Engorgement help- baby feeding well but still suffering!

[Cyee]

Hi all

Forgive any typos, messaging on phone from bed!
I had an elcs for dc3 last Monday the 4th. Very engorged as per normal but new element was low grade fever and ongoing breast tenderness post feed.I was expecting dd3 to have lost weight and assumed I was just dealing with a baby not feeding so well. However turns out she has already exceeded her birth weight as of day 5!

So I am wondering if anyone has answers or advice:

• why are breasts so utterly tender even though they aren't rock hard? Is it possible to have selective engorgement, e.g maybe a not brilliant latch means some pockets of milk aren't being effectively drained? Could it be something other than engorgement?
• dd is definitely not totally emptying breasts, but is doing a fairly good job. Should I finish off with the pump or hand expressing? Could a small bit remaining cause me problems?
• all 3 of mine have started with painful latches. They don't open their mouths that wide and so I'm used to a fair degree of pain in the first few weeks as we get in the swing. I've not had the chills before or the tenderness even after feeds

Any advice or links to other previously posted threads would be great. Thanks so much!

Cyee

Can you feel any lumps? That may indicate a blocked duct

I wouldn't express but encourage baby to feed as much as possible - maybe try different holds to help the latch?

You can try warm flannels on your boobs - very soothing

Is your baby wee'ing and poo'ing ok?

Was the low grade fever your milk
Coming in?

If you're still feverish I would seek medical advice especially as you're only a few days post section

Wow thanks for quick replies!

Loads of wee and yellow poo.

MW knows about fever but doesn't think it's section related.

It has coincided with milk coming in, and added tenderness when breasts aren't full seems weird.

Will check for lumps. The feeling is the same on both sides.

Thanks again! :-)

Sorry and not feverish all the time, but again I'm on painkillers so could be.

Congratulations on your new baby.

Yep I don't think you should express as this might make boobs think you need extra milk. Just keep feeding bub lots. Warm water in nappy used as a compress helps. Can you feel any lumps? Can you see any white spots on your nipples that could be a blocked duct?