How to Use BeauGen Breast Pump Cushions with Hands-Free Pumps

Using the Fold Method Instead of Trimming Your Cushions

We were recently asked about cutting BeauGen Breast Pump Cushions for use with hands-free pumps. With advancements in breast pumps, there are more hands-free options than ever before, which means more moms have the freedom not only to choose which brand of pump but which type of pump they purchase.

While these portable pumps offer freedom, they can still rub moms raw.

Some of these hands-free or portable pumps are also reported to have a stronger suction than their corded counterparts. This increased power can come at a cost, though. A high percentage of the moms who use these pumps, such as the Freemie or Elvie need a BeauGen Breast Pump Cushion to make using them more comfortable, allowing them to pump more often.

To make these pumps portable and more discrete, they typically have a shorter tunnel. When used regularly, the BeauGen Breast Pump Cushion can cover holes in this tunnel needed for proper suction. The idea to cut or trim down the cushions to shorten the tunnel has been suggested as a solution.

Cutting your cushions can have negative side effects.

Breast Tissue Trauma

Cutting the cushions creates a hard edge, not dissimilar to the plastic flange from which you are seeking protection. These hard edges can do more damage than pumping without the cushion.  In most cases it will cause discomfort or chafing, but in serious cases it can actually lead to nipple trauma.

Decreased Lifespan and Efficacy

Cutting the cushions can harm the integrity of the product. Cushions that have been cut, much like cushions that have been sterilized, will often wear out faster and need replaced more. These cushions are also prone to tearing.

So what should Mamas with Hands-Free Pumps Do?

Rather than trim the cushions with scissors or a knife, we suggest folding the cushions like a turtleneck to shorten the tunnel. Watch the video for a quick tutorial or follow along here with the text.

Place your thumbs on the inside of the tunnel of the cushion. Fold the tunnel back down on itself like you fold the neck of a turtleneck sweater. 

Then simply insert the cushion into the flange. Balance the cushion on your thumb and gently place it inside the breast pump flange. Use your fingers to smooth the cushion around the cone of the flange. If you need to adjust the neck or tunnel of the cushion, you can use your index fingers to smooth it out a bit.

Sizing with the Fold Method

You’ve heard us say before that using the BeauGen Breast Pump Cushion reduces the available space within the flange by 2MM. The fold method doubles the size of the cushion within the tunnel of your breast pump flange, reducing it by 4MM. If you typically fit a certain flange size without the breast pump cushion you will need to move up to a larger flange size. If you don’t know your flange size yet, we can help you with that. Check out this post for how to determine your flange size with and without the BeauGen Breast Pump Cushions!

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