Winnie,

    I appreciate Medela's effort to create a gauge, but I have discovered
that just looking or using a gauge isn't the total picture.  I usually ask my
mom's to pump before I make a final decision.  My purpose is that more often than
not, I have discovered what I would call "deceitful nipples".  I am sure many
of you know what I am talking about.  You look at a nipple, and think it is
standard.  A gauge would measure it as standard, but in the breastshield, it
balloons out.  Skin surrounds the tube, and it becomes quite obvious to you that
a standard shield will simply not do.  I use gauges and the coin comparisons
(dime, nickel, penny, quarter?) very loosely.  To me, the most important thing
is to get those nipples in the shield, make sure that it is moving in and out
with the rhythym of the pump, that only the nipple really goes into the tube
at the base of the breastshield;  and most importantly, make sure that the
nipple moves comfortably in the tube at the base of the breastshield without
being too loose or too taut.  My point:  the BEST gauge is a Lactation Consultant.


Debbie Albert, Ph.D., IBCLC
Tampa Lactation Counseling
Tampa, FL


In a message dated 11/24/2003 9:17:19 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> Winnie writes:
> Medela has a "nipple guage" (not sure what it is actually called)
> with holes to match the various size shields they make.  On occasion
> when I have wondered if I was judging a nipple size correctly, I
> have used it and found it quite helpful.  Not only are the sizes
> correlated with thier flange sizes, but I think they are also given
> in mm's (mine is at work or I would check it for sure). so it could
> be useful for other brands if you know the mmm size of the opening.
> Of course, especially when a mon's nipples are close to two sizes,
> comfort should be the primary determinant, but a gizmo such as this
> can give you a starting point.
>

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