General
Comfortable and effective pumping is the goal. If you are emptying your breasts fully in a time frame that is satisfactory and you are experiencing little discomfort, then our shields are not going to take you to some euphoric place, pumping is pumping. But if you have room to improve, try our stuff. If for some reason they don’t work for you, you can return the product in accordance with our return policy.
Most moms can use two of the three sizes in the OptiFit Set, but we don’t know which two those are until you try them, so we give you all three for the price of two. The last thing you want to be dealing with is buying different sizes and waiting for deliveries. This way you have what you need for your entire pumping journey.
While silicone may feel softer than hard plastic, there’s no difference in comfort when you’re using your correct size. Many moms who try both materials find them equally comfortable when properly fitted! That said, if you have elastic nipples, our silicone flanges offer extra support. Their grippy texture helps keep things in place and prevents your nipple from being pulled too far into the tunnel — no matter your size!
Adapters are only offered because some pump brands used by customers have outdated designs and still use the 1 piece set up that doesn't accept optional flanges like those offered by Lactek, Maymom, Hygeia, Medela, Lansinoh, and Pumpin'Pal. The more modern pump brands that have the 2 piece set up (with removable flanges) don't require any adapters for use with optional flanges. Since the adapters are made by others (not Pumpin' Pal) and only offered as a convenience to the customer, they are not refundable.
If you're returning the Pumpin' Pal falnges, chances are you will still be looking for an alternative to what you currently have, and you are going to need the adapters.
Not at all. The OptiFit Set is designed to help you discover what works best, and our support team is here to walk you through the process. If your first three sizes aren’t the right fit, we’ll send you another—free. We’re here to help you find the comfort and output you deserve.
No, it is a normal part of the manufacturing process, and does not affect the performance of the flange.
For those interested, it is the point at which the liquid silicone rubber is injected into the mold, and then cut off. Due to the thickness necessary to be a stand alone silicone flange, the entry point needs to be larger than other silicone parts in order to flow all the way to the top of the flange before solidifying, so it is impossible to cut it off without being obvious after the cut.
Yes, the silicone flanges are heavier and thicker than the hard plastic flanges and can feel heavy, especially if the incorrect size is being used and the flanges aren't gripping on the breast as designed.
If your flanges are falling out of your connector, the connector may need to be replaced. The plastic used for the connectors is very thin and will become stretched out after use and sterilizing. Another issue can be oil or lubricant where they go together causing slippage. Make sure both the flange and connector are clean and free of oil where the parts come together.
There are multiple things that could be happening. Here is how to address them all:
- Make sure your pump membranes and valves are in good working order, especially if it has been a while since you replaced them.
- You might not be getting a strong enough letdown because your body doesn’t know how to react with this new, more comfortable sensation/feeling that is happening at the nipple area. The brain and subconscious have been programmed over time to have a letdown when they feel the pain from the standard flanges. Putting on a more comfortable flange might not be triggering as strong of a letdown. To solve this simply close your eyes and picture your baby being latched on to you while you are using the Pumpin’ Pal flanges. Hold that thought for as long as you can. You are basically re-training your subconscious to trigger a letdown when it feels the Pumpin’ Pals on your breast. This should be done any time a mom tries a new flange with a different feel than she is accustom to.
- If too much tissue gets pulled down into the tunnel of the flange it could be compressing on the ducts and not allowing them to flow as well. This is known as Lactiferous Duct Dysmorphia. Drop down 1 or 2 sizes and try to limit the amount of tissue that is migrating from the funnel to the tunnel of the flange. Turning down your suction can make a big difference as well.
Because your body’s milk ejection reflex isn’t just mechanical—it’s emotional and hormonal. You can have perfect suction and still get poor output if your brain doesn’t get the “baby is here” signal. Think of pumping as a full mind-body event. Picture baby, listen to their sounds, smell their blanket. It really does help.
It shouldn’t be necessary for you to hand massage while pumping. Ducts should be able to drain without your help. Try all the different sizes and if the flow isn’t getting better and you still have milk in you after you have been pumping for 25 minutes or so, give our product guidance hotline a call at 877-466-8283.
Purchasers of the Optifit Set have full access to all 6 or our sizes, including the 2XS. You can either try the 3 sizes that come in the initial shipment of the XS, S, and M and see if you need a smaller or larger size, and request then. Or, you can make an order for an Optifit and immediately text us at 623-692-1578 with your order number and a request for a pair of 2XS, L, or XL to be included.....we will ship a pair along with the Optifit.
