Breastshield Sizing Guide

Breastshield Sizing Guide

As you get started using your Spectra pump some mums discover it helpful to explore breastshield size. Unfortunately, in that location'south no way to know what your size will be before you start pumping. Your Spectra pumps comes with size 24mm breastshields in the box which will work for almost mums at least initially - and so don't panic! When you accept had some do and get used to pumping, you may detect that you are meliorate off with a unlike size. Getting your best shield fit is ultimately a matter of trial and error to determine what size gives y'all best comfort and output, regardless of measuring, simply hopefully this guide volition help you decide that a lot faster.

How to measure your best breastshield size

There are a few unlike techniques to get an idea of what your shield size will be, but about mums do tend to mensurate themselves incorrectly or too large - so shoot us a message and so nosotros can help! Yous volition need to measure after pumping, as your nipples will nifty during pumping. You tin utilise a piece of string to measure out around the base of operations of your nipple and and so divide past iii.14 (takes you dorsum to circumvolve geometry at school, right?). Or y'all can endeavor measuring across the base of the nipple with a ruler - this is a lot harder to figure out than it seems though. You want to go finish up with the diameter or width of the base of operations of your nipple. Be careful not to include any swollen areola that is mistaken for nipple in the measurement. This tin be tricky and so doing it in forepart of a mirror or using a smart phone in selfie mode may be helpful.

Your bra / cup size doesn't thing here

We know you've focussed all your life on your cup size, but in this instance it really doesn't matter. Whatever loving cup size you are has no impact on your breastshield size needs. We too don't want to worry almost your areola - areola should not enter the breastshield, then you need have a breastshield that is the best size for your nipple only that is non so large that information technology allows areola to exist drawn in. Only the nipple size matters when information technology comes to sizing your breastshield. If you lot've already started using your breast pump and you're feeling like you might non be using the right size, here are some pointers:

Signs your shield is also large

  • Your nipple is hitting the terminate of the shield
  • Your milk output is lower than you expect
  • Areola is being fatigued into the breastshield
  • Your nipple has a 'bunched' look because some of your areola is being drawn in and bunching up into the nipple.

Signs your shield is too small-scale

  • Your nipple does not fit into the shield to outset with
  • Your milk output is low.

Some extra tips to retrieve

  • Feeling rubbing is not always the sign of a bad shield size. Using a balm, coconut oil or olive oil can really help reduce whatever rubbing or friction pain.
  • Sometimes painful pumping or too big a shield size can brand nipple excessively swollen. This is temporary and may ease with a meliorate shield fit. (Ask us for help if you're non sure).
  • Not getting any milk when pumping is very oft a sign of poor shield fit or positioning (or not using a pump y'all answer to) not your milk supply. Concluding you don't take milk because y'all tin't express any is a common mistake and means you need aid!
  • Shield positioning is also super important - information technology's helpful you have the best size for yous, only more importantly, you need to brand sure your shield is positioned well, that your nipple is centred down the shield and that y'all have a good seal of breast tissue to the breastshield behind the nipple.

What to do if you're nonetheless not sure

If you are having whatever doubts at all, and so please merely get in touch on. A big function of our day goes in helping mums with shield fit and positioning, and we like to recollect we know something nigh information technology past now! You don't demand to become this right all on your own, so arrive touch and we'll help out.

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