All nipples have elasticity! Stretching of the nipples is required to release oxytocin which elicits your “let-down” (when breast milk starts to come out of your nipples). But some nipples have even elasticity than others, and this might cause discomfort with pumping. In this post, we’ll go over elastic nipple solutions, elastic nipple flanges to help, elastic nipples pumping, elastic nipple symptoms, and elastic nipples breastfeeding.
Elastic Nipples and Pumping
While breastfeeding, it’s hard to see if you have elastic nipples since you can’t see your nipple inside your baby’s mouth!
Plus, breastfeeding is different than pumping. While nursing, the nipple swells and stretches to nicely fill the areas between your baby’s palate and their tongue so that your breast milk is transferred most effectively.
Pumping doesn’t have the same physiology as breastfeeding. While pumping, elastic nipples are easier to detect, and this is when you might feel pain while trying to express milk.
With elastic nipples and pumping, you’ll notice your nipples swell to fill the entire flange tunnel, usually requiring a lot of your areolas to be pulled in as well (the darker circle around your nipples).
Additionally, your nipple stretches to the end of the flange tunnel, even when you’re using the right flange size you were fitted for! Those with elastic nipples will sometimes say that they can’t find a size that works for them.
Elastic Nipple Symptoms
Signs you have elastic nipples include:
- Your nipples stretch 3x or more of your resting nipple length while pumping or breastfeeding
- Require sizing up to flanges much too large to pump comfortably
- Difficulty emptying your breasts while pumping
- Pain while pumping
- Nipple hitting the back of the flange tunnel while pumping
- A lot of your areola is being pulled into the flange
What Problems Do Elastic Nipples Cause?
The main issue is that elastic nipples can be very painful.
Additionally, elastic nipples can cause inefficient pumping. Draining milk can become difficult because the breast shield is putting pressure on areola tissue that shouldn’t be pulled in, thus constricting the flow.
Elastic Nipple Solutions
There are a few things that you can try to make pumping less painful and more efficient when you have elastic nipples.
1. Pumpin Pals
Pumpin Pals are breast pump flanges that are shaped differently than most other flanges.
Instead of the ring at the bottom of the funnel, the cone tapers into the tunnel.
This shape along with the silicone material seems to help hold the areola from getting pulled into the tunnel.
2. Lubricating The flange
Lubricate your flanges using your favorite nipple cream! I love an organic and natural nipple balm like the MotherLove Organic Nipple Cream or the Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter.
If you choose the MotherLove Organic Nipple Cream, use code: KATELYN15 to take 15% off your purchase (this can be applied to any of their other products too!).
By lubricating the flange tunnel, starting from the very opening of the tunnel, this helps make the nipple stretching and tissue pulled in much more comfortable.
3. Beaugen Pump Cushions
Beaugen Breast Pump Cushions are inserts that slide into your breast pump flanges.
Pump cushions are intended to provide a more comfortable pumping experience.
But, they are also helpful if your optimal flange size falls between two sizes. (It reduces the flange size by about 2mm.)
Many people have found that Beaugen Breast Pump Cushions helped with elastic nipples, both as a result of the smaller size and the material that they are made out of.
These pump cushions are made of silicone, just like the silicone that the Pumpin Pals Flanges are made out of. I would not choose both of these products to use simultaneously, rather one that you think will help you the most!
4. Check Your flange size
We have established that finding the best flange size with elastic nipples is a common difficulty.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an exact science to calculating your optimal flange size. It usually takes some trial and error.
Signs that your flange is too small:
- Your nipple does not move freely inside the flange.
- Experiencing rubbing on the sides of your nipple.
If your flange is too small this could lead to a low milk supply from poor milk extraction and painful milk expression from the friction, pinching, or squeezing of the nipple against the flange.
Signs that your flange is too big:
- Your areola is pulled into the tunnel
- You’re experiencing nipple pinching or pulling
If your flange is too big, this can also cause discomfort.
Additionally, your areola (the darker circle around your nipple) may not receive enough stimulation possibly leading to a low milk supply.
Signs that your flange size is just right:
- Your nipple can move freely
- Only a small part or none of your areola enters the tunnel when pumping
A flange that’s the correct size will allow your nipple to fit in the flange tunnel without any friction on its walls.
The Balanced Breastfeeding Course
For more on everything you could need to know about pumping and breastfeeding, from birth through night feedings, introducing solids, and weaning, check out The Balanced Breastfeeding Course!
The Balanced Breastfeeding Course is an 18-chapter eBook with 280 minutes of video education and demonstration to help teach you everything you need to know as you take the course.
You deserve to have support, education, and community to make breastfeeding not only possible for you but something you are confident and empowered to do. Learn more here.
Questions or Comments on Elastic Nipples?
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below👇🏻
Talk soon, mama!
– Katelyn Lauren
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DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
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