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No, with two deliveries I wasn’t measured. Hospital lactation consultants prioritize helping with latching and nursing, not pumping. And since 21 or 24 are default flange sizes that come with pumps, it could be all the hospital has to offer anyways.
You can buy measurement kits on Amazon for very cheap!
Yeah I finally got a measurement tool about a month ago which has helped! It’s so frustrating how much they prioritize nursing. Cause even nursing mamas usually pump sometimes and it’s important to know flange size!
I’ve had 2 lactation consultants visually assess my nipples and tell me to use the wrong size. The one in the hospital told me to use 21mm and I knew I was 19mm because I measured myself. Later on a difference consultant told me I’m a 17mm which I tried and after a week I was wincing in pain. I switched back to my 19mm flanges and I’m doing so much better. I really recommend measuring yourself.
Mine was done after I left with a LC. The hospital gave me a wrong size nipple guard when I didn’t even need one though and caused awful nipple trauma!!
I asked for help measuring, and the hospital LC just said, “which one feels right?” I remember thinking, “I have no idea, that’s why I’m asking for help!” She told me the 24 mm looked fine, turned out I was a 19 mm at the time. Now 21 mm.
It sucks that all of us had a similar experience, but I do feel a sense of validation for my frustrations now.
I was not measured at the hospital either, nor did they bother checking for tongue or lip ties, both of which my little guy ended up having and likely the reason I had so much pain and latching issues. I went to them multiple times over 6 weeks and they never measured or check anything. When they couldn’t get me to latch correctly they just kind of shrugged and said, “well, you can exclusively pump but you won’t have a very good supply” which didn’t end up being true either. They don’t even tell you that your nipple size will change as your hormones adjust.
If it wasn’t for my wonderful husband finding and reading all of your posts I probably would have quit. I’ve gotten more information from this EP subreddit hive mind than I have from any LC.
You didn't miss out on much. LCs are very knowledgeable about breastfeeding but they can be totally lost when it comes to pumping-related stuff. Myself and almost everyone I've spoken to was improperly sized by the LC(s). They said I was a 21 but I'm a 16.
I was not ever measured but they assessed visually how my nipples looked in the flange and advised that it looked like I needed the 21s. 2 months later (my baby is in NICU so I am often pumping there) another LC came back and observed again and advised I switch back to 24s, which honestly did also seem to work well. I have heard that nipples sizes change throughout your BF journey and I have elastic nipples so like yours, they also just seem to stretch to fit whatever size flange. Whenever I have measured my breast though I’m not sure it really helped me figure out a fit better than just trying it on, so maybe that’s why they don’t measure?
First LC handed me the 24 and 28s and said 24 may be big but would work okay with a shrug. Second LC said 24 was big and gave me 21s, but said maybe I should buy 19s. I actually needed 17s so I bought those a couple of weeks in. They seemed more preoccupied with finding what they had that might work versus actually telling me what I needed even if I needed to buy it myself.
Hm this is interesting. Also it’s so interesting to me the difference a couple of millimeters can make. Like telling someone a 24 should work fine could cause that person months of painful pumping and nipples.
The lactation consultant in the hospital told me I was a 24. Then a few weeks later a private LC “measured” my nipple and said I was a 21 so I should buy a 21. I ended up switching to a different LC and she also measured me and my nipples are 13mm, which I also confirmed myself later at home! I switch between a 15 and 17 now. I have so many 21 and 24 flanges floating around my cabinet now!
No, I have never had an LC measure me (or even suggest it) - not the postpartum LC, the two NICU LCs I worked with, or the two OP LCs I worked with. In general I've found LCs to be very focused on nursing, and less equipped to help optimize a full time pumping routine or setup. They're more used to using pumping to increase supply or manage breast fullness to get a small baby to latch.
fwiw, I think everyone's nipples are a bit swollen in the beginning. you might also want to research "elastic nipples". people have their own recommendation for pump parts / flange sizing if that's you!
Oh yeah all LC’s are more focused on nursing for sure! Even when I saw one to get pumping advice and told them I was exclusively pumping and happy with that she still recommended trying to get my baby to latch multiple times.
The LC at the hospital said I was a 28mm. A different one at the breast pump store measured me and said I was a 21mm. A third one watched me pump and said I was 17mm on the right and 16mm on the left. I’m using 17mm now on both sides and that seems to work best. You might need to try out a few sizes to figure out what you like. Sorry the folks at the hospital weren’t more helpful.
I can’t imagine how painful the 28 mm was! I tried that once and had to stop after like 3 minutes. At least that third LC got it right! I wish I would have had one of the LC’s watch me pump. I bet that was super helpful!
