Switching Flange Sizes and Milk Supply
The biggest concern when switching flange sizes is always if there will be an impact on milk supply, and the answer is there may be a change in output, but we can work through that! The reason changing flange sizes can impact your milk supply include:
1. Your let-down reflex has been trained to the sensations of the incorrect flange sizes, and we may need to retrain your body to respond to the better flange sizes.
2. The wrong flange sizes did some nipple damage and caused swelling, making for a painful shift when changing sizes that is inhibiting your milk flow.
3. There is residual swelling from the too large flange size that obscured your true nipple size, so the new size is not accurate and we need to address the swelling before we will have success.
The bigger the change in flange size, or the more damage caused by the previous flange sizing, the higher the chances we will have an issue to handle. So what can you do to handle these challenges?
Step 1- Are you having pain with the new flange sizes?
If you are having pain go back to the previous flange sizes temporarily and book a pain and damage consultation ASAP so we can address this issue! It is likely that we have some work to do in order to address nipple pain and damage before switching flanges can be done comfortably. Pain directly inhibits the let-down reflex so trying to power through without a solid plan is only risking your milk supply unnecessarily.
If you are not having pain with the new flanges, go to Step 2.
Step 2- Do your new flanges feel good, but you are not getting the output of milk you had with the old flanges?
We need to help your body adjust to the new flange sizes! We have a few options for things you can try while your body is adjusting!
Try each method below and see what works best for you. Work to keep emptying the breast and know this will pass before long!
Switch or Swap Out Method
Use the new flange sizes for 15 minutes, then switch to the old flanges to finish emptying. Gradually try to increase the time you use the new flanges while reducing the time you need the old flanges. This method may take up to 10-14 days to properly work but most adjust much faster in 2-3 days.
Pro tip: Check that your nipple is moving with the new flanges, if the new size doesn’t allow for some stretch and movement you will not be able to let-down at all [remember it’s the stretching of the nipple that triggers the let-down]. If you are not getting any movement with your new set-up contact me today for assistance in determining what might work better.
Retrain Method
Use the new flange on one side, and the old flange on the other side. Alternate the side with the new flange each pump session until your body catches on. This is a fantastic strategy when the old set-up was not causing significant pain or damage, and when utilized properly, it can produce results faster than the Switch Method.
Pro tip: If you latch your baby you can nurse on one side while using the new pump set-up on the other. This will produce the fastest results as your sweet baby will always inspire more oxytocin production than the pump.
Hand Expression
Use the new flanges for 20-30 minutes, then follow with hand expression to finish emptying the breast. This is ideal in situations where the new set-up is not painful, but the old set-up caused pain and damage. This will help get you over the hump of learning to let-down for the new set-up while protecting your milk supply, and not subjecting you to further pain and trauma.
Pro tip: Check out this fantastic video to learn more about hand expression, this is a tool you want in your toolbox in the event you ever find yourself without a baby or pump to empty your breasts for any reason.
