Presentation Information

Fitting Flanges for Pumping: Rethinking Sizes and Materials

• Speaker: Jeanette Mesite Frem , MHS, IBCLC, RLC, CCE
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 75 Mins
• Credits: 1.25 CERP, 1.25 Nursing CEU, 1.25 CME, 0.1 Midwifery CEU, 1.25 Dietetic CEU

Abstract:

As lactation professionals, our overall goal is to help more babies get more human milk. Our work often includes supporting families with pumping. For many years, we have been told to "size up" for pump flange/breast shield size but many parents and lactation professionals are now finding that sizing down is much more effective for comfort, yield and pumping efficiency. But how small? Do silicone flanges work just as well as hard plastic? Does the shape of the flange influence milk removal and comfort? This session will show participants many different flanges sizes, several different types of flanges and video snippets of real parents pumping with some of them. The session will focus on how lactation professionals can actually do a flange fitting WITH a client, both in-person and virtually. Providing effective flange fitting services as a lactation professional can increase pumping comfort and significantly increase milk yield and extend the duration of lactation for many families.