XP: BFing questions

847Christine

DD has been sleeping for 3, 4, or 5 hour stretches from about 3 weeks, & she slept for almost 7 hours last night, which is WONDERFUL... except the fact that I still wake up w/engorged breasts. I try to wake her just enough to feed her & sometimes she will, but never enough to empty both boobs. So I end up pumping anyway, which ends up keeping me awake for at least 30 minute stretches once or twice a night. * sigh * I shouldn't complain, I'm so thankful that I'm even able to have a baby & feed her at my breast, but... what I want to know is, will this always be like this, or does it eventually get better? Is there anything else I can do to improve this situation? It would be great to sleep through the night, now that DD is getting closer to that point.

luvlieK

Is it possible to sleep and not pump? ?Wait until she wakes up to feed? ?Because if you pump, you are telling your body that you need the milk then. ?I never really have had it be too painful, so I don't know how it is for others. ?good luck, I hope it gets better for you!

photo_nut

By pumping both sides, you are actually telling your body to make the milk, and you will remain engorged.  If you do nothing, your engorgement should stop in a 3 days or so, just pump enough to not be in pain, which is usually like 1-2 minutes or so. You could even hand express which would is usually enough to relieve some pressure and not signal your body to  make more milk

julygal

I agree with pp.  You will only have a few days of discomfort, then your body will regulate to your DD's needs.

Tara Lu

I had exactly the same situation with DD. It really does get better fast if you do nothing! Your supply will regulate itself.

Maybe try a cold compress if it's really bad?

Em&B

I don't get engorged normally, but it's happened a few times so I know it can be uncomfortable. But, like the pp's have said, if you keep pumping your body will think you need that milk so it's probably best to tough it out for a few days or just pump enough to relieve the pressure and eventually your body will regulate itself.

Alirebco

I remember those days...I would have to get up and pump too since I was so engorged, I was leaking all over. ?I would just pump for a couple of minutes just so I was comfortable but still full. ?Your body will adjust in a few days! ?GL!

847Christine

It's so ironic, I wasn't producing enough at 1st so I had to supplement & pump.  I guess that's why I'm afraid to stop pumping.  But it sounds like I can ease off gradually & just relieve the engorgment...?  Thank you ladies SO much!!! 

hula_lula

Ditto the other ladies. but I also wanted to say:

She's a MONTH old already!? Holy cow!!