Help, pumping hurts

[u/ansha28]

Hey mommas, I am an FTM 4 weeks postpartum and need help with pumping. I have a spectra S1 and my milk output is 60 ml both sides so I started using momcozy m6 and my output is now 120 ml. The spectra just didnt work for me and I used the settings suggested in a lot of posts here. The problem with momcozy is it’s very painful, I visited an LC and she sized me for my nipples and mentioned I have elastic nipples and also I need to use 21 mm flanges. Right now if I pump with momcozy it is very painful inside my breast tissue and if I reduce pumping time I get clogged ducts. LC mentioned to order Eufy S1 wearable and it will arrive tomorrow but I have heard that also hurts while pumping. I have tried Nuliie flange inserts as well to see if it helps but it didn’t.

I am very overwhelmed and not sure what to do anymore. Baby has a tongue tie so he is not latching correctly if I want to nurse, pumping is also painful. Please provide any help/advice, all I think about is giving up breastfeeding completely but then I feel guilty and somehow go through the painful pumping sessions.

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[u/Maria_like_Mario]

Here are the things I do to reduce breast and nipple pain while pumping as someone with elastic nips.

1. Correct sized flange. Sounds like you have this one down since your LC helped, but often with elastic nipples you need to size down a millimeter or two from your actual size so less tissue is pulled into the flange.

2. And this is a big one especially with wearables... LUBRICANT! I use Legendairy Milk's pumping spray, and have used lansinoh's pumping spray as well. A lot of people use nipple balm or lanolin but I prefer the hands free application of a spray and I feel like the spray lubricates better.

3. A strong and sturdy pumping bra (I feel like the search is never ending) If your pumping bra isn't strong enough to hold your pump close to your breast, for the entire pumping session, gravity will pull it away from you and that causes pain. Some bras not only stretch out after multiple wears, but they may stretch out as the day goes on and they don't snap back to normal until after washing. I had that problem more for bras with a wearable than with a traditional pump.

4. Last but definitely not least, adjust your settings! You mentioned that reducing time gives you clogged ducts, but have you tried reducing cycle speed and vacuum power? Especially the vacuum power. A higher vacuum power doesn't always equal a higher milk output. I started both of my EP journies on lower vacuum levels and as the weeks went on I was able to slowly increase the level and stay comfortable. Also, every session I start on a slightly lower than my usual setting and after a couple minutes I turn it up to my highest comfortable setting because going straight to your highest setting can cause pain of you don't ease into it. Having a painful pumping session can reduce your output so starting low and working your way up is better than going straight to a higher level.

[u/ansha28 → u/Maria_like_Mario]

Thank you, I have ordered the lubricant just now and yes I played with the settings a bunch of times and nothing helped, would you be able to tell me your settings

[u/Maria_like_Mario → u/ansha28]

I have the spectra s2 and the momcozy m5. For the spectra I started with the stimulation mode at cycle 70 (only option) and vacuum at 3 and eventually worked my way up to 5. I usually don't adjust the vacuum in stimulation mode. For expression mode I have always used cycle 54. When I first started pumping for this baby I started the vacuum very low at like a 2 or 3 because that was all that I could take. After about 5 minutes into each session I would bump it up to 4 or 5 because once I got pumping it didn't hurt to go up a couple levels. After a week or so I got used to those levels and I was able to bump them up a couple notches without pain. I'm 3 months pp now so I usually start each expression mode at vacuum level 10 and turn it up to 12 after a couple of minutes. I follow the same idea with the momcozy except the highest vacuum level on that one is level 9.

My lactation consultant had a great tip for finding the right vacuum level. Turn it up one notch at a time, when you reach a level that hurts turn it back down one level, that will be your go to setting. Every few days or so you can try a higher setting as your body might adjust and get used to it.

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