Exclusive pumper struggling with painful, swollen areola inflammation/flange sizing
Desperate for pumping help/advice. Second-time mom here. My first baby was a 33-weeker with medical issues and never breastfed, so I exclusively pumped for 9 months with a great supply. My second was born at 35 weeks and also can’t get a deep latch despite multiple LC visits, so I’m pumping again.
This time my supply is much worse, and I’ve had persistent pain/inflammation of one areola that started when we were attempting nursing. It still hasn’t healed despite time off pumping, flange changes, etc.
I respond much better to wearables and they’re realistically the only reason I can continue pumping while caring for two kids. I use the Eufy S1 Pro and loved it last pregnancy, but this time I cannot figure out the flange sizing. I measure 15 mm on the painful side, but with any 14–17 mm inserts I get painful swollen bumps/rawness on the areola. Size 13 feels like it pinches my nipple and output drops.
Has anyone dealt with this? Any ideas for troubleshooting or wearables that are gentler on elastic/sensitive tissue? I’m really hoping to make it to at least 6 months pumping.