How important is it to have the correct size breast shield on a pump?

[PickledLily]

I think the breast shield on my Medela pump is too big for me - I only realised when someone else posted a link to the Medela site describing what a correct fit looks like. [http://www.medela.com/UK/en/breastfeeding/good-to-know/right-size-of-breastshield.html]

Is the correct size really needed to express successfully, or is it just to make it more comfortable? I tried expressing - I didn't get much milk but don't know if this was due to other factors (although supply isn't normally an issue), and it left a nasty mark on my areola.

I've checked all the usual online stores and nobody seems to stock the smaller breast shield. Any suggestions?

I'll try that link again! www.medela.com/UK/en/breastfeeding/good-to-know/right-size-of-breastshield.html

The right size makes all the difference as to how much you get out. You can buy breastshields from Amazon

They look different to the one supplied with the pump because they changed the design but they do fit all Medela pumps.

Aha! Thanks Pascha. Free postage too!

I'll get ordering.

Using the wrong size can lead to soreness, lowered yield and in my case permanently altered nipples (I used the wrong size for 12 times a day for 8 weeks and then occasionally for months and it altered the shape of my areola/nipple which is still evident 6 years and 2 more babies later).

Correct sized shields are a must in my book!

Blimey, I had NO idea that you needed to think about this. I wonder if that is why my productivity at the pump is so much lower when I pump with Dd2 than it was with dd1. Thanks!