My Boobs are about to burst!!

[M D]

My milk has come in and my boobs are about to burst. DS has jaundice so feeds little and often and falls asleep on the boob so I am constantly waking him to keep feeding. I tried expressing of the worse boOb but got couple of drips. I had a hot shower to try and get the milk moving but still only drops.

How the hect can I stop this boob from bursting???

[onthefly]

You can give the ABA a call for some more advice - 1800-686-2-686
Hope he wakes up and helps you out more soon. Do you try taking off his clothes or a cold flannel (sounds mean, but keeps them awake a bit more)

[MrsFabuloso]

Maybe a cold or warm compress? Different things work for different people! I always like warm compress, like a warm wheat pack, but maybe cold would give some relief for you. Warm might help you express more. Are you hand expressing? If so, maybe get your hands on a hand pump, or electric pump if you can. I am terrible at hand expressing and get more out if I use a pump, preferably for me, an electric one. Your local pharmacy may have one, or MCHN, or even the hospital you birthed at. Be careful with engorgement, that you don't get mastitis, watch out for symptoms like localised pain in your boobs, lumpyness, red, hot spots on your breasts, headaches, aches and pains, flu like symptoms, fever. If you get any of that go to your GP and you might need antibiotics for it. Good luck hun. The early days are tough, but well worth it in the end!

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

For me the hot shower was the go, I could never express well when I was engorged.
I had to hand express a bit then use the pump.

No help really am I, hope it all sorts out soon, hate that feeling.

DD1 used to fall asleep, I'd change her half way through a feed, and would use a cool cloth on her belly to wake her, she often fed in just a nappy too.

Sent from my iPhone, more than likely while I should be doing something else!

[damprye]

I had to hand express as well but it was hard and hurt like hell. I agree with the others, try to keep him up as best you can I feel your pain

[Danielle_NZ]

I hope you've been able to find some relief.

I use to pump straight after a hot shower with my manual pump but found I needed to massage the boob also.

Only problem with applying heat to your breasts is it can swelling which will make you more uncomfortable if you can't get anything else. Cabbage leaves were my savior in prior experiences (DS1 & DS2).

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

How did you go overnight? Many mothers find that they have relatively too much milk for their babies in the early days. The rule is, whenever your breasts feel uncomfortably full, express some milk to relieve the engorgements. Use ice-packs after a feed to reduce the swelling.

[ezymay]

Ice packs after feeds really helped me recently with engorgement. Warm helped before the feed to soften up but cold relived the pain and swelling.