So sore from pumping!

[Sotired22]

My baby is 7 weeks and I’m breastfeeding but I feed from one side and pump from the other as she won’t latch on one side at all without a shield and even then she doesn’t feed well from it and it ends up very messy with milk going everywhere. So I pump from this side about 4 times in 24 hours, getting 2-3oz a time. However my nipple is getting so sore from the pump and has cuts in it now. I’ve got a Medela pump and I’ve tried every size of flange which has cost a lot of money. The standard size (24mm) seems to work the most effectively in terms of getting milk out but my nipple rubs against it. Tried the bigger one (27mm) and it was too big, I couldn’t get a let down and pumped hardly any milk after 20 minutes.

Has anyone else had this problem? Is it just inevitable that I’ll be sore from pumping? Im using Lansinoh but it’s still painful and itchy. Also sometimes my boob just feels achey and itchy for a while after a pumping session. Is this normal??

Hi there I wanted to let you know that this is not normal.

It sounds like there is a lot going on-too much to easily resolve with messages really , but…

Pumping should be comfortable, but there’s more to consider (flange fitting is a good start though).

Do you feel like you understand the settings on your pump? Are you starting fast cycle with low suction then switching to slower speed & more suction once let-down happens?

Here is a blog about getting the most from pumping:

https://www.baby-thrive.com/blog/how-to-make-pumping-work-for-you

I wonder if there is more going on…have you considered you might be allergic to the lanolin cream? It’s not been proven to work any better than breast milk alone.

https://www.baby-thrive.com/blog/sore-nipples-when-breastfeeding

And what do you think of working towards getting your baby latching on that side? It’s not too late. Have you had expert help with this? Or do you feel there is too much damage just now to consider feeding directly?

Is the other nipple comfortable?

Thanks, yes my pump automatically starts with a faster low suction setting to mimick the way baby would suck at first, then it changes to a slower suction setting or I can manually change it sooner if let down happens. I can adjust the strength but I always keep it low, I’m not putting it on a strong setting.

it’s not the Lansinoh as I only started using it after the soreness started, and not many times a day as I don’t always have it to hand.

I think maybe my nipple just doesn’t fit well with the flanges, even though I’ve got every size! I’ve had help lots of times to try sort the latch on that side (not just with this baby but previous as well ) and it just doesn’t work. Like I say baby will latch with a shield so I do that sometimes but I find it a faff using one and I don’t think baby is keen either. My other side is fine, baby latches well and no soreness. I occasionally pump from that side but not often.

Sorry for all the questions it sounds like you have done your research and considered a lot of these things already.

Flange fitting is tricky as you cannot just measure-it's a very personal thing depending upon the stretchiness of your skin. Recently there is a move towards wearing flanges which fit your nipple exactly, actually touching the sides. Apparently many women are best suited to 18 or 21 mm flanges so much smaller than the default ones. Sounds like you have tried lots but not quite this small. Another option might be pumpin pals flanges? Or lubricate the 24mm and go gently with your pump settings? Do you feel you might be better off with a Haakka pump or hand expressing for a while.

The aching & itching you describe makes me wonder if there is something more going on though. Have you looked at mammary disbiosis to see if anything rings true?

Hello OP. This sounds tough and dispiriting; poor you. My baby has a strong preference for one side and sometimes refuses the other altogether unless he is already sleepy from nursing on his preferred side first. However he will sometimes have it with no fuss if I put him in the rugby hold on that side - perhaps it feels more like being in cradle hold on his preferred side? But you’ve very likely tried this already. Good luck.

The easiest option is to gradually phase out the pumping sessions and just feed the baby from the one side. It all depends on how you feel about being a bit lopsided…