What the Flange?
- Gina Sterchi RN IBCLC
- Jan 12, 2020
- 2 min read
During your breastfeeding journey, there may be moments where your baby may not feed at your breast. If you choose to use a breast-pump to express your breastmilk, it is important to have a proper fitting breast flange.
The flange is the plastic part of the pumping accessories that is placed directly on the breast and forms a seal around the areola. This creates a vacuum that gently draws the nipple into the tunnel during rhythmic suction. All pumps come with one average sized breast flange, typically 24-27mm in tunnel diameter. Not all women fit this size! Throughout your breastfeeding experience, your breasts shape and size may vary. It is important to check the fit of your flange regularly to ensure proper fitting. A correctly sized flange is essential for successful pumping and can make your experience less painful and more productive! A poor fitting breast flange can result in lower milk output, blocked ducts, and damage to your nipples (blisters or cracking).
Here is an easy way to check your nipple size using coins!
1. Wash several coins for comparison with soap and water.
2. Measure soon after nursing. Your nipple expands after warmth and compression.
3. Determine the coin closest in size to your nipple diameter.
4. See the chart below for the corresponding flange size suggestion.
5. Compare proper fit images during pumping.
Flange sizes range from 21-36mm, and one at 40mm. Many brands researched and used in this post include Medela, Ameda, ARDO, Lansinoh, Hygeia, Freemie, and Spectra.
DIME (19-21mm) : Medela small personal fit, Ameda Flexshield, Pumpin Pal small super shields,
Spectra Massager.
PENNY (23-24mm): Medela medium personal fit, ARDO optiflow interchanges with medium Pumpin
Pal, Ameda, Spectra medium standard flanges.
NICKLE (25-28mm): Medela large personal fit, Ameda 25mm, ARDO 26mm, Hygeia 27mm, Freemie
hands free, Spectra 28mm.
QUARTER (29-31mm): Medela XL, Ameda M/L custom fit, ARDO 31mm, Hygeia 29mm, Spectra can
use large Pumpin Pal.
DOLLAR (32-36mm): Medela XL personal fit, Ameda XL/XXL custom fit, ARDO can us XL Pumpin
Pal- it fits up to 40mm, Spectra 32mm
How's the Flange Fitting?
GOOD FIT
During pumping, your nipple moves freely in the flange tunnel. There is a slight space around the nipple. Your nipple is pink and there should be no pain. The suction should feel comfortable with gentle tugging.
Flange is TOO SMALL
Some or all of your nipple rubs against the insides of the tunnel flange. Your nipple can be red or blanch white. A white circle can appear at the base of the nipple. You could still feel unexpressed milk, lumps/ blocked duct or fullness after pumping. Nipple damage can occur.
Flange is TOO BIG
More of your areola is drawn into the breast flange tunnel along with your nipple. Your areola may be rubbing against the flange and your nipple barely enters the tunnel. With large flanges and smaller breast tissue, a seal may not occur and pumping will not be effective with removing your milk.
Check with the manufacturer of your breast pump for available sizes of breast flanges. Or better yet, see a Board Certified Lactation Consultant for assessment of your pumping equipment.
Sources from gathered information in this post:
insurancecoveredbreastpumps.com/product-category/breast-pumps/
shutterstock.com
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