bfing question

bh2720 · February 2012

Nursing is going pretty well with Z so far, he is definitely more into nursing than Warner ever was at this stage. And now that my milk is in, he's getting plenty to eat--yay!

However, since nursing never went well with Warner, I feel like I don't know how to manage this.

Z seems pretty content with feeding every 2 hours right now, but I kind of need to feed him more often to keep up with my crazy supply. For instance, I fed him at 8:30 this morning and have another 30 min to go now until I'll need to feed him again, but my boobs are like rocks and really sore. He's being a total dream right now in that he pretty much sleeps continuously in between feedings, so I don't want to wake him before I have to to feed, you know?

I guess I could pump, but I don't really have time or want to deal with that yet because my nips are still kind of sore anyway. And I kind of want my supply to regulate to what the baby needs. Does that make sense? Or should I just make time to pump? I'm so confused...(and sore)

MrsPhilDunphy · February 2012

Yay! I'm glad bfing is going well! If I were you, I would just pump (or even hand express) only enough to feel comfortable until he nurses again. If you pumped a lot you run the risk of making the problem worse and increasing your supply.

northernvabride · February 2012

Bfing DD#2 went so much better than Bfing DD#1, so I am glad you're having a similar experience (even if it is painful). I would also pump in general (never hurts to get some milk stored up), but right after he eats, if he goes right to sleep, or within 30-45 min, so you have some time to get some milk back before he is hungry again. If it is right after he eats, pump until there is nothing, but if it is a little while later, don't pump yourself dry. I hear you about wanting to have your supply be based on what he needs, but it can take a bit of time to regulate that, so I would go for your own comfort at this point. Just my 2 cents.

LindseyJW · February 2012

MrsPhilDunphy:
Yay! I'm glad bfing is going well! If I were you, I would just pump (or even hand express) only enough to feel comfortable until he nurses again. If you pumped a lot you run the risk of making the problem worse and increasing your supply.

this. except i would not pump. i would only hand express a tiny amount. pumping or expressing any sizable amount at this point will complicate the matter. it is waaaaaay too early to even think about building up a supply. you should allow your breasts and your baby time to figure out schedule and supply before anything else.

when you express milk, whether it is by hand, mouth or pump, the breast gets the message that the production was needed, which is the opposite of what you want.

hand express just enough so that you alleviate the pressure.

here is a good article: https://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/articles/oversupply-too-much-breast-milk

northernvabride · February 2012

I should add, after reading what Lindsey wrote, that I had a supply issue with both girls, and so the second time, I pumped as much as I could as early as possible, since everyone told me that would help me make more. Not sure if it worked or not, or if that was the wrong approach, but that is what I did. I agree if over-supply is an issue for you, pumping isn't a fantastic idea, especially this early on.

WinesNotWhines · February 2012

I'm glad it's going so well!

I would not pump. That will only increase your supply even more. Hand express a little bit if you need relief. You can also get some of those ice packs they make for nursing moms (you can find them in Target or BRU near the nursing supplies) - they're small and round and fit inside your nursing bra or tank. They will provide some relief from the engorgement. It should get better in a few days.

bh2720 · February 2012

thanks ladies!

ok, new prob...just looked at my right nipple and there is a little cluster of clear blisters on the tip. milk is definitely still coming out, but wtf are these and should i worry?

umdbride · February 2012

PPs have good advice already. One thing that made me more comfortable was wearing loose, but semi-supportive tops; like something super stretchy but not structured. Sometimes the nursing tanks were actually too tight and made the engorgement feel worse. GL and glad to hear BF is going well this time around!

LindseyJW · February 2012

bh2720:
thanks ladies!
ok, new prob...just looked at my right nipple and there is a little cluster on clear blisters. milk is definitely still coming out, but wtf are these and should i worry?

is it painless? does it go away within 15 minutes of nursing? if so, it's nothing to worry about. this still happens to me and audrey is 17 months old! it's just the skin being pulled away from the tissues slightly from latch friction. it doesn't happen often, but especially happens when she nurses longer than usual, or when my supply is low.

oversupply can also cause milk blisters to grow, which are usually not an issue unless they become infected.

if it is painful, or if it doesn't go away, you need to watch it closely. if it fills with puss (especially if the puss has a greenish tint or an odor) you may have the beginnings of an infection. if it fills with blood, you should see a lactation consultant - there may be issues with latch. regardless, eating garlic will help avoid infection. you can take garlic supplements, but just swallowing a few cloves a day is best. coat in honey!

you can try soaking your nipples in an epsom salt bath before nursing and be sure to apply a thick coating of lanolin after you nurse.

Sofka · February 2012

To echo PPs, don't pump b/c it'll only increase your supply. Your body should regulate itself in a few days.

