Please can someone answer breastfeeding questions :(

[Rachell1]

Hi everyone,

My little man is just 4 days old, he has a good latch and feeds regularly.

My milk is in and he seems content after each feed which typically sends him off to sleep for 2 hours before he will wake for another.

My breasts however are just not that full to touch. They have milk and like I say, LO is satisfied but everyone kept telling me how huge and hard my breasts would get when milk comes in but that just isn’t the case. I feel like I have enough to feed but no leakage whatsoever so clearly not producing loads and loads.

Would anyone recommend me pumping to get the supply up a little? Or am I overtired and panicking over nothing?

Sorry wanted to add that if baby is having wet and dirty nappies and gaining weight then your supply is fine x

Thank you everyone - found all replies very helpful.

I did speak a little too soon… they are now rocks 🤣 Some feeds I feel he does drain them down pretty well and you can immediately feel the difference, other feeds they feel less full but refill very quickly and i’m soon back to the rock stage.

I am worried about becoming engorged, would you ladies still not recommend pumping some out? Am I right in saying it will just regulate itself within the next few days (hopefully)?

Sorry I feel like I sound ridiculous but this is so new to me and I feel so out of my depth! X

You're so early that things will change day by day.

At this stage, hand express for comfort if you need. Expressing too much or to 'empty the breast' could make the situation worse.

If you have a shower massage the breasts and let the milk flow a bit, that will help too.

Mostly though, if baby moves, put them to the breast. They will help your body to regulate the supply.

As long as baby is peeing and pooping fine then I would not worry!

No I wouldn't pump. If you're really uncomfortable I would just hand express a little bit, just to ease it.

I would also look at reverse pressure massage just as a way of practicing a little daily breast care. It helps fluid in the breast (not milk) drain into the lymph glands which then allows milk to pass more freely through the milk ducts as they're not being squeezed by surrounding pressure.

There are how to guides online. I swore by this technique when I was in the early days. Sounds like you're doing a fab job, and so is your baby.

Do not pump - you will make the problem dramatically worse.

It is not recommended to pump until at least 6 weeks post partum to allow your supply to correctly establish. Pumping before then risks oversupply and mastitis.

Bless you, it’s all slightly mad and new in the beginning!

I did pump with Dd as otherwise my let down used to choke her, but you can use a hakka pump (order on Amazon) which are a godsend for catching letdown. You can also hand express before a feed if it’s uncomfortable. I found my boobs settled quite quickly, unless Dd slept a bit longer than normal.

Congrats! All sounds like it’s going well so far.