Are you experiencing sore nipples from pumping? Here is what can cause nipple pain, and how to make pumping less painful.
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Causes of sore nipples from pumping
Below are some common causes of nipple pain while pumping breastmilk.
1. Incorrect breast shield size
Many breast pumps are sold with standard 24oz flanges, but you might need bigger or smaller ones to be comfortable.
Here are a couple of guidelines to help you figure out whether your flanges may not be sized correctly:
- If your nipple cannot move freely in the flange “tunnel,” the breast shield is too small. This can cause nipple pain because the fit is too tight.
- If the tissue around your nipple is being pulled into the tunnel, the breast shield is too large. Here, the cause of the nipple pain is that extra tissue that shouldn’t be pulled in is being pulled in. This agitation can bruise that tissue and cause pain and inflammation.
- If your nipple stretches for into the flange, almost to the end, you may have elastic nipples. When you have elastic nipples, you may struggle to find a flange size that is comfortable and is effective at removing milk.
One important thing that was not obvious to me is that you can have large breasts and still need a small size breast shield, because breast shield size is reflective of your nipple, and not your breast.
Legendairy Milk sells a ruler for flange sizing that you can use to measure your breast shield size – use 15EPUMP for 15% off.
More on how to make sure that you get the right breast shield size here.
Alternatives to Standard Breast Shields
If you’ve tried a few different breast shield sizes and are still having discomfort, you might do better with breast shields that are a different shape and/or material.
- Pumpin Pals are a differently shaped flange – instead of a ring at the base of the funnel, the Pumpin Pal flange tapers into the tunnel.
- BeauGen inserts go inside your breast shield and make pumping more comfortable for some women. They reduce the size of breast shields by about 2mm, so they can also be useful if you are between sizes.
- LacTeck breast shields are made to mimic a baby’s latch more closely. They are softer and more flexible than traditional plastic breast shields.
You can use the code EPUMP10 for 10% off LacTeck BabyMotion flanges.
More information on alternative breast shields here.
2. Breast shield placement
Nipple damage – like a cracked nipple – is often caused by pumping with breast shields that aren’t centered correctly on the nipple.
If you’re able to see the positioning of your breast shields (with some pumps you can’t), check each time you start pumping to make sure your nipples are centered.
3. Pump vacuum strength
Another potential issue may be setting the suction strength too strong.
If you think this might be your issue, start your pump on the lowest setting and gradually increase it, until you start to feel a bit of discomfort. Then dial it back a notch until you’re comfortable.
(My first pump had numbered speeds from 1 to 9. When I started pumping with it for the first time when my baby was two days old, I wasn’t sure what number to set it at. I figured a higher number would mean more milk, so I put it on 9 to start out with. That was a bad idea.)
4. Lack of lubrication
Some people find pumping is more comfortable with some kind of lubrication. Coconut oil is a popular choice.
To use it, just dip your finger in the oil and apply it to the flanges and the tunnel.
Other options are pumping sprays (like CoBoo spray) – they can be less messy and easier to use.
Breast health issues
There are a few other breast issues that can cause nipple and breast pain – clogged ducts, mastitis, thrush, milk blisters, vasospasms, and galactoceles.
How do you know if you have one of these? Here are the major symptoms:
Clogged Ducts
These will usually only affect one breast at a time, and you might be able to feel a hard, painful lump (this is where the milk flow is obstructed, or “clogged”).
The area around the lump will be tender and sometimes red and warm if you touch it. The pain is at its worst before pumping/feeding, with some relief afterwards.
Clogged ducts can usually be treated at home – more on how to do that here. If you get recurrent clogged ducts, you may want to consider taking lecithin.
(Legendairy Milk reached out and gave me a discount code for their sunflower lecithin. Take 15% off with the code 15EPUMP!)
Mastitis
Mastitis has the same symptoms as a clogged duct plus a whole slew more – fever, chills, general malaise, and flu-like aching.
If your boob hurts and you also feel like you have the flu, you probably have mastitis.
More on mastitis and when to see a doctor here.
Thrush
The main symptoms of thrush are itchy, burning and/or cracked nipples, shooting pains in the breast during feedings, “intense nipple pain,” and skin changes such as shiny or flaky nipples. You may also see white patches in your baby’s mouth.
