My breast are engorged to the extreme would I be a bad mother and bottlefeed now?

Question

I just had my baby dec 6th, and an hour after childbirth I started to breastfeed its only been 3 days since his birth and my breast are extremly engorged, they are so painful I cant stop crying they feel like rocks, I feed him everyone1-2 hours like your suppose to, I took showers to let the water beat my breast, i put frozen packs I massaged and they just would not change, I even pumped......I just cant take it, my plan was to breastfeed would I be bad if I started the bottle formula so early.......its just so painful.....help advice...please

Answer 1

Engorgement usually goes away within twenty-four hours, so HANG IN THERE!

There's plenty of good advice on how to deal with it here:

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

Answer 2

If you start on formula the milk will still be there and you will still be engorged. I remember how painful it was!! You are doing a great thing though so just try and stick with it. However, if you don't want to that doesn't make you a bad mom. Many babies are formula fed and live healthy normal lives!! ;)
Here is what I would do. I would breastfeed ever hour to 2 hours when they would eat, and then pump afterwards. It seemed to help me, and it gave me a great milk supply. The engorgement does go away though and your body does adjust! Good Luck! :)

Answer 3

Drying up is equally as painful at this point. You should not have pumped because you milk is based on how much you used the day before. This will only cause you to make more. Gerber makes warm/cool relief pads. You put them in the microwave for 20 secs and they stay warm for 20 minutes. You can also freeze them, but what you need for engorgement is heat, not cold. I'll add some good links for you to check out.
To answer your question, no you wouldn't be a bad mother, but drying up later on is a lot easier (no engorgement-no pain with my second). You'd go through this pain either way. Your choice whether or not to continue, just letting you know the facts. Congrats and good luck. Upon looking, Cold is ok after baby eats, learn something everyday.

Answer 4

Hang in there. Don't quit!!!! You are making the healthiest choice for your baby by nursing, and while it is a bit uncomfortable in the beginning (I remember crying from the discomfort of what felt like golf balls in my armpits and breasts), it will all work out.

This is what you should do (it took while for me to figure out the way to do the heat and cold). When the baby is getting hungry, take a warm shower. Let the hot water "loosen" the milk in the breast. Feed the baby until he or she is full. Put the baby down, and then pump to empty the breasts so you are comfortable. If you are still uncomfortable, then this is the time to use the ice.

You don't want to pump the breasts dry b/c you want to make sure there is milk enough for the next feeding, and the more you pump, the more milk you make. It only takes 1-2 weeks for your baby and your breasts to be in sync. Don't give up. I promise you, you will feel better.

Answer 5

Try cabbage leaves on your breasts that have been in the fridge. Express only until you feel a comfortable but not so much as to tell your body to create more milk and hang in there... it does get better and believe me... if you were to go to formula now, the engorgement will get a lot worse before it gets any better. Do watch for mastitis, though.

It is better that you have more than enough milk than not enough.

Good luck

Answer 6

Darling, I remember the night my milk came in! It was the worst night of my life! It got to the point where I just couldn't feed my daughter due to pain. When I told my hubby, he said he'd go and get some formula, whereapon I turned into a banshee and screamed at him not to give up before we'd even started! I went to bed, put my hands on my boobs to warm them up, then I was able to get up about half an hour later and feed. Not pleasant by any stretch of the imagination, but I could actually do it. By 10 days, we had the hang of it. Not perfectly, but we definately had the hang of it. The experts all say not to give up before 6 weeks. I know that sounds crazy, but 6 weeks isn't as long as it sounds. It will flash by in a sleep deprived blur :) By the time you read this, you'll be past the worst of it. Slather your nipples with lanolin, express off just enough to ease discomfort (NOT MORE THAN THAT!) keep massaging the lumps and persevere; you'll be glad you did. The most beautiful thing you'll ever see in this world is when your baby smiles around your nipple. It's the craziest, most gorgeous sight to see a baby smiling around a boobie that's as big as it's head. Don't give up until you've seen that. I don't care if they say smiles are wind. Anyone who says that is a party pooper. :)
If you get to 6 weeks and hate breastfeeding, by all means give it up. It sounds callous, but by then you'll be making an educated decision, which you aren't in a position to do before about then. Breastfeeding is soooooo much more convenient, so I hope you can hang in there. Get in touch with your infant welfare nurse, or some such person. Banish anyone who says anything unhelpful or negative! You probably can do it, women are tough!

Answer 7

Everytime you stimulate your breasts, it sends a message to your brain that the baby wants more milk. Try not to pump, or only a small amount if you have to. Do not empty your breasts. A snug binder may help. Do not massage. After awhile the baby's appetite and your milk production will balance out.

Congratulations on the baby!

Answer 8

I would honestly say hang in there, it WILL go away and become very routine for you if you stick with it. I think you will be happy in the long run if you keep trying ,especially if that was your plan to breastfeed. Its your choice but ,I've been there and know that it will get better.

Answer 9

First of all you would definately NOT be a bad mother for switching to formula. It is easy to feel this way because you want the best for your baby but I can tell you that I switched (for the most part) with in the first week and completly switched at about 4 weeks. Breast feeding is extremly hard but can be done. If you still want to continue breast feeding and feel that you need more help, support and advise from a lactation consultant you can set up an appointment free of charge through your local health department, WIC department or ask your doctor to refer you to one. As for the formula on the market...they are very good and your doctor can help you choose one that will suit your baby's needs. Good Luck and take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby.

Answer 10

Take a warm shower and let the milk drip that feels good. Warm rags on the breast also helps with the pain.