Momcozy breast pumping pain - flange size?

[pippabg]

Got a momcozy s12 Pro - I like it, but it's quite painful even on the lowest setting. I know you can get different flange sizes and that can help. Does the pain suggest that the current flange size is too small or too big?

I think it can be either. There are a few pumping groups on FB, the admins of which can usually size you if you send a picture. The wearable pumps are a bit awkward for sizing, I had an Elvie and all the flanges were too big really, but it didn't hurt. How far are you into your pumping journey? If you're just starting out you might just be a bit sensitive? Is your output good?

Thanks so much for the quick response @Kindofcrunchy Baby is 3 weeks and we had breastfeeding issues from start so advised to pump early to increase supply and also to give him some breastmilk alongside the formula. Pumped with medela manual and a hospital grade medela pump, they were uncomfortable at first, but definitely bearable on lowest setting. I find the momcozy more painful even on lowest setting, like an awful pinch. I wonder if the suction is different cos it's mobile. Output not great, but struggling to find time to pump more than 4/5 times a day, which I know needs to increase. The pain just really puts me off, whereas it was the faff of the medela (not mobile) that put me off before!

I found the Medela pumps really brutal on my nips! They are good for establishing supply though - generous amounts of lanisoh nipple cream before and after pumping might help. It can sometimes be that a pump just isn't a good fit for you and you'll get on better with a different one. Do you think an Elvie (even secondhand) would be worth a try? I had the best output with those (circa 1L a day) and they are very gentle, like a baby suckling.

Wow, I barely get a quarter of that! How often do you pump and for how long? Do you find your milk supply has increased over time or been pretty consistent? Really hope I've still got time to improve! I've ordered a smaller flange for the mom cozy. If that doesn't work, I'll have to consider the elvie - they are just so expensive!

I'm actually not pumping at all for my current 5mo, as we've managed to get latch sorted this time round. I exclusively pumped for my 3yo though and the amount I mentioned was what I started producing around 5/6 months - up til then we supplemented with formula. It took a long time to build up a full supply (a month or so) but it absolutely is doable with a pump. I pumped 20 mins on each side and hand expressed afterwards to really empty out. Remember, your baby is only 3 weeks! You have lots of time to build up your supply and right now is the best time to do it. Doesn't matter if you're having to give formula too for a while. If baby isn't latching at all, then try to pump to a 2 hourly schedule (inc overnight). If baby is latching then pump after feeds too. Look up power pumping and do that once a week (or every day if you can handle it). The beginning is brutal, not going to lie, but it is with it because eventually you'll be where we are (either nursing full time or pumping a full supply) and things will be so much easier! Do you have any support, a partner or family who can help you? Also really cannot recommend FB groups enough for online support, it was invaluable.

Also worth mentioning that some babies need less breastmilk than others - eg. At my peak I was pumping 1L a day but baby was only ever taking about 750ml of it - I ended up freezing some. So your goal is to produce however much your baby needs, and that probably won't be anywhere near 1L a day!

it is with it
*stick with it
Autocorrect 🙈