Can I do just one big pump?

[KimmyF]

Hi Everyone
My beautiful DD arrived on Saturday and last night my milk started to come in, she fed beautifully just after birth and Saturday night but not so well Sunday and Monday (wasn't opening her mouth wide enough etc) but from yesterday afternoon she started to get on properly with the use of the shield. We are off to Lactation Day Stay tomorrow for that. BUT my supply is HUGE and my boobs just feel like they will burst! They are lumpy and sore and even after she feeds they feel hard and sore, (can't even lie down) i am demand feeding and offering her the breast whenever she wants it asshe went for such a long time on Sunday without anything.
I ended up pumpiing off a little this morning for some comfort ( I did 5 mins each side and got 80ml) I know the more I take the more I make etc but could i do just one big pump would this effect my supply and make it come back even more so???

Thanks

[MrsFabuloso]

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Really try not to, but you also don't want to get mastitis...so I think if you're uncomfy, pump til you're comfortable. But as you said the more you pump the more you make. I would think if you empty your boobs with one big pump, they will just refill in no time. Because bub is so tiny your boobs are still trying to figure out what she needs so they're kind of in overdrive! Maybe have a shower and massage your boobs in warm water, put some heat packs or cold packs (whichever feels the best for you) on your boobs and see how you go. Good luck hun, I hope they settle soon.

[Olive]

id pump them darl, remember they are hormone driven and not baby driven, i had the same issues after DD2 and i pumped them til soft

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

Most women find that in the early days of lactation they make relatively too much milk for their baby. As Olive says, at this stage your milk supply is hormone driven, not baby driven, that happens a little further down the track. So the rule for the early days is that whenever your breasts feel uncomfortably full, express a little for comfort. Having said that, if you feel very engorged some people find that a thorough, once off pump works well for them

[Catherine]

and don't forget you can call the breastfeeding helpline 1800 MUM 2 MUM anytime

[HotI]

I did one super duper pump in the early days and it felt brilliant and helped clear my blockages. It kinda felt like i hit the reset button. i was scared that it would lead to bigger supply but i didn't have any probs.

[KimmyF]

Thanks guys, I just fed her and after the feed I pumped another 30ml of each breast and now they feel a bit more comfortable. Am i able to freeze this milk for use later, not sure because my milk is still starting to come in

[Barb Glare]

Of course you can freeze it for later

[MrsBexie]

What she said! LOL

I had MASSIVE porn star boobs when my milk came in, and I would pump whenever they were full and sore but only enough to make them comfy, then DD would drain them...

As everyone else said, pumping is fine at the moment!! It is safer than risking mastitis!!!

[helle]

Definitely go the pump!
I so don't miss the engorged pammy boobs that's for sure! they'll settle down in a few weeks

[MantaRay]

I had massive engorgement with both boys - it is the absolute pits. It wasn't until I had DS2 that a midwife suggested a one-off full pump. And thank goodness - what a huge difference it made. The engorgement came back a little bit afterwards but not nearly so bad and it was far more comfortable. Definitely worth doing hun - I hope you feel much better afterwards

[KimmyF]

Thanks everyone, Well i got 150ml off (all up from both breasts) and felt soooo much better, thanks again they are so much more comfortable now and DD is now feeding without the shield and going great guns. so one very happy mummy here

[MantaRay]

That's great news hun.

[MrsBexie]

Yay for pumping the massive boobs!!! So glad you feel better!

[HotI]

Yay! glad you are more comfortable.