We get this one a lot. While silicone is softer, it isn’t always better. For larger flange sizes, many moms actually get better performance and comfort from plastic—it’s more supportive and stable for larger breast tissue. Comfort comes from fit, not just material.
Straight flanges have 2 geometric shapes, the funnel and the tunnel. Where those two shapes come together forms a perfect ring (circle) and the distance across that ring can be measured in mm. A 24 mm flange means that the ring (where the nipple goes in) measures exactly 24 mm across that ring. Pumpin' Pal flanges are tapered in that area where the funnel and the tunnel come together.......there is no ring and so there is no place to take a measurement. Because of the taper, Pumpin' Pal flanges can take into account a person's elasticity and shape, along with nipple size. But the only way to know which will be best is to try them on, one at a time.
Your request for mm measurement is reasonable. Fortunately, our flanges take into account a users' elasticty, but unfortunately, that elasticity can not be measured.
Pumpin' Pal flanges have no way to correspond to mm measurements because there is no place to take a measurement. Our flanges are tapered in the area where a measurement is taken on a straight flange (the ring at the bottom of the funnel).
Our Optifit Set is the first step towards finding the optimal size for each breast. Everyone that purchases our Optifit Set has access to try all 6 of our sizes. We send out the 3 sizes that historically worked well for better than 9 out of 10 of our customers. We will know when you use the Set containing (XS, S, M) if we need to send a smaller or even larger flange based on what you are seeing/experiencing and how well it is performing. There is no cost to you for the additional sizes, we even cover shipping. Pumpin' Pal flanges are a different shape than the standard straight flange and so It is impossible to know which size is optimal until you try them. Hopefully you are in that 9 out of 10 group where one of the Optifit Set flanges is the optimal size for your left, and for your right. If not, we'll get you set up:-)
Because it’s not just about diameter. Our flanges account for nipple length, elasticity, tissue density, and how your breasts respond to suction. A single number can’t tell the whole story. That’s why we built the OptiFit Set—to help you determine what actually feels and works best.
Nope. We offer additional sizes for free if the initial ones don’t fit. We don’t believe in nickel-and-diming moms—we believe in comfort, support, and success.
We wish it were that simple! But every mom’s anatomy is different, and the fit is more art than math. Trying the OptiFit sizes hands-on is still the fastest way to avoid wasted time, pain, and frustration from trial-and-error buying one-off flanges.
Because what came with your pump was a “one-size-fits-most” solution—not a personalized one. Pumpin’ Pal flanges are designed to meet the needs of moms who want better, especially if traditional flanges have failed them. Yes, it’s a change—but one worth exploring.
We get that it seems like a lot. But that’s only because you are unique—and we’re here to honor that. Other brands try to force everyone into 1–2 sizes. We offer 6 because bodies are different. And once you find your fit, everything gets easier.
Many assume silicone flanges are more comfortable because they’re softer, but true comfort comes down to finding the right size and fit — not just the material.
Our silicone flanges have a grippier, sticky texture that helps moms with elastic nipples keep a secure fit and prevent the nipple from being pulled too far into the tunnel.
While silicone is used in our smaller sizes, moms with larger breasts but elastic nipples often find these flanges work well for them, too! If you wear a smaller size but don’t have elastic nipples, our silicone flanges will still work just as effectively — silicone simply provides extra support for those who need it!
We recommend starting with our OptiFit Set, which includes two silicone pairs (XS, S) and one hard plastic pair (M). Once you find your perfect size, comfort follows — no matter the material!
Cleaning & Care
Yes. The Pumpin’ Pals are made of BPA-free medical grade polypropylene and High Grade Platinum Silicone. Both can be boiled (do not let them sit on the bottom of the pan!) and steamed using a steam bag but that should only be done prior to first time use, then only occasionally if you feel it is necessary. Caution: If microwaved too long to the point the water is steamed away, the parts may melt and become deformed. A couple of minutes of steam is plenty. From then on these products should be hand washed like china or a glass because you can easily clean all surfaces, unlike bottles and tubing.
DO NOT USE UV STERILIZERS ON THE SILICONE FLANGES! The silicone may become hard and crack.
They can be cleaned in a dishwasher on the top rack, but they will last much longer hand washing with warm water and a grease cutting dish soap as most automatic dishwasher detergents can etch the surface causing them to become “foggy”. In other words, you can clean the parts in the dishwasher, but we do not recommend it and we do not replace parts that are damaged in the dishwasher. Do not use any chemicals such as bleach to clean or sanitize the flanges. We suggest our Silicone Wash for daily cleaning.
