- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Multiples
Quit pumping early? HELP! Here's what my doctor said . . .
I had my girls two weeks ago, Caroline Frances, 5lbs. 12oz., and Madelyn Ruth, 4lbs. 8oz., when my water broke at 36 weeks, 3 days, one week prior to my scheduled c-section. I am sorry to not to have posted much at all lately - I had a painful pregnancy at the end and have been completely swamped since the delivery (I'm sure you understand that!).
I have been pumping every 3 hours since the girls were born, and I am absolutely exhausted and depressed. (I haven't had success breastfeeding because the girls had a "tongue tie," and it wasn't clipped until a few days ago, and they don't want to latch now.) I have also been painfully engorged for almost a week (on one side or another). I went to my doctor today and here's what he said . . .
I will need to pump every 3 hours until 6 weeks to minimize engorgement (which I will have for at least that long).
If I wanted to quit before then, I would need to wrap my breasts in ace bandages keep them dry and hope that I stop producing milk. They will be engorged, probably get infected, and I would probably run a fever. He says I would not have any luck cutting back on number or length of pumpings, since it would only cause more engorgement.
Needless to say, I have been in tears since hearing this. Did you quit before 6 weeks? Did you pump less than every 3 hours during the first 6 weeks? How did you do it, and how did it go?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Quit pumping early? HELP! Here's what my doctor said . . .
1) Do you want to quit pumping long-term? Or are you just tired of engorgement?
2) Have you been talking with a lactation consultant?
A lactation consultant will be MUCH more help to you than your doctor... especially because he is a well, "he" ; ) And, it's obvious he's never breastfed a baby or pumped breast milk! I urge you to get in contact with a lactation consultant ASAP.(should be available through the hospital you delivered at, or through Le Leche League, though I found the LC's at our hospital much more helpful).
You should not be dealing with painful engorgement for 6 weeks. Whenever you feel engorged, you can hand express some milk to relieve the pressure. DO NOT try to quit cold turkey by wrapping with bandages. Your doc is correct about this, it most likely will lead to mastitis and lots of pain. (I tried doing this after I had my 1st son... did not end well.)
I had an insane milk supply so I was pretty engorged for a while. I kept pumping though, every 3 hours. I had someone helping me with my babies so I was able to do it. My kids were also preemies so they didn't nurse well. I always pumped when I was engorged except when I had a clogged duct, a baby got it out better than the pump did. It was definitely miserable but I kept at it and EPed for about 11 months.
I would see a lactation consultant. Maybe you aren't doing something right and they can help. I found mine quite helpful. Doctors don't always give the best advice about breastfeeding (especially male drs.) Definitely call an LC and if you are not ready to give up Pumping - then don't do it!
your doc is clueless
www.kellymom.com has good info on quitting and everything else pumping/nursing related.
I EP'd for my singleton for 2 months and for the twins only 4 weeks... I never pumped at night (for either time)... i'd wake engorged, but pump and it would be better... I pumped every 3 hours during the day - right after they at their bottle... then would save that pumping for the next bottle. We formula fed at night.
I got mastitis once - at 2 weeks after i had the twins- b/c i wasn't pumping enough... sometimes i would go 4 hours or so b/c i was so busy with the twins + my toddler.... it was HELL -- after that, plus just not being happy about pumping - i decided I'd do it until DH went back to work at 4 weeks... I could do it until then -- but after that i was done.
When i quit (both times) i started to drop one pump time for a couple days...then drop another... then another... until i was down to one pump/day (in the morning)... I'd put ice packs in my bra as needed for the pain -- and avoid ANY pressure on them -- i was careful how i held the babies... careful how i slept (only on my back- not side/belly b/c it would put pressure on them)... and made sure the water didn't run on them in the shower. It took me a few days each time for the pain/engogment to go away - and about a week total to be totally dry. I did not wrap my breasts with anything.... just wore a supportive bra. A little ibuprofen helps, too.
Do what you need to do for you - the babies will be fine with formula or breast milk... but they need a happy mom.
This!
I agree w/pp, a LC would be sooo helpful to you right now... asap.
Mine had trouble latching, and we weren't supposed to just BF anyway b/c they needed extra cal fortification to gain weight.
One trick to minimize pain is wet a diaper and put it in the microwave to warm it, then use it as a compress on your breasts. You can use cloth diapers or disposable. I had to do this often... was constantly dealing with painful lumps.
my boys are 4 weeks old so i'm right there with you. that said, your doctor is trying to scare the crap out of you.
yes i was engorged 2 weeks ago. i would go from 1 breast to the other breast. it sucked. i was miserable pumping, it hurt and i would just about cry. the pain in my nipples was really bad. but (so far, knock wood) i haven't gotten an infection. it's not guaranteed.
that said, i'm still doing it. i'm trying to wean down but i can't bring myself to actually do it so i'm still doing it every 3-4 hours.
if you want to keep with it, get some lanolin. it will help with the nipple pain a lot.
as for the engorgement, try to pump before you actually get engorged. i would massage my breast while pumping and it helped a ton.