How do I express?? DS poorly and not feeding- am in agony

[daisydalrymple]

DS is poorly, wouldn't feed at bedtime and didn't take anything through the night, just wanted his sippy cup and water. My boob is solid and absolute agony. It's so full I really need to express some out, but don't know how (he's 17 months and dc3, and I've honestly never had to in over 50+ months of bf between the three dcs).

I tried over the sink at 3am using a warm flannel over it first (ds kept wriggling in bed and kicking it and I was in tears it's that full), but couldn't get anything out. Be grateful for any suggestions!

The first thing, when the breast is feeling hard, is to massage. It will hurt at first but you need to gently push through it. You may find that the milk starts to leak out as you massage. At the breast tissue gets soft you can try pulling around the nippke to express some milk but you may not need to, the body usually adjust to different feeding patterns.

There's a video guide here

Could you call the National breastfeeding helping to get some support? It's 0399 100 0212 and opens at 9.30am.

Hope things improve for you soon

Thanks, will try in the shower now. I've adjusted previously when they've reduced feeds for being poorly, but he literally hasn't fed since 4pm and I'm crying in pain, it's awful! After so long BF, I'm surprised it's so bad, I really thought it would adjust naturally, but he is dairy intolerant, which is why I'm still BF, so still has s few feeds per day (night!) thank you for the replies.

How are things now Daisy? My apologies for my fat fingers earlier, I of course meant the National Breastfeeding Helpline which is 0300 100 0212. I really hope you are more comfortable by now.

Oh dam thing crashed my reply! Still no feed, he's just sipping water and raging temp. Ds1 and dd also poorly so not managed a phone call yet.

Thanks for checking back! No success earlier and both sides now really painful so taken paracetamol to ease it! Been searching here on nursing strike (sure I saw your name on a few replies ) Id be ok with bf coming to an end, but obviously not so abruptly, so I'll see how the next few days go as he gets better. I'll also ring his dietician in the morning, as am not convinced about his calcium intake otherwise, the bf has always been my back up. We're on oat milk, and try to include as much non dairy calcium rich foods, but not convinced it's 100%.

I'll try expressing again in the morning, might try get hold of a manual pump, got rid of the electric one I bought with ds1! Thanks again penguin

Can you try cabbage leaves to help with the engorgement? And a warm flannel can help I believe.

Gosh yes of course, do you know ive never tried cabbage leaves. I've been so lucky in 4years + (obviously not continuous ) of bf ive never had any real issues until now. I tried the flannel in the middle of the night, but he was stirring so will give that s go in the morning too.

Why is it I had no problems with leaks at inopportune moments (and ample of them!( but am unable to extract more than a few drops???

Try looking at pictures of them as tiny babies??? Sounds crazy but it helped my let-down when I needed to express. Or just be close to him to kid your body into thinking you're about to feed.

Yes to massage. Yes to warmth - you can also use a nappy as the gel stuff in the lining holds the heat for longer than a flannel.

Thank you very much, quick update, my friend got me a TOMMEE TIPPEE manual pump half price in asda, and ds decided to have a feed 48 hours after the last one typical. So at least I've got the pump in now if he does a sudden self weaning. Thanks for all the tips.

Phew!! What a relief. Glad he's back now, and hope he's feeling better too. Couldn't be pain in his ears could it? Hopefully it was just an odd blip.

He's still poorly, so I'm going to take him to GP, ds1 and dd have had flu since Easter sunday (diagnosed by GP), so it's looking likely he has a strain of that too, but ive been wondering about the ears. He's making up for the feeds now, but I keep getting a sharp sore stabby pain in tiny area of right breast, quite near arm pit, so am wondering if I have a little blockage, just trying to massage down gently!
He is at least keeping hydrated and sleeping lots.
Thanks penguin

Sounds like you are doing so well. If you get the chance, a nice warm bath might help? You can massage/express underwater, which can feel really relieving. Shower also good -directing the warm spray right at the sore area and then massaging.

Poor little thing, it sounds like you have all had a rough time! If they do get an ear infection then either the pressure of lying on one side, or the suckling action changing the pressure inside the ear might make it feel worse. Sometimes a moruoright position helps, but not always, and with a bigger baby they usually know their own mind! I hope the GP is helpful and reassuring.

Oh, and I meant to say, feeling really hormonal/wobbly/weepy is all part and parcel of mastitis/blocked ducts, and also a side effect of baby massively cutting back feeding dramatically. So have some more and be gentle with yourself.

Ear infection it is! Hopefully should start to ease now and thanks again for all the help.