How To Know Which Size Nipple Shield To Use

Breast Shield – How to make certain they fit!

All Medela's personal-use and hospital grade breast pumps need chest shields to work. A breast shield is a plastic funnel that you place over your breast to express your milk with a breast pump.

Everybody is different, and we take all different size breasts and nipples. Sometimes we even accept two different size breasts or nipples! The moral of the story – one breast shield size does not fit all.

That is why Medela offers a wide range of chest shield sizes to meet everybody'southward needs. Healthcare professionals agree that proper breast shield fit is essential, not only for comfort, but also to express milk finer.

It is important when purchasing or renting a chest pump to ask your provider to assistance you in choosing a breast shield that is the correct size for you.

(Most pumping starter kits come up with a size 24 PersonalFit Breast Shield, yet this is not to say that it is the correct size for yous. An additional purchase may need to be made if you require a different size.)

At New Mummy Co we stock a wide range of breast shields for both Ameda & Medela breast pumps. All are available at our shop shop.newmummycompany.ca

Pumping should non hurt or feel uncomfortable. Breast pumps have unlike pressure settings and therefore it is important to adjust the suction level to achieve a maximum comfort level of vacuum. Once you detect a level of suction that'due south comfortable for you lot, it is important to perfect your pumping technique.

To see if your breast shield is the correct size for you

Start with the size 24 shield that comes with your pump, or in your starter pumping kit.
Place your nipple into the center of the chest shield tunnel and gently hold your shield against your breast.
Plough on your pump and adjust the vacuum to your maximum condolement level.
Assess your nipple or take a lactation specialist practise information technology for yous. You should non feel any pain, fifty-fifty if y'all are suffering from dry out or cracked nipples from nursing.

Your whole nipple to fit comfortably in the shield tunnel, without rubbing off the sides of the tunnel – if the sides of your nipple are rubbing, size up.
Your nipple should exist able to move back and forth freely – if your shield is as well small there may be some resistance that can cause sore nipples.
If you have backlog areola (the soft tissue around your nipple) in the tunnel, your breast shield is probably too large. If your chest shield is too big this tin crusade poor transfer of milk.

If pumping is causing you discomfort or hurting, assess your breast shield size or consult a lactation specialist for assist finding the right size for y'all. If your nipple is turning white while pumping or excess redness after a pumping session speak with a lactation specialist or your healthcare provider for assessment. Your breast shield size will depend on the elasticity and consistency of your breast tissue.

Beware not to press your breast shield too hard to your chest every bit this may block your milk transfer in your ducts and cause blocked ducts. It is important to massage your breast before and later on pumping to loosen milk in the ducts and to forestall milk build up in your breast.

Y'all may need a different size breast shield for each breast and that'south ok. Breast shields come in packs of 2, which is helpful if your pumping regularly as having a back up never goes to waste! Your chest shield size may change if you lot pump or nurse for a long time as it is normal for nipple shape to change over the elapsing of your pumping or breastfeeding experience.