If you think you have thrush, it’s a good idea to call your OB or primary care doctor for a diagnosis and medication.
Milk Blisters
These are also called blebs or nipple blisters, and they are similar to a clogged duct but occur on the tip of your nipple. Milk blisters occur when nipple skin closes over a milk duct opening.
Nipple Vasospasms
Vasospasms are a sudden narrowing of the blood vessels in the nipple and can be very painful.
They often occur after pumping, in response to cold, and you may notice part of your nipple turning white.
Galactoceles
A galactocele is a cyst filled with breast milk. It may or may not be painful, and is often mistaken for a clogged duct or for possible breast cancer.
See your doctor if you have a persistent lump that doesn’t go away within a few days.
Miscellaneous causes
There are a few other possible culprits:
- “Squashed” breasts from sleeping your stomach, having a bra that doesn’t fit quite right, or having a bag with a strap (like a diaper bag or purse) that frequently rubs against your breast.
- A dry or chapped nipple that leads to cracking or bleeding. Lanolin or other types of nipple cream can help with this. (You can find reviews of different nipple creams here.)
What to do about the sore nipples?
Keep in mind that once you’ve addressed the underlying cause of the nipple pain (such as getting a different size flange), it may take a week or two for the damage that was already done to heal.
While you wait for your nipples to heal or recover from mastitis or thrush, there are a few things that you can do to make yourself more comfortable.
- Take Motrin or Tylenol. If it hurts more when you start pumping, make sure that you’ve taken something recently when it’s time to sit down and pump. (They are safe for breastfeeding.)
- If only one side is affected, start by pumping only the other side. Once you’ve let down, hook the affected side up to the pump. (Nipple pain is often at its worst before letdown.)
- Make sure your bra is comfortable and fits. Most nursing bras don’t have seams or wires and are constructed for lactating breasts, so these are ideal.
- If your issue is a dry, cracked or bleeding nipple, and you’re sure you don’t have thrush, try applying breast milk and/or nipple cream to your breast before and after pumping. Also, try to let your breasts “air out” if possible. Obviously, you can’t walk around topless all day, but if you can for 10 minutes at a time here and there, it may help.
- Try using a warm compress both before and after a pumping session.
Not sure what’s causing your breast pain related to pumping? Here are six questions that can help you figure out the issue.
References- Aeroflow Breastpumps. “Breast Pump Flange Sizing.” https://aeroflowbreastpumps.com/blog/breastpump-flange-size-chart
- Newman, Jack, MD. “Sore nipples.” https://ibconline.ca/information-sheets/sore-nipples/
Comments & Chitchat
Hi! Love your page. Second time exclusively pumping mom. Measured myself and with an IBCLC, my left side is my rockstar boob but there’s cracking/damage that I’m noticing between pumps. It doesn’t hurt necessarily but I can’t figure out if it’s too big of a flange or too small. Vacuum strength seems to feel comfortable but also anxious to see a dip since my supply has been much better second time around. Any suggestions?
Hi Lauren! Congrats on baby #2!
Hmm. One idea – have you ever tried Pumpin Pals? They send you three different sets at once, and the shape is slightly different and might be more comfortable and not cause this damage? Just a thought. Let me know if you’ve tried them already!
Hi. New mom here.! I’ve been pumping for about a week now and my nipples feel sore and hurt all the time. If I’m sitting under a fan or in an AC’d area my nipples feel cold but painful idk if that makes sense. I use the Evenflow pump
Hi Hibab! I’m wondering if you might need a different flange size? More on this here:
https://exclusivepumping.com/breast-shield-sizing/
Also wondering if vasospasms may be an issue. More here:
https://exclusivepumping.com/nipple-vasospasms/
Hi Amanda
I’m 6.5m into EPing, kind of have things down – except I still experience pain, and I can’t find any info about what this particular issue might be… It feels like the milk ducts right on my nipple are sore when the milk’s being ejected (so not my areola), I’d describe it as a sharp needle like pain. It kind of tones down sometimes, and I think I notice it less when I use wearable cups (these have silicone flanges)… any ideas? My nipples are tender between pumps, so just brushing them while I’m clothed is noticeable. Could it be flange size/type – I’m using the hard Medela flanges with my bottles – perhaps it’s a ‘squeeze’ that happens when my nipple’s pulled in, putting pressure on the duct openings..? 🤷🏻♀️
Thanks for all your resources 🙏🏻
Hi Dan! I definitely think that it could maybe be the sizing, especially if you notice it less with silicone flanges. You could also try some lubrication and see if that helps? Here’s more info on sizing. Good luck!
