oversupply and sore nipples

[lynnikins]

well EJ is nearly week old and today has been the first day i would say hes had decent sleep/feed times , im comparing to my DS1 who was a charmer and fed 3 hourly from day one and slept 6 hours overnight from a week old, i never had huge oversupply problems and my nipples adjusted quicker than they have this time.

this time i know my milk was and still is a bit low qualitywise as i needed blood transfusion post birth due to very low hemaglobin levels and ive been on supplements since EJ's birth to bring them up but i know they are still going to be on the low side compared to normal so i can accept that EJ might be needing a bit more feeding to compensate for that, but its been a case of at times ive had to nurse him almost constantly for 4 hours in the afternoons and again in the night to get him to settle.

any advice on coping with breasts that are now so full every 2 hours when hes only wanting feeding every 3-4 hours? and the sore nipples ? ive been using nipple sheilds but they are only dulling the pain slightly when he latches

 

[Feltzy]

Congrats on the birth of your little boy! I suffered with sore nipples and Lansinoh seemed to help. I'm not sure what you can do about the engorgement, it should settle down but you could maybe express a little if it gets super uncomfortable.

 

[IndigoLotus]

OKay - let's help with the oversupply first -
Here are some articles and FAQs from the LLLI website about dealing with oversupply issues. You may find them helpful.

Finish the First Breast First
LLLI

Overactive Let-Down: Consequences and Treatments
LLLI

Common Side Effects of an Overactive Let-Down
LLLI

Is Milk Supposed to Leak?
LLLI

How Can I Deal with My Leaking Breasts?
LLLI | How Can I Deal with My Leaking Breasts?

Too Much of a Good Thing
LLLI | Too Much of a Good Thing

Determination
LLLI | Determination

I am breastfeeding my baby and have an abundant supply. I'd like to donate milk for sick babies. Can you tell me how to do this?
LLLI | How can I donate my milk?


If you still have questions after this - please let us know!!

 

[mommyhav]

You need to give it some time, unfortuntely. As far as the engorgement goes, it took me a good 72 hours to get regulated at first when I was pumping during the first two weeks and my supply got too much! AS far as quality goes, try to block feed: feed from one breast at a time, per feed. This relaly helped me as my LO was getting too much foremilk (watery) and had green fizzy poo and tummy troubles. This also caused her to cry a lot and I thought she was hungry all the time and she wanted to eat, but it was more likely gas. If you are seeing green poo, this could be the problem. Also, I have heard that if you are having a lot of pain, try green cabbage leaves on your breasts to ease the pain of engorgement. I havent tried it myself, as I come from the "tough it out" camp lol....i found that if i just dealt with the pain for two days my breasts would even out on their own. Have you considered co-bedding with your LO? Mine was so nocturnal in the first few weeks that I had to sleep with her a lot of the time in order to get some sleep myself. We would side-lay for feedings and she would simply fall asleep when she was done and I would be right there when she needed more. Hope this helps

 

[katiesmummy]

i was exactly the same and midwife advised keeping a cabbage in the fridge and tearing off a leaf and placing over my nipple.....i so didnt think it would help but it did!

x

 

[IndigoLotus]

The idea behind the cabbage is that you need to break the veins. Lay the leaf flat on the counter and roll over it with a rolling pin.

But be careful not to use cabbage to frequently because it can and will dry up your milk.