We get this question occasionally, and it is nearly impossible to answer with any accuracy. It totally depends on the user.
Things that can shorten the life of the silicone flanges are automatic dishwashers, lubricants, frequent sterilization, storing in refrigerator between cleanings, and frequency of actual use. Also, over time, the silicone will become somewhat softer, but will not change the effectiveness of the flange.
The best advice we can give to increase the longevity is to thoroughly clean the flanges between pumps using warm water and a good liquid dish soap, like Dawn. The silicone should be crystal clear when done cleaning and have that “sticky” silicone feel when dry. If it feels slick, there is still oil on the surface. If you still can’t get all of the oily residue off, try our Silicone Wash.
The hard plastic is less susceptible to the factors listed above, and generally last a bit longer, but again, it really is up to the individual user. We have moms that need to replace every few months, and others that use the same flanges for multiple babies.
The bag itself is laundry safe, do not put in the dishwasher.
After removing your new Pumpin’ Pal flanges and parts from their packaging, give them a thorough washing with the process described below under “How do I clean my Pumpin’ Pals?”
As long as your baby isn’t premature (born before 37 weeks) and nobody in the home (including your baby) is immune compromised, our silicone flanges can be wiped completely dry between pumping sessions with a lint-free cloth (like microfiber) and washed every 3-4 times or once a day, whichever comes first. This is safe because human milk actively kills bacteria for up to eight hours at room temperature (below 77°F/22° C).
If your baby was born before 37 weeks or is immunocompromised, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend a more thorough and frequent cleaning process. They also recommend this for babies under three months old, but many healthcare professionals don’t believe it’s necessary when parents already have so many responsibilities caring for a new baby.
We don’t recommend putting our silicone flanges in the refrigerator between pumping sessions because it can make them cloudy from oils and milk debris that bond to the silicone. Instead, just wipe them completely dry with a lint-free cloth (like microfiber) and they’ll be fine until you’re ready to pump again.
What to Clean
Only the parts that come into contact with the milk need to be cleaned. This includes the flanges, collar rings, bottles, bottle adapters, and vacuum valves that attach to the bottom of the bottle adapter (like the white Spectra duckbill valve and the yellow Medela valve with white membrane).
Backflow preventers and their membranes don’t usually need to be cleaned because they don’t come in contact with milk.
The tubing never needs to be cleaned unless there’s condensation. If you ever do have to clean the tubes, a needle-free syringe can push soapy water down them and they can be easily dried by taking them outside or to a large room, holding them by one end, and making large circles with your arms to spin the water out with centrifugal force.
Keep an eye on the silicone vacuum valves and membranes for stickiness that indicates they’re breaking down and need to be replaced (usually about every 6-8 weeks depending on how often they’re used).
Where to Clean
Handwashing in the sink is usually best. The flanges are dishwasher safe on the top rack, but the heat drying process and dishwasher detergents can make them cloudy so it’s harder to see your nipple in the tunnel. If you do clean them in the dishwasher, be sure to use a soap without a slippery anti-spotting ingredient as explained below.
How to Clean
Hand wash them with warm water, a little dish soap (see brand recommendations below), and a CLEAN small, soft bottle brush that fits inside the tunnel like the smaller brushes in this set and this set. If you change soaps, be sure to thoroughly clean the brush or sponge or use new ones so they don’t transfer any of the old soap.
Thoroughly scrub both the outside AND the inside tunnel. Air dry or wipe dry with a lint-free cloth. Our Air-Dry Mesh Bag is a convenient way to dry freshly washed parts naturally.
ONLY use Dawn Dish Soap With the Duck on it for Pumpin’ Pal Flanges*
Here’s Why: All other dish soaps seem to leave a slippery residue on our silicone flanges that make them less tacky. (We think it’s ingredient to prevent spots but we haven’t been able to identify it definitively yet.)
- On the outside of the flange, this slippery residue makes the flange fall out of the collar ring more easily, risking spilled milk. This is a problem even if you’re not using the silicone flanges for elastic nipples.
- On the inside tunnel, the slippery residue keeps the tacky silicone from being able to hold elastic tissue in place, allowing the nipple to move, creating potentially painful friction.
So far, the only dish soap we’ve found without the slippery ingredient is the original version of Dawn Ultra that has yellow ducks on the label.
Outside the US: Unfortunately we haven’t had much feedback or experience with dish soaps (like Fairy) other than the brands below. Please let us know if you have any info or recommendations!