https://exclusivepumping.com/breast-shield-sizing/
This isn’t pain related but about nipple stimulation. I’m a FTM due in January. I am planning to EP from day 1. My reason for not nursing is because of sexual trauma in my past and nursing would be a big trigger for me. With EP, I’m fearful that the nipple stimulation could also be a trigger for me. This may sound like a dumb question but is there a pumping option that doesn’t require or involve significant nipple stimulation? Or is there anything I can do that could make it less likely to be a trigger for me (I’m imaging that having the right size flange would be important, but anything else?)? Any thoughts you have would be so appreciated as I’m worried that EP won’t end up being a good option for me if it’s too triggering. 🙁
Hi Brittany! Congrats on your pregnancy! I would love to try to help you with this. Nipple stimulation is unfortunately pretty important to getting your milk to letdown. I’m wondering if trying hand expression (something you’d be complete control of) might be helpful? You could do it until your milk lets down? You could also see if you are able to pump without being triggered with a manual pump or with a Haakaa. That might make pumping take longer but be better for your mental health. Feel free to email me at amanda@exclusivepumping.com if you want more help with working out a plan!
Hi so I’ve been pumping for about 2 weeks now and so far it’s been fine but today I tried pumping and it hurt really bad on both of them and I’ve never had pain like it till today what could it be??
Hi Melodi! What was the pain like? Was it just when you were pumping, or after?
It was during
Hi Amanda. I m
Having blisters on my nipples. Some of them r only
Visible after/ during pumping as they turn bluish black. (Not painful as of now but they r increasing) I am
Currently down to 7 pumps/day for 20 mins each. Will dropping pumps will help in healing? (I m
Planning to wean off from pump) I use freestyle at speed 6. Please guide
Hi Isha! I’m wondering if your flange sizes are maybe incorrect. Have you tried different sizes at all?
Ok . Will try and see if it helps 🙂 thank u
Good luck!
Hi Amanda/Isha,
I am experiencing the same with bumps around the center area of the nipple protruding more and turning purple after pumping. More of these have formed over the last couple of weeks. Using low suction and all silicone flanges – any further ideas on what this is?
I have been using different flange size for my Spectra S2 and all of them rub on the flanges while pumping due to swelling. How do you decide which is the right size since my nipples swell with almost all flanges (tried pumpin pals as well)
Have you maybe tried the coin method to measure? Just a thought –
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtfSX83g3-5/
It took me 2 months to figure this out! Crazy as it sounds, search youtube to see how to properly measure and see the correct way the flange should fit. I had sized up because I thought that’s what I needed but after continued pain and issues pumping I started doing research and found some videos and turns out I needed to size back down. Actually is so much more comfortable now. Also, came across some videos that suggested applying a small amount of coconut oil to the flange and just inside of the tube and it sure did help! I don’t do without it now!
Please help, my flanges look like the right size before pumping (if anything maybe slightly big) but while pumping my nipples get that much bigger they get quite red and rub on one side of the flange… would the flanges be too big or too small..?? Very confused
Hi Jay! I would try a bigger size and see if that feels better. I would go based on the “while pumping” size.
So my nipples are always hard, which makes them tender. They also have white (what looks like milk) stuff in the crevices of my nipples which then turns yellowish after is dry. Even having the shower water hit my nipples hurts so trying to get all of that white stuff out hurts too!
That milk stuff doesn’t go away until after you wean. Nothing I did could ever get it out!
I have been doing exclusive pumping since my Lo wont latch and start loosing weight.It has been three weeks since i started pumping and i tried 21mm 25 27 mm and pumping pals large set flanges.all of them are hurting my nipples and nipples are rubbed against the tunnels.tomorrow i am planning to try 30 mm medela flange.i already hve low milk and i am not able to pump properly for the past week.i think because of nipple pain i am not even getting letdown for 20 min anf i end pumping 40 min to atleast partially empty my breasts and too much pumping is aggravating pain.My other worry is that because of improper pumping will my milk supply reduce permanently?Is there any other solution for flange fitting?
