For many parents, using a breast pump is part of their lactation experience. For some families, it is a convenience so that other people can help to feed the baby occasionally. For other families, it is a necessity to support milk production due to health issues for mom or baby or when mom returns to work and is separated from the baby. Most breast pumps come with breast flanges (the part of the pump that goes on the breast) in sizes 21 mm and 24 mm. These are too large for many parents. When you use a breast flange that is too large, it pulls the areola (tissue around the nipple) into the tunnel of the breast flange too. This can cause pain and swelling to the tissue and the pumping parent often doesn’t express as much milk. You want to be able to express milk comfortably and as efficiently as possible! Fortunately, there is a way to help you figure out the best fit. RK Lactation Care offers flange fitting appointments. During an appointment, the lactation consultant will measure your nipples at the base and tip of the nipple to get an idea of which sizes to start with. Then you will try a variety of shapes and sizes of hard plastic flanges while pumping to see what feels the best and gets you the most milk. For parents with wearable pumps, there are different sizes of silicone inserts for you to try. Sometimes parents find they need one size on one breast and a different size for the other. Once the best fit has been determined, the lactation consultant will provide the information for you to order the sizes for the best fit. Ideally, you want to have your nipple gliding comfortably in the tunnel of the flange and seeing sprays of milk. For parents who pump regularly, it is helpful to find the optimal fit in hard plastic flanges (depending on the pump’s design). For parents who are pumping only occasionally, an optimally sized silicone insert may be sufficient. If you live in Louisville, Boulder, Gunbarrel, Niwot, Lafayette, Broomfield, Superior, and Westminster, CO, RK Lactation Care can schedule a flange fitting consultation in the comfort of your home. Appointments are generally scheduled Monday-Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM, however, early evening or weekend appointments may be available if needed. If you live outside these areas, I am happy to suggest other consultants who can do flange fittings.