Correct Fitting Breastshield for Pumping Mums Makes All The Difference

I was only in hospital for two and a half days when Lachlan was born.  Mainly due to the fact that the hospital was on skeleton staff due to being Christmas and I felt like the midwives were not supporting my husband and I enough.  We decided to come home and be a family in the comfort of our own home sooner rather than later.  I kept getting the midwives to check Lachlan's attachment and they all kept telling me that it was correct but I was unsure as I had blisters on top of blisters after only 36 hours!

In Canberra, there is a program for Midwives to come and visit you for three days after you leave hospital to make sure everything is going ok.  Since I was in agony with the blistering which had now scabbed the whole of the top of my nipple off, it was suggested that I express for a few days to heal.  So we did!  Unfortunately, Lachlan has never wanted to attach again, not even incorrectly.  So what do I do?  I Exclusively Pump.  I am a Pumping Mum!  http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/faq/exclusivepumpg.html  Lachlan is almost 4 months now and still is being fed with BM in a bottle.  Occasionally he goes on with a nipple shield but he fusses too much to take a full feed and I still top him up with BM.  Bottle feeding him is STILL a great way to bond with him as I can still talk to him and look into his eyes during it.

My advice is:  Make Sure You Get A Correct Fitting Breastshield!

Medela, I feel, is the best brand by far.  Being a first time BF Mother, I had no idea at first about pumping.  I purchsed my pump and of course got the standard sized breastshields with it.  It could take me up to an hour to get all my milk out and I started feeling like I was missing out on time with Lachlan or time for sleeping.  I checked out the website www.medela.com and found that you could purchase larger breastshields.  http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/brpmpacc.html#personalfit_bs

If your nipple rubs the funnel of the breastshield, you really do need to go up a size or more.  http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/faq/breastshield_fit.html  I went up two sizes and has made all the difference.  It still takes me about 30 minutes to pump, but now I get to spend 3 more hours a day with Lachlan!  Even though I didn't realise it before, my nipples are a whole lot less tender due to not continually being rubbed in the funnel.

If you are going to be a Full Time Pumping Mum or even just once a day so hubby can do a feed, I strongly recommend getting a correct fitting breastshield.  It makes it so much easier on yourself!  Good Luck!