Breast shields play a key role in pumping comfort and efficiency. Your Medela PersonalFit Flex shield has a unique design that you can adjust easily to your shape. This helps you get more milk from each pumping session.

Understanding your PersonalFit Flex breast shield

Our research scientists tested the PersonalFit Flex breast shield in four clinical studies with breastfeeding mums. Across more than 1,000 pumping sessions, they proved it delivered more comfort and efficiency.

Compared to standard 90° breast shield openings, the new 105° opening angle better matches different shapes and sizes of breasts. This also helps milk flow more freely, which may be because there’s less compression of the breast.

And because the PersonalFit Flex breast shield can be rotated 360°, you can easily adapt its position to suit your shape. This means the shield can seal gently to your breast and you can find the most comfortable position for you.

Benefits:
– better efficiency
– more comfort
– improved adaptation
– improved effectiveness

Customising your PersonalFit Flex breast shield size

1. MeasureYour nipple diameter may temporarily increase by 2 to 3 mm during pumping, so the breast shield tunnel needs to be slightly bigger than your nipple. Our fitting guide will help you find the right size.	2. AdaptThere is no wrong way to position the oval breast shield on your breast. Simply rotate the oval shape to find the most comfortable position for you. This varies from mum to mum.
3. CentreCentre your nipple in the tunnel so that it can move back and forth freely within it while pumping.	4. AssessCheck your breast shield fit regularly. As your nipple and breast shape might change over time, you may need a different size. The oval shape also offers you the chance to change its position when needed.

Get comfortable

Being relaxed and comfortable while pumping will help your milk flow. Stress and discomfort can hinder the hormone oxytocin, which is essential for the release of breast milk.

Your Medela Flex technology breast pump has overflow protection – sometimes called a closed system – that prevents milk entering the motor, so you can pump in a comfortable position that works for you.

Find our breast shield fitting guide at www.medela.com/fittingguide and read more at www.medela.com/flex

The post How to personalise your PersonalFit Flex™ breast shield for more efficient pumping appeared first on Medela Philippines.

Make sure to use the right breast shield size. It is an essential component of effective pumping, helping to optimise milk flow.

Understanding your breast anatomy

Breasts come in all shapes and sizes, and can change throughout your breastfeeding journey.1 The size of your breast might not correspond to your nipple size, and each of your nipples can be different sizes too.

What happens when you breastfeed or pump

Your milk ducts increase in size by 68% during a let down. This is to accommodate all the milk flowing through them towards your nipple.

Your nipple diameter may increase temporarily by 2 to 3 mm. So your breast shield tunnel needs to be slightly bigger than your nipple.

Your milk ducts lie close to the skin’s surface. Pressing the breast shield too hard or using a tunnel that’s too small can obstruct milk flow.

Find our breast shield fitting guide at www.medela.com/fittingguide and read more at www.medela.com/pumping

The post Why your choice of breast shield is key to successful pumping appeared first on Medela Philippines.

Make sure to use the right breast shield size. It is an essential component of effective pumping, helping to optimise milk flow.

Understanding Medela’s breast shield sizing

Pumping should not hurt. For maximum comfort and pumping efficiency, Medela offers five breast shield sizes. This guide is a starting point to help determine your optimal size based on your nipple diameter.

Step 1:

Using a ruler or measuring tape measure the diameter of your nipple at base (across middle) in millimeters (mm). Do not include areola.

Step 2:

Based on your measurement, determine your Medela breast shield size. Example: If your nipple size measures 16 mm in diameter, the recommended Medela breast shield size is 21 mm.

Test your breast shield size

• Start with the breast shield that came with your pump, or the size determined by measuring.
• Centre the nipple and gently hold the breast shield against your breast.
• Adjust for Maximum Comfort Vacuum to achieve optimum suction level.
• Refer to the images below while pumping in the expression phase (after the stimulation phase).

• The nipple is centred and moves freely.

• The nipple rubs along the side of the tunnel.
• Try a larger size.

• The nipple and excessive areola are pulled into the tunnel.
• Try a smaller size.

Experiencing that “Feel Good Factor” – the Emotional Benefits of Breastfeeding

Another underrated benefit of breastfeeding for moms is that breastfeeding just feels good. Of course, there can be challenges for some moms with latching on and sore nipples. However, once you overcome these initial difficulties, most breastfeeding moms find feeding their babies from the breast physically enjoyable and fulfilling. Breastfeeding releases “feel good hormones” like oxytocin, which promote a sense of peace, love and attachment. Giving birth changes a woman’s life – it can give her a special sense of accomplishment, purpose, and happiness. Breastfeeding is a special gift that builds a stronger bond between a mother and a child.

Did you know?

• You may need a different size per breast.
• Your breast shield size will depend on your breast tissue and skin elasticity.
• Your breast shield size could change over the duration of your pumping experience.
• When you apply vacuum pressure, your nipple size could change.
• Pressing the breast shield too hard could block milk ducts.

Reasons to try a new size

• Does your nipple rub the tunnel sides to the point of causing discomfort?
• Do you see excessive areola being pulled into the tunnel?
• Do you see any redness?
• Is your nipple or areola turning white?
• Do you feel unexpressed milk after pumping?

If you answered «YES» to any of these questions, consider trying a new size by following the measuring instructions above. If you are still unsure that you selected the correct size, see a lactation consultant or breastfeeding specialist.

Watch our fitting animation at www.medela.com/fittingguide

The post Breast Shield Fitting appeared first on Medela Philippines.