pumping- flange size, suction, speed?

[rhiOrion]

I have only pumped a few times so far, and gotten about 1.5-3 ounces each time.

How do I know if I have the right flange size?

How do I know if the pressure is right? I obviously had it wrong at some point, because when I squeezed my nipple afterwards some bloody milk came out. Eeek.

Faster? Slower?

I just have no idea what I'm doing.

[an_aurora]

Flange size: your nipple should fit in the "tube" part of the flange, with air around it. If your nipple is smushed against the sides, it's too tight; if it's so loose that it's hard to get a good seal, it's too big. Here is a good guide.

Some pumps have the "let down speed" function, where it starts with quick, short bursts of suction that are supposed to mimic baby's letdown trigger sucks. For me, personally, I skip that part and just go straight to the longer, stronger suction. I would start on low, slow suction and start making small changes to see what works. I'd up the length of the suction before I would the "intensity". I have thrush and cracked, bleeding nipples right now and can't tolerate much in the way of strong suction.