Engorgement and severe pain

[Fallen Angel]

Hi Ladies

Looking for some advice please.

My new baby girl is one week old tomorrow and I'm really struggling with breast feeding at the moment.

She latched on perfectly in hospital and the first day or so then I started gSving severe pains and cracking of my nipples. Thought she maybe wasn't latching on properly do got a breast feeding consultant out who adapted my holding style and checked baby was latching on properly, which she was.

On day 3 my milk started letting down at a rate of noughts, pouring everywhere constantly.

I took a break for a day and a half to let my nipples heal and expressed during this time. It didn't really help the pain and I continued to have huge engorged breasts.

But my nipples were feeling a bit better so I started breastfeeding again.

But tonight, after having a nice hot shower and massaging out the engorged ducts in a hot shower I've realised it's my areola the pain's coming from - not my nipples. And no sooner had I massaged out all the lumps and got out the shower, but they're back again.

I am also producing ridiculous amounts of milk. Much more than my baby is demanding and it just constantly pours out.

Has anyone experienced this?

Can anyone share any tips?

Sorry for the long thread.

 

[Ruth 1980]

I'm no expert Hun but didn't want to do the read&run! I would say that I have been told when you're engorged not to try expressing too much as they say this will increase your milk production even more. I think u did the right thing massaging out the ducts, but maybe not hot shower? I believe this can increase ur problem by overstimulating. Remember it's very early days for u and so your supply has yet to regulate so this is the painful time! (was only a few weeks ago for me !) just don't overstimulate while ur body figures out demand levels. I also tried the old cabbage leaf trick! Seemingly it's a myth that it will dry out ur supply completely.
Hope the pain settles soon! (rmbr u can take paracetamol to help too) and good luck!