31/07/2026
Hypermobility doesn’t stop at your joints. It can affect your breastfeeding experience, too.
When people think about hypermobility, they often picture knees that bend backward, flexible fingers, or joints that seem to move beyond a typical range.
But connective tissue is found throughout the entire body!!! Including the breasts, ni***es, skin, ligaments, fascia, and blood vessels that connect them to the body!!!!!!
That means the same collagen differences that contribute to generalized joint hypermobility can also influence how breastfeeding and pumping feel.
As an IBCLC and speech-language pathologist, I think this is one of the most under-recognized reasons some parents struggle with nursing or pumping. Too often they’re told, “Your latch looks fine,” or “You’ll just get used to it,” when the reality is that their connective tissue may be responding differently.
Here’s what I commonly see.
Elastic ni***es can change the pumping experience. Not every person with hypermobility has elastic ni***es, and not every elastic ni**le is caused by hypermobility. But there is significant overlap. An elastic ni**le stretches much more readily when suction is applied. During pumping, the ni**le may be pulled much farther into the fl**ge tunnel than expected. Sometimes the ar**la is drawn deeply into the fl**ge as well.
For some mothers, this causes:
• Pain or burning
• Friction against the sides of the tunnel
• Swelling during the pumping session
• Reduced comfort despite trying multiple fl**ge sizes
• Milk removal that feels less efficient than expected
Many moms assume they need a larger fl**ge because more tissue is entering the tunnel. Often, that’s exactly the opposite of what is needed.
We need to support the ni**le while minimizing unnecessary pulling and avoid pulling stretchy ar**la tissue into the fl**ge tunnel. The correct fl**ge size and shape can make a tremendous difference in both comfort and milk removal.
Sometimes fl**ge inserts, softer silicone fl**ges, or fl**ges with a different tunnel design are more comfortable than simply sizing up. I tend to find smaller, hard plastic fl**ges in a shape better fit for each breast shape work better than silicone for hypermobility. We need stability before mobility.
Breastfeeding can present its own challenges. A baby removes milk very differently than a pump. They use suction, but they also rhythmically compress the breast with their tongue and jaw.
For someone with more elastic connective tissue, however, the ni**le may stretch farther into the baby’s mouth during a feeding. While ni**le stretching is a normal part of breastfeeding, excessive stretching can contribute to discomfort for some.
Sometimes mothers describe the sensation as:
• Pulling
• Burning
• Deep aching
• Tissue fatigue after feeds
The latch may actually be excellent (or baby may also have hypermobility or other issues like tongue tie!!!! I see that more and more in families!!!)
The discomfort may be because highly elastic tissue is responding differently to the normal forces of breastfeeding.
Positioning matters more than many people realize. Hypermobility often means the muscles have to work harder to stabilize joints because the ligaments provide less passive support. Now imagine holding a growing baby for 20–40 minutes, eight or more times each day.
Shoulders elevate.
Wrists bend.
Thumbs support breast tissue.
The neck flexes.
The lower back rounds.
Hips rotate.
Even a position that looks comfortable can become exhausting. Many hypermobile mothers tell me they feel completely drained after feeds because their muscles have been doing so much work just to maintain the position.
This is where support becomes essential. Don’t think of pillows and furniture as a convenience. Think of them as part of your treatment plan. Supporting your elbows, forearms, wrists, lower back, and the baby’s weight can significantly reduce muscle fatigue over the course of a day.
Sometimes one extra pillow makes all the difference. Sometimes feeding in bed or in side lying promote longevity.
Sensory experiences matter, too. Many people with hypermobility also experience sensory processing differences, dysautonomia, or conditions such as POTS or hEDS. While these don’t occur together in everyone, they are common enough that they deserve consideration.
The sound of a pump.
The vibration.
The repetitive suction.
The feeling of tissue stretching.
These sensations can become overwhelming, even if the pump is technically “working.” This is why choosing a breast pump shouldn’t be based on suction strength alone, or what’s popular on social media or with other moms
Questions I often ask include:
• Does the vibration feel soothing or irritating?
• Does the suction feel smooth or sharp?
• Can you comfortably trigger multiple letdowns?
• Does the pump leave your ni***es feeling bruised or swollen afterward?
The “best” pump is the one that removes milk effectively while respecting your body’s unique sensory and connective tissue needs.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
One of my biggest hopes for lactation care is that we stop assuming every body responds the same way.
Connective tissue differences matter. Joint stability matters. Sensory experiences matter. Comfort matters.
And when we recognize those differences instead of dismissing them, we can help parents find solutions that actually fit their bodies and not just the average body described in a textbook.
💙 If you’ve ever been told, “Your latch looks perfect, so I don’t know why it hurts,” or “Everyone finds pumping uncomfortable,” know that your experience is valid. Sometimes the missing piece isn’t your effort, it’s understanding how your connective tissue and nervous system influence the way breastfeeding and pumping feel.
Have you experienced breastfeeding or pumping differently because of hypermobility or elastic ni***es? I’d love to hear what helped you.
