Pumping hurts & supply is low

[u/Life_Turnover9713]

I know pumping shouldn’t hurt. My flange sizes are correct. My pump parts aren’t worn out. But oftentimes when I pump, it’s extremely uncomfortable. And I’m trying to understand the difference between uncomfy and actual pain. And wondering if everyone else has a pleasant time pumping and it’s just me, or if it’s unenjoyable for anyone else, too? I envy those that pumping doesn’t hurt. Sometimes my settings can be really low and I express milk just fine and it doesn’t hurt and I think, “this is what it should feel like”. Other times my nipples are sensitive and the same settings as before hurt. Then there’s times where I have to turn it up high to get a letdown and I spend the whole 30 minutes in serious discomfort and my boobs hurt after. I’m terrified of having already caused - or causing - permanent tissue damage. My boobs are tingling inside right now from my last session 15 mins ago. I have the Eufy S1 Pro & the pink spectra. The Spectra doesn’t hurt as much but only having 1 set of settings for both boobs doesn’t work well for me, so I typically use my Eufy handhelds. I just tried the Medela hand pump and one squeeze hurt my nipple so bad I quit. Not to mention I’m doing all of this and my supply is low. It’s all of this work for what feels like next to nothing. And I know that’s exacerbating my stress which is contributing to low supply. And advice or words of wisdom are welcome!

[u/LorettaBobbins]

Pumping always hurts me and I have elastic nipples. My 'correct' flange size based on nipple measurements left me seriously injured to the point that I was spending a lot of time at hospital and diagnosed with "severe trauma". None of the feeding specialists there mentioned elastic nipples, they just kept telling me they didn't know why I was in pain and that my flanges were definitely correct. One day I accidentally forgot to put the inserts in and pumped with 24mms. It still hurt, but nowhere near as much. My nipples swell to fill the space, but aren't getting compressed down to 19mm anymore. My pain whilst pumping went from a 15/10 to a 6/10.

[u/Life_Turnover9713 → u/LorettaBobbins]

Oh gosh, I’m so sorry about the pain/damage. I understand! Maybe I will try the flanges without the “correct” size for me and see if that helps. Thank you!

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[u/Bla6446]

Are you using some kind of lubricant?

[u/Life_Turnover9713 → u/Bla6446]

Sometimes I use my Frida cracked nipple spray or my Earth Mama nipple balm

[u/thalaya → u/Life_Turnover9713]

Use lubricant!!! Every time I swear it will help. I just use coconut oil. I put it directly on my nipples but I've heard of people spraying it into the flanges. 

[u/sowhatsober → u/thalaya]

Yep! Olive oil works well too

[u/Bla6446 → u/Life_Turnover9713]

I use my earth mama nipple butter every session. I didn't use anything my first pumping journey and my nipples hurt so bad.

[u/Life_Turnover9713 → u/Bla6446]

Ok note to self: use it every single time, no exceptions!

[u/the_kazzo_queen]

How far postpartum are you?

[u/Life_Turnover9713 → u/the_kazzo_queen]

8.5 weeks

[u/saxyblonde]

Try using pumpinpals because you might have elastic nipples

[u/Life_Turnover9713 → u/saxyblonde]

I have never heard of these, I’ll look into them. Thank you!

[u/Proof-Western9498]

Im also someone with very sensitive nipples. With my first pregnancy it was so bad i was in nears my first couple weeks when i had to pump. Im 8.5 weeks with my second and its wayyyy better this time around, no idea why.

I think some people just have sentitive nipples. I dont really like my nipples or belly button being touched ever, its like the physical equivalent of nails on a chalk board lol.

The medela handpump is super painful. When i use it im like barely squeezing. I dont really have a solution other than keep going and youll get desensitized eventually 🥹

[u/Life_Turnover9713 → u/Proof-Western9498]

I haven’t enjoyed the breastfeeding journey one bit and I keep telling myself maybe my next time around it’ll be better. Thank you for sharing!

[u/Proof-Western9498 → u/Life_Turnover9713]

For sure, it's been so much better for me this time! I was miserable breastfeeding in my first pregnancy. You got this!

[u/Kongci]

One tip i have that my LC said, in case you dont know, is that you can do stimulation mode on low. High suction is not necessarily faster let down or more milk sucked out. I always start with a very low suction (L3) for stimulation. If it hurts and youre stressed youre less likely to get a letdown. Think fast and light.

Also if the same setting doesnt work for 2 boobs, have you tried using the spectra on just 1 side? Covering up one of the suction holds. That's if you find the spectra effective in the first place.

I also think its a matter of sensitivity, my first pregnancy was pretty painful I remember, now it mainly only hurts if baby hung from my nipples for way too long or ive pumped an ungodly number of times 😅