When there’s oil buildup or slippery soap residue, the silicone flanges can be restored to like-new condition by using our Silicone Cleaner. It’s earth-friendly and biodegradable. This fabulous silicone cleaner also can be used occasionally instead of soap and water for on-the-go cleaning. Another brand of the same cleaner is available on Amazon (different label, same ingredients). Other silicone cleaners such as those to clean adult toys may also work.
Another method that works great is to make a paste using baking soda and water. Spread the paste over the silicon flange and let it dry. Once dry, under running warm water, remove the dried paste. Repeat if the silicone still feels "slick" when dry.
OTHER SOURCES OF SLIPPERY FILM:
Another common cause of slippery residue on silicone is from hard-water treatment systems, also known as water-softening systems.
- If you’re not sure if you have a hard-water treatment system, check if anyone in the home or building regularly adds minerals that such systems require. If they look baffled, there probably isn’t one. 🙂
- If you DO have a hard-water treatment system, it’s possible that the cold water in the bathroom may NOT be connected to it (by code in some areas), so it’s worth trying to wash your flanges there to see if it helps.
See our comprehensive list of other sneaky lubrication sources
Because the silicone is designed to grip on and hold on to the areola so it doesn't get pulled down into the tunnel part of the flange, the surface is sticky and can attract foreign objects like hair and lint to the surface. Any debris on the surface cleans off quite easily but it is recommended that once washed, the silicone flanges should be kept in a bag or box that keeps floating things from attaching themselves to the surface of the flange until the next use.
Sizing & Fit
It is difficult for a mom to guess which size will work best for her. Our shields work completely different than standard shields. Pumpin’ Pals are tapered, so along with size of the breast and nipple, much also depends on the elasticity of a mom’s tissue, which is hard to measure. We have moms that use different sizes at different times of the day…..we have moms that have changed from one size to the next to the next as their body changes over time after delivery…..and we have moms that can only use one size. We/You won’t know which size is best until you try them and compare.
Every body is different—truly. Your breast tissue, letdown reflex, elasticity, and mental state all affect how pumping goes. That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It just means we may need to help you tweak your setup. We’ll stick with you until it clicks.
Standard flanges are designed to fit the nipple. They are designed to pull on the nipple and stretch it until milk comes out. Pumpin’ Pals allow considerably more tissue to be involved in the process (much like your baby does, he/she does not just pull on the nipple until milk flows). There is very little correlation between the size of standard shield you use and ours when it comes to fitting. Please read the answer to the previous questions.
Try the smallest flange in the Set first and if your nipple doesn’t fit inside the tunnel go up a size until it does. Staying as small as possible leaves less room in the tunnel for potential swelling.
If you feel a pinch, the correct size is not being used.
When our flanges fit correctly, the first thing most experienced pumpers conclude is that they are too small because they don't see the same kind of movement as they do with their typical flanges. We are trying to use the sticky nature of the silicone to grab on and hold on and not let the areola or the sides of the nipple get pulled into the tunnel. We only want the tip of the nipple to move which throws some moms off. If the flange is comfortable and you can feel the nipple moving, convince yourself you are nursing, not pumping, and see if you can get a letdown to happen. When the letdown happens and the ducts are not being smashedd because they are not sucked deep into the tunnel, the milk should flow freely
Comfort with pumping is a goal for all moms, but sometimes it is the change in feeling, going from uncomfortable to comfortable, that becomes a new situation challenging let down intensity. It is important with any kind of flanges you are using. Your body has been programed to respond a certain way when a baby is at the breast. When the nipple is stimulated, the subconscious wants to know what is causing that stimulation and so when it sees, smells, feels baby, it responds and sends a signal to the breast that it is okay to let the milk go. It is incredibly important, when you pump, that you do everything you can in your mind to convince your subconscious that it is baby down there wanting food....not a pump. The body doesn't respond well to just stimulation, it has to connect the dots. You connect those dots by thinking about baby's lips, gums, mouth, tongue, etc. creating that feeling you have at the tip of the breast. Relax, drop your shoulders, and convince yourself you are having a nursing session instead of a pumping session.
A letdown happens when the subconscious tells the breast it is okay to let the milk go. The breast releases a chemical and that chemical makes the muscles that surround the milk reservoirs tense up, and they squeeze the reservoirs pushing the milk out into the ducts and out of you. When someone feels a letdown, they are feeling that chemical interact with the muscles that surround the reservoirs. I think one of the most under discussed topics around pumping is the need to convince the body that there is a baby down there wanting food.....not a pump.
It’s common to have one breast that produces more than the other—Pumpin’ Pal flanges won’t change your natural asymmetry. But if the difference is new or drastic, make sure the flange size is right for each breast. It’s common for moms to need a different size for each side.
