Avoid These Flange Size Mistakes to Boost Your Breast Milk Production! (Flange Sizing 101)

[@mamanursetina]

The adding on 2mm or staying true to size in your flange size varys person to person. Follow the manufacturer of your breast pumps sizing guide or buy a kit that has multiple sizes of flanges so you can try them out in real life and physically determine what your best fit is around that measurement size 😊

[@Ishyona]

I exclusively pumped for my first baby for 1.5 years, and I was so clueless at the beginning, I was lucky I never got so much as a clogged duct with all my fumbling around! Now I'm 31 weeks with my second, and I'm trying to brush up and remember everything from my first, in case I have to do it again.... I'm praying for a successful breastfeeding journey this time around though. 🤞💕

[@darla7911]

Thank you!! I’m a first time momma and I thought I had gotten a good size 21 but turns out I’m actually a 17! Definitely going to change my inserts! I would LOVE a video on clogged ducts. I have already had one and thankfully it went away less than a day after but was so painful! I let it rest and iced and took ibuprofen to help.

[@mamanursetina]

You got it!! It’s on my list ♥️

[@ammu393]

You have no idea how much your videos are helping me second time around. Thank you!!

[@mamanursetina]

Awwww. Thank you!

[@meeveekins]

I wish I'd seen this eight months ago!! I really think flange sizing issues, which I never knew about, killed my supply. They were way too big

[@mamanursetina]

Goodness I am so sorry to hear that!

[@dianarodelas7470]

thank you mama nurse Tina !!!❤❤ im a new mom to a one month old , a lactation consultanted me that im a 21mm or a 24mm BUT ive been pumping & everytime i do i only get about 1oz in one breast & the other one does just fine at least 5oz , it does hurt when im done pumping , will be getting a new flange fit ! thank u soooo much 🙏🏼 God bless !

[@Morbid_Freyja27]

I think a video on how to take care of a clog would be great and very educational! 🙂👍🏻

[@mamanursetina]

Beauty!

[@mariacatrinescu1848]

Wow! I was following you only for the funny shorts when I came across this video. It was sooo well explained! So clear and helpful !! Loved it and will check out more of your content.

[@mamanursetina]

Aw thank you ☺️

[@mamamichellegist]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. i’m a month postpartum and DEFINITELY needed to hear this!! love you!!

[@Sarah_Bermmm]

What do you recommend for elastic nipples? No matter what size I used, my nipples would rub on the sides and stretch

[@mamanursetina]

You could consider meeting with an IBCLC. But first off make sure you’ve measured well and it fits good. You can also play with the settings on your breast pump to find something that suits your nipples better. Or you can try one of these two products I have seen IBCLCs suggest: the Pumpin Pal flange with elast+ assist technology or the BeauGen breast pump cushion. I’m not affiliated (I don’t actually know how much they are!) but have seen them talked about for people with elastic tissue.

[@BetaLantean]

Im not a lactation specialist or medical rep but i used alittle (safe for babys/edible) nipple buttle on my nipples before i positioned them on the flanges and they helped ALOT. There was still some stretch and i felt like a dog that just had puppies when I was done pumping but there was no more chaffing, bleeding, or discomfort. I also kept a rotation of different sized flanges. This may sound weird but depending on the tenprature and my own body heat, my nipples seemed more receptive to different sized flanges. Hope this helps alittle!

[@mamanursetina]

@@BetaLantean yes!! Lubricating pumps is helpful!!!

[@minthyowl]

My baby is almost 2 months old and I have been having severe pain when breastfeeding to the point where I wanted to quit many times. While I got it to hurt a tiny bit less when feeding, I started to pump more often to "give my nipples a break from baby" but now it feels like my supply has gone back, baby is screaming nonstop and pumping barely yields me anything. I guess my flanch sizes were too big, since I usually end up with purple and white nipples every time, and lasting pain through the day.

[@MGWashington]

im 4 wks postpartum and wish i knew this earlier. i had 4 sessions with lactation consultants and wasnt measured properly at any of the sessions. thank you for this video!!

[@mamanursetina]

How’s it going now??

[@MGWashington]

@@mamanursetina i got sick for about 10 days recently and my milk decimated down to drops per each breast after. I tried teas and different supplements and still only get drops. I’m thinking about starting SNS (supplemental nursing) but I hope baby boy will be cooperative with it. He’s a demanding eater and I/we would have to learn how to time set up and get everything washed on time. The biggest thing I don’t want for him is to be diagnosed with failure to thrive.

[@KieranStrix]

Thank you for sharing this information. I wish it were common knowledge when my current wee ones were new, but I’m going to do my part to make this common knowledge for any new wee ones mine or otherwise 💚

[@saraisola9010]

Love your videos! Thank you for all the time you put into these videos - they're so helpful!