Hi! I’m so sorry that you’re dealing with this. A few suggestions – 1) can you call pumpin pals customer support and see if they can help you? 2) are you using any lubrication at all? Coconut oil works well 3) maybe try hand expression and see if that is easier for you until you can get the flange size worked out 4) can you ask a lactation consultant to help fit you for the right size flanges?
Hi all,
I’m having severe pain around my right nipple only before, during and after pumping. The worst part is during pumping. They fitted me for the correct size shield at the hospital and I’m already using the biggest size so I don’t think it’s that. It’s not mastitis beause I’ve had that before. I have under the skin nodules around the nipple they seem to pop out more than the left boob not sure what else it could be. I don’t have cracking or bleeding and I’ve been using ice packs and nipple cream. Help :(!!
Do think it might be thrush? I would maybe go see your OB. So sorry you’re dealing with this!
Hi, my wife has been pumping for about 10 days and her nipples have blood blisters, cuts and are extremly painful. Could thi be because the flange is too big or something else? Thank you
Yes, they could be either too big or too small. I would buy both, try them different size and see if one is more comfortable.
I’ve been pumping now for a month and I’ve used the wrong flange one the right side and have almost a cut on my nipple. I think I now have the right flange size but it’s painful because of the previous injury how long will that take to heal? I can’t stop pumping or else my supple will drop.
So sorry you’re dealing with this, Georgia! I would say it would take anywhere from a day or two to a week. Take tylenol or advil to help in the meantime. Good luck!
Hi there,
I have been exclusively pumping since my little was was born (5 weeks now), and I have already suffered Mastitis and I am now starting to experience severe nipple pain.
I have cracks all over, and water blisters that are forming over each of my nipples that very in size every time I pump. Not sure if this is due to the prescribed “all purpose nipple ointment” cream my Dr. gave me, or from just pumping 6-8 times/day.
The flange size doesn’t seem to be the issue, since the same blisters are appearing when I use various sizes (24,25,27 and 30).
I have not been able to locate any info or relation to this issue elsewhere, so I’m hoping maybe to find some advice here.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks much 🙂
Hi Amanda! Are you switching the flange sizes around a lot? If so, my theory is that one size is damaging your nipples and there isn’t enough time for the damage to heal when you try the others. Maybe try Pumpin’ Pals and see if that helps? So sorry you’re dealing with this!
I currently have a blood blister, rather large one on my “good breast” and I’m wondering if it’s safe to pump and give to my 3 month old with possible blood in it? Should I pump and dump? I’m not in any pain. I only got the blister because I was pumping and feeding my LO at the same time and didn’t notice the placement of my nipple was wrong until it was to late. Please and thank you for the advise!
Totally fine to give it to your baby. If you were nursing you’d have no choice and not even know either way. I usually didn’t freeze or keep the bloody milk for long but rather fed it asap – not for any real reason just because it felt weird to keep it in the fridge.
I have tried every size flange on the market and I am still in intense pain. I’ve tried all speeds on the pump and lining myself and the flanges with cream. I have the pumping pals flanges as well as the factory medela ones. I don’t know what to do! I hurt so bad. Anything touches my nipples and I want to cry.
Have you tried using the Medela SoftShells? Those didn’t fully fix my issues but have made me comfortable enough to continue pumping!
This afternoon, around 2pm, while I was pumping, my husband decided to turn my pump up all the way. He did this a few times before he decided it was dangerous for him to mess with me. My next pump session at 5pm was fine. However, my 8pm resulted in a pain in my left breast. It felt like it was right on the outside of the shield and only lasted for a few seconds, each time in the same area. This happened a few times in the 20 minutes I was pumping, especially if I moved. I am worried something may have happened or is starting to happen. Any advice or ideas on what I can do if it keeps happening? I have my 8 week, postpartum check up in a week.
Update. At my 11pm I only felt the pain when I moved. I skipped my 2am as I’ve been so tired my husband felt I needed sleep more. So now it’s 5am and I’m pumping. Currently no pain but I am using a lower than normal setting on my pump and trying not to move around too much
so i have been pumping for the past 3 weeks, 3 times a day. baby gets formula to make up for what i can;t get. i produce most of the milk from my left breast, & only a tiny bit from the right one. lately, about 5 – 10 minutes after i pump, i start getting these extreme shooting pains in my right breast, the one that barely produces any milk. it will last about an hour. i will be stopping from pumping on this side since the pain has become unbearable. But what is this? Does anyone know?
