Medela Swing not releasing nipple

[americanexpat]

Hi all. I have a Medela Swing that worked fine at first but now it's sucking my nipple in and not releasing it fully, once it goes into the extended suck phase. After a few sucks, my nipple is completely stuck in the pump and it stops pumping (I can let go of the pump and it hangs there on its own). I have to break the suction and it'll start pumping again but the same thing happens again. I have to pop it off after every second suck and, needless to say, I'm not getting very much milk before I want to chuck it across the room.

I have tried completely disassembling and reassembling (like when sterilising), changing the white membrane thing, using the other breastshield that came with it and using mains power instead of batteries but it hasn't fixed the problem. I used it for 3 days with no problem, this started happening slowly since Tuesday and now it's constant. I'm pumping after BFing to wean my baby off formula and this is extremely frustrating.

Anyone had the same or a similar problem?

[Paschaelina]

Take it back for a replacement. Mine stopped pumping at all (though I didn't have suction problems like you). boots replaced it without a murmur after 6 months constant use. New one is fine.

[americanexpat]

Do you think it could be faulty? I suppose it makes sense since the problem built up over the course of a day and now it's unusable. I very nearly threw it across the room at 4am this morning out of frustration (maybe tiredness played a small role).

I'm wondering if Mothercare will kick up a fuss...

[Paschaelina]

Yes I do think it's faulty. It's not working. If you've tried everything else the only thing left is the pump itself.

I was a bit that we could get a replacement but Boots didn't even blink. They have a years warranty so if it's not working it should just be replaced.

[americanexpat]

I exchanged the pump at Mothercare without a problem. I'm still having the same problem but less severely now. If I increase the suction at all, my nipple gets stuck and it'll get stuck after I've been pumping a while. The breastshield has milk all over it, which I think may be contributing to (or causing?) the problem. I pump after I BF so the milk dribbles out instead of shooting - maybe it's working its way up the breastshield and creating a seal?

[Paschaelina]

Ooh no idea then. Maybe you need a bigger shield? Could try emailing Medela for advice. Website address is in the manual.

[Sarahandned3]

I am having the same problem now with the Medela swing electronic pump. I used it twice when my baby was about 1 week old and used the medium nipple shield that came with the pump and had no problems, now about 10 days later my nipple is getting stuck in he shield so I tried the XL and then the XXL shield and it is still happening. It's so painful and I am having no luck with the pump what so ever. Has anyone else heard of this?? I do not have abnormally large nipples either?

[Carrie008]

I have been having this problem with my Elvie, but more on the left boob than the right. Did you ever figure out what the issue was?