What can I do about this engorgement?

[TinyDiamond]

My baby is 4 weeks old and has just started going much longer between feeds in the night. Yesterday she fed very frequently all day until 5 pm. Then slept until a feed at 9. After this went back down (and I went to sleep aswell) but she didn't wake up until 2. I actually woke up before her as one side was so rock solid and agony I could barely lift her up. She fed well and boob was fine and we went back to sleep. She woke again at 6.40 and this time both sides were completely engorged.
Is this normal and will my supply just regulate quickly?
I always seem to have far too much milk as it is and it's quite overwhelming for her even when not engorged!
I'd just like to add that baby is well, content after feeds so not ill or anything as far as I can tell.

[TanteRose]

just hand express a bit out, so that you are comfortable. It won't affect your supply.

Your supply is still regulating - and she might start feeding again more frequently in a few weeks. Your boobs will catch up/slow down as required.

[TinyDiamond]

So you mean express a bit before I feed her? If both sides hurt do I do this for both boobs or will that just make the problem worse? The other thing is that when I feed her the opposite boob always goes wild and hard, let's down and starts. Spraying everywhere. Does this calm down? Please tell me it does!

[RitaMorgan]

It'll calm down, don't worry!

If the baby is struggling with the letdown, you can express a little before the feed, or just take her off when you feel the letdown and spray into a muslin before putting her back on.

[Catsu]

Wow your dd is sleeping really well! My dd is almost 4 weeks and I am having exactly the same problem! Although mine is now going 4 hour between feeds instead of 2 hours some nights. Night before last I also woke up before she did and had to put a warm flannel on my boobs. The milk was just dripping out over the sink they were so full!
She went 3 hours between feeds last night and my boobs have been fine so hopefully adjusting fairly quickly!

[PrimaBallerina]

This sounds very normal to me, it's good that you have such a good supply!

The engorgement will stop as your supply regulates, try not to worry. Don't neglect any lumps, make sure you massage them towards the nipple as your baby feeds to clear any blockages, you don't want to develop mastitis.

If I was topless while feeding I would also find the side not in use sprays milk at letdown. The tiniest amount of pressure will prevent it - just wearing a sleep nursing top with a pad in will do it. Otherwise just try holding a folded muslin in front of the nipple.

It sounds like BFing is going well for you. Nice work .

[TinyDiamond]

Oh no it isn't going well at all. The only saving grace I suppose is the plentiful milk supply. But im still finding things very hard. I've been in lots of pain since the beginning...we had dd's posterior Tongue tie snipped on thurs (as yet not made a huge difference as we need to work on latch bigtime) have battled with thrush (ongoing) and generally finding it hard. Hoping things will get a bit easier now shes going longer in-between feeds it may give my nipples a bit of a break

[lilham]

It does get a lot easier. I found it isn't the time between feeds but the duration. At 6mo a lot of my DD feeds are only 3-4 min long. She still feeds frequently during the day, every 2 hours or so. But we are down to one night feed now. (she actually slept through for a while but has regressed).