Engorgement....Day 4 - To drain or not?

[clarabellarocks]

My boobs milk came in on Sunday and yesterday and today they have been rock hard. I get very little off if I hand express but can clear more with my pump.

My son is feeding really well but not coming close to softening the breast. I have not been restricting his feeds and am feeding on demand.

Two questions....

Firstly I know the whole supply and demand thing of breastfeeding but have read in two books (complete opposites - Clare Byam Cook and an NCT book) that completely expressing the breast does not in this case lead to oversupply.

I had mastitis with my dd and exactly the same is happening again. If I express is this going to relieve this? Anyone done this? Doing it with my hands/flannels not making a jot of difference and starting to get red marks on the breast.

Also, son feeds on one side then falls asleep but surely there must be more milk if it's that engorged?? Do I put him back on the same breast or swop to the other side?

Thanks and I look forward to your responses.

Hi. DS was born on a Wednesday and I used my breast pump on the Sunday! Boobs were really hard and very sore. Expressing gave me the relief I needed plus DH was able to feed DS that bottle so I got more than 2 consecutive hours sleep! Been expressing ever since. DS is now 21 weeks and no problems :)
Congratulations by the way :)

Hi Peanut - don't want to express to give it in a bottle, just to give myself some relief - just some say it won't increase supply at this stage and some say it will.

Could also have a blocked duct? Anyone....?

Sorry, I don't have any answers. First time mum. All I can give you is my experience, limited that it is! Heopfully someone that knows something will be along soon.
Hello.......???

Thanks anyway! Appreciate you trying. Just going to get the warm flannels!

Could you express off just the minimum to keep you comfy, rather than draining the whole breast?

i tend to just express enough to take the pressure off. usually about an ounce over both breasts