Sounds to me like her nipples might be suffering from 'strangulation'
so-to-speak, caused by using pump flanges that are the wrong size for her.
I find most times, it's that they are too small, but I have had mothers with
nipple trauma from flanges that are too large, as well.
 
I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS measure the nipple, and have mom choose a flange or
shield that is just a bit larger than the millimeter measurement at the base
of her nipple.  Easy to do with a round nipple, a little more challenging
with oblong or differently-shaped...but, it's an important step.
 
Another aspect of pumping that can cause nipple damage is the strength of
the suction and how long mom pumps for.  Lots of moms use the full strength
suction, thinking that will pump out more milk faster.  Not so... better to
use the pump in a way that mimicks a baby's own sucking pattern (fast
cycle/low strength at beginning when baby doing lots of sucks and a few
swallows; then switching to a medium cycle/low or medium strength; then
switching to a slow cycle/stronger strength meant to mimic what baby does
when experiencing let down, with few sucks and lots of swallows).  That is
just a very, very rough guide - I have found that there are so many pumps on
the market and each ones works differently.  Sometimes mom has to play
around with the cycles and the strength for a while in order to find the
right combination for her.
 
Also, many mothers simply pump too long.  I tell my moms to aim for one or
two let downs (per side, if doing one side at at time), which if they are
using correct flange sizing and correct cycles and strength, they should be
able to get in about 10 - 12 minutes of pumping.  Many moms will pump for 20
or 30 minutes.... way too much in my mind, especially when we are dealing
with wounded nipples.  Again, this is a very rough guide, each mom is
different and there isn't one correct method.
 
All this to say... she likely needs some new flanges and some refining in
her pumping technique.
 
~kg


Karyn-grace Clarke, IBCLC, RLC
Registered Lactation Consultant
HAPPY TRIBE CONSULTING
 <http://www.happytribe.ca/> www.happytribe.ca 
Nanaimo, BC, 250-739-3146

 

 

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