As you may know, the Medela breastpumps come standard with the Medium-24mm Personal Fit Breastshields. But Medela also makes other sizes of breastshields (aka the funnels): Small-21mm, Large-27mm, Extra Large-30mm, and XXL-36mm. But how do you know which size you should be using?
Contrary to what you might think, it doesn't matter how big your breasts are or how big your areolas are. What matters is how big your actual nipple is (the part that sticks out). Your nipple should be able to glide in and out of the tunnel (without touching the tunnel sides) when the pump is running - it should not fill up the whole breastshield tunnel.
"To determine whether you think you might need a Large or Extra Large breastshield, look at your nipple as it is drawn into the tunnel of the shield during pumping. It should move freely and easily, and should not rub against the sides of the tunnel. If the breastshield fits tightly, your nipple will rub against the sides of the tunnel with each vacuum movement of the pump. After several pumpings, you may notice that the outside of the nipple (rather than the nipple tip) is tender or sore. You may also see a little ring of skin flecks in the tunnel of the breastshield after you pump. While a little circle of milk in the tunnel is normal, a ring of skin flecks probably indicates that the tunnel is too small, and that you would be more comfortable with a larger breastshield. When your nipple moves freely in the tunnel of the breastshield, you will also note a gentle pulling movement in the areola each time the pump cycles. If you do not see any movement in the areola with the pump vacuum, the breastshield is probably too small." -from Medela's article on Choosing a Correctly-Fitted Breastshield
If you need more help figuring out what size you need, come on into the store! We have a measuring gauge that can help to decide which breastshield to get. You also may want to have 2 or more sizes on hand - some women like to use a larger size when they are more engorged.
In addition to selling all sizes of the Medela Personal Fit Breastshields, we also sell all of the replacement parts for the Pump in Style, Freestyle and Symphony Pumps, including the Pump-In-Style tubing. If you don't want to buy a pump, we also rent out the Medela Symphony Hospital-Grade Breastpump. Rental pumps are only $75 per month!
If you need help figuring out how all of the parts go together, check out our YouTube video on assembling all the Medela pump parts.
Contrary to what you might think, it doesn't matter how big your breasts are or how big your areolas are. What matters is how big your actual nipple is (the part that sticks out). Your nipple should be able to glide in and out of the tunnel (without touching the tunnel sides) when the pump is running - it should not fill up the whole breastshield tunnel.
"To determine whether you think you might need a Large or Extra Large breastshield, look at your nipple as it is drawn into the tunnel of the shield during pumping. It should move freely and easily, and should not rub against the sides of the tunnel. If the breastshield fits tightly, your nipple will rub against the sides of the tunnel with each vacuum movement of the pump. After several pumpings, you may notice that the outside of the nipple (rather than the nipple tip) is tender or sore. You may also see a little ring of skin flecks in the tunnel of the breastshield after you pump. While a little circle of milk in the tunnel is normal, a ring of skin flecks probably indicates that the tunnel is too small, and that you would be more comfortable with a larger breastshield. When your nipple moves freely in the tunnel of the breastshield, you will also note a gentle pulling movement in the areola each time the pump cycles. If you do not see any movement in the areola with the pump vacuum, the breastshield is probably too small." -from Medela's article on Choosing a Correctly-Fitted Breastshield
If you need more help figuring out what size you need, come on into the store! We have a measuring gauge that can help to decide which breastshield to get. You also may want to have 2 or more sizes on hand - some women like to use a larger size when they are more engorged.
In addition to selling all sizes of the Medela Personal Fit Breastshields, we also sell all of the replacement parts for the Pump in Style, Freestyle and Symphony Pumps, including the Pump-In-Style tubing. If you don't want to buy a pump, we also rent out the Medela Symphony Hospital-Grade Breastpump. Rental pumps are only $75 per month!
If you need help figuring out how all of the parts go together, check out our YouTube video on assembling all the Medela pump parts.
Visit us at:
16101 Ventura Blvd. Suite 230
Encino, CA. 91436
p. (818) 380-3111 w. shopthehaven.com
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