Parenting Forums

Posted: 05 June 2006 at 9:27am | IP Logged

Umm when I breastfed and it was like that too just spurts out whenever.  My mw said theyre not suppost to recommend them, but a good pair of breastshells could help catch the milk you're loosing.

How about expressing some from the boob thats overflowing after liam's feed?  Or do it like in the olden days- 10mins on each breast should even it out?

Good luck Bug!

Posted: 05 June 2006 at 9:30am | IP Logged

The best things I found were gel pads you put in the fridge which were great for engorgement called Oscar and Dean Breast nurse I think - avaliable from Mothercare but can be found on ebay too. Apparently could lettece leaves in your bra are supposed to be as good though.

Get some breast shells so you can catch what you spill from the 'spare' boob. You can then use this for bottles of expressed milk or just get rid of it if you dont need it. Make sure you have tons of breast pads too.

It will ease but it takes a while for a good routine to be established. You are doing really well! If you are really painful express a little off just to ease them - but not too much or you will produce too much milk.

I remember those early days well and wondered what the hell was happening to my boobs as they hurt so much but it really doesnt last long. I'm always here if you have a question honey!

Posted: 05 June 2006 at 9:34am | IP Logged

It was my nipples more than anything that hurt during bf.  I stopped after 6 weeks and then my whole breast started to hurt coz they were engorged.  Cabbage leaves from the fridge shoved inside your bra really do work.

Love Trudi.  xx

Posted: 05 June 2006 at 10:54am | IP Logged

Yeah was gonna suggest the cabbage leaves too - sounds strange but for some reason it works lol

I remember being like that when I BF Ellis and its agony so I sympathise completely with you hun

But as Madz says it really doesn't last all that long and once you are in a wee routine it'll ease for you

You are doing great chick

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Posted: 05 June 2006 at 3:51pm | IP Logged

lol This happened to me both times.  The amount of breast pads I went through! One tip is to use the breast shells to collect excess milk from the breast not being used. 

I also expressed in between feeds.  This benefitted me as a) I went back to work and had to leave the milk in the freezer for my lo's carer and b) it relieved the soreness and heaviness in between feeds.

Also try and alternate the breasts. You can swap a bracelet over to remind you.  Apart from that not sure what else to suggest.

Posted: 05 June 2006 at 7:35pm | IP Logged

Hi Sam, well done for persevering with the breast feeding.  It really does get easier if you can make it past the 6wk mark.  As everyone else has suggested shells are great when you are overflowing with milk to catch it all, if you sterilise the shells then you can keep the breastmilk you catch and use it in a bottle or freeze it, it keeps for upto 3mnths in the freezer.

To ease engorgement so early on the best thing to do is stand under a shower or have a warm bath and just let the milk run away.  Cabbage leaves are good if you are trying to dry up your milk or if you are very very engorged but don't overuse them as it can dry up your milk.  They contain an enzyme that dries milk up if you put them in the fridge and then scrunch them up so you break them and put them in your bra.  Try not to express the milk off too much if you can help it as you will just make more.

Your let down can also be quite painful for a few weeks as it comes in in force but it does ease in time and if it is bad take some regular paracetamol.

If you need any help just shout there are quite a few experienced breastfeeders here now and Madz is very good for info.  I am at work all day but always try and catch up in the evenings.  Good luck x

Posted: 05 June 2006 at 10:43pm | IP Logged

Dont try to hard! The more you try the more you get worked up and create a scene. A carefully placed muslin and a well fitting nursing bra do the trick. Also I know someone who used to wear a bandau top under her boobs so when she lifted her top up to feed, her tummy wasnt on show.

Practice will get you there. You'll get plenty of it!

Umm if I thinkof anything else I'll add it in the morning.