My milk came in and my breasts are so engorged that the baby can't latch...I've given him formula the past 3 feedings... All I have to work with is a manual pump. I tried hot showers. PLEASE PLEASE any advice will be appreciated. THANK YOU
2007-03-03 23:33:09 · 9 answers · asked by ♥Lucky♥ 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Well firstly formula feeding is making this problem worse. I strongly advise that you get rid of it and all the bottles out of the house.
If possible express some either my hand or using the manual pump, just enough to make your breast slightly less than rock hard. Also you will need to apply counter pressure:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/rev_pressure_soft_cotterman.html
Also grab your breast about an 1.5-2" back from the nipple and using your fingers really, really flatten in like the middle of a sandwhich, wait for the baby to open really wide, and then move the baby on to the breast. It may help to have a second person.
Also contact La Leche League and see if the leader will come help you:
http://llli.org/WebUS.html (Change the country in the upper right if you aren't american)
2007-03-04 00:24:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try placing hot *as hot as you can stand them* towels on your breasts. You should start to feel them start to soften in a few mins. continue wetting them with the hottest water you can stand, not hot enough to burn you. Then try and express a little at a time, less milk, more often. Until, the engorgment subsides enough for the baby to latch on. I was engorged after my youngest daughter was born. She was born 6 weeks premature,
I would express some to bring to the hospital, but it's just not the same as having the baby with you, nursing. I would pump every 2 hrs., one night I overslept....BIG mistake!! This was the only trick that helped. Good luck and best wishes!
2007-03-04 01:24:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I had this problem as well. Many times. I just hand expressed enough to get baby to latch. Then fed baby and baby took care of the rest. If I had a shower my milk would just flow without any help.
Using formula is NOT helping, its just engorging you more making it worse. So try and express and then feed baby. She or he will eventually latch on. I couldnt use pumps as tey just didnt work for me, so try hand expressing.
2007-03-04 01:09:19 · answer #3 · answered by Monkey Magic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you're in the shower release some of the milk by manually expressing it like with your fingers ... that should take some of the pressure off. After, you should pump. then try to let your baby latch on. try not to let your milk supply go down ... it's harder to get it back up. Breast feeding is best!
2007-03-03 23:43:21 · answer #4 · answered by J.V. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the manual pump isn't doing it for you, you could always rent an electric one. When you have hot showers try massaging your breasts. Best bet though would be to pump before feeding manually or electric, then you can freeze whatever you pump for later. Or you could pump and give baby breast milk from a bottle.
2007-03-03 23:40:07 · answer #5 · answered by ~*Isabel*~ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had this same problem. I had to pump before I could feed my baby from my breast. It was so painful for me to shower too. I would cry when the water hit my breasts. I know exactly what you're going thru, but hang in there. Pump a little first and then try to latch your baby on.
Good luck and congrats!!
2007-03-03 23:38:26 · answer #6 · answered by impossiblemama 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try to pull your nipple out with thumb and pointer finger and slide your fingers out while latching baby on...or as a last resort you could use a nipple shield for the first few minutes of the feeding until your breasts are softer..formula won't help anything...good luck
2007-03-04 01:57:54 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could try the teat extensions available in most baby shops. you just place the teat over your nipple and this enables the baby to latch on more easily. after a few times like this your breasts will produce just as much as your baby needs and you will both be more comfortable. this is very painful at the moment but if you hang in there it will be worth it
2007-03-03 23:42:06 · answer #8 · answered by mum of 2 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mine were the same Hun i know they say breast is best but these days formula is just as good, try massaging them stat at the massage of your breasts with your palms and with your fingers and palms surrounding your breasts going towards your nipple some times the milk ducts can get blocked try massaging before and during a shower or put a hot towel on them dampen it slightly and put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds and massage it with that hope this helps you
2007-03-03 23:43:12 · answer #9 · answered by mezzy m 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