Engorgement

How long will it take for my milk supply to realise my tiny newborn can't keep up?

I'm conflicted, do I ease my suffering with hot or cold?

There is just so much milk.

Ok I tend to be a true jersey cow in the milk dept and my body makes enough for about 10 babies. A few tips. Block feeding. Feed only off one side in blocks say all feeds in a 3hr period off one boob and then switch to the other. That helps your supply settle quicker and helps bub get more of the fatty hind milk. If bub is struggling with flow try to feed uphill so lying as far back as you can ( I used to have to feed flat on my back when it was at its worst) For the hot n cold do both. Cabbage leaves are great to ease engorgement or ice packs (no longer than 20 minutes) They will help with the engorgement. But hot also works because it will get the milk flowing and release some of the engorgement. Hot showers were my best friend. As for how long, for most peopler supply settles between 6-12 weeks. At 4.5 months mine is much better but I still have a few issues with engorgement form time to time.

Congratulations on your litle one!
It does take a little time - block feedign is a good idea, and express to clear blockages. At this poitn your supply is driven primarily by hormones, so expressing to clear wont' boost your supply overly. Basically, in time the hormones ease off and your boobs will supply according to the amount of milk your baby takes
Give the ABA a call - 1800-686-2-686 - they can offer support and advice too.

OK when you say all feeds in a 3 hr period, do you mean wake up the baby for constant feeding?

How often is she feeding?
The 3 hours thing is just a rough guide, though most newborns will feed 8-12 times (or many more) in a 24 hour period

She feeds about once every 3 hours.

So maybe do two feeds in a row on one side, if you want. Will have to watch the other for lumps though and express those out if need be.

Yeah I'm a bit concerned, both boobs are lumpy but one actually has a lump of most likely damaged milk ducts. I've had mastitis and I'm worried. I don't want to go near a pump because I hate them but hand expressing isn't cutting it.

:-/

Can you get bub to feed a bit more frequently? That's the best way to empty them. Have you tried hand expressing with a warm flannel or in the shower?

Instead of block feeding you could also try expressing off some foremilk and then feeding so your baby gets plenty of hindmilk. Thats what the aba told me to do. I always only feed off one breast per feed that way bub is able to properly drain it. Have a look on the ABA website too as there are lots of tips on oversupply and blocked ducts and different feeding positions. Congratulations on the birth of your little one :)

I don't seem to get that crazy let down in the shower at all. Hmmmm.

Would witch hazel on the outside where it's hard help?

I'll check out the aba site.

Hi,

Most mothers tend to have an oversupply at the start, driven by high levels of hormones. It is important that whenever you feel uncomfortably full you move some of that milk - express by hand or pump (what sort of pump have you used previously?) Use ice or cold cabbage leaves to reduce the swelling - this will pass over the next weeks.

I used an avent hand pump. My nipples are quite large and were destroyed by pumping, also I would pump for an hour an get nothing. I'm working on hand expressing but I really just want lilac to do the job.

There are different sized flange-bits available, including some for ginormous nipples. have a look at the nursing angel webpage.
If you get the right sized part it makes the world of difference.
Also, how are you hand expressing? The best guide I have found is here:
Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Breastfeeding - expressing and storing breastmilk

Ah we had a sleepless night of constant feeding and cleared everything. I made sure each breast was fully emptied. I also wore a bra to bed which was comfy.

Today everything is flowing and the hand expressing is going well. I gave birth at a baby friendly hospital and they explained hand expressing really well.

Fx everything has settled and I avoided mastitis. I was scared. Thanks for your help.

Yay! That's good