Milk's in ... Now can't get it out!

[cookingfat]

Milk came in yesterday, and all day I was leaking lots and hand expressing to reduce swelling a bit. Baby feeding fine (well, we're still learning, but getting easier each time). Last night though, from 11pm ish, baby can only get milk from one breast- can't latch on to other which I assume is as it's too hard/swollen. Trying to hand express, but nothing coming out. Do I just need to persevere? And am I going to end up with one enormous boob and one flat one?? All advice welcome - I really want bf to work.

If it's not coming out then your let down reflex is mayenot being stimulated. I found having baby near me helped, having a warm flannel pressed over the boob before you start or hand expressing in the shower as the warm water was relaxing. The milk wil be wasted this way as it all washes away but it's worth it to avoid the discomfort.

Once the boob is softened, I was told to use my opposite hand to squeeze it a little to make it more mouth shaped and help baby latch. You need to let go as soon as boob has softened enough for baby to keep the latch though as you don't want to block ducts as you will cause yourself more problems.

Well done for perservering. I had problems feeding DS so was determined to get it right with DD and we fed for a year :)

It might be that you're holding baby differently - I used to find it harder to get DS in position on the right boob. Spend a bit of time getting them on slowly - checking their spine is straight, their tummy is facing yours and head in same direction and guide them so it's nose to nipple. If you still struggle then give NCT BF helpline a ring and see if someone can come round. I had a local peer supporter come over at 3/4 weeks. Helped so much!

How are things this morning? You really need to get things flowing urgently to avoid problems. It's a relatively minor thing to resolve but you must do it quickly. Don't worry about BFing not working - this is all normal and can be easily fixed, but it won't just go away on its own.

If you're still struggling, I urge you to phone the NCT helpline this morning. 0300 330 0771.

Thanks all - NCT helpline was incredibly useful, and there's a cabbage cooling in the fridge! Able to express now, so hope baby will be able to feed from it sooner rather than later.

Yay! Well done. Keep us updated :)

I found a bath softened them up and I could feed more easily. Also, an excuse for a break!

How are you doing now?

In case it isn't a let-down problem but is a boob preference issue, here's a trick I learnt from "The Food of Love" by Kate Evans - get baby to latch on the "good" breast in cradlehold, then after a couple of minutes move baby across to the other breast quickly so they feed from the "bad" breast in rugby hold. This has worked for me when DD wouldn't latch onto my left breast (slower letdown at the time) during marathon cluster feeds.

Hope all's well now.

Hello, mw thinks it could be mastitis, but swelling is reducing now and we've had a couple of feeds. My milk flow is heavy and fast - apparently this is why feeds are shorter than expected. Baby in good health, so will give bf another 24 hrs.
queen food of love us great!

I found breast nurse gel pads hugely helpful in the early weeks. And taking ibuprofen seemed to help also.

I just wanted to say what a great thread title. Glad things are going a bit better for you. x

thanks everyone,
not mastitis, thank god, and boobs are getting back to normal. Feeding has really picked up - little and often - although sometimes it's a nightmare getting her latched on, especially when she's headbutting my nips! Think we're getting there, so thanks for advice. Cabbage is my new favourite vegetable!

Not the same cabbage I hope?