Breasts still feel full after feeding 10 day old DC1

[SkaterGrrrrl]

Hi all,

DC1 is feeding well, she feeds every 2 and a half to three hours for 20 to 40 minutes at a stretch.

In the last day of so my breasts have felt full - even just after a feed (Nothing like the comedy huge boobs of last week when my milk came in, but quite big and tingly).

My question is: Some books say

(a) empty your breasts, so express what the baby doesnt drink; but other advice says

(b) if you express milk, you fox your body into thinking you have a very hungry baby and you will just produce much more milk.

So which is it - do I express or leave the leftovers in there? Thanks in advance for your help :)

I would just leave it. Your breasts are never empty, as you make more milk for however long your baby is feeding.

I would just keep feeding when your baby wants too and not bother with expressing.

Congratulations on your new baby

Yes point (b) is right. So don't worry about how full they feel. It'll take a month or so for every thing to settle down. At some point around 4-5mths they stop feeling full at all and that'll really freak you out! There's still plenty of milk in your breast but they no longer feel firm.

I agree with Humphrey. Just feed on demand and don't worry about how full your breasts feel.

Congratulations and enjoy these first precious weeks!

arghh wants TO

can't bear to leave that one in, sorry

Lovely, thanks for the reassurance. Loving BF and bonding with the little scrap.

My boobs always felt fool in the first few weeks, even after a long feed. I would only express if they feel really uncomfortable. You sound like your doing really well, congratulations!

Sorry they felt full not fool!

mine still feel full after feeds, my baby is 6 weeks. She never really empties them it just seems to keep going on and on especially at night. She is putting on weight and seems happy so she must be satisfied with what shes getting!.

The full feeling will go away but yes they will still feel really full at ten days, don't worry at all. I wouldnt express because they will fill up again. Once your supply has settled down maybe express then because they wont fill up so much. My bubba is 12 weeks and my breasts felt empty before a feed from about 4wks. I was really worried there was nothing there for her until I was reassured by hearing loud swallowing and seeing milk occasionally at the sides of her mouth. Also the fact that they are outing weight on tells you they're feeding enough.

try and put up with the full feeling, they will settle down eventually,
but in the mean time invest in good breast pads (I would recommend Lansinoh Breast pads) as you might find that you leak alot and many brands of breast pads just don't do the job.

Mine used to be leak everywhere until I discovered the Lansinoh ones and wet patches on your chest are not a good look

Thanks chaps, good to know, its so weird when you cant read your own body so appreciate your answers.

Yes I leaked yesterday when I heard her crying!

I panic-bought a ton of breast pads when pregnant (DH had to gently point out that the shops would still be open after the baby arrived). They range from ADSA own brand to worthy non bleached eco ones, bound to be some Lansinoh in there too!

just trust your boobs and your baby, they'll be working together like a dream soon enough, don't complicate things with pumping.
congratulations!

normal your body is probably preparing for a growth spurt. If you are not so full that she cannot latch on then there is no problem.