Not necessarily. It might just mean your body is adjusting to the new sensation. Your nervous system is used to how traditional flanges feel and may need some re-training to respond to a gentler touch. Give yourself a few days and try to relax into the session—often the output rebounds (or improves!) once your body learns to trust the new setup.
If your nipple can’t fit into the tunnel area at the very beginning of a pump session (before any swelling has occurred) then go up to the size where it appears that the nipple can move freely in the tunnel but with very little extra space.
If you find milk leaking from underneath your flanges, twist the Pumpin’ Pal flanges in your connector so the tunnel now points away from your lap. This will position the bottles away from your body. If the bottles hit your stomach or lap, it breaks the seal and allows milk to leak out. If you are using a hands free bra, you may need to adjust it a little — too tight and it is pulling up on the flanges, too loose and suction isn’t maintained.
Some moms have what we call "rogue ducts", where there are ducts that terminate in a spot that is not located at the face of nipple. Babies can find these ducts and they are almost always in an area covered by baby's mouth, so nursing is not an issue. But with pumping, the rogue ducts are just something natural to deal with and may make the silicone flanges more challenging to use as a way to combat elasticity issues. Once the skin is wet with milk, the silicone doesn’t hold on as well. It is worthwhile to try the next size up and see if the rogue duct challenge be overcome with a larger opening.
Increased comfort is a staple of our products. But with that comes the need to reprogram the body to react with a letdown response when it feels the new, more comfortable, tug on the nipple.
This topic is very important with any kind of flanges you are using. Your body has been programed to respond a certain way when a baby is at the breast. When the nipple is stimulated, the subconscious wants to know what is causing that stimulation and so when it sees, smells, feels baby, it responds and sends a signal to the breast that it is okay to let the milk go. It is incredibly important, when you pump, that you do everything you can in your mind to convince your subconscious that it is baby down there wanting food....not a pump. The body doesn't respond well to just stimulation, it has to connect the dots. You connect those dots by thinking about baby's lips, gums, mouth, tongue, etc. creating that feeling you have at the tip of the breast. Relax, drop your shoulders, and convince yourself you are having a nursing session instead of a pumping session.
A letdown happens when the subconscious tells the breast it is okay to let the milk go. The breast releases a chemical and that chemical makes the muscles that surround the milk reservoirs tense up, and they squeeze the reservoirs pushing the milk out into the ducts and out of you. When someone feels a letdown, they are feeling that chemical interact with the muscles that surround the reservoirs. I think one of the most under discussed topics around pumping is the need to convince the body that there is a baby down there wanting food.....not a pump.
No, you do not need to stay in the expression mode, it is just for application of the flanges and then go to whatever mode and suction strength that stimulates you the best.
No! Our flanges are not designed to stay on you without your hands or the help of a bra. The connection between the breast and the silicone will hold for a few seconds, but in no way is the connection strong enough is okay at first, but when milk goes from the breast to the bottle, the weight of the bottle increases and the mass of the breast decreases and the connection will no longer be strong enough to hold, and the bottle will fall. We do not want you to lose a drop of milk, so please hold the bottles for the first session or two and then incorporate the use of a hands-free bra into the process.
The Pumpin' Pals were never designed to be used without holding the flanges on with your hands, a pumping bra, or strap. Some lucky moms like you are able to have them stay on without, but it isn't an actual feature of the product. Over time and use, a film of natural oils picked up from your skin and milk, as well as any lubricants that may be used during or in between pump sessions, can build up on the silicone.
If your silicone flanges do not have that "sticky" feeling to them when dry, there is an oily film, even if you can't actually see it. Cleaning the flanges between each use with a good grease-cutting dish soap like the original Dawn and hot water is best, but over time it may be beneficial to use a paste made of baking soda and water. Spread the paste all over the silicone flanges and work it around a little, then let it dry. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat until you get that "sticky" feeling again when dry. You should not be able to easily stick your finger into the tunnel of the flange when clean and dry.
Also, make sure your pump is working at full strength by changing any valves and/or membranes.
Pumpin’ Pals flanges (and even standard flanges) aren’t designed to stick on the breast by themselves because breast pumps work with intermittent suction — they pull and release in cycles. Unlike a Haakaa or other milk collectors that use constant suction to stay put, pump flanges are designed to fit securely only when supported, regardless of the flange material. To avoid leaks or spills, make sure you’re either holding your flanges in place or using a supportive hands-free bra — because no one wants to cry over spilled milk!
Still Have Questions?
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