Choosing the right flange for your breast pump truly is one of the most important parts of a successful pumping journey! With so many different types of flanges on the market today, how do you know which flange is right for you? Let's talk about it!
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLANGE FOR YOU:
Choosing the right size flange truly is so important! Every woman is unique and therefore, we really cannot take a "one size fits all" approach to flange sizing. Each woman will respond better to different sizes, materials, and shapes of flanges. Using a ruler to measure nipple size can be a great place to start! HOWEVER, just like bra sizing can vary from brand to brand (think 36D at Victoria's Secret v. 36D at Target...not the same size!!) so can flanges. For this reason, it really is important to try different flanges to test them out to see which size and style works best for you.
Changes in Breast Size:
Keep in mind, the breast changes over time. A newly postpartum breast size will be different than a breast 6 or 8 months postpartum. You may need to change sizes more than once throughout your pumping journey. That's totally normal!
As you try out different flanges, keep in mind the 3F's:
FIT:
- Does it fit comfortably?
- Is only the nipple in the tunnel?
- Is there any rubbing or color changes to the nipple? (We don't want this!)
FEEL:
- Does it feel good?
- Are there tingling pins and needles after pumping? (We don't want this!)
- Is it painful?
FUNCTION:
- Does it efficiently empty your breast of milk?
To learn more about specific brands and styles of flanges, watch the video above! Want more? This blog post digs into 3 Ways to Check Your Flange Size.
