FTM: Breastfeeding @ 3 days PP. Need help!

katea81

Hi everyone. Didn't think I'd be on this board for a few more weeks! My LO was born at 37 weeks on Sunday. He has been in the  NICU since so I feed him when I can, they supplement with formula and I pump while iI am home.  He's been doing pretty well with it and I've been getting a good amount of colostrum/milk every time I pump for him. But- my boobs HURT.  They are rock solid, sore as hell and huge. Is this just because my milk is coming in and my body is adjusting? Will the pain subside? I took a warm shower this morning and then pumped. Will probably use a bag of veggies on them in a little bit to get them to feel better. I've been pumping 15ish minutes per breast, but the hardness isn't really going away. Help me out! Does it get better ladies? Any advice/words of wisdom/support would be so appreciated at this point!  

shotzie

Yep, you're engorged due to your milk coming in. It might last a few days, but the discomfort will go away. Keep pumping every 2-3 hrs to mimic how often you'd be bf'ing to help establish your supply.

Indiechixor

shotzie:

Keep pumping every 2-3 hrs to mimic how often you'd be bf'ing to help establish your supply.

+1! 

Set an alarm! It's amazing how quick time flies by, and it'll be nice to have a regular supply by the time you bring home little one.

Hope everything works out! 

tokenhoser

Ibuprofin is safe and will help with the discomfort, as well. It will improve within a couple days (I promise, we don't all walk around with porn-star boobs for a year+).

Definitely pump every 2-3 hours and leave the milk for your LO to minimize the formula and ensure your supply comes in fully. Good luck!

Mrs.Felicity

shotzie:

Yep, you're engorged due to your milk coming in. It might last a few days, but the discomfort will go away. Keep pumping every 2-3 hrs to mimic how often you'd be bf'ing to help establish your supply.

Exactly right - keep doing what you're doing, it will get better, and your little one will benefit so much for all the BM you're able to provide!

Good luck bringing him home soon!!

pitterpatter129

Also, if you aren't doing some breast compressions while pumping will help get some milk out of them!  You can google how to do these.

 

Kimberly92405

tokenhoser:

we don't all walk around with porn-star boobs for a year

LOL.

I agree with previous posts.  I wasn't planning on BFing at all then decided to give it a chance and now I've been doing it exclusively for 9 months. I work full time so a lot of it is pumping.  If it hurt as bad as it did those first few weeks I couldn't have kept it up.  Hang in there!

ns1

Like PPs said, totally normal, just your milk coming in.  The best advice I got from a nurse in the hospital before my milk came in was just to "keep doing what you're doing" when I got home and my milk came in.  Your body will adjust itself.  I used frozen peas for a while and they helped a little bit.  

Good luck!