out the best way to size a momma for a well-fitting flange, but also to educate lactation professionals in best practices to use with their clients.
What I wish I knew about flange sizing
In the beginning, I didn’t know any better. I spent several months using the flange that came with my Spectra pump- 24mm. Pumping HURT and took forever! My poor areolas were red and painful. It hurt to shower and when clothing touched my nipples. I never got a second or third letdown. I didn’t know much about flange sizing at the time, but I could tell that mine were too large, so I sized down to a 21mm and spend the rest of my entire first pumping journey using 21mm. For my second baby, I had greater knowledge about flange-sizing but the recommendation at the time was to size 4mm larger than my nipples, so I used a 19mm hard flange or a 18mm Lacteck flange. The silicone Lacteck was a much better fit and felt so much more comfortable! Still, with what I know now, I wonder how much better I’d respond to a flange much closer to my nipple size of 15mm. *shrugs* You don’t know what you don’t know… you know?
Why is flange sizing so important?
Flange sizing can REALLY improve your breast pumping journey. A well-fitting flange can increase comfort, help you empty quicker, and ensure that you’re fully emptying each time you pump. I suggest waiting until AFTER birth to measure. Also, it’s a good idea to measure before pumping, not after. You want to measure the median thickness of your nipple, before it widens out into your areola. Then, select a flange size that is close to the size of your nipple, or just a little bit larger. (Example, if you measure 15mm, select a 15-16mm flange)
HOWEVER, flange sizing is SO MUCH MORE than “here, go measure yourself.” Mommas don’t usually know where/what to measure, and there are other factors that play into successful flange sizing than measurement alone. What are those factors?
- FIT- Flange stays centered and does not gap or slide around
- FEEL- Pumping is comfortable without pain to the nipple or areola
- SPRAYS- Strong sprays of milk are a good sign it fits well (and good suction/settings on your pump).
- EMPTYING FULLY- Meaning that milk is not left in areas of the breast/frequent clogs
- EFFICIENCY- Sessions that take 15-30min max.
The Ultimate DIY Flange Sizing Guide
It can be difficult to measure yourself, so I created a guide to walk you through it. Access it HERE for free!
Read a more in-depth version of this blog post here: “How do I know what flange size to use?”
Confused? This is why a flange sizing appointment can be helpful! You don’t have to figure it all out on your own, momma! Get sized by a knowledgeable lactation professional.
Be sure to follow Pump Momma Pump on Instagram for education, motivation, and support! (And more great tips like these!)
