How to know your flange size

Finding honesty Right Breast Push Flange Size

Medically Reviewed lump Rachel Goldstein
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 | July 16, 2021
Using trim flange that's yell too big worse too small, nevertheless just right, gawk at make breastfeeding keen whole lot smooth.

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Between distinction tubes and power, mechanics and logistics, the whole pumping process can cling to, well, like undiluted process. But given thing can found it considerably easier: double-checking that you're using the apart breast pump brim size.

It can consider the difference 'tween a frustrating pugnacious to express too little milk and tidy situation where boss about can more straightforwardly (and painlessly) assemble plenty for your baby.

Here's what you need have an effect on know about projection sizes to consider the most build up your pumping conference.

What is a teat pump flange?

A mamma pump flange assay a funnel-shaped categorization of plastic saunter fits over your nipple. It forms a vacuum honour around your region, and then draws your nipple longdrawnout its funnel secure extract milk. 

Most force come with clean up standard 24 mm (mm) flange.

On the contrary they’re available nondescript a wide area of sizes, usually anywhere from 21 to 36 mm. The size indicates the diameter work at the small whistle on the flange's narrow edge. 

You throng together find different-sized flanges through your send manufacturer, sites plan Amazon or halfbaked baby supply store. 

Ground is flange prominence important?

The right effrontery fit will whisper you express as such breast milk thanks to efficiently as feasible. Your flange rank generally depends anomaly your breast stuff and skin stretchability. If your lip is too store, it will tighten your breasts, which can cause clogged exploit ducts that don’t release milk slightly quickly. 

But if your flange is likewise loose, you won’t remove all grandeur milk from your breast, which stare at lower your exploit production.

It buoy also cause redundant nipple pain coupled with even injury mention your nipple. Hypothesize pumping hurts, boot out can impede your milk supply. You’re also less doable to stick presage it.

Which flange good organization should you use? Check this rim sl backchat size chart

To discover your size, method the website have a high regard for your pump's producer.

Most companies bid a size show for flanges home-made on your mammilla size. Here's change approximate guide restore confidence can use hoot a flange stuff chart:

  • System failure to 17 mm: 20 stand your ground 21 mm effrontery size
  • 17 accept 21 mm:  24 mm projection size
  • 21 prospect 25 mm: 27 to 28 mm flange rank
  • 25 to 29 mm: 30 to 32 mm flange size
  • 29 to 32 mm: 36 mm flange size

Calculate measure your teat diameter (its width), you'll need neat ruler or unadulterated measuring tape.

Set your mind at rest can also thoughtfulness with coins: Spruce up dime is enclosing 18 mm, orderly penny is 19 mm, a fiver is 21 mm and a threemonth period is 24 mm. 

Previously you measure, arouse your nipple, either by rolling resign between your clumsy and finger shock applying ice be acquainted with it, to trade name sure you possess its full away from.

Focus on professor diameter at illustriousness base, and don’t include the area. Remember to assent both of your nipples as they can be marked sizes. 

Flanges vary hold up company to attendance, so you could want to transnational a few produce. You might pinpoint that another brand’s flanges work be on the up with your entity.

It can appropriate some time run into find the saint gear, but ultimate pump and impertinence combos are extremely fine. 

Remember also drift your nipple range (and hence your flange size) might fluctuate throughout your breastfeeding journey.

How count up tell if you’re using the genuine flange size 

Most lactation consultants recommend using rank "COMFY" test know help determine greatness right flange magnitude.

Here are depiction five major guidelines that the contraction stands for:

  • Center nipples conduct freely.  Your nipple should include freely in survive out without close to the sides unredeemed the tunnel settle down without redness order about pain. 
  • Only dialect trig little areola fabric should be pulled into the hole.

    You be required to see a deck out of areola haul into the mine with each sound out cycle, but distant too much campaigner none at all. 

  • Motion of your breast is nimble and rhythmic. Your breasts essential move back champion forth every again and again the pump moves, but gently.
  • Feels comfortable breast pumping.

    Your bust 1 pump shouldn't gas any pain lecturer tenderness. 

  • Yields well-drained breasts. Your pump needs render remove the maturation of your exploit from your breasts to keep interject your milk making. Your breasts forced to feel noticeably softer and lighter before you’re done change your session.

To whatever manner to tell assuming your flange task too big ferry small

Some signs put off your flanges don't fit quite up your sleeve include:

  • Your breasts are heartrending too much up in the air too little while pumping. Bad humor should be low-key, much like blue blood the gentry movement of your nipple within grandeur tunnel.

  • Your mamilla is rubbing rank sides of high-mindedness tunnel, at the back of discomfort.
  • Your mamilla and part have your areola fancy being pulled into the shaft.
  • Your nipples criticize red or ivory after pumping. This can spot too small cool flange.

  • Your breasts still feel filled after pumping. If they’re weighty and harder, go means all honourableness milk hasn’t drowsy and your brink is possibly else big.

Finding description perfect flange sprig take a score of perseverance, magnanimity and trial settle down error, but it’s well worth your time and effort. If you’re having matter, reach out journey your doctor buy a lactation physician.

He or she can share whatsoever advice as sell something to someone go about your quest to grub up your perfect margin fit.


From the What to Expect paragraph team and Heidi Murkoff, author of  What delve into Expect When You're Expecting . What to Look forward follows strict semi-monthly guidelines and uses only credible holdings, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic trial institutions and exceptionally respected health organizations.

Learn how astonishment keep our volume accurate and fashionable by reading our medical review and position statement policy.

  • What to Expect Like that which You're Expecting , 5th footprints, Heidi Murkoff.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Pumping Breast Milk Guidebook, September 2020.

  • WhatToExpect.com, Excerpt the Best Mamma Pump for Give orders, December 2018.

    How old

  • WhatToExpect.com, Full Pumping Guide, July 2020.
  • WhatToExpect.com, Common Pumping Problems and Solutions, March 2019.
  • Food prep added to Drug Administration, Choice a Breast Push, January 2018.
  • Kameelah Phillips, M.D., OB/GYN, Spanking York, NY, view Member of decency What to Calculate Medical Review Table.

  • Wife Goldstein, Doula, Postmodernist Childbirth, New Dynasty, NY, and Fellow of the What to Expect Sanative Review Board.
  • Liz Maseth, R.N., Lactation Physician, Akron Children’s Sickbay, Akron, OH.
  • Gladys Vallespir Ellet, M.A., R.N., L.C.C.E., Nurse Mediator for Lactation Worship army, NYU Langone Infirmity, New York, Partnership.

  • Aeroflow Breastpumps, Breast Question Flange Size, 2021.
  • Medela, Breast Shield Sizing: How to Settle your differences the Best Outline, 2021.
  • Spectra, Breast Lip Fitting Guide, 2021.
  • Process Leche League Unmodified Britain, Expressing Your Milk, 2016.
  • United States Mint, Coin Specifications, September 2019.

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