Engorgement

[forevercurious]

I am 4 days post partum and my milk came in yesterday. My breasts are currently very engorged as DS is only taking quick, short feeds.

Can anyone recommend anything to help as it’s so painful & uncomfortable. Thanks

[Amrythings]

Pack someone out to get you a manual pump as soon as the shops open - I had the Medela starter kit. Express just enough to get relief, if you're not planning on bottles.

[Spam88]

It will ease quite quickly, but in the mean time hand express off just enough to make yourself comfortable if you need to. You might also find your breasts get a bit too girl for baby to latch so you'll have to express a little to soften up your areolas.

[MustardScreams]

It will ease soon, but I’d pump in the mean time. Manual or mains powered Medela depending on your budget.

And feed as often as you can, don’t replace feeds with pumping.

[MsPavlichenko]

Decades back for me but yes to the expressing. Sometimes easier in a warm bath ( midwife tip).

Also a savoy cabbage leaf in my bra brought incredible relief. Changed as often as needed.

[Daphine2004]

Congratulations!

I agree with other posters. If you can’t hand express, see a midwife and they should be able to help. I appreciate it may not be comfortable, which is where you may find having a manual or electric pump.

This isn’t an engorgement tip, but if you continue to breast feed and get sore boobs, I can recommend these:

www.amazon.co.uk/BioClin-Multi-mam-Compresses-12-Sachets/dp/B00IITJWOU/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=multi%20mam%20compress&sprefix=multi%20man&qid=1575710697&sr=8-2&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

The relief is instant and whilst the instructions give a maximum time, I’ve fallen asleep in them and no issues.

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

Sorry - going to conflict with those saying get a pump. Thus will only encourage your boobs to supply more. Hand express a little til comfy and just let baby regulate your supply. It will settle down.

[MustardScreams]

Engorgement at the beginning is NORMAL. And you want to encourage your boobs to make more milk if you’re breastfeeding.

You only don’t pump if you’re bottle feeding.

[bumpysleighridejack]

You can get a Hakka breast pump which takes the let down from the other breast whilst baby is feeding on the opposite side but yes be careful of pumping too much you'll create an over supply. Massage, hot showers, a warm beany or hot water bottle pressed on will all help. It does settle quickly once baby has helped you regulate your supply. And just feed as much as baby asks, don't think you can't feed them if they've only just fed as newborns like to cluster feed for all sorts of reasons. Make sure you have water and snacks and something on the tv/ a book so you can just sit and feed! Good luck and congratulations!

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

Breast milk production is all about supply and demand, and using a pump regularly before 4-6 weeks can cause your body to go into oversupply mode. This sounds like a good problem to have but it is NOT a good problem to have. Oversupply can be painful for both you & baby.

[forevercurious]

I have both a hand and electric pump, I was given a hospital pump to use on day 2 as baby was too sleepy to feed properly so I expressed for him. However he’s now feeding better but there is conflicting advice on pumping / not pumping due to the issues that have been stated eg: if I pump my body will make more milk, but if I don’t there is no let up in between feeds.

I am currently using ice packs and have the cabbage leaves ready. My breasts just feel so hot and uncomfortable 😣

[RandomMess]

You literally just express enough to take the edge off the pain, watch out for mastitis as the early symptoms were similar for me.

Hand pump is presumably more gentle than electric if you can't hand express.

It will settle down

[codenameduchess]

I use a hakkaa pump when this happens. 2 week old baby generally feeds every 2-2.5 hours but occasionally throws a 4 hour stretch overnight so I end up with hard, painful boobs so I express off enough to get relief while he feeds on the other side (and use it when one side leaks during feeds too).

Have been freezing the collected milk as a 'just in case' back up.

[forevercurious]

I can hand express so will try that - I seem to have so much milk it just drips out.

[UnicornGlitz]

Does any have any recommendations to ease engorgement when you have decided to stop breastfeeding? My daughter is 10 months old and for various reasons and after a lot of thought (and emotions) I have decided to stop. I'm very engorged and in pain. I'm concerned if I express it will encourage supply.

[Northumberlandlass]

Savoy cabbage in the fridge - take the cold leaves off & pop down your bra!
Sounds crazy, but one of my midwives mentioned it & it was a god send to me!

[RandomMess]

@UnicornGlitz just express enough to reduce the pain to a bearable level. It will be far less than you would usually feed. It will likely be gone in a week.

[Saltdoughmuncher]

@UnicornGlitz have you dropped feeds gradually? If you are in pain you will need to express a tiny amount just to relieve it but only a little bit or you will just make more.

I’m currently weaning my 9 months old off but very slowly and so have been dropping a feed every 2 weeks and we are down to 2 a day now.

[StickyToffeeTart]

I know someone has said the bath already, but try bathing with your baby. With skin to skin, the warmth, and having baby right next to you, you might find it kicks things off! As a bonus, the milk goes straight into the bath, and it's good for both of your skin congratulations on your new baby

[Horehound]

Hang in. People going on about pumping...that just sends signals to the breasts to make more milk.
Op I had this and what worked was the reverse pressure technique.
You put three fingers in each side of the areola and pull them into your chest so it's like flattening your boob. Hold there for three minutes and release.
This really worked for me when I was engorged and my breasts were like boulders absolutely full if milk. They were so full there was no give in them for baby to latch.

[Horehound]

@UnicornGlitz try block feeding. J just did this because I had oversupply and it worked like a charm.
Feed from the same breast two feeds in a row. Then switch to the other breast for the next two feeds. It worked for me within the day but it can take 3 to 5 days usually.

[CoffeeBeansGalore]

Run a nice bath & get in, then on hands & knees let boobs stay dipped in the water. Worked for me. No extra pumping or anything needed. My milk just flowed into the water until I was comfortable again.

[Horehound]

Reverse pressure

[UnicornGlitz]

@Saltdoughmuncher I tried dropping feeds. The problem I have is that she bites. She has 9 teeth. I say no and unlatch etc but she's punctured my nipple on both sides, every time she latches she reopens the wounds. It's been a difficult decision, I've struggled a lot, I've had to make a switch from breast to formula. 😔

[Harrysmummy246]

@UnicornGlitz

Been there with the puncture/ grazes. Had to keep making sure of good latch and perhaps try different positions. It usually eased quickly after a tooth came through but was unpleasant for a few days (read flinching etc)

But if you have stopped suddenly, you will need to express for comfort and to avoid mastitis.

Also: decongestants are not recommended during BF as they might dry up milk- maybe worth a go