Natalie makes a couple of good points.  When talking about soreness not
being normal, I do give a small disclaimer that apparantly some women ,
expecially those with very sensitive skin) may have a day or so of a
"mild chapped lip-like feeling".  Perhaps the fact that, in our culture
at least, nipples don't get any exposure to the elements.
She also spoke of moms having the suction too high.  This is a big
complaint I have about the Classic pump.  The suction variation is
labeled as going from "minimum" to "normal".  It should be "minimum" to
"maximum"!  I try to point this out whenever I'm setting a mom up with
pumping.  With such labeling, it's easy for a mom to assume the goal is
to reach the "normal" setting.  Most moms find their comfort level
around the mid-point or a little higher.
Had a mom recently pumping for a NICU baby who was complining of sever
pain while pumping.  She was only doing one side at a time as that was
all she could stand.  We checked out everything we could think of
(flange size, suction strength, moistening the flange to allow for some
sliding over breast rather than a dry flange "grabbing", etc.)  She did
not sem to be sensitive in any other way.  Was looking into having her
rent and try a Whittleston thinking it might have a softer action.  She
finally tried the softer flanges for our floor pumps and it made all the
difference in the world.  She then could pump without pain.  If she
hadn't been so dedicated to providing her milk for baby, she would have
probably thrown in the towel by that time.
Winnie

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