I know yall are going to get tired of me saying this, but i cannot stress it enough how important it is to measure your nipples and find the correct flange that corresponds with your measurements and your pump! hormones can shift nipple size during pregnancy and the early weeks postpartum, so a measurement taken before birth is only a ballpark. Re-measure once you’re actually pumping. Gently stimulate the nipple first. Roll it lightly between your finger and thumb for a few seconds so it’s everted — think of turning a dial. Don’t do this immediately after pumping or feeding, when it’s swollen.
- Measure the diameter across the base of the nipple, at the widest part, in millimeters. Measure straight across the middle.
- Measure the nipple only — not the areola. The areola is the darker tissue around the nipple; it isn’t part of the measurement.
- Measure both nipples separately. They can be different sizes, and that’s normal. Some guides suggest measuring both vertically and horizontally and using the larger number.
