Quick, anyone around. Just going to see a friend whose milk has come in and she can't feed

[GColdtimer]

That's it basically. Her boobs are hugh and the baby can't get on. Is the advice to express enough so they are not rock hard so the baby can latch?

If anyone is around in next 5 mins that would be helpful. I am taking BF support numbers round with me.

Yes, just hand express enough to soften things up, and then latch on.

The biological nuturing position might help too

what is the biological nurturing position?

Yes, express a bit, that's what I did on day 3 when my boobs were like spacehoppers! (Baby just bounced off) Hopefully someone will come on with some more advice in a minute, didn't want to pass by as you are rushing out.

Nipple shields may be helpful if used sparingly.

thank you. she has the internet so I might be back on when I get there!

Yes, tell her to go in the bath, put warm flannels on and then massage for a few minutes in a motion moving the hand towards the nipple. Also a bit of a gentle pummelling action with fist around the breast is good. Then she should find it easier to hand express by squeezing just to take a bit off and soften the boob a bit.

She doesn't have to go in the bath but it might make it easier.

She should try lying with boobs submerged, in a bath as hot as she can stand loads of the milk will just flow out ('tis quite pretty), expressing is to be avoided as it will just make the boobs make even more milk.

A hot shower is good too, but a bath is better, some one should bring her the baby as soon as she is out, she could try attaching in the bath, but only if the water has been cooled to a suitable temp.

thanks everyone. going up now but will log on when I get there.

I really want to help her because I did't get help early enough and gave up after 5 weeks.

Thanks all.

right, am here. We managed to get the baby latched on, she fed and now she is asleep. Problem is the other boob is really engorged. What should she do, keep trying the same? However, if she doesn't wake up for another 3 hours, will she just be engorged again?

Thanks for all the help.

Hi, it's really common to get engorged when the milk first comes in. It will normally decrease as milk supply regulates itself in a few weeks if baby is feeding regularly and well.

The best remedy is to get the baby to feed if at all possilbe, even if that means waking her up (sounds crazy i know!!)

She might want to express out of the side that the baby didn't feed on , if feeding is not a possibility.

otherwise some mums find that applying cold between feedings can reduce swelling and pain.

Wear well fitting supportive bra, or if comfortable go without one.

belladonna is a homeopathic remedy recommended for engorgement.

If engorgement is severe or feeding problems result:

• full drain the breast with a breast pump, this will relieve the engorgement
• if baby has difficulty latching on, trying express a little to soften the areola
• she could wear breast shells 1/2 hour before feeds to soften

It's important to try to avoid persistant engorgement so that mum does not get mastitis, but also remember its really common until milk supply sorts itself out.

hth

ps.

National Breastfeeding Helpline 0844 20 909 20

NCT Breastfeeding Line 0300 330 0771

Please get your friend to call if she needs advice/help. It really can make a difference. And thanks for being so supportive of her early breastfeeding days - you will also probably make all the difference to her continuing.

I would be a bit weary of using belladonna as a homeopathic remedy. It is highly poisonous, one leaf from the plant can kill an adult according to wiki. You might also know it as deadly nightshade.

thanks audrey, that is all helpful. she is doing OK, has managed to relieve some of the engorgement and has been feeding little and often (babies choice) most of the afternoon.

I was really glad to help. I left it too long to get support by which time it was a bit too late.

i'm really glad, if the baby will feel often, that is definitely the best way.

just to clarify, i don't recommend the plant belladonna, just hte homeopathic preparation which does not contain any of the actual plant, just basically an 'imprint' of it, if you know about homeopathy