The Best Breast Pump Flanges: Pump Comfortably and Efficiently

The Best Breast Pump Flanges: Guide to the Most Effective and Comfortable Flanges!

Did you know choosing the right size and type of breast pump flange makes pumping more efficient and comfortable? Having the best breast pump flanges mean you will pump more milk or put out the same amount of milk more quickly.

Plus, having a spare set of pump parts, like flanges, helps in case one breaks or needs to be washed when it’s time to pump.

As a working mom, I’ve used both the Medela PISA and Spectra S2 from two to five times daily for over a year, and have experience with a wide variety of pump parts, both from the original manufacturers and third parties. 


best breast pump flanges

Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Breast Pump Flange Guide: Spectra

Best quality

If you want the best quality breast pump flanges for your Spectra, buy the name brand flanges from Spectra.

These flanges are compatible with the Spectra S2, S1, Dew 350, 9 Plus, and M1.

Pros

  • High quality and durable
  • BPA and DEHP free
  • Spectra’s products are designed by moms
  • Support a mom-owned company

Cons

  • Sold individually- buy two! 
  • Not as many sizes available as other manufacturers 

Spectra has the following flanges available:

  • 20 mm Spectra flange: Click here to check the price on Amazon
  • 24 mm Spectra flange: Click here to check the price on Amazon
  • 28 mm Spectra flange: Click here to check the price on Amazon
  • 32 mm Spectra flange: Click here to check the price on Amazon

Widest range of size range options 

However, Spectra may not have the size you are looking for. Fortunately, other companies like Maymom do! The flanges themselves are similar quality to Spectra’s, but the valves are thinner and will wear out more quickly. 

Maymom’s flanges are compatible with the Spectra S1, S2, and S9.

Pros

  • Widest range of sizes available 
  • Can choose between buying a pair or individually
  • Have a deeper thread length than Spectra parts, meaning they stay on bottles better
  • Also compatible with bottle adapters so you can pump into a wider variety of bottles! (Like Medela and Dr Brown).

Cons

  • Thinner construction means they are less durable than the name brand. 
  • Valves are poorer quality and wear out more quickly 

Check the price of Maymom flanges on Amazon: 15 mm, and 17 mm, and 19, 21, 24, 27, 28, 30, 32mm flanges.


Most comfortable breast pump flange inserts

If you find the hard plastic flanges to be uncomfortable, these silicone inserts from Spectra (available on Spectra’s website) are what you need! These inserts fit inside your plastic flanges. 

Pros

  • Insert into the breast shields you already own! 
  • Makes pumping more comfortable
  • Massages while you pump, reducing time to letdown

Cons

  • Only compatible with 24mm and 28mm flanges
  • Reduces flange size to 20mm
  • If you double pump, you will need to purchase two

Best Flanges for Medela PISA 

Guide to the Most Effective and Comfortable Flanges

Best quality flanges

Medela’s flanges are the best quality you can find.  These flanges are compatible with all Medela breast pumps except for the Single Deluxe

Pros

  • High quality
  • Flange is a separate piece from the connector, meaning you waste less plastic when trying out different sizes
  • Comes in a two-pack for moms who double pump
  • BPA free

Cons

  • Two separate pieces means one more part to keep track of!

Get the best price on Amazon here:

21mm, and 24, 27, 30, and 36 mm flanges. 


Widest range of size options 

Third party seller Maymom has every size of PISA flange you could need! Their parts are compatible with Medela’s Pump in Style, Symphony, Lactina, and Swing Single.

Pros

  • Choose whether you’d have one-piece or two-piece flanges
  • Widest range of sizes available
  • Come in a two-pack for moms who double pump
  • Interchangeable with Medela’s parts

Cons

  • Valves are not as high quality as Medela’s and may wear out more quickly 

Find the lowest prices on Amazon here: 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 30, and 32mm flanges. 


Most comfortable breast pump flange inserts

Do you find hard plastic breast shields uncomfortable? Try Medela’s soft silicone breast shields! Just buy one pack and use them in place of your hard plastic flanges.

Pros

  • Adjustable oval shape fits your body
  • Very comfortable
  • Medela claims the efficient and comfortable design allows you to pump 11.8% more milk per minute, meaning you spend less time pumping

Cons 

  • The tunnel is shorter than the standard Medela flange, so your nipple may extend too far during pumping and rub the end

Click here to check the price of Medela’s super comfortable breast shield flanges (available in 21, 24, 27 and 30 mm) on Amazon!


Breast Pump Flange Size Calculator 

For best results, measure right after nursing or pumping. Have a ruler, measuring tape, sizing guide, or a variety of cleaned coins available to measure. 

Measure directly across your nipple and do not include the areola 



If you have a good fit:

  • During pumping your nipple has enough room to move freely in the flange. Not much of the areola is drawn into the tunnel
  • Your nipple will not turn red during pumping
  • Your nipple will not turn white during pumping 

If the breast shield is too small:

  • During pumping, some or all of your nipple rubs on the inside of the tunnel

If the breast shield is too large: 

  • During pumping, a lot of your areola is drawn into the flange, and it may rub on the inside of the flange

Why is the right size flange important? 

  • The correct size flange helps drain your breast most efficiently. Your pumping sessions will be more productive and may take less time.
  • The right size flange is more comfortable during pumping
  • The wrong size can cause milk blisters or blebs
  • The wrong size can cause plugged ducts when milk isn’t fully expressed

Other resources for determining your flange size:


More Tips

  • Rub lanolin or other nipple cream on the edges of flanges and on your nipples before pumping to make pumping more comfortable
  • Stock up on spare parts just in case – extra flanges, valves, and membranes – just in case something gets lost or wears out unexpectedly

Conclusions

I recommend using the calculator to find the best breast pump flanges for your body and buying two sets so you have a backup. If there are silicone flanges available in your size, try a set and see just how comfortable they are!

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