Why is my breast pump hurting me??

[TattooedMama]

This is the same pump I used for last ds (the Ameda Purely Yours) but I don't remember it being this uncomfortable. I thought maybe the flange size was too big and was pulling my nipple out to grotesque proportions so I got some of the cushiony silicone inserts but then I couldn't pump hardly anything. Like it wasn't stimulating my breast properly. Without the insert it seems uncomfortable for the whole pumping session, I am using the lowest suction setting posssible for it to still work. I used a Medela PIS for ds#1 but I don't really have the money to buy another pump when there is nothing wrong with this one, YKWIM?
On a side note, ds#3 did some nipple trauma and while I can now latch him on again with minimal pain, pumping tears the scabs open again something awful!! You may remember my "I'm pumping pink milk" post a couple of days ago.... well I went back to work this weekend and I pumped RED milk. OW OW OW OW!!!!!
What do I do? I have to work and pump again this weekend!

[TattooedMama]

Anyone?

[MomToKandE]

Do you lubricate the inside of the flanges? I always used some olive oil or lanolin to lubricate the inside of the flanges. Olive oil is easier to clean but both work well. It made things a lot more comfortable and also seemed to provide a better seal.

Are you sure your nipple is centered in the flange? Sometimes if I got a little off center it would really rub.

I hope things get better soon!!!

[DandeCobb]

..............because it hates you?.................. sorry, i couldn't let that one go, i like PP idea of lubricating the flanges. and i read about the scab on your breast-is that from the pump? that makes me think that you are not using big enough flanges-if you aren't too shy, tell us what bra size you wear and what size flanges you have. i wear a 36DD and have 30 mm X-tra large (this is with a medela pump, i don't know if avents are different) flanges. my only other thought is to ask if it is like a sharp shooting pain, maybe mastitis or thrush? i know sometimes (especially when i pump for longer than 15 minutes) my nips will get awfully sore. okay, good luck!

[TattooedMama]

Nope no thrush or mastitis. The cracked nipple is actually a secondary issue. My 11 week old must have chomped me in the middle of the night, when he got lazy about his latch. That's how I got cracked. It just isn't healing because I HAVE to pump. Since way before I got the crack I wasn't finding pumping to be comfortable. I would think after 3 kids my nipples would be bigger, not smaller. And it's the same pump and flange size I used before. I am POSITIVE my nipple is centered, but I haven't thought to lubricate it. I'm a 36-38 C, I have no idea what size the flange is... whatever the standard size is with the Purely Yours. I thought maybe the flanges were too big so that's why I got the inserts. But they made it way to small. Crap.
I just have not had problems in the past, why now?

[_betsy_]

I have an APY, too, and the only time I have any pain is when I have a crack or a cut or whatever on the nip.

Try Lansinoh before pumping - that someimes helps for me. Also, be sure to stay well hydrated - heal the skin from the inside out, you know?

[willoLevin]

When I had pain pumping while trying to boost my low supply for DS, I got a prescription for APNO (all purpose nipple ointment) as a "just in case" it would help. I found that it was MUCH more comfortable than lanolin or anything else I tried to lubricate the flanges when I pumped.

In my case, it wasn't thrush or anything. I'm just super-sensitive.

The APNO must be hand-compounded by a pharmacist, and not all pharmacies make it, and my co-pay for that was $40 for being a "fancy" level medicine (as opposed to $10 for generics), but it was worth it for me.

--willo