HELP! Breasts are engorged?

Question

Well I am in need of some help.
I gave birth to my baby, 15 wks early. Poor little baby only survived 2 1/2 days. That is besides the point of this tho...My breasts are really hard and hurt unbelieveably. Im not sure what to do. I do have a breast pump, just need to sterilize it. But do I have to pump now? Or if I pump, will milk keep coming?? I am really unsure about all of this. So much to think about right now and wow this is something that is so hard to deal with. But if anyone has any answers on what to do, please let me know. I'm thinking of going to the hospital cuz I just am not sure what to do. But if anyone can give me a heads up on how to go about this, then maybe I don't have to go. Please get back to me.

Answer 1

Sorry to hear of your loss, can't imagine your pain.... Whatever you do don't pump... let them dry up, if u pump, they'll just keep filling again...

Answer 2

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. But perhaps you could turn this difficult moment into something positive? There are programs that you could ask about at your hospital where the woman's milk is donated for babies who do not necessarily have access to healthy breast milk. Some programs offer free breast pumps and will let you quit at any time if you choose to donate no more. You can donate as little or as much as you want. I think this is a great way for your negative to become other people's positives. However, I understand that this might be difficult. You might have to withstand the pain until your milk supply runs out. Once again, I'm so sorry for your loss and wish you the best in the future!

Answer 3

The pump will only make more....use ice packs (over your clothes or inside your bra) this wont last more than a day or two....wear a tight fitting bra. Eat things made from Peppermint....peppermint Girl Scout cookies are a good bet! Also, take a Sudafed or similar type of product that promises to 'dry you up' (it means your nose...but it will help dry up the milk as well)
This must be tough for you....honsetly, the engorgement shouldnt last long at all....if you develop a fever, it could be a sign of mastitis, that would be the only time to contact the hospital...otherwise...it will be OK.

Answer 4

I am so sorry to hear about your terrible loss. I agree, don't pump or it will just keep coming and you could end up with Mastitis. You only think you're in pain now. Mastitis hurts like HE**. If you spike a high fever definitely go to the ER. Otherwise, try cabbage leaves, they help dry it up. Just be sure to change them often or you'll start to smell. Warm showers help get the flow going naturally to decrease the engorgement. Just DO NOT PUMP.

Answer 5

I would call your OB. There IS a medicine they can give you to help you dry up and they might have some other tips as well. In the meantime, only pump off a tiny amount to relieve a little of the pressure otherwise you will send your breasts the message to keep making milk. Hot showers help too and I've heard that putting cabbage leaves in your bra feels good and helps to dry up the milk.

Answer 6

What you experienced became wide-spread physiologic engorgement signaling the replace from colostrum to mature milk. Breastmilk is made on a grant and insist foundation. you haven't any longer called on the breasts to make milk for a number of days, so the breasts have not persisted to make milk (even in spite of the undeniable fact that there continues to be some milk there). in case you start to pump now, and do it each 2-3 hours, you will likely make some milk, in spite of if that is hard to recognize purely how plenty. in case you start to offer milk lower back, and don't feed or pump for a protracted volume of time, the breast gets engorged as they fill with milk that has no place to bypass. The tension of the engorgement indicators the breasts to end making milk. in case you prefer to inspire your infant to bypass to the breast, strip her all the way down to her diaper and carry her epidermis to epidermis against your chest, properly coated from the lower back with a blanket. Many babies will latch on decrease than those situations, even in spite of the undeniable fact that it ought to take purely a sprint time. you additionally can seek for help from a worldwide Board qualified Lactation representative, or l. a. Leche League chief. stable success.

Answer 7

You could call the hospital and ask if they have something called a Lactation Consultant and request to meet with her. Also see if there is a Le Leche webpage/phone number/contact in your area you could work with. Their leaders are trained in lactation consulting often also.

Personally I would pump to relieve the pain from engorgement, then trail off pumping after.

Answer 8

Don't pump! Don't let warm water hit your breasts. Go get a sports bra one size smaller and wear it until your breasts go down and don't take it off..... Your milk will soon go away! It took me about week for my milk to dry up!

I'm so sorry for your loss. **www.happysahm.com**

Answer 9

i feel you pain, mine where engorged after i stop breasted feeding my child. what i did is take cool shower and let the cool water run of them. and wear a good support bra all the time. Within a week you breasts will be to normal. Good Luck i hope ir helps.