Here we answer the question: how to know if I have the right size pump parts?

Something experienced parents (and medical professionals, for that matter) often forget is how terrifying a breast pump seems when you first see it. It’s loud (although this has gotten slightly better!), and it is about to suck on your boob. Not something you’ve ever been through before. So getting the fit right on your flanges might not be your first concern. You probably just used whichever one came with the pump and hoped for the best. Totally reasonable.

But once you get past the initial horror of the breast pump, and settle in to using it as a tool that can help you, flange fit might be more interesting. So here are some tips to getting the right fit.

1. If your nipple hurts when you pump, try a bigger size. You shouldn’t experience rubbing or scratching on your nipples from your pump.

2. None of your areola should be sucked into the tube of the flange when you pump. Look down and watch to see if that’s happening. If it is, try a smaller size.

3. If you still feel like there’s milk in your breasts after you pump, it might mean you have the wrong size flange. The pump might be pulling milk unevenly.

Most breast pumps come with a “standard” sized flange (about 24 milimeters). But as we know all too well, one size does not fit all when it comes to motherhood. Check out what other options your manufacturer offers. Even if they don’t offer a size that works for you, there are outside companies that make a wider range of sizes. Finding the size that works best for you can help to make pumping a more comfortable experience… and trust us, it’s well worth your time.