Review on Maymom Brand 2X Two-Piece Small Breastshield With Valve, Membrane And Maymom Connector,Compatible With Medela Pump In Style Breast Pump Top Hole Version. (36 Mm) by Braden Douville

First of all, I just want to say, the product (Maymom made 21mm one-piece breastshield) is quality made, and I have been using it for the past three weeks. No more pains! Ya. I expressed at least 1 oz more milk every session after I have used these 21 mm breastshields. This one piece product works as well as the two piece Medela PersonalFit 21mm one.What I would like to share more is how I came to this product. Like everyone else, I tried the 24 mm breastshield that came with the machine. As a first-time mother, I thought having some pains after a pumping session is normal. I was wrong. After few days of using it, the pains were terrible. I experienced a lot of pains and bruising from using the standard 24mm shields. From the diagrams on Medela's website and the information that comes with the pump, the flange should fit with just your nipple being pulled in during pumping. It is confusing if you have a mixed areola/nipple area. The problem is that my 'areola' protrudes about 1/8 inches and I thought that is part of the 'nipple' area when I talked to a lactation consultant. The lactation consultant told me to try larger breastshields. I tried larger one (27 mm), though it did not hurt as much, my milk supply went down by one-third and the bruise area became large. I felt every suction along the pumping. I tried the next size up - 30 mm, even worse!After reading more and more reviews, I decided to try a smaller one. I ordered both Medela's PersonalFit 21 mm breastshield and this Maymom made one (it is cheaper, and others said it is easier to clean). Tada. No more pains. Both brands worked well. Finally a FIT.I realized now that when I was using the larger ones (27 mm and 30 mm), it was more of the 'areola' that was pulled into the tunnel and the milk ducts were blocked during a suction action. Therefore, less milk supply. When I was using the medium one, the sensitive area of my 'areola' was rubbing the tunnel, thus pains.So the bottom line - know what are the nipple and areola of your breasts. It is the nipple part that should go into the breastshield tunnels, not the areola. Choose the right size and pumping will no longer be painful!