What are BeauGen Cushions? What do they do?
BeauGen Cushions are thin, flexible silicone cushions that fit inside breast flanges from size 21mm to 27mm.
These cushions reduce the size of the flange by 2 mm making them appropriate for size 19-25 mm.
The goal of these cushions is to reduce excess movement and rubbing that can occur for some people when pumping in order to make pumping more comfortable. They are incredibly popular as a solution for the Willow and Elvie pumps to help customize fit with a limited range of available flanges.
The other use for these cushions is to soften the hard ring in a breast pump flange where the funnel and the tunnel meet. This can help people who are prone to bruising from the suction of the pump as their nipple is pulled against the flange.
So will they work for you?
It depends (I know how much you love hearing me say this lol)!
Like everything with pumping, these can be very helpful if they solve a problem you are having!
If you are dealing with nipples that stretch and move so much it hurts even with a good flange fit and lower suction, BeauGen cushions may be just the thing for you.
On the other hand, if you don’t have excessive motion as the cause of your discomfort, these may reduce your movement by so much that you are unable to let-down for the pump because your nipple is not getting enough stimulation.
What if you are someone who needs to cushion against that hard ring but needs the motion of your nipple unrestricted?
Thankfully, you can use a tiny bit of coconut oil with the BeauGen cushions to help get the cushioning effect while allowing enough stretch to your nipple to trigger a let-down.
A common situation in which my clients have found BeauGen cushions to be comfortable is when there is a Montgomery Gland at the base of the nipple that is being pinched. This helps protect that sensitive little bump from damage.
BeauGens have also proven helpful for inelastic nipples with the Willow Pump to help cushion the base of the nipple against the constant suction. This is most common in the case of flat or inverted nipples.
You will sometimes see people complain about their nipples stretching past the end of the BeauGen cushions (they aren’t very long) and then swelling like a mushroom. This can be extremely uncomfortable and make the cushion difficult to move. Another challenge of BeauGen cushions is they can make getting your flange aligned difficult.
Another factor to consider with BeauGen cushions is they are not cheap! They only last a few weeks in most cases and will need to be routinely replaced.
If you want to try BeauGen Cushions…
1Remember to account for their size in your flange set-up
Pay attention to alignment
Try them without oil first, but add oil if the cushion stops your nipple from moving.
If the cushions are uncomfortable, or you have the mushroom effect, they are probably not the solution for you. Lots of people swear by them though, so they just might be worth a shot! Click to order BeauGen Cushions.