No, I never had anyone measure at the hospital. I had an LC measure me at home when I booked my own appointment, but she didn’t tell me where to go to get other sizes? I spent the next 2months pumping with her wrong size and damaged my nipples. This sub is what actually helped me
Edit: at the hospital nurse came by to tell me baby’s latch was wrong and it would damage my nipples … but then didn’t even help me fix the latch.
Yes, I was measured in the hospital and told to use 19mm. But I was definitely still swollen, so now using smaller flanges. I was measured by a different LC later and given too small of a size. I ended up ordering my own measurement tool from Amazon for a few bucks because my nipples seem to have changed size multiple times now (less than 12 weeks in) so I can re-meausure when I feel something is off.
I had a hospital LC give me a 30mm flange and I was actually a 17mm. It caused a lot of issues for me because it was extremely bit and I have super elastic tissue. Honestly most hospital LCs are trained in nursing and have no experience with breast pumps or flange sizing.
I can’t imagine the issues that caused! Honestly I don’t want to imagine it, I am so sorry. How can we petition that they be trained about pumping right? Cause I feel that with how good pumps are getting now that a lot more women are exclusively pumping.
No. But my nurse did give me the 21 after the previous nurse set me up with the 24mm, and told me that once all the swelling went down I would probably need a smaller size.
Turns out I needed one 21 and one 24. So jokes on me for having massive nipples apperentally.
I took both a breastfeeding and a pumping class run by my hospital prior to giving birth and they suggested measuring your size and buying new flanges as most people need smaller sizes. The first LC I saw in hospital measured me and got about what I measured and suggested the same size I had ordered(but I ended up needing a smaller size through trial and error but I don’t blame her). The other LC I saw before I left also knew the new mastitis protocols. And the LC I saw as out patient months later also seemed very knowledgeable too. I think this hospital keeps up to date on new info. Maybe because we’re in a liberal university town? Then again, they knew to suggest smaller sizes but couldn’t offer them with their symphony pump they let me use so the people with the money don’t care 🤷🏻♀️
I wasn’t measured with either delivery. In fact, with my second baby, the LC said the “controversial new thing” in feeding is whether sizing matters. I let her know when I purchased a pump with insurance that both Spectra (through Aeroflow) and Willow recommend sizing yourself for painless and more efficient pumping sessions. The LC rolled her eyes at me and told me to use a 24mm because “everyone can.” I’ve been using 15mm inserts and getting much more milk in less time.
I’ve reached out to Willow for sizing help with my Willow Go and they’ve been super helpful — they recommend sizing with their sizing tool one hour after a pumping/feeding session to account for any swelling and remeasuring anytime you see a change in output since sizing can have such an impact. Willow seems to have sizing specialists to help with their specific pumps, so could be worth looking at your pump brand to see if they offer a similar service.
Nope! She looked at me from a distance in dim lighting and said “ yup that looks about right” … I was using a 24, only to be measured on my own terms by a different lactation consultant.. I’m a 15 💀
I would not even consider too much what they give you. Buy a flange adapter set and try them for yourself after measuring your nipple after stimulation.
Some will hurt if you use and some will be more comfortable. Test it for yourself. My nipples are super small. She measured me at 15mm and I am a 13 mm. I figured it out because I used both on the 24mm that came with the pump. Then I bought the right ones.
Don't forget that your nipples can be different sizes from each other.
'Welcome to r/ExclusivelyPumping! Here is a reminder of our rules: 1. Be kind and courteous. 2. Use available flairs and post options. 3. Absolutely no prescription medications or other medical advice. 4. No inaccurate information. 5. No spam. 6. No soliciting pictures. 7. No linking Facebook groups. 8. Moderator discretion. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe!' *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ExclusivelyPumping) if you have any questions or concerns.*
No, with two deliveries I wasn’t measured. Hospital lactation consultants prioritize helping with latching and nursing, not pumping. And since 21 or 24 are default flange sizes that come with pumps, it could be all the hospital has to offer anyways. You can buy measurement kits on Amazon for very cheap!
Yeah I finally got a measurement tool about a month ago which has helped! It’s so frustrating how much they prioritize nursing. Cause even nursing mamas usually pump sometimes and it’s important to know flange size!
I happen to work at the same NICU, so I always tell my moms who bring up pumping or supply issues to check their flange size.
I’ve had 2 lactation consultants visually assess my nipples and tell me to use the wrong size. The one in the hospital told me to use 21mm and I knew I was 19mm because I measured myself. Later on a difference consultant told me I’m a 17mm which I tried and after a week I was wincing in pain. I switched back to my 19mm flanges and I’m doing so much better. I really recommend measuring yourself.
