Breast feeding + engorgement

[chadam]

I'm really struggling with engorgement at all times around the clock. Babe is 9 weeks just over now and has started to feed less but when she does, feeds for longer. However I'm becoming so engorged that when she does feed she is normally only feeding from one side and then is done, falls asleep.
In the middle of the night (like now - I'm so full I'm in pain! I've expressed a little off but I'm worried that I'm going to encourage milk to continue. Any tips?! Many thanks 🙂

Is it possible to get her to take both sides? Give her say 5 mins from one side then 5 mins from the other?

It will settle! Don’t worry about expressing off creating engorgement forever, (that’s only suggested if you’re trying to give up bf) by about 3-4 months your boobs will chill out and you’ll rarely get engorged.

Things to do, express before you feed so your boobs are softer, this will help baby latch easier and so will drain the breast better. Make sure you’re feeding off of both sides. Express lots in the day and especially just before bed, but try not to at night as that’s when milk production is highest.

You can sterilise your pump once in the morning and then keep it in the fridge ready for each use, no need to wash and sterilise in between feeds - saves a lot of time!

I didn't know about the sterilising lasting that long! That's really handy!!
I also have one side that produces more milk which is proving to be a nightmare too!!
I'll give all one the above a try today and see how I get on.
Would you suggest I just expressed before a feed every time? Ir in between feeds also??

Thank you

I'm sorry but expressing "lots" will do just as the op says and encourage more milk! If breasts are too encouraged to feed properly a little hand expression is all that's required. Also if it is a healthy full term baby there is no need to sterilise ever, hot soapy water and air dry on kitchen roll.

How is weight gain?

I had lots of engorgement too and it was agony at times. I was advised to just hand express a little before feeds to soften the nipple so the baby could latch on (but not to pump, as this tells your breasts to make more milk than your baby needs). I was also told that cold cabbage leaves held on the breasts can give relief (but I admit I never tried this!). It does settle down. Initially, I think a lot of women suffer with over-supply as the boobs aren't sure how much to produce until they get used to how much the baby needs.

Weight gain has been slow. She gains then looses. But she is also throwing/spitting up after most feeds (GP strongly feels she does not have reflux). So I am trying to feed all the time!!
She can alternate between not feeding much in the day/night for 24 hours to feeding every two hours for 24 hours. It's really hard to monitor. I guess that's why I get so engorged.
I'll try hand expressing - I've never done it before!

I have also tried to feed her for 5 mins on each side but I think she is just getting majority formilk I'm gonna stick to it although she doesn't appreciate being alternated lol

I'm in agreement with Juneau. Hand-express a little milk prior to feeding which will help to soften the nipple and allow baby to latch more easily. If you are uncomfortable in the night and baby isn't wanting a feed, hand-express until you feel comfortable again. This won't encourage your breasts to make more milk, but will take away the pain so you can sleep. After a few days your breasts will catch up to baby's "new" feeding routine and the engorgement should settle on its own.

My baby is 17 weeks and has only ever taken one side at a time so don't feel you must offer both if baby is full and content. I would allow baby to feed for more than 5 mins per side to ensure she gets the hindmilk. Good luck!

Thank you for your response. I'll keep going, I'm going to a group on tues to get her weighed so will see how we are doing!

Can I just check the sterilising thing?
I am bf my 15 week old
I was in the same situation as OP a few weeks ago so I read this thread with interest
I do express some nights when she's only fed off 1 side and then I freeze it for future use
I then wash and sterilise the pump again it case I use it in the daytime ... do I not need to do that then?
The reason for pumping in the daytime occasionally and at night sometimes too is that, although I had engorgement for a while earlier on, I really dropped supply for some reason so I was advised t put dd to the breast frequently and pump at night. Worked a treat to get supply up again

You do not need to sterilise. When you think about it it makes no sense. Do you sterilise your nipple or babies hand before it goes in their mouth? If you pump for the milk bank they do not ask you to sterilise, just to use hot soapy water. Milk is a living, germ-fighting wonder liquid!

I’d agree don’t alternate every 5 mins - too much foremilk always seemed to make my baby more sicky.

Hand expressing until you’re comfy is good, and a really hot bath or shower seems to ease the discomfort.

I couldn’t imagine a time when I wouldn’t have concrete-hard boobs that shot out hissing jets of milk whenever the baby cried for the first months, but over time your body gets the idea and now I only get engorged after a long time apart (or on the rare and miraculous nights where he sleeps through!)

@DitchingTheDye I have often said to my dh that I don't understand sterilising because of those very reasons! I'm pleased others think the same way!!
I just do it because I've never been told I don't need to

No, don't feed 5 mins each side - that means baby is just getting the watery foremilk and that won't a) fill her up or b) help her to gain weight. Feed on one side until she naturally finishes and then burp her and offer the other side. If she's full then start with the full breast for the next feed and keep alternating like that at every feed. That way you empty each breast in turn and your baby gets the right combination of fore and hind milk each time.