If anyone needs to increase supply, because you have low milk production or because you’re needing more milk than you were originally making you, I urge you to try Pumpin pals breast shields and/or Lactiful supplement. I started taking the Lactiful one pill three times today for two days, then two pills three times a day for two days, and so on until yesterday when I had my first full dose of five pills three times a day. My breasts have felt heavy, tingling, and slightly engorged throughout the day today. I’ve already seen my supply increase by 1 ounce per pumping session, and my baby also nurses and I have seen a huge increase in Seedy breast milk poo’s in the last 24 hours. (We have been supplementing with Nutramigen since my supply was low). I know this is an exclusive pumping blog, but my experience can still help some of you mamas out there who can’t breast-feed. Both products can be returned easily if they don’t work for you. I also use a LactaMed Simplicity Hands Free pumping bra. I have tubular shaped breasts and I find the pumpin pal shields I respond too better than standard ones like Medela’s, especially since I have large nipples as well as downward pointing, tuberous breasts that tend toward sagging. The lactamed bra really has helped as well because it keeps the shields held higher and closer to my breasts whereas the other hands-free bras don’t give much support for my sagging, downward pointed breasts.
I have been doing this for 7 weeks so I am still new to it comparitively. Here is what I find helps with pain:
Olive oil on your nipples helps with pump burn and callouses.
When it gets really bad I use an olive oil based cream-mothers love nipple cream. Tiny jar, costs about 10 bucks off amazon, but totally worth it. Nipple pain is incredibly discouraging and we all know the commitment it takes to pump regularly. I found lanolin was too sticky and increased the friction instead of relieving it.
To increase supply, which is probably a thread elsewhere I found that a regular hamburger from Wendy’s, like 3 times a week made about a 3 oz difference per day. I must be normally iron deficient or something. But it did really help. When I stopped because I wanted to start watching my weight…my supply dipped! I also eat oatmeal daily and I drink an alcoholic root beer a few days a week for the malt. I hate it, the taste of beer, but I do it for the baby?
My problem isnt when I am pumping so much so that when I am not pumping i feel like pin pricks in my nipples when i breath in deeply or yawn I feel it in my nipples I think i need smaller flanges but are there any ideas as to what can be going on my baby is a week old and i pump anout five ounces at a time. I have tried the nipple cream, airing them out, and switching the breast in intervals. I am using a manual pump right now but my insirance just okayd me for an electric pump that i should be getting soon.
I am so happy to find this forum is still active. Thank you for answering questions so quickly!
So, I’m a bit of an unusual case. I am currently in the process of using a surrogate and our due date is August 20th! I am trying to stimulate lactation so that I can breastfeed my baby myself. I have had one miscarriage in the past, but have never produced milk on my own.
I’m using a manual pump to help stimulate and am only 3 days in, but I’m experiencing nipple soreness and am unsure if its normal when you start pumping or if maybe I’m using the wrong size shield? One nipple is more sore than the other and remains sore to the touch between pumps. I’m pumping around 4 times a day for 20 minutes each side with some hand stimulation as well.
Any suggestions or help is welcome.
Hi Tabitha! Congratulations on your impending arrival! I’m so excited for you.
It is totally normal to have some degree of nipple soreness when you first start breastfeeding – I’ve had it with all three of my kids. It takes some time for the nipples to “toughen up.” In the meantime, I would suggest using some kind of lubrication (like olive oil, coconut oil, lanolin). It shouldn’t take too long.
Having said that, the flange size still could be an issue. Can you buy one size up and one size down and see if either of them are more comfortable?
Are you working with a lactation consultant at all? If so, she might be able to watch you pump and see if you have the right size.
You’re doing such an amazing thing!