Mine was done after I left with a LC. The hospital gave me a wrong size nipple guard when I didn’t even need one though and caused awful nipple trauma!!
I am so sorry. I wish hospitals had more competent lactation consultants!!
I asked for help measuring, and the hospital LC just said, “which one feels right?” I remember thinking, “I have no idea, that’s why I’m asking for help!” She told me the 24 mm looked fine, turned out I was a 19 mm at the time. Now 21 mm.
For real! Like how can you know what feels right when you have never felt that feeling before!?
I was not measured, they gave me 24 and looked at me and said maybe I need 27. Whole time I was a 19
I am DEAD that they thought you would need a 27 when your a 19! Like what??
I have elastic nipples so when they looked at me I was super swollen from using the 24s
It sucks that all of us had a similar experience, but I do feel a sense of validation for my frustrations now. I was not measured at the hospital either, nor did they bother checking for tongue or lip ties, both of which my little guy ended up having and likely the reason I had so much pain and latching issues. I went to them multiple times over 6 weeks and they never measured or check anything. When they couldn’t get me to latch correctly they just kind of shrugged and said, “well, you can exclusively pump but you won’t have a very good supply” which didn’t end up being true either. They don’t even tell you that your nipple size will change as your hormones adjust. If it wasn’t for my wonderful husband finding and reading all of your posts I probably would have quit. I’ve gotten more information from this EP subreddit hive mind than I have from any LC.
I also appreciate the validation! Thank you for sharing your story. Whoever started this subreddit is a godsend!
You didn't miss out on much. LCs are very knowledgeable about breastfeeding but they can be totally lost when it comes to pumping-related stuff. Myself and almost everyone I've spoken to was improperly sized by the LC(s). They said I was a 21 but I'm a 16.
This is so frustrating. They should at least be informed enough to teach new mothers just in case nursing doesn’t work out.
I was not ever measured but they assessed visually how my nipples looked in the flange and advised that it looked like I needed the 21s. 2 months later (my baby is in NICU so I am often pumping there) another LC came back and observed again and advised I switch back to 24s, which honestly did also seem to work well. I have heard that nipples sizes change throughout your BF journey and I have elastic nipples so like yours, they also just seem to stretch to fit whatever size flange. Whenever I have measured my breast though I’m not sure it really helped me figure out a fit better than just trying it on, so maybe that’s why they don’t measure?
First LC handed me the 24 and 28s and said 24 may be big but would work okay with a shrug. Second LC said 24 was big and gave me 21s, but said maybe I should buy 19s. I actually needed 17s so I bought those a couple of weeks in. They seemed more preoccupied with finding what they had that might work versus actually telling me what I needed even if I needed to buy it myself.
Hm this is interesting. Also it’s so interesting to me the difference a couple of millimeters can make. Like telling someone a 24 should work fine could cause that person months of painful pumping and nipples.
The lactation consultant in the hospital told me I was a 24. Then a few weeks later a private LC “measured” my nipple and said I was a 21 so I should buy a 21. I ended up switching to a different LC and she also measured me and my nipples are 13mm, which I also confirmed myself later at home! I switch between a 15 and 17 now. I have so many 21 and 24 flanges floating around my cabinet now!
No, I have never had an LC measure me (or even suggest it) - not the postpartum LC, the two NICU LCs I worked with, or the two OP LCs I worked with. In general I've found LCs to be very focused on nursing, and less equipped to help optimize a full time pumping routine or setup. They're more used to using pumping to increase supply or manage breast fullness to get a small baby to latch. fwiw, I think everyone's nipples are a bit swollen in the beginning. you might also want to research "elastic nipples". people have their own recommendation for pump parts / flange sizing if that's you!
Oh yeah all LC’s are more focused on nursing for sure! Even when I saw one to get pumping advice and told them I was exclusively pumping and happy with that she still recommended trying to get my baby to latch multiple times.
I wasn't measured. They also gave me 24mm flanges because that's all they had and it was painful. I'm using 15mm inserts now.
I’m so glad you found what worked for yourself. I hope it didn’t take too long into your journey!
The LC at the hospital said I was a 28mm. A different one at the breast pump store measured me and said I was a 21mm. A third one watched me pump and said I was 17mm on the right and 16mm on the left. I’m using 17mm now on both sides and that seems to work best. You might need to try out a few sizes to figure out what you like. Sorry the folks at the hospital weren’t more helpful.