I also agree that Z may have a latch issue and this may be something you want an LC to take a look at. My DS was a phenomenal nurser until the pain was unbearable and we realized he had a tight frenulum, he was still getting a ton of milk and I was producing a lot but he was not latching on properly. Getting a shield was our solution.

I am so glad it's going so well!

JKM416 · February 2012

They should regulate themselves pretty soon - cannonball boobs are not fun. When I was going through that with DS1, hot showers and aiming the spray directly at my chest helped a lot. It expressed enough to make me more comfortable without having to do it manually - which could hurt when engorged and I didn't find as efficient as the shower. It can also help keep mastitis at bay, which was something I was concerned about since I came close to it with DD.

ETA: I realize it's not practical to jump in the shower between each feeding. Warm moist compresses (like microwaving a wet washcloth, then put it in a plastic baggie and put a towel between it and your skin) can have the same affect, and I remember reading about filling a large bowl with warm water and bending over it to soak your chest.

vtkgirl77 · February 2012

I just wanted to say that I'm glad it's going better. #2 was much easier for me, partially because I knew more of what to expect and because I wasn't so nervous. So, I hope this time around is better for you too. He's so cute!

bh2720 · February 2012

LindseyJW:
bh2720:
thanks ladies!
ok, new prob...just looked at my right nipple and there is a little cluster on clear blisters. milk is definitely still coming out, but wtf are these and should i worry?
is it painless? does it go away within 15 minutes of nursing? if so, it's nothing to worry about. this still happens to me and audrey is 17 months old! it's just the skin being pulled away from the tissues slightly from latch friction. it doesn't happen often, but especially happens when she nurses longer than usual, or when my supply is low.
oversupply can also cause milk blisters to grow, which are usually not an issue unless they become infected.
if it is painful, or if it doesn't go away, you need to watch it closely. if it fills with puss (especially if the puss has a greenish tint or an odor) you may have the beginnings of an infection. if it fills with blood, you should see a lactation consultant - there may be issues with latch. regardless, eating garlic will help avoid infection. you can take garlic supplements, but just swallowing a few cloves a day is best. coat in honey!
you can try soaking your nipples in an epsom salt bath before nursing and be sure to apply a thick coating of lanolin after you nurse.

thanks for the advice everyone!!

Lindsey--the blisters are painless, in that it doesn't hurt anymore than the other nipple does. and it doesn't bother me when I'm not nursing. But it doesn't go away when I'm not nursing.

also, I am using a nipple shield because I have fairly flat nips and he couldn't latch without it.

and I think Sofka mentioned it, but the lactation consultant at the hospital check his tongue and said he didn't need to be snipped (thank goodness!)

LindseyJW · February 2012

bh2720:
LindseyJW:
bh2720:
thanks ladies!
ok, new prob...just looked at my right nipple and there is a little cluster on clear blisters. milk is definitely still coming out, but wtf are these and should i worry?
is it painless? does it go away within 15 minutes of nursing? if so, it's nothing to worry about. this still happens to me and audrey is 17 months old! it's just the skin being pulled away from the tissues slightly from latch friction. it doesn't happen often, but especially happens when she nurses longer than usual, or when my supply is low.
oversupply can also cause milk blisters to grow, which are usually not an issue unless they become infected.
if it is painful, or if it doesn't go away, you need to watch it closely. if it fills with puss (especially if the puss has a greenish tint or an odor) you may have the beginnings of an infection. if it fills with blood, you should see a lactation consultant - there may be issues with latch. regardless, eating garlic will help avoid infection. you can take garlic supplements, but just swallowing a few cloves a day is best. coat in honey!
you can try soaking your nipples in an epsom salt bath before nursing and be sure to apply a thick coating of lanolin after you nurse.
thanks for the advice everyone!!
Lindsey--the blisters are painless, in that it doesn't hurt anymore than the other nipple does. and it doesn't bother me when I'm not nursing. But it doesn't go away when I'm not nursing.
also, I am using a nipple shield because I have fairly flat nips and he couldn't latch without it.
and I think Sofka mentioned it, but the lactation consultant at the hospital check his tongue and said he didn't need to be snipped (thank goodness!)

glad it's not painful. likely that it's not going away because NBs nurse so frequently. i think it couldn't hurt to put a call in to your LC. just to make sure there is nothing more you can do...and you want to make sure they blisters don't turn into something more.

FWIW, i had my worst nursing days with #2 between 2 and 10 days pp, unlike #1 where painful nursing went on for weeks.

Hey Jellisy · February 2012

Just wanted to add that I am glad it is going well. Number 2 was so much easier for me too since the learning curve was only on one end. If I remember correctly, you to are well endowed. At no point have I ever been able to wear nursing tops without underwire, it just didn't work for me.

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