Engorged Breast...?

Question

I just recently had my baby and am bottle feeding. Now my breast are so engorged with milk, I feel like they are going to POP any minute. Does any one have any advice for getting some relief?

Answer 1

umm what ever you do dont let them get warm like if you noticed when you hold baby close by theyll ache from the warmth and your instinc to breastfeed ( if you dont mind me askin why not breastfeed its such a wonderful exsperience you share with your baby and so good for the baby even if you do it just for a month or so ) well anyhow you can put cold wraps on them and wrap them tight i nice tight sports bra can help ..some ob doctors can also prescribe somthin to help dry the milk up too... but make sure you just keep them wrapped and put compresses on them too ..good luck ur friend brandy (waiting in 3 days to find out if i am pregnant again 6 child ) wooo yea i know

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Answer 2

Either get in a hot shower and let the water run on your breasts for a while, or take some wash cloths and wet them with the hottest water you can stand and place them on your breasts. Take some plastic, like a bag and put it over the wet towels to keep in the heat. This will help "let down" your milk. Your breasts should leak milk on their own, but if not try to squeeze some milk out of your breasts. Feel for any knots in your breasts and massage by pressing your fingers into them. These are blocked milk ducts and have to be massaged out so you don't get an infection. After wards, put some ice in two disposable diapers and place one diaper over each breast. As the ice melts, the water will absorb into the diapers so you aren't soaked. The ice will help the swelling.

I've heard of women taking medication to help dry up their milk. You can your OB's office and ask about them.

You can also get a breast pump and pump just enough milk to give you some relief. By doing this only when engorged, your milk supply should diminish instead of increase.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Do you need to take a precription that prevents you from breast feeding? The breast milk is ideal for building your baby's immune system. At any rate, you can get a breast pump from your local drug store or pharmacy. You don't want to leave the milk in because the milk can cake and block the milk ducts causing extreme pain. If you can't get a breast pump right away, you'll need to express the milk yourself. It's messy so do it in the shower. Begin by gently squeezing the aeorola and nipple while gently pulling on them. You want to try to simulate a baby's sucking on them. Once the milk begins to flow, you can increase pressure while squeezing and pulling. It can take 15 minutes to a 1/2 hour or longer to fully express your milk, but try not to do it very often because the more often you do it the more milk you will produce and the longer it will take to entirely stop the production of milk. This process will make your nipples tender so keep a good cream on hand to sooth them if they get too irritated. I'm not impressed with your doctor! He or she should have told you about this and what you'll need to do, including the fact that your nipples will be tender. He should have told you to toughen your nipples before birth by using a rough wash cloth each time you shower to toughen them up, otherwise the baby's sucking would be very painful, let along expressing milk yourself!

Answer 4

First of all congrats! Second of all.....there is not much you can do for engorged breasts. You can try to apply a warm compress/towel, that may provide a little relief and take some Motrin, etc. Mainly just wait it out. Good luck.

Answer 5

Well, my first suggestion would be to give the milk to the baby. Far healthier for both of you and FREE!

If you're dead set against breastfeeding, you can use bags of frozen peas as ice packs to relieve some of the discomfort. Put cabbage leaves in your bra to help cope with the engorement. Ibuprofen will help you as well. You can take a hot shower and let your breasts leak a bit in the shower to help relieve discomfort. Decongestents may help to dry you up some as well.

Answer 6

Is there any way that you could breastfeed your baby? The first few feedings are the most important as they contain essential immunoglobulins that will help your baby's immune system. If you are absolutely not able to feed your baby, not even for a week, then I've heard that warm compresses help where your breasts feel tender. I know that I don't know your situation, but please consider breastfeeding. It's the best for your baby.

Answer 7

DO NOT EXPRESS THE MILK. That will make it worse!!! Wrap ice packs and ace bandages around them...wear the tightest bra possible, even when sleeping. Cabbage leaves in your bra will help with the pain temporarily. Take tylenol. If they turn red, look streaky or are hot to the touch, call your doctor immediately, as they could then be infected. Otherwise...you just have to wait it out a few days. Good luck hon!

Answer 8

Tylenol & time...
You might also try COLD compresses, as warmth works to facilitate milk production.

Whatever you do, don't express the milk if you aren't breastfeeding! That will only make it drag on longer. It should relieve itself (for the most part) within a few days if you avoid stimulating your breasts.

Answer 9

ummmmm..yes use a breast pump..you can save the babies milk in the fridge, and after it breast feeds just pump out the extra and throw it away ...actually if you go somewhere on the internet there maybe somewhere close to you that actually BUYS breast milk. I read it somewhere you might wanna check on that too. But otherwise feed your baby and then pump and toss inbetween.

Answer 10

buy a breat pump and get rid of the milk or breast feed (that is the healthiest for the baby anyway)