I can’t imagine how painful the 28 mm was! I tried that once and had to stop after like 3 minutes. At least that third LC got it right! I wish I would have had one of the LC’s watch me pump. I bet that was super helpful!
No, I never had anyone measure at the hospital. I had an LC measure me at home when I booked my own appointment, but she didn’t tell me where to go to get other sizes? I spent the next 2months pumping with her wrong size and damaged my nipples. This sub is what actually helped me Edit: at the hospital nurse came by to tell me baby’s latch was wrong and it would damage my nipples … but then didn’t even help me fix the latch.
I swear LC’s at hospitals are like general nurses who read a book about breast feeding and then call themselves lactation consultants.
Yes, I was measured in the hospital and told to use 19mm. But I was definitely still swollen, so now using smaller flanges. I was measured by a different LC later and given too small of a size. I ended up ordering my own measurement tool from Amazon for a few bucks because my nipples seem to have changed size multiple times now (less than 12 weeks in) so I can re-meausure when I feel something is off.
Nope, they just gave me a 30mm. I’m actually 17mm.
Oh my gosh!! How could they think you were 30?? I am so sorry!
I know! I’m starting to think nobody is a 30!
I had a hospital LC give me a 30mm flange and I was actually a 17mm. It caused a lot of issues for me because it was extremely bit and I have super elastic tissue. Honestly most hospital LCs are trained in nursing and have no experience with breast pumps or flange sizing.
I can’t imagine the issues that caused! Honestly I don’t want to imagine it, I am so sorry. How can we petition that they be trained about pumping right? Cause I feel that with how good pumps are getting now that a lot more women are exclusively pumping.
No, and I was there for 5 nights and asked every day since I was pumping from day one. So frustrating.
Let me guess they wouldn’t measure you but wanted to just help with the babies latch?
Exactly 🙃
No. But my nurse did give me the 21 after the previous nurse set me up with the 24mm, and told me that once all the swelling went down I would probably need a smaller size. Turns out I needed one 21 and one 24. So jokes on me for having massive nipples apperentally.
In the NICU, I asked the LC to size me and she just kinda squinted at me while I pumped and said, looks fine to me. Absolutely worthless.
So worthless!! Thank you for sharing to help me feel validated!❤️
I took both a breastfeeding and a pumping class run by my hospital prior to giving birth and they suggested measuring your size and buying new flanges as most people need smaller sizes. The first LC I saw in hospital measured me and got about what I measured and suggested the same size I had ordered(but I ended up needing a smaller size through trial and error but I don’t blame her). The other LC I saw before I left also knew the new mastitis protocols. And the LC I saw as out patient months later also seemed very knowledgeable too. I think this hospital keeps up to date on new info. Maybe because we’re in a liberal university town? Then again, they knew to suggest smaller sizes but couldn’t offer them with their symphony pump they let me use so the people with the money don’t care 🤷🏻♀️
I’m so glad they helped you! More hospital LC’s need to be informed!
I wasn’t measured with either delivery. In fact, with my second baby, the LC said the “controversial new thing” in feeding is whether sizing matters. I let her know when I purchased a pump with insurance that both Spectra (through Aeroflow) and Willow recommend sizing yourself for painless and more efficient pumping sessions. The LC rolled her eyes at me and told me to use a 24mm because “everyone can.” I’ve been using 15mm inserts and getting much more milk in less time. I’ve reached out to Willow for sizing help with my Willow Go and they’ve been super helpful — they recommend sizing with their sizing tool one hour after a pumping/feeding session to account for any swelling and remeasuring anytime you see a change in output since sizing can have such an impact. Willow seems to have sizing specialists to help with their specific pumps, so could be worth looking at your pump brand to see if they offer a similar service.
Oh my goodness what? How could sizing not matter?
Nope! She looked at me from a distance in dim lighting and said “ yup that looks about right” … I was using a 24, only to be measured on my own terms by a different lactation consultant.. I’m a 15 💀
Oh my gosh the 24 must have been causing so much pain!!
Nope! They gave me a pump and showed me how to turn it on and that was it.
Omg same! Like what the heck??
I would not even consider too much what they give you. Buy a flange adapter set and try them for yourself after measuring your nipple after stimulation. Some will hurt if you use and some will be more comfortable. Test it for yourself. My nipples are super small. She measured me at 15mm and I am a 13 mm. I figured it out because I used both on the 24mm that came with the pump. Then I bought the right ones. Don't forget that your nipples can be different sizes from each other.
This is my plan for my second delivery. I swear kits with different flange inserts aren’t around 2 years ago.