You may have heard of breast pump cushions. They aren’t necessary for everyone, but they can be really helpful for some women! Here’s how to know if pumping cushions are a good option for you.
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When should you try breast pump cushions?
Not every mom needs breast pump cushions when pumping. I would recommend trying them if one of the below applies to you.
1. Elastic nipples
Your nipple stretches far into the flange, coming close to or actually touching the back of the connector. This is known as elastic nipples, and can be painful.
The material of the cushion “grips” the nipple, which can help with the stretching and the pain.
2. You’re between sizes
Sometimes, you can fall in between flange sizes or need a smaller size than your pump manufacturer offers.
So for example, BeauGen inserts reduce the size of a breast shield by about 2mm. If you need a 19mm flange but the smallest size offered with your pump is 21mm, BeauGen cushions might work.
3. Difficulty finding the correct size
If you can’t seem to find a flange size that isn’t painful, it may make sense to give pumping cushions a try. You might have elastic nipples or be in between available sizes, as discussed above.
How do you use cushions?
Breast pump cushions are really easy to use – you just place them inside the flange before you pump.
Here’s what they look like on their own and inserted into the flange:
(Video transcript: Video has no sound. Woman picks up BeauGen cushion outside of a flange and shows it to the camera. She then shows another BeauGen cushion correctly inserted into the breast shield.)
Some women find they get a better fit with the “turtleneck” method. This just means that the “tunnel” of the cushion is folded down like a turtleneck to make it shorter and thicker.
This can work well for women with shorter nipples (it can help with getting the best alignment), or for those using flanges with shorter tunnels.
Before using your cushions
BeauGen recommends “training” your breast pump cushions prior to the first use to stretch them out a bit. This just means putting them on the outside of your flange for 45 minutes to an hour like this:
However, this might be impossible to do if you have a combined flange and connector.
If so, don’t worry – this isn’t required for them to function, it’s just that some women prefer the way they feel after being broken in.
Cleaning breast pump cushions
To clean your cushions, take them out of the flange and wash in warm soapy water.
Consult the manufacturer’s instructions regarding sterilizing them – BeauGen does not recommend using boiling water, the dishwasher, or steam bags, as it can cause them to stretch out and tear more easily.
Bottom Line
Breast pump cushions can be a great solution if you have elastic nipples or other issues with flange sizing as described above.
Another advantage is that you can use BeauGen cushions with most flanges (with the exception of Pumpin Pals).
They work with standard Medela, Spectra, etc. flanges, as well as Freemie cups, the Elvie, and the Willow.
BeauGen cushions work best with sizes 21-27mm breast shields.
Beaugen cushions are available on amazon or buying directly from BeauGen.
Have you used breast pump cushions? Tell us your experience in the comments!