Milk has come in and I am in agony - help!

[FlameHasAnotherChick]

I remember being huge, I remember being sore, but I also remember that feeding reduced the pressure....

She has had long good feeds on each side (they felt "right" iyswim), but even moving to pick up a cup is hurting like hell It kicked in in the middle of the night, had very little sleep with the pain, even had a hot bath at 5am to try and express some off.

I'm panicking about a) mastitis where there just seems to be so much and no-where for it to go (my expressing skills do improve, but this early on I struggle) and b) them just getting worse the more she feeds and more is produced.

What do I dooooooooooooooooo?

(Have checked with DH and he is in agreement that I haven't been like this with the other 2)

i've been considering measuring circ to compare to her head

have managed expressing a teeny amount - will attempt again in a bath

pressure softening www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/rev_pressure_soft_cotterman.html can be helpful if she has trouble attaching because you are so full.

Part of the problem of the initial engorgement isn't just milk, but extra fluid and swelling in the breasts. Hence ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory) can help, and as other have said savoy cabbage not only soothing, but contains a chemical that helps too. Pongy, though .

Other than that, feed feed feed and express to comfort.

Hope you are a little more flat-chested tomorrow .

softening www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/rev_pressure_soft_cotterman.html Reverse pressure softening

Reverse pressure softening

feeling so much better today. been taking the ibuprofen, and dd2 very kindly decided to feed pretty much non-stop which has relieved a lot!

Bless her, she's a good girl is your DD2!! Glad you're feeling a bit less stretched!