With regards to discovering the correct flange in your breast pump, there’s greater than meets the attention. On this article, you’ll find out about easy methods to measure flange measurement, completely different strategies for doing so, and easy methods to discover the proper flange match.
There are a whole lot of completely different steps to contemplate if you end up looking for the right-sized flange in your breast pump.
Having the right-sized flange could make an enormous distinction in your pumping journey.
Your nipple measurement may be step one however understanding easy methods to do that may be tough.
On this article, I’ll share a flange sizing information, flange chart, and suggestions for getting the correct match. Flange sizing does matter and is impactful in your pumping journey.
Hello! 👋 I’m Katie, an Worldwide Board Licensed Lactation Marketing consultant I’ve helped hundreds of mothers worldwide navigate their breastfeeding journey since 2015. I can’t wait that can assist you! Think about testing my 1:1 lactation help providers or enrolling in considered one of our on-line breastfeeding programs in the present day!
Learn how to Measure Nipple for Flange:
It’s MORE than simply your nipple measurement!
Discovering the correct measurement flange is extra than simply taking a measurement. You need to bear in mind anatomy, elasticity, and the kind of flange getting used.
Some lactation consultants don’t even advocate measuring. I personally discover it useful to, a minimum of, get a ball park vary.
When you ask 100 lactation consultants, you’ll get 100 other ways to seek out the correct flange measurement.
Listed here are MY primary steps for getting one of the best measurement:
- Determine on a way for measuring (mentioned right here)
- Measure BEFORE you pump. You can too measure after you pump to see if there’s an enormous distinction, which can point out extra elasticity.
- Your nipple ought to be erect – if it isn’t, try to stimulate it so you will get an correct measurement
- Measure the bottom of the nipple from one facet to the opposite. Place your nipple in your measuring instrument prefer it’s on the desk – you need it to be beneath your nipple.
- Rigorously have a look at the measurement and be sure you are measuring in mm.
- Measure each nipples – they is likely to be completely different!
- Document the measurement
- Choose a flange measurement from the chart under – I might additionally choose a measurement under and above that if attainable
- When you don’t have flanges out there in the correct measurement, you should purchase off-brand flanges and flange inserts on Amazon. I might buy a few completely different sizes when you can.
- Pump once more and see the way it goes. All these questions ought to be answered affirmatively to know that you’ve got the correct measurement flange (bear in mind it could take a number of pumping classes to resolve all points, particularly if there may be nipple injury).
- Do you expertise sturdy sprays of milk?
- Are you comfy?
- Does your nipple slide out and in of the tube simply, transfer freely, and doesn’t get sucked to the tip (if it does, you might be coping with elastic nipple tissue)
- Do you “empty” the breast in about 20 minutes or much less?
When you’re struggling to do that by yourself, be sure you contemplate reserving a pumping seek the advice of! You could possibly get six free visits by way of The Lactation Community.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Energetic Time
5 minutes
Whole Time
5 minutes
Instruments
- Breast Pump
- Measuring Instrument
- Flanges
Directions
- Determine on a way for pumping (mentioned right here)
- Measure BEFORE you pump – some do advocate measuring afterward, however I might solely do that in case you are experiencing pumping points.
- Your nipple ought to be erect – if it isn’t, try to stimulate it so you will get an correct measurement
- Measure the bottom of the nipple from one facet to the opposite. Place your nipple in your measuring instrument prefer it’s on the desk – you need it to be beneath your nipple.
- Rigorously have a look at the measurement and be sure you are measuring in mm.
- Measure each nipples – they is likely to be completely different!
- Document the measurement
- Choose a flange measurement from the chart under – I might additionally choose a measurement under and above that if attainable
- Pump once more and see the way it goes. All these questions ought to be answered affirmatively to know that you’ve got the correct measurement flange (bear in mind it could take a number of pumping classes to resolve all points, particularly if there may be nipple injury).
- Do you expertise sturdy sprays of milk?
- Are you comfy?
- Does your nipple slide out and in of the tube simply and doesn’t get sucked to the tip (if it does, you might be coping with elastic nipple tissue)
- Do you “empty” the breast in about 20 minutes or much less?
Flange Dimension Chart
Whereas I used to advocate including 3-4mm to your measurement, I really now advocate simply 0-2mm. Nevertheless, there may be debate on this within the lactation group. Here’s a flange measurement chart that’s in the midst of that and provides 2-3 mm to present you a start line of what breast defend you must use.
| NIPPLE MEASUREMENT | FLANGE SIZE |
| >10mm | 10mm |
| 10mm | 12mm |
| 11mm | 13mm |
| 12mm | 15mm |
| 13mm | 15mm |
| 14mm | 17mm |
| 15mm | 17mm |
| 16mm | 17mm |
| 17mm | 19mm |
| 18mm | 20mm |
| 19mm | 21mm |
| 20mm | 23mm |
| 21mm | 23mm |
| 22mm | 24mm |
| 23mm | 24mm |
| 24mm | 27mm |
| 25mm | 27mm |
| 26mm | 28mm |
| 27mm | 30mm |
| 28mm | 30mm |
| 29mm | 32mm |
| 30mm | 32mm |
I counsel shopping for flanges the identical measurement as your nipples and one measurement as much as see what feels one of the best – one of the best match is a cushty flange, means that you can have sturdy and frequent sprays, and yields essentially the most milk attainable for you. You will discover locations that promote smaller flange sizes right here.
