• 0Shopping Cart
Spectra Baby USA
  • About
    • About Spectra
    • Want to Collaborate?
  • Need Help Pumping?
    • Lactation Assistance
    • mama blog
    • Find An IBCLC
    • Flange Fitting Guide
    • Spectra Education
  • Shop
  • Support
    • Authorized Dealers
    • Learning Library
    • Instruction Videos
    • FAQ’s
    • Insurance Coverage?
    • Warranty Information
    • Contact
    • CaraCups Manual
  • Login
    • My Account
    • Vendor Login
    • Become a Vendor
  • Search
  • Menu
  • 0 items

Do I Have Elastic Nipples?

April 20, 2020/2 Comments/in Breast Pumping, Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding tips, Exclusively Pumping /by

blog photo 67

By: Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC

There’s been quite the buzz on “elastic nipples” lately. Whether you’re on social media or part of a virtual mommy group you’ve likely heard the term. It’s probably left you wondering if YOU have elastic nipples and if you’re even using the correct flange size. Don’t worry mama! We’ve got you covered. Read on to get the real 411 on elastic nipples. 

Here’s the deal. The skin on and around your nipple (areola) was intended to be stretched by breastfeeding. The nipple stretching is actually a good thing! Moms with truly inverted nipples or skin that is less elastic, are at an increased likelihood to experience issues with low milk supply, soreness, and nipple discomfort. Now if nipple elasticity is associated with low milk supply, pain, redness, or discomfort then it definitely needs to be addressed. Pumping shouldn’t hurt.

But how much should the nipple stretch when pumping to be experiencing “elastic nipples?” For the most part, the nipple should stretch a little less than half way down the flange when pumping. If it’s way past that – like hitting the backflow protector or end of the flange and you’re experiencing pain or low milk output, then it’s time to troubleshoot. Otherwise, elasticity itself is no cause for concern. 

Check out these 4 tips on how to get relief if you have “elastic nipples” and pain when pumping:

#1) Lower The Vacuum Strength

Please don’t think you have to work up your nipple tolerance to level 12 vacuum. Vacuum strength should always be set to comfort. Moms are surprised to see they pump the same amount whether pumping on a high suction or medium / low suction. Every mom is different. Keeping the cycle steady and lowering suction strength can help lessen the elasticity of the nipple. Pumping with your S1/S2 steady on the expression cycle 54 vacuum between 5-6 for 15-20 min can help minimize discomfort. 

#2) Check Your Flange Size

This part could be tricky. Typically a flange that’s too big will cause the areola to be pulled farther into the tunnel but if a flange is restrictive the nipple will rub inside the tunnel and stretch it farther too. That’s why it’s important to work directly with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. It’s normal for nipple size to fluctuate. Measure to know your nipple diameter. But this only tells us a piece of the story. Some moms will benefit from going up a size or changing sizes throughout their breastfeeding journey. 

#3) Lubricating Before Pumping 

Hand express a few minutes before pumping and squeeze a few drops of breastmilk to lubricate the inside of the tunnel. This can help keep your nipple in place and help with soreness too. You can do this with lanolin or a few drops of olive oil too! Reposition your flanges every few minutes while pumping if needed. Hand express for a few minutes after pumping and let breastmilk air dry on them to help heal and keep them healthy. Bonus – hand expressing before and after pumping can trigger more milk production. 

#4) Silicone Inserts / Massagers 

A massager or silicone insert can offer relief sometimes but not always. Spending a ton of cash on accessories that either don’t work or fit properly can be frustrating.Too often moms find these products can actually decrease suction and they find them hard to keep in place. If you’d like to try one of these, go for it! But it’s best to look for an insert that offers a money back guarantee or can send you multiple sizes to find the best fit. If you do find it hard to keep an insert in place, try moistening it with a few drops of water or breastmilk. Moisture can help create a better seal. 

Correct flange sizing and lower suction can usually be a quick fix to get relief from elastic nipples. But what if you’ve tried it all. You have the correct size, low suction and still have your nipple stretching way past the halfway mark but don’t have any pain? Then you’re good mama! Pump on! Your body is doing exactly what it was intended to do. 

Schedule a virtual consultation with us and we can help with tips to manage pain and discomfort associated with elastic nipples. We can help with flange sizing and troubleshoot your pump too. You’re doing really great at breastfeeding mama. We’re proud of you! 

