Morning ladies! I am exclusively pumping for my NICU baby but I'm very engorged and just can't seem to empty! It is very painful! I have swollen ducts that now hurt and my boobs feel like rocks, i get minimal comfort when i do pump and after 2 oz my breast stop responding to the pump effectively. Could i get some advice or ideas on how to solve this painful process? I am currently using the Medela pump in style advance with a 27mm flange since the smaller ones don't seem to catch.

Adding this in as i just noticed - I tried hand expressing to see if i could get relief and my nipple and areola are SWOLLEN with milk that won't come out 😭 i tried hand compressions and massaging as i pumped and my milk completely stopped flowing. I know the extra stress isn't helping but the pain is ridiculous. I have a hygeia pump so I'm thinking of giving that one a go. I might need a much bigger flange but not sure what size.