Lumpy boob not relieved by expressing???

[FionaSH]

As of this evening my right boob is really engorged so I thought I'd express, but only a little bit came out and I sat for like another 20 mins and not a drop came out. I had to give up in the end as the vacuum was starting to hurt!!! I've put a hot flannel on it, but nothing happening. I'm worriedim going to go to bed now and wake up with mastitis! Why's it not coming out??? (I've massaged it etc...)

Is it generally engorged? Or is there specifically a lump? If it's a lump, is it a new lump?

Sometimes it's hard to make letdown happen when you want it to - sometimes yoga breathing helps ...

There is specifically a lump, but also generally quite engorged. It can often take a few mins for the let down to occur, but this has never happened before! (ds 7.5mo) i'd try expressing again but it's quite sore now!!

try looking at a picture of your baby to get things moving

try getting in a bath and relaxing and trying to do it there, lean forward too, the gravity can help I think!

Start at your flat breast plate and slide your fingers firmly down the breast over the lump to the nipple, use your other hand to hold the breast in place. Keep doing it.

A lump may not turn into Mastitus. How are you feeling in general? Any temperature, general queasiness, headache, aches and pains?

Feed from that breast. Can baby feed now for you? Could you dream feed if they are asleep?

If you can, feed with his chin to the lump. (Yes, I know, the lump is in a location that makes that trickier, it always is. Either lie him flat on the bed, and hover over him, or you lie down and get him to do it.) Chin to lump feeding really really really helps.

If you are stressed and trying to make letdown happen, it can be elusive. It's a bit like trying to sneeze on demand ...