Oh my gosh! Pumps have so many parts! Get to know your pump parts because you will be using them a lot! You may also want to order an extra set to use when you travel, go to work, or so you can always have one clean. I kept my second set of parts at work.
Here’s an overview of the main pieces for two popular brands of pumps, Medela and Ameda.
Medela
Flange – the cone shaped piece that goes on your breast. Also called a shield. These come in different sizes (the diameter of the tube based on nipple size). The standard size is usually 24mm.
Medela makes one piece and two piece flanges/shields. The two piece ones usually come with the pump, but the one piece ones are easier to keep up with and clean.
Valve (On Medela, the yellow piece) – yes it comes off. New pump parts are notoriously hard to get apart. Push the flat surface of the valve and try to rock it back and forth to get it off if it is stuck.
Membrane – the white flat disk. Replace regularly – every 3 months or so. It will improve suction.
Tubing To connect your breast pump to the shields. You can order extra tubing through Medela, or a brand called Maymom carries on Amazon. Some of the accessory kits also have an extra set of tubing.
Ameda
Flange – the cone shaped piece that goes on your breast. Also called a shield.
Diaphragm – cup shape goes into the top of the flange.
Membrane – duck-bill shaped piece that goes on the bottom of the flange (where it connects to the bottle)
Tubing To connect your shield to the pump where the motor is.
Read more at Medelabreastfeedingus.com and Ameda.com
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