I have been exclusively pumping for a year now, due to latch issues and nipple pain. I had a history of thrush with my older daughter, so when my nipple pain started when my baby was only a few weeks old I thought I had gotten another yeast infection. I spent the next several months doing everything I could to get rid of the Yeast infection. Everything. The nipple pain continued. Like I said it has now been a year and my nipples continue to ache, burn, and they are red, sore and irritated at all times. I have read that yeast infections are almost impossible to get rid of once it has taken hold, but I’m also wondering now if the pain is coming from my pump. I am using a Medela freestyle that is about eight years old. Even on the lowest setting it feels like it is literally ripping my nipples off. The pump was given to me because I did not have one. I have debated buying a new one and seeing if that helps, but that is like $300. And I know when I used the hospital pump it was better, but there was still pain. I am reaching out for help because I have finally reached my limit of pain, but my one-year-old who was born prematurely is still not eating enough for me to wean completely. I hate the thought of formula, but I do not know what else to do. Please help!
Hi Crystal! Are you sure that you have the right size flanges? Have you tried different ones to see if they are more comfortable?
Crystal,
I had the same issue- I’ve switched from the Medela pump in style to the Spectra S1 and it has made a world of difference. No more pain!
I did figure out early on that I needed bigger flanges, so I’ve been using 27’s. Maybe now that I am pumping less, I can go down a size. I did take your advice and purchase the set of three angled flanges so I can try those.
Thanks for the tip about the other type of pump. I hate to purchase a new one so late in the game, but I think it may be my only option at this point.
I have been expressing for 2 & 1/2 weeks as my twins were born at 30 weeks. I started with the 24 which was slightly uncomfortable then LC at hospital suggesting larger so have tried 27 & 30. 30 was going well but according to the diagram had too much areolar going into the tunnel of the flange. LC said just use whatever is comfortable. Now i feel a callus type thickening which is sore (although it isn’t dry) on one side of each breast where nipple & areolar join where the flange rubs. It seems that the flange is going to rub somewhere no matter what the size, is that normal? Im worried my nipples will be so sore and thickened by the time my twins are ready to start breast feeding.
On the upside, my supply is great, getting 1200-1400ml per 24 hours (8 sessions of expressing per day)
Hey my question is I have a lower supply in my right breat is there any way to bring it up I’m producing about 5oz each session and have been exclusively pumping for 8weeks
It’s totally normal to have different output on the two breasts – you can try to increase it by pumping more just on the one side. But if it doesn’t work don’t worry, it’s normal!
Hello:)
I have been pumping and breastfeeding for 2 months recently started getting s sharp pain on my left breast and my Nipple hurts on the top. Even just touching it.. Help? How can I ease the pain n what should I do so this does not happen again?
Hi Marie! That sounds awful! Does it hurt all the time or just when you’re pumping/touching it? It kind of sounds like thrush, given that the pain is sharp. Maybe you could get it checked at an urgent care type place?
I’ve been exclusively pumping for my 2 month old and at first I had no problem at all, I slowly start getting pain so I changed the size of the shield but now I’m not only getting nipple pain but also pain where the shields sit…. Please help its so painful
My question is 3mpp I use to it have to pump for 20 minutes to get a bottle so 4oz nowy supply for a week now has been so up and down sometimes I pump for 45mins and only get 90ml and other times i pump I could possibly get 4oz??? How do I get my supply up my son drinks 130ml every 2-3 hours
This is a very helpful blog. I started expressing after my little one refused to breastfeed. Its now 1.5 months and I was beginning to experience painful nipples. Am glad to know there are a whole lot of people trying to express for the their babies.
DI’d anyone else have this problem, I pumped since birth and my nipples are now starting to hurt everytime I pump it kind of takes my breath away. I just fight through it but if there is something that can help I would prefer that. Also my nipples are permanently hard like when cold could it just be irritated from being hard and rubbing against bra always and is it normal for them to be permanently hard or could I be doing something wrong while pumping?
I have this same exact situation as Jen described.. What can I do? My nipples hurt initially but things got better.. now 4.5 months down the road left nipple started hurting again.. this pain is more sharp.. any tips on how i can remedy this?
So my nipples are red and raised (Doctor says no thrush) are my flanges to big?
It’s possible – have you tried a different size?
Yes, I’ve tried the 24, 27,30 and they all hurt
Ugh, I’m so sorry. It’s really hard to tell without being able to see. I have two thoughts – first, I hate to suggest yet another flange purchase but you could try Pumpin’ Pals, as a lot of people find them more comfortable. Second, is there a lactation consultant that you could ask to watch you pump and see if there is a sizing issue with the flanges? Sometimes pediatricians have them on staff or you can see the one at the hospital where you gave birth.
