Newborn Babies Forum - What to Do About Engorgement?

Parenting > Newborn Babies Forum > What to Do About Engorgement?

TOPICS DOCTOR QUESTIONS

What is circumcision?

A definition of the medical practice of infant male circumcision....

Q: What to Do About Engorgement?

asked by: cln1812 on December 19th, 2007

Active User, very eHealthy

So...my milk has finally fully come in, and I can't believe how huge and hard & painful my boobs have gotten. I am breastfeeding, so I don't want to dry up my milk; however, I seem to be making more milk than she can eat (she's a tiny baby, was only 5 lb. 12 oz. at her hospital release). Her latch is good; she's getting plenty of poopy & wet diapers. She eats frequently during the day but doesn't tend to eat long (maybe 15, 20 minutes or so, sometimes less). After midnight, she usually wakes about 2 times to nurse. It is not enough to relieve the pain at all.

I do have a breastpump...will using that help? If so, when is the best time to pump & how much should I pump? (Also, how frequently should I pump?) I have heard not to pump too much as it only encourages more milk to come in, but is it OK to pump a little to relieve the pressure? Are there any other tips BTDT moms can give me?

Also, how long does engorgement usually last?

Replies(6)

young Girl

replied on December 19th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

put cabbage leaves in your bra
this will help tremendously

mine lasted abut a week Sad

young Girl

replied on December 19th, 2007

Especially eHealthy

oh and you can pump and freeze the milk too!

mominashoe

replied on December 20th, 2007

Moderator

You can let some run off in the shower and otherwise, but what you've heard is true: supply and demand is the rule here, so if you don't want to make more, don't pump it.

You can try ice packs at your milk glands, which is at the top near your arm pits. This will help slow things down a little. Sometimes it's just a matter of time before your body realizes, whoa, this is way too much.

number game

replied on December 26th, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

You can always pump only AFTER nursing to completly empty your breast. I know this response is a little late and your breast are probably fine now. So how's breastfeeding going for you now?

sillyakchick

replied on December 31st, 2007

Extremely eHealthy

I pumped an ounce or two at each feeding and froze it for my return to work. By now the engorgement should be dissipating, I hope. It takes a little while for you and your infant to get into the right supply and demand rhythm. (Isn't it weird to have boobs that big???? Yikes!)

newmommy07

replied on January 21st, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Hmm goodluck with the breastfeeding, seems I'm not making enough for my son so he is on formula now. I was thinking of pumping my breasts to see if that would help me make more milk?

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc