Decided not to bf, boobs are agony, any tips?

[ticks]

After disastorous bf experience with dd1 have decided not to bf dd2. Milk has come in today and am in agony? Do I just ride it out?

[youcheaplousyharpsichord]

sorry about the agony
wear a well fitting bra at all times, take paracetomol, ride it out
cold cabbage leaves in the bra can help or cold flannels
try hard not to express even though it might be tempting
congrats on new baby

[MrsClausinJimmyChoos]

Paracetamol (only if you are not expressing or intending to B/feed) and go into the shower and let the spray play on boobs - that helps. Also, wear a maternity bra to bed with pads in - should stop any leakage/mess...

Apart from that, you will have to ride it out - I remember the pain when I stopped, but it does ease after two days or so

HTH

[ticks]

thanks for this - haven't leaked at all, will that just happen anyway do you think? am desperately trying to resist expressing...

[youcheaplousyharpsichord]

well you may or may not leak, hard to say. do you feel a let down? when your baby cries?
do you have any pads from last time? or you could just use a muslin. (tissues tend to stick ime)

[ticks]

no haven't had any let down, i've got some pads that i bought in the event i did try and feed so i am prepared for leakage, i just wasn't sure whether it would naturally leak out or not. maybe a glass of wine might help!!

[youcheaplousyharpsichord]

nooooooooo alcohol makes let down stronger sorry

[hunkermunker]

You could express a bit, maybe? Give your DD2 some breastmilk? Doesn't have to be an awful experience and might be healing after your bad experience with bf first time round? Would only be on your terms then and you needn't express enough to establish a full time milk supply - just enough to ease your discomfort now.

Just a thought - sorry if it's unwelcome. Congratulations on your new baby

[eandh]

i remember my milk coming in on day 3 after both dd's (day I came home from hospital as c section) cold savoy cabbage leaves (bit chilly to start but very very good) parcetomal and warm baths, good fitting bra and it only lasted 36-48 hours and stared to feel normal again

[CarGirl]

I honestly would express just a little because it will help prevent mastitus etc, if you are just expressing enough to relieve the pain (been there with dd1, slept sitting up for a week I engorged so badly) then your body will more slowly cut down production but it will be less painful?

[ticks]

hmm - right am feeling a bit thick now. what do you mean by 'let down'? i assumed that meant less engorged? can i still get mastitis even if i decide not to do anything? {completely confused emoticon}

[ticks]

not that i am gagging for a glass of wine or anything...

[eandh]

I didnt express or feed didnt get mastitis or anything, just sore, full, tender boobs for few days

[FrannyandZooey]

expressing just enough to relieve the pain is advised and can prevent mastitis. this won't prevent your milk from drying up

kellymom very useful as ever

[CarGirl]

If you can lie down and sleep leave alone, if its too painful to do that I would express enough to ease the pain, but if you're not going to actually bf you can eat/drink what you want and take all the pain killers you've got.

[FrannyandZooey]

'let down' means the feeling of fullness, tingling, and milk rushing to come out, usually felt when your baby cries or when you begin each feed

[Nappyzone]

a reallt tight bra helped me through and a savoy cabbage leave tucked in which i never actually did tuck in as dh chopped it up for tea! I did this after a lame 2 dya of breast feeding hell 2nd time round. i then got a milk fever or something as the milk came in but paracetemol sorted that and next day i was fine - the relief after my torture carried me through the uncomfortableness.

Take care

[ticks]

ok will see if i can manage the pain and if not will try a bit of manual expressing. labour still a very fresh memory so this pain is a walk in the park at the moment...

[determination]

Thats a good link to kellymom, also you could try taking Sage

For further info on Sage and Breastfeeding or drying up breastmilk check out this link!

Hope this helps.

[Pannacotta]

Know you dont want to breastfeed but if you do express a little you can give this EBM to your DD (as hunker suggests), you will feel more comfortable and she will get the benefit of some of your milk.