My daughter is 11 days old and I am breastfeeding her. She is getting up every 4-5 hours instead of 2 which is fine because she gained 3.5 ounces in 3 days which they say is great. But the problem is that my breasts are sooo sore because they are constantly full of milk since she is not eating as often. This has been happening for days. Should I pump to relieve pain and store the milk? Will this ever even itself out? Any other advice?
2006-10-28 14:40:13 · 7 answers · asked by ktwinter7 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
If you pump it all out, you're body will just produce more. Pump very little to relieve pain, hot compress, take a shower instead.
I would not let 4hrs go between feeds at this early an age. We did this and I really think it helped with him sleeping through the night at 2.5 months. Day is for eating, night is for sleeping. Congrats on the baby and the breast feeding.
2006-10-28 15:25:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your breasts should eventually catch up and make the right amount- I would think it would be soon. If you pump, they're just going to make more because they adjust to how much is going out.
I used to just hand pump off a little to relieve the pain. You can also try warm compresses, I've heard some use warm cabbage leaves to relieve the pain. You should get through the engorgement phase and even out really soon though.
You may want to contact a lactation consultant at your hospital to see what they recommend.
2006-10-28 14:45:34 · answer #2 · answered by Holly N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should most definitely pump and freeze the milk just make sure you date it..breast milk can be kept for 6 months after it frozen so when you stop breast feeding you will probably still have milk that you have stored that she can have. But yes the only way to relieve engorgement is to feed or pump.
2006-10-28 14:55:05 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i did not get to breastfeed, but from friends and family, it should even out. You can pump some just to relieve the pressure and store it in the freezer for later. Don't pump to empty the breast though because your body will produce as much as you pump. It is a supply and demand thing. The more she eats or the more you pump the more you'll make. It will eventually adjust to what she "demands"
2006-10-28 14:48:41 · answer #4 · answered by mommyofthree 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will even itself out soon. Dont pump because if you do you will just make more milk. The more stimulation you have the more milk you make. Stick with feeding the baby and it will normalise itself...although I would try waking her at 4 hrs if she doesnt wake up herself. It is very normal to be engorged just before a feed. Very soon she will be demanding more milk. (this happens every few weeks as the baby grows). Stick with it and it will all work out in the end but dont pump.
2006-10-28 14:45:14 · answer #5 · answered by dragonrider707 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to pump when I was engorged just until my breasts were soft enought for my daughter to be able to latch on (when my boobs were so full, it was hard for her to latch on right) then I'd feed her.
It will even out soon, I found at about 5-6 weeks the milk production evened out.
Good luck!
2006-10-28 14:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Jenn♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. You are going to make your body think that you need to produce more milk by expressing...unless you are careful with it, and ONLY take a small amount, enough to ease the pain.
I promise you, this WILL even out, and you will be feeling more comfortable soon.
2006-10-28 14:45:01 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Pamela♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