BFing Q

unaveragejane

So L just spent over 15 minutes screaming at my right boob bc it is a bit engorged. I hand expressed until it wasn't coming out so fast, but he still wouldn't stay latched. I finally put him on the left side. Now I don't know what to do bc he always just takes one side per feed so this problem is going to come up more now that he is starting to sleep more than 2 hours at a time. Should I express into a bottle to relieve the pressure, or will that just encourage the problem? Craaaaaaap. Why does bfing have to be SO EFFING HARD?!?!?!

freezorburn

So sorry you are having a rough time. I've heard of people BFing off just one side, but I don't know much about it. Does L seem to be getting enough off just the one breast?

sasq09

L ate just one side with the exception of growth spurts where she pretty much lived latched to a boob 24 hours a day. My supply evened out eventually to the point that if I got mixed up it didn't matter much. L never had trouble unless my boob was too hard, then I would express just enough for her to latch comfortably.

TJ1979

What maple said BFing hugs here too. It'll get better.

Rrrrrachel

Yeah express enough that you are comfortable and he can latch, but just try to express as little as possible. A lot of engorgment is actually swelling, too, so cold compresses can help.

unaveragejane

I expressed into the sink when he woke to eat at 6:00, but I still couldnt get it soft enough for him to latch. He's now nursing the left side for the third time in a row. My right side hasn't nursed for 11 hours. I think it's going to explode like a blown out tire. If I don't expire before he gets done eating, I'm going to pump. This sucks.

Loriimagination

From the time F was about 4 or 5 months old to 12 months he only nursed on my right side at night when he was half asleep. He had a huge preference for the left. Right has always been the one that produces a little less so I just pumped once a day and then made sure he nursed on that side at night. It worked just fine for us. My boobs eventually got used to it. Now he's an equal opportunity nurser.

I second the manual pump idea too.

violajack

N has mostly only ever eaten off one side per feed. And he only wakes once per night, so one boob is always going a long time between feeds overnight. I try to alternate which one he gets at night to keep it even, but he'll latch pretty well if I just smoosh the areola down enough to get the nipple into his mouth. I find that engorgement comes and goes but usually works itself out after a few days. I still have a nursing toddler too though, so I'll use him instead of a pump to work out engorgement. He'll empty the boob, which isn't really the idea, but he has no trouble latching if it's full because his mouth is so much bigger.

Brandiewine11

First of all, hugs to you. You're doing an awesome job. Next, just pump that side so he can latch again and you are comfortable. It will even out eventually. I also used a manual pump a few times just to get a few ounces and then let the baby eat from that side. I had a massive supply in the beginning and that technique worked well. It has not caused a long term problem.

TJ1979

Oh! Also look up reverse pressure softening.

stoneycakes

TJ1979 said:

Oh! Also look up reverse pressure softening.

I did not know this had a name!  

freezorburn

Wow, I wish I had known about that when we were struggling with all kinds of stuff in those early days!

unaveragejane

So last night went much better. I tried nursing on my overproducing side for back-to-back sessions before bed, so it wasn't nearly as engorged by the time he nursed on it again early this morning. I really appreciate all the words of encouragement!

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unaveragejane

theultimatesak said:

@unaveragejane, I really applaud how hard you've worked to make a go of breastfeeding this time around.  it hasn't been easy for sure, and I'm really inspired by your perserverence.  

Honestly, I'm too cheap and too stubborn to switch to quit yet. My mom doesn't think I'll make it to 6 months. Have to prove her wrong!

Mandmeesh

unaveragejane said:

theultimatesak said:

@unaveragejane, I really applaud how hard you've worked to make a go of breastfeeding this time around.  it hasn't been easy for sure, and I'm really inspired by your perserverence.  

Honestly, I'm too cheap and too stubborn to switch to quit yet. My mom doesn't think I'll make it to 6 months. Have to prove her wrong!

Boo to unsupportive moms

YOU WILL DO IT, JANE!!!

unaveragejane

She's not meaning to be unsupportive; she just thinks it's going to be too much trouble. She only made it to about 3 months bfing my brother and me before she says she couldn't make enough milk for us. I have a feeling she started supplementing early and sabotaged her supply by accident. She also got pregnant when I was only 3 months old, so I'm guessing that hurt her supply, too.

Mandmeesh

unaveragejane said:

She's not meaning to be unsupportive; she just thinks it's going to be too much trouble. She only made it to about 3 months bfing my brother and me before she says she couldn't make enough milk for us. I have a feeling she started supplementing early and sabotaged her supply by accident. She also got pregnant when I was only 3 months old, so I'm guessing that hurt her supply, too.

It's so nice to have a lot of information . You are awesome, Jane