Pumping when full.

**PumpkinZulu** · December 15th, 2012, 04:54 PM

What's the deal with pumping this early on? I'm not keen to, I don't want to mess too much with my natural supply right now, but I've become quite uncomfortably full today and DD2 is taking quite a while to drain each side (2-3 feeds a side to drain it enough for me to feel okay swapping). Should I pump a little after a feed, or just wait it out until my supply settles a little?

**onthefly** · December 15th, 2012, 05:08 PM

If you're uncomfortable, then go ahead and pump, yeah, just so your comfy. Right now your supply is mostly driven by the big surge in hormones post-birth. Things settle down to supply/demand after several weeks, so right now it won't matter too much, but if you don't empty your breasts well you risk getting lumpy.

**HotI** · December 15th, 2012, 05:18 PM

Is #1 keen on helping you at all?

**AliBaby** · December 15th, 2012, 05:32 PM

I might be wrong but I remember in those first couple of weeks having a shower and massaging the ducts down towards the nipple under warm water and that would provide some relief. My boobs were massive. Probably an F cup while my milk was coming in and still on the hormone surge. I didn't want to get lumps or mastitis so thought it was best to get some relief that way. HTH

**chody47** · December 15th, 2012, 05:42 PM

When my milk came in I was uncomfortably full and the midwives at the hospital advised me to pump until I was comfortable.

**lady_neon** · December 15th, 2012, 06:15 PM

I would pump a little before a feed, though I was so engorged DS couldn't even latch on, and if I was still uncomfortable pump till bearable.

**TeniBear** · December 15th, 2012, 05:29 PM

Is #1 keen on helping you at all?

I was going to say only pump for comfort, but yeah, you could take this as an opportunity to try to get Isla back on. Or at least pump to give to her

**MummyNaomi** · December 15th, 2012, 06:24 PM

I pumped a little the day my milk came in, by the next day I was comfortable again - had an abundance of milk but it was tolerable

**PumpkinZulu** · December 15th, 2012, 06:52 PM

Fantastic, thanks guys!

I've tried DD1 and so far no joy (unless I hand express a little onto her palm and she licks it off lol) but I'm going to keep offering, it's be great to get her back on. I'm definitely going to pump tonight to relieve how full and bruised I'm feeling. Then I can give DD1 that milk on her cereal and at nights

**PumpkinZulu** · December 15th, 2012, 07:57 PM

Okay, so another question. You'd think I'd have remembered all this from DD1

How much should I pump? A few minutes, until empty etc? Both boobs? Gah, I really don't want to get too involved with the pump if I can help it, but DD2 is happy to sleep quite a bit right now and my breasts are feeling very tight and achy on the under and sides.

**blessedatlast** · December 15th, 2012, 08:02 PM

Just pump til you feel comfortable.. If you pump til empty i think that will encourage your supply and it sounds like you don't need that at the moment..

**PumpkinZulu** · December 15th, 2012, 08:03 PM

That makes sense. Definitely don't want anything encouraging my supply bar my children

**MummyNaomi** · December 15th, 2012, 08:04 PM

Yep BAL is spot on

**feeb** · December 15th, 2012, 08:32 PM

Pump for comfort and ensure no lumps but do not pump too long as others have said it will cause more milk to be made which off course you don't want to create and oversupply issue.

**PumpkinZulu** · December 15th, 2012, 08:51 PM

I only pumped a little, maybe 30-60 seconds on each side. I would have gone longer but looked at the bottle and had 50-60ml from each side, and figured that was enough. Still feeling pretty bruised though. DD2 is having a bit of a feed now though so hopefully that'll help. If she sleeps too long tonight I'll have to get up and pump, my boobs are massive. I had a large supply last time, but never this soon. I blame the placenta pills and smoothies

**peanutter** · December 15th, 2012, 09:56 PM

That early, I'd express by hand and get DH to assist.

If you have to pump, maybe do it manual, and stop once relieved.

**feeb** · December 15th, 2012, 10:03 PM

Wow thats impressive!!! Pump is fine to use once milk in.

Try cool facewasher on breast after expressing to ease bruising pain feeling.

**Liz** · December 15th, 2012, 10:25 PM

Oh that brings back memories of that feeling of relief when baby drained a full-to-bursting boob. Feels so good LOL. Yeah, pump away. I pumped heaps when Kayla was prem.. I would get 200ml+ in 5 mins each side. It didn't seem to affect my supply that much, nor cause any issues once I stopped pumping. As someone said earlier, it's all hormone driven at the moment, not really on supply/demand. Be careful with manual massaging if they're feeling that full, you can bruise/damage the ducts. I would think it best to just pump/feed baby.

I also wouldn't worry about having to drain each side completely. Your body is obviously in overdrive as the milk comes in.. she doesn't have to drink it all. I've not been one to record or count which side we're up to or how many feeds etc. I would just feel which boob felt fuller and go with that. Use baby to relieve whichever is feeling like it needs to be drunk from

and then just make sure it's a decent feed before swapping. I found if the feed was too long on one side and then I swapped, she would only have a quick feed.. enough for let down, and then not need any more and I was left with a full boob :/