Free Printable Flange Dimension Ruler
I’ve two completely different printable choices for you!
The primary is a printable paper caliper that my husband designed. I discover it higher than only a common ruler since you’ll be able to modify it to suit your nipple.
The second is a circle-style measurement instrument. You need to minimize out the holes, nevertheless it typically works fairly properly.
You’ll be able to enter your electronic mail under to get a duplicate of each despatched straight to your electronic mail, together with particulars on easy methods to use it.
Strategies for Measuring Nipple Flange Dimension
Round Diameter Ruler
Aylifu 4 Items Plastic Template Ruler Circles Drawing Stencil Geometric Instrument Multifunction for Workplace College Dwelling Children
- PACKAGE QUANTITY — 4 items of rulers in several colours, which might totally meet your day by day wants.
- SUPERIOR MATERIAL — Made out of top quality plastic, is not going to bend and damaged simply.
- COLOR — Blue/Inexperienced/Yellow/Rosa Crimson so that you can select. Children will like these vibrant rulers.
- DIMENSIONS — Circle Diameter: 2-40mm; Rulers Measuring Scale: 0-20cm. Ruler Dimension: 21.5 * 10.5cm(L*W).
- APLICATION — Can use as regular ruler, and can even draw ten million completely different ornamental sample curve sample.
One measure your flange measurement is with a round ruler. I actually like utilizing these! There are some corporations which have made some specifically branded ones for breastfeeding, however truthfully, you’ll be able to seize a three-pack on Amazon and even at your native {hardware} store.
What I like about these is you could put your nipple contained in the circle. I discover it to be fairly correct. You need your nipple to be comfortable however not caught or rubbing. You can too use the standard ruler on it to double-check.
Conventional Ruler:
You can too use a conventional ruler to measure your flange measurement. Understand that since this can doubtless be in cm, you will want to transform to mm.
Measuring Tape:
A measuring tape can work to measure your nipples as properly. The one caveat I’ll put in for this one is that generally measuring tapes will stretch out, so that they aren’t all the time as correct.
Digital Caliper:
Digital Caliper, Adoric 0-6″ Calipers Measuring Instrument – Digital Micrometer Caliper with Massive LCD Display, Auto-Off Characteristic, Inch and Millimeter Conversion
- Exact measurement: Measurement vary: 0 – 6”/ 0 – 150mm; Decision: 0.01”/ 0.1mm; Accuracy: ±0.2mm/0.01”. Excellent and correct caliper measuring instrument for family/DIY measurement. Please select chrome steel digital caliper for extra correct measuring
- 4 measuring modes: This digital caliper can be utilized to Measure inside and out of doors diameter, depth and step with two units of jaws and a probe. Powered by battery, comes with a pre-installed battery and a spare battery
- Inch/mm conversion: One button fast swap between two models: inch and millimeter, positively save your time. The buttons are manufactured from rugged plastic carbon fiber composites, sturdy and transportable
- Zero setting perform: The sensible design means that you can set zero with a simple contact of a button and begin a brand new measurement at any level of the size, perfect for differential measuring
- Massive LCD display & auto off: The big and easy-to-read LCD show helps you get exact outcomes shortly and simply, auto shutdown for saving battery after 5 minutes if with out operation
Probably the most exact strategy to measure your flange measurement is with a digital caliper. This instrument measures the scale of an object in millimeters or inches. When you have a digital caliper, you should use it to measure the diameter of your nipples very precisely. I wouldn’t exit and purchase considered one of these (except you actually need to), however when you’ve got one laying round, it may be actually useful!
FAQs about Flange Sizing
In case you are planning to pump quickly after start, this might be a good suggestion so you’ll be able to have a baseline. Understand that many moms see their nipple measurement change after the newborn is right here.
Sure, it will possibly. When you discover a rise in ache, effectivity, or time spent pumping, you might need to measure once more.
There’s debate on this. I personally do it earlier than, however you’ll be able to attempt each and see if there’s an enormous change within the nipple measurement.
Many off-brand flanges can be found that could be suitable together with your pump, and these can typically be discovered on Amazon. Flange inserts can be a very good choice.
We hope that this text has helped you establish your flange measurement and discover the right-sized flange in your breast pump. When you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Click on right here to obtain our free printable flange-size ruler!
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