Today, at 3pm, just for fun as a self challenge (and I truly regret this), I had the idea of pumping using pump speed 10 (Using Spectra 9 and that’s the maximum speed). About 2 minutes later, I noticed that I’m pumping blood instead of milk. I immediately stopped pumping and decided not to pump.
At 11 pm, I tried pumping using only speed 3 (I normally pump using speed 5-7). However, my milk is mixed with blood at the first pump. So, I had to manually pump by pressing my breast. After getting 4 oz, blood started to come out again. What should I do? How to heal an internal bleeding? And how long will it take before I could start normal pumping again? I’m gonna start working next week and I need to start pumping for the stock a.s.a.p as I don’t wish to feed my baby formula milk at three months.
Please help me. Thanx!
Hi Ilyana! So sorry this happened – I know how painful it can be. So – you should just keep pumping normally and it should resolve itself within a day or two. If it’s painful, you should bring the speed down – if it’s not, you should keep it at the normal speed regardless of blood. I pumped a bottle that looked like it was 100% blood and fit for that baby from Twilight, and over the next few days the blood went away. Good luck!
Hey. Thanx for the reply. Since that day, I only do it manually. Turned out, I get more that way. Although it’s time consuming, I prefer not to use the breastpump anymore. Lol. ?
I am getting so frustrated with pumping! My daughter is 3 months, And I’ve started getting engorged between feeds if my breasts are not fully emptied previously. Then, when I turn the pump on, that side won’t express milk! No nipple mobility with any flange size. Cold and warm compresses don’t seem to work. But not expressing milk is leading to further engorgement… Once I finally get one side going by manually expressing, the other side malfunctions next time. Help!
Mary – that sounds so frustrating. When you say no nipple mobility, what do you mean exactly? Do you mean that when it’s hooked up and you start the pump, your nipple doesn’t move in the flange? Or that you aren’t able to get a let down?
If my nipple looks red while I’m pumping is my flange to large or to small? Trying to figure out why my nipples always hurt- so hard after I pump…
Hi Katherine – it could be either way. Do you feel like a lot of the nipple is getting pulled in? You could try getting one size up and one size down and figuring out which works? They run about $7-8.
Is it normal for nipples to be hard and sore after pumping (been pumping for a month)? Thanks!
Hi Katherine – no, pumping shouldn’t hurt. 🙁 I see you asked about the flange size in a separate comment, I hope that changing the size fixes your issues!
Has anyone else gotten “blebs” on their nipples (as I have heard them termed)? Basically, I have almost like blood blisters on my nipples. At first, I just had one large one in the area where I used to have a wound that healed. So at first, I thought it was part of the healing process. Then, I developed more, even on the other nipple! They look horrible. They do not hurt. But I almost feel like the large one has covered over some openings, and my milk has had to “re-route” on that side, and it drains slower than my other side. Also, my nipples are constantly soggy! When I am in the shower, it is like I have to “exfoliate” them and get off white, dead skin cells. Gross, I know. It is almost like I do not know if they are soggy or dry! Just thought I would ask! To some degree, I think pumping is brutal on your nipples, regardless. Thanks as always for the info!
Ugh, Stephanie – the “blebs” sound horrible. When you said that it spread to the other nipple, I thought maybe it was thrush, but then the fact that it doesn’t hurt makes me think maybe not. Do they bleed at all or just look bad and cause issues with draining?
(Side note: once I had a cracked nipple and bled so much when I pumped that the bottle looked like it would have been perfect for the vampire baby – Renesmee -from Twilight.)
Ugh, the white stuff on the nipples is gross – I know exactly what you mean. I had that the entire year I pumped with my EPed baby and not at all for my nursed baby (even though I pumped for her all day with working). You are right, the pump is hard on your nipples!
Glad I am not the only one with the dead skin cells! 🙂 No, no bleeding, thank goodness. Your experience with the blood-tinged milk does not sound pleasant. Yes, the best way I can describe them is blood blisters…because it is not like they would “fall off” like a scab. Ok. Gross. Well, thanks for the reply! Happy Mother’s Day! Maybe someone else can pump for me today?