Breast engorgement?

Question

OK so my daughter is 6 days old and my milk came in 2 days ago. She's a good eater I feed her every 2 1/2 to 3 hours but she can't even drain one side.
My breasts are rock hard and painful and I'm wondering if I pump it all out won't that just make even more in the long run? I know your body produces as much as your baby eats so will pumping just make even more come in? I tried just letting a little out in the shower but 30 minutes later I'm full again! My daughter can only drain like half at a time so I don't get relief that way either, an hour later I'm full and hard again.
What do I do?

Answer 1

A few things. Yes you can pump. Your body will take a little time to regulate thet amount of milk it needs to produce. Keep nursing as much as you can and pump a bit at the end to relieve the pressure. You should buy some milk storage bags and freeze the milk for later. You will never regret building up your milk storage bank while you can easily do it. This will give you the freedom to go out once and while when you are ready, or to have milk available for a care provider when and if you return to work.

Also, I know it is weird, but cabbage leaves will help with engorgement. Place some cold ones on your breasts. It will feel great.

Keep up the good work!!

Answer 2

I would pump a little and a hot washcloth over each breast really helps a lot. The hot water makes the breast become softer as you may have noticed in the shower. Give it about a week or so and she'll start eating more so it won't be as bad. The first month of breastfeeding is the hardest but it does get better and your milk will get on the same schedule as baby and be completely comfortable for all of you.

Answer 3

Preventative measures and remedies for engorgement:

Many doctors and lactation consultants agree that the best way to prevent engorgement is to nurse often. Some suggest not going more than three hours without nursing and not skipping night feedings.

When breasts are severely engorged, the baby often cannot latch on property. Pumping or manually expressing some breast milk can help reduce engorgement, allowing the baby to suckle, which will help alleviate the swelling and prevent future episodes. Also, some women find a warm shower just before a feeding helps relieve some discomfort and facilitate let down. Massaging the breasts as the baby nurses can help get out as much milk as possible.

In her book, "Breastfeeding - A Guide for the Medical Profession" Dr. Ruth Lawrence recommends applying cold packs to the breasts after a feeding to help reduce swelling, warmth and pain. The mother may take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to relieve the pain. Neither drug should affect the baby.


Cabbage leaves: Women have been using cabbage leaves to relieve engorgement symptoms for years. But does this natural remedy actually work? Some women swear by it, but few research studies have been able to medically prove if cabbage leaves actually alleviate engorgement.

Cabbage leaves are usually rinsed off (and sometimes chilled) and the veins of the leaves crushed or removed. The leaves are then placed on the breast, leaving the nipple exposed. Some women place the leaves right in their bra, which helps keep them in place.

In 1993, a group of researchers evaluated 120 breastfeeding women who were split into two groups. One group used cabbage leaves on their breasts to relieve engorgement and the other group received "routine care." The cabbage leaf group tended to report less engorgement, but the trend was not statistically significant. The researchers did find that the women who used cabbage leaves were more likely to be exclusively breastfeeding at six weeks than those who did not.

A study was published in the Journal of Human Lactation in 1995 that compared the effectiveness of chilled and room temperature cabbage leaves. Twenty-eight lactating women with breast engorgement used chilled cabbage leaves on one breast and room temperature leaves on the other. After a two-hour period, the women reported significantly less pain with both treatments. The researchers concluded that it is not necessary to chill cabbage leaves before use.

An Australian research study in 1998 compared the effectiveness of cabbage leaf extract and a placebo in treating lactating women for engorgement. Twenty-one women received a cream containing cabbage leaf extract and 18 women received a cream with no extract. Both groups reported the creams supplied equal relief from engorgement. The researchers did discover that breastfeeding itself had a greater effect than the cream on relieving discomfort and decreasing tissue hardness. They concluded that, "It is recommended that lactation consultants encourage mothers to breastfeed if possible to relieve the discomfort of breast engorgement."

Do not pump to empty your breasts as others have suggested or you will make the problem last longer. It will get better soon I promise!

Hope this helps. Breastfeeding.com is THE BEST website with medically based advice.

Answer 4

Try to feed her a little from both breasts. Don't pump because they will become more engorged. After a while you won't produce as much milk. Be sure to wear your nursing bra even when you sleep or you will be in a lot of pain.

Answer 5

I went through the same thing,the engorgement was terrible! I pumped after my son ate to relieve the pain. I froze all that milk for later use and I'm glad I did. I'd recommend pumping and freezing and also using a bag of frozen peas on your breasts to help with the pain and swelling (after feeding your daughter and pumping).
Good luck!!

Answer 6

You should be nursing more often. More like every 90 mins to 2 hours. With a 6 day old, you really should almost feel like you're constantly nursing. Breastmilk digests in 90 minutes and her tummy is only the size of her little fist. And more frequent nursing will help prevent the engorgement you're experiencing.

Nursing log -
http://www.kellymom.com/store/freehandouts/breastfeeding-log-2wk.pdf

Weeks 1-6 - what's normal?
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html

engorgement -
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/engorgement.html

Answer 7

The first two weeks of nursing are very wet ones!

Whether or not you pump right now will not make a big difference in your future milk production, so pump away.

The milk you are producing right now is very fatty, extra good for baby, also very yellow. Freeze it and feed it to your baby at a later dtae. It's always good to have milk around just in case!

Don't worry, another week and you'll be a lot less messy!

Good luck!

Answer 8

I suggest pumping... at least when they get so engorged and hurting. Your body is still going haywire with all the changes and your daughters eating patters may not be set in stone. It will all level out soon but you might as well get some relief until then.

Answer 9

It took me a few days of pain before my breast got back to feeling okay. Then it took about 2 weeks after that when I felt better. Cabbage leafs do actually work. Take the cabbage head and cut it into leafs that you can use. Freeze the pieces so they are ready for you to use. Wear a pre-pregnancy bra so it's tight. I spent 3 whole days smelling like old cabbage and breastmilk which wasn't pretty.

Answer 10

Let me start by saying I'm not making fun of you at all. I'd like to sincerely thank you for making my night. I read your question becuase I thought someone had mistaken enlargement for engorgement and maybe the response and question itself would be comical. I had no idea this happened to new mothers and it truly is a funny dilema. God bless you and all mothers out there for going through what you do it's truly amazing.