Reddit mentions of Pumpin' Pal Breast Pump Flanges (Set Large, M,L,X-L Pairs) for Medela, Lansinoh, Hygeia - This Set Does not fit in Spectra Flanges

Dudes, slanted shields. Life changer.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0085CBA90/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1498508887&sr=8-3&keywords=breast+pump+shield&dpPl=1&dpID=31fp62yyihL&ref=plSrch

Hi All!

Here's the posted link to the angled flanges for pumping(the reason you'd want these is so you can lean back while you pump instead of having to sit straight up. So much better, especially if you are pumping after every feed).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085CBA90/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Things are going well with the twins. WE've figured out a sleep schedule for my husband and I so we are both getting a guaranteed 4-5 hours a night, and that;s been the greatest thing ever. We were trying to do everything together at first, and it just wasn't going to work as it made both of us very exhausted. Our schedule is roughly that I sleep from 7/8(nurse and pump right before sleep)-12/1AM, he gives some of the pumped milk(I'm extremely fortunate to have enough to supplement with breast milk) and then he sleeps the rest of the night. When sleeping, the twins are elsewhere so you don't hear them at all. This is the number one thing I would recommend. Don't be a team and try and do everything together. Split night time. Get some sleep. Life will be so much better.

http://www.amazon.com/Pumpin-Pal-Super-Shields-Complete/dp/B0085CBA90 <--- you may find those are more comfortable. They are tilted flanges that allow you to sit in a more comfortable position and still get great milk flow.

It might be a good idea to make sure your shields are sized correctly. My LC recommended Pumpin Pals ([Amazon link](Pumpin' Pal Breast Pump Flanges for Medela, Hygeia, Lansinoh. Sizes M, L, XL, 25mm to 40mm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085CBA90/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_Ca7pybJGYC82N) ), which come in a set of different sizes with the idea that you use the biggest when you're most engorged and the smaller sizes when you're less so. Good luck! And congrats on the great long sleep stretches!

The default size for the flanges for Medela brand is 24 mm. If you find the angle uncomfortable, consider getting the Pumpin Pal flanges. They come in packs of 3 with 3 different sizes. Kind of annoying, oh well. You can reuse the flanges, just put it in boiling water for 10 min to sanitize it. I wouldn't buy a pumping bra this early, your size will probably change.

Yes to tubing, it's good to have extras lying around. Be advised, they are generally sold in singles and you'll need 2 if you're dual pumping.

DO NOT PURCHASE MEMBRANES. Those stupid white flaps are crap. Get the duckbills instead.

Which bras have you tried? Also, it could be a flange issue. I hated pumping with the Medela flanges, but switched them out for Pumping Pals and it is much much better (long nips and all!)

I EP'd for two months after trying to EBF for 10 days too! First, EPing isn't the absolute end to your dreams of breastfeeding. You can always go back if you want to try again. I did, it was hard at first. We had to overcome nipple confusion. But to my delight, using Dr Browns wide nipples actually taught my son how to latch properly.

Second, if you don't want to try again, many people have done really well with EPing. My friend successfully EPed twins 100% for a full year. That's truly amazing because I had to supplement with formula one bottle a day and that was with just one kid :)

A couple of resources I found really helpful:

1. Invest in a simple wishes pumping bra
   
2. Get some Pumpin' Pal Super Shields. Amazing.
   
3. I normally loathe this website, but this link was helpful for me

Nursing pillow (I use the boppy), milk storage solutions... Look into Kiinde Twist. You can pump from the Medela pump directly into the twist bags. My coworker gifted me the nice gift set and I'm pretty stoked to use it. Also these flanges, everyone tells me I have to get them, so I resisted for them. I also registered for the $30 medela hand pump because it saved my sanity with engorgement with my first one (hand pump + hot shower = relief).

Ok, I will try to format this nicely, but for some reason it always comes out TERRIBLY, so if you see it's been edited, it's just for formatting. Also, I didn't do any sort of price search, so these links aren't the best price guaranteed.

Dream Team Pumping Purchases

• Spectra Pump S1/S2 - one has a battery, that's the only difference. You can vary both the suction strength and the suction frequency on both the milking and letdown settings. There is a timer (yay!), and it remembers your settings. The only drawbacks is the tubing has a strange surface finish that picks up everything, so that kind of sucks, and the default is it's not on the letdown setting when you power on.
  
  
• Pumpin Pal Flanges - Unfortunately these aren't compatible with the Spectra style pump parts, so you need some other pieces to use them. They draw the whole breast in, not just the part around the areola.
  
  
• Maymom Adapters - These allow you to use the Medela style connectors and flanges with the Spectra.
  
  
• Medela Connectors - These don't have to be Medela, they can be Maymom or Nenesupply, but I couldn't find ONLY the connectors from either companies in my quick search.
  
  
• Duckbill Valves - These are way better than the little yellow piece valve with a rubber flap (if the flap moves, it doesn't always work). These are one piece, way awesome.
  
  As for bottles to attach...you can use Ameda or Medela bottles, or any bottle that fits the Medela connectors (I use the Medela bottles and sometimes Dr. Brown's bottles since they fit (depends on what's clean).
  

I have tried various size flanges for my medela pump. I even tried these on the left https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085CBA90/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nothing seems to get more more than .75 to 1 ounce. Now righty is also only giving me 3 ounces per pumping session :-(

Looks like these flanges here. I was about to buy them. OP are they better than the plain plastic ones?

Thats fantastic! And definitely check out what your insurance says about lactation support - I picked up my 100% insurance-covered Medela PIS (double electric pump) the day after getting discharged from the hospital. No reason for you to have to suffer through pumping sessions.

Also, if you're going to be pumping a lot, look into Pumpin Pals. They are amazing and saved me a ton of nipple pain from pumping back at work.

Keep at it, you're gonna do great!