[@bfam7492]

Loving this info. Flange size really seems to matter!!

[@gabywall6024]

I watched your videos from my third trimester and I’m coming back to say you have the best advice, but I’ve been given through this entire pregnancy and because of your advice I did not rip or tear Had a great labor and felt comfortable asking questions at the hospital. I am 6 days postpartum and feeling great. I would, however like to ask if you have a take on baby blues versus postpartum, anxiety or depression.

[@mamanursetina]

Thank you so much for your comment! I’m so glad your experience was amazing. I can definitely work on a video about this topic but it wouldn’t be done in time to help you! So the baby blues will generally start around 2-3 days after baby is born and last at most around 2 weeks. Also symptoms are usually “milder” and happen for a few hours each day. Postpartum depression can occur within four weeks all the way up to several months after birth. And can last upwards of a year or more. And symptoms are reported as more “intense”. Please please talk with those in your life and your provider if you are struggling ok? ♥️♥️

[@laurao3274]

I so wish someone had told me this with my first baby. I didn't know flanges came in different sizes. I just used the ones that came with my pump. It caused the nipples to run against the sides, like you said. I'm pretty sure that's why I had a much harder time pumping with that baby. It may also be why I got mastitis a few times. With my second baby, a lactation consultant told me, "Oh, you need a 27mm flange." It made a huge difference.

[@Voyeurrrr]

Thanks!! My twins are in NICU so it’s hard enough trying to meet supply and demand. Nothing is better than actual latching but I feel my pump isn’t emptying my breasts sufficiently enough. Hopefully adjusting flange size will help.

[@rachelreichert1966]

My flanges are too big, thank you a ton!! ❤

[@Liyahlia_24]

I feel like 24mm is too big but 21mm is too small? Not sure which one I should use

[@maryqueenyroberto6759]

Problem with my large nipples, latching. And trying to manual pump and found out the flange is another problem. Im so frustrated right now. Coz i really want to breastfeed my daughter.

[@HumairaAhmed-v5r]

I’m 17mm i go between 21mm n 19mm flange , hurts either way

[@barbiekathrina]

Hi Nurse Tina. Questions here for an expectant mum, I’m on my 38th weeks now & scheduled for an Induction of labour after my 39th weeks. 1. Can induction of labour & epidural affect milk supply? 2. Do I need to have a TENS machine even if I’m scheduled for an induction? Appreciate your answers / ideas or recommendations here. Thank you 😊

[@mamanursetina]

1. Babies that come early can have an effect on milk supply but more commonly if they are much earlier. By 39 weeks it shouldn’t have too much of an effect on supply just be sure to take in that skin to skin right away if possible and if baby is interested or showing signs of hunger you get them latched asap. Within the first hour after birth can be really beneficial. 2. TENS machine is only if you have one and want to utilize it for helping with pain in labor. You don’t need it it’s only if you want it

[@RebeccaBancarz]

Thank you! Im 38 1/2 weeks pregnant and I haven’t started using my breast pump but I want to start learning how to use it so that when the time comes it’s not as overwhelming. Am I able to start pumping with a manual one to start collecting milk?

[@mamanursetina]

Chat with your provider it’s usually safe after 37 weeks. But you might want to hand express instead of using your pump so you don’t lose any of that colostrum! Its so thick it can get stuck in the pump parts

[@johnnyb48]

Great video!

[@bfam7492]

I would love some info on clogged milk ducts!

[@SpaceKitty49]

Thank you for the help ❤🥰

[@mamanursetina]

Happy to be here

[@GreenLemon88]

Thank you!!!

[@mamanursetina]

♥️

[@solangelalebron1348]

That holy circled ruler to measure nipple size should be reduced in half because there is no way anybody should be having a nipple the size of a baby fist. Lol. Not even an animal like a cow has nipples that big. That is monstrous and ridiculous and those women are DEFECTED.

[@AmandaJ__]

This came at the perfect time thank you!!!!

[@mamanursetina]

I’m so glad!

[@radisonmadison]

My nipple rubs against the side so much 😭 24 is too small, 26 it still rubs, 28 is too big! I feel lost

[@Gajanan4568]

My nipple gets bigger when pumping. With measurement it seems to be the right size

[@mamanursetina]

Did you add some to your measurement or stayed the same? Are you lubricating your flanges at all? Your nipple will get bigger but is just your nipple going into the flange or areola and breast tissue too? Your nipple will be bigger after pumping but it shouldn’t be hurting or stay big

[@BetaLantean]

This is so true! With my first born i did alot of pumping and was so scared my nipples would stay huge, but they went totally back to normal a few months after we stopped doing breast milk