Willow Go’s flange is designed for optimal comfort and milk output.
Willow Go is engineered to fit great, feel good, and make more milk––and a key part of that design is the flange. Dr. Laurie Jones, board certified pediatrician and lactation consultant, explains. Read on for more, or watch the video.
What is a flange? Why is fit so important?
A flange is a cone-shaped funnel, typically ending in a tunnel, that seals over your nipple and breast and creates a vacuum to transmit milk––and it’s one of the most important pieces to pumping success. Flanges come in different sizes because nipples vary in size from person to person and even from breast to breast.
The reason we stress proper flange fit is because an improperly fitted flange will affect output and can reduce stimulation, minimizing the hormonal rush of oxytocin that triggers letdown and milk production, and can cause injury. In other words, your supply could drop.
How Willow Go’s flange design is innovated for comfort and milk output
A good, close flange fit is important for any wearable, but Willow Go’s flange is uniquely designed to make pumping more comfortable and effective. Here’s how.
A smoother, longer flange tunnel
Much of Willow Go’s comfort can be attributed to the depth of its flange tunnel, which is longer than most other wearables. When babies nurse, they pull the nipple all the way back to their soft palate near the throat––it stretches a lot! This very long and smooth flange tunnel allows for nipple movement that more closely mimics how a baby breastfeeds. This is why so many moms say that pumping with Willow feels similar to the way their baby breastfeeds.
A longer flange tunnel accommodates more of the nipple (even elastic ones!) to avoid abrasion. This means the nipple is less likely to crash into the end of the flange, which is painful and inhibits milk output, and can be common in other wearable pumps.
Willow Go’s flange is also unique because of its smooth surface. Whereas many flange tunnels are “interrupted” by a diaphragm or duckbill, Willow Go’s flange tunnel is totally continuous and smooth, assuring no nipple abrasion by more closely mimicking the smoothness of baby’s mouth. Combined, this design allows for movement that is critical for nipple comfort, releasing oxytocin and milk letdown.
An 105° flange cone
The Willow Go has a wide flange cone of 105 degrees, while many wearable pumps have a less-optimal 90-degree flange cone angle. This is important because a 105-degree angle is clinically proven to express a higher volume of milk in less time, with higher peak flow rates, and shorter time to first milk ejection. This means more milk, more quickly!
A curved flange edge for comfort
When comparing Willow Go to other wearables, you’ll also notice a difference in the shape of the flange itself: Specifically, the curved edges that wrap back around the pump. This design is more optimized for comfort than a flange with a flat, cone-shaped edge, which runs the risk of pinching and pulling breast tissue, as well as creating more friction which can lead to skin thickening. The curved flange edge means more pumping comfort, and comfort is key to our body’s release of oxytocin and your pump’s ability to empty you.
Uniquely designed flange inserts for comfort & optimal fit
The flanges that came with your pump kit might not fit––and that’s not uncommon. If you need a smaller size, Willow offers a range of flange inserts. Willow’s inserts have also been thoughtfully designed for maximum comfort. They differ from other inserts or nipple cushions as they’ve been made with a matte material that’s smooth against skin, just like baby, and not sticky like some inserts. They also have tapered edges so your nipple can glide along the flange tunnel, instead of abruptly ending and creating a hard edge that can cause nipple abrasion.
It’s not just a wearable, it’s a Willow
You have so many choices when it comes to pumping. What sets Willow apart is more than its mom-first mentality. It’s the pairing of innovation with real-mom insight. Now that you know the importance of flange fit, we hope you’ll easily find which pump is right for you.
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