 

 

Cesarean Delivery and Breastfeeding

April 20, 2020/0 Comments/in Breast Pumping, Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding tips, Real Mom Story /by Dilcia Pina

blog photo 66

By Jacque Ordner BSN, RN, IBCLC, RLC

Most moms don’t anticipate having a cesarean delivery, but for some it is unavoidable. In fact, the U.S. c-section rate is a staggering 31.9%.  We know that birth interventions can also have a correlation with increased breastfeeding difficulties, and cesarean deliveries are a BIG intervention.  However, the correlation might surprise you! As many as 41% of women who experience emergency cesarean delivery have a higher proportion of breastfeeding difficulties.  Studies also tell us that women who deliver via planned c-section are less likely to continue breastfeeding beyond 12 weeks postpartum compared to those who deliver vaginally.  How can you help improve your chances of breastfeeding success despite the challenges of cesarean delivery? Read on for our best tips!

  1. Be prepared – Take a breastfeeding class, preferably taught by an IBCLC, and make sure you  learn as much as you can about breastfeeding before you ever deliver.
  1. Know your resources – Identify local breastfeeding experts in your community.  Find a breastfeeding support group locally or online. Call on friends and family who have had breastfeeding success because their support will be invaluable!
  1. Get a pump – Having a hospital strength pump and being familiar with it can be a saving grace if directly nursing is difficult.  Our S1 and 9+ models have a rechargeable battery, so we recommend having them all charged up in preparation for baby’s arrival as well!
  1. Latch baby soon after delivery if possible – The first hour after delivery is often called the “Golden Hour” because nursing within this time frame can help lead to nursing success later on.  If mom and baby are stable, nursing right in the operating room can even be a possibility!
  1. Skin to skin – This super cozy practice can have big payoffs when it comes to baby’s temperature and blood sugar stability, but it is also a great way to encourage breastfeeding and abundant breastmilk production.
  1. Wake baby if needed – Some anesthesia/pain medications related to cesarean deliveries can cause sleepiness in baby.  For this reason, it is recommended to wake baby every 2-3 hours for feeds if they’re not waking up on their own.
  1. Nursing Positions – Get familiar with c-section friendly nursing positions such as side-lying, laid back, and the football hold. The right position can help make nursing more comfortable for mom and more effective for baby!
  1. Make your wishes known – If nursing is high on your priority list, let the hospital staff and your support people know that you wish to avoid supplements unless they are truly medically necessary.  Avoiding pacifiers and bottles in the early days and weeks can help increase breastfeeding success.

With the right preparation and support, moms can reach their breastfeeding goals no matter they type of delivery they experience! We’re here to help as well…..schedule a FREE pumping consultation with one of our IBCLCs to help prepare before baby arrives or at any time during your breastfeeding journey.  www.spectrababyusa.com/lactationservices

Sources

FastStats – Births – Method of Delivery. (2017, January 20). Retrieved March 31, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/delivery.htm

Hobbs, A. J., Mannion, C. A., McDonald, S. W., Brockway, M., & Tough, S. C. (2016). The impact of caesarean section on breastfeeding initiation, duration, and difficulties in the first four months postpartum. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16(90). Retrieved from    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4847344 

Prior, E., Santhakumaran, S., Gale, C., Philipps, L. H., Modi, N., & Hyde, M. J. (2012). Breastfeeding after cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of world literature. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 95(5), 1113–1135. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.030254

Yan, Y., Gao, X., & Xiang, S. (2020). Effects of Cesarean Delivery on Breastfeeding Practices and Duration: A Prospective Cohort Study. Journal of Human Lactation, 34(11). doi: 10.1177/0890334417741434

 

 

Recent Posts

  • Child Care and the Breastfed Baby
  • Night Weaning
  • Which Spectra Pump is Right for Me?
  • Nipple Shields: Yay or Nay?
  • Breastfeeding and Pregnancy

Products

  • 12 volt power cord 12-Volt AC Power Adapter $25.00
  • Spectra Baby Breastshield Set Breast Shield Set $29.99
  • backflow protector in hands Backflow Protector $6.99
  • duckbill valve in hand Duckbill Valve Set $12.99

MOM SUPPORT

  • Flange Fitting Guide
  • Lactation Assistance
  • Instruction Videos
  • Mama Blog

CONTACT

  • Customer Care
  • Warranty Support
  • Mom Support Line
  • Spectra Education

SIGN UP

  • My Account
  • Vendor Login
  • Become a Vendor
  • Authorized Dealers
  • Avoid Fraud

SERVICE

  • Careers
  • Return Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Policy
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
Envelope
Scroll to top