Formula-feeding FTMs and STMs

LLBean2012 · August 2012

During childbirth class, the nurse mentioned that anyone who plans to formula feed (this not a request for debate, but a question for those who for whatever reason will be FF like myself), should bind their breasts after delivery. She specifically mentioned getting a Medela or other brand ab shaper-type thing to wear over a tight sports bra. Is this necessary from the very beginning when you deliver? Does your milk come in right away? Would just a tight sports bra do the trick? Thanks in advance for anyone who has researched it or second-time moms with experience.

gingerfamily · August 2012

I only got to bf DD for about 10 days. But, when I was done I had no problem drying up. Your milk normally comes in anywhere from 3-7 days pp. I think a sports bra will be just fine. I've heard of cabbage leaves too, but I'm not sure if that's an old wives tale or not.

Demedoll · August 2012

Everyone is different but generally this should not be necessary. A tight sports bra should do the trick even if you decided to let the baby drink your colostrum for the first day or two your milk shouldn't come in enough that you would need to bind.

Some women for whatever genetic or dietary reason start to swell in advance of their delivery and their milk comes quick. If this happens to you you can still use a sports bra a cup small and put some cabbage in it. I know it sounds gross or like an old wives tale but the cabbage really does help you dry out fast.

good luck!

Holly_1007 · August 2012

antihistamines (sp?) supposedly dry up a milk supply, I think dayquil/ nyquil contain this, as well as just cold medicine, if you find yourself in excruciating pain this might help. I've never heard of binding the breasts.

teacherjess · August 2012

I used a tight sports bra. You really just don't want them to be able to bounce around or jiggle a lot because they will be very hard and sensitive to the touch for 2-3 days. Keep them out of the shower spray and get some breast pads, because they will leak until they are dry. Not a lot, but enough that breast pads will help.

isacdimi10 · August 2012

I wore tight sports bras both times and never had pain or any signs of drying up.

The nurses just suggested I be wearing a nice tight bra, they didn't care the type.

dmfan897 · August 2012

That sounds crazy to me. With DD1 I didn't even wear a tight sports bra..just my normal bras and I made sure not to touch/stimulate my breasts. I also iced them for a few hours on the worst night. I think my milk came in on the 3rd night after delivery and I felt mostly normal within 24 hours. With DD2 it was a little different because I BF for almost a month. But still I just wore a tight sports bra and made sure not to stimulate my breasts and I dried up within a few days.

Whatever anyone says, do not pump at all to "relieve the pressure". Taking milk out of yours breasts signals them to make more..it will only draw out the process. It does hurt when your milk comes in but leaving your breasts alone will make things go much smoother. I've also heard of people using sudafed and cabbage leaves to help things but I never needed them.

klgrh6 · August 2012

At birthing class the nurse recommended buying a tight sports bra and wearing it 24/7 even when sleeping. She said the only time it should be taking off is to shower with your back toward the water, and to put on a clean one. Also cabbage leaves supposedly help dry out milk quickly. Being a FTM I guess I'll find out what works best for me. As of now, I have a few tight sports bras on hand, an ACE bandage if I need extra tightening, and nursing pads for leakage.

LLBean2012 · August 2012

Thank you all so much for the good advice. I posted because she was a little (how do I say this politely) old-fashioned with some her beliefs on various other topics...looks like her advice was a little off on this as well. I feel MUCH better after reading your experiences. I had already purchased a nursing and a couple of sports bras...will need to pick up pads, too. I had been ignoring that on the packing lists because of the plan to FF. Thanks!

terri_doula2010 · August 2012

Not a FF but cabbage leaves work surprisingly well. Keep them in your tight bra, change them when they wilt/get icky.

I went on a trip without DS in January and I started getting a plugged duct. I did *not* want it to turn into mastitis (again), so I used cabbage leaves until the plug was done and my supply was low enough to manage with hand expression. Obviously in your case you'd keep using the cabbage til your milk is gone.

MomiJerz · August 2012

I used a sports bra and frozen peas

cmumama · August 2012

I used just a sports bra and an ice pack (for 1 or 2 nights) when I was really sore. It took only a few days for my milk to dry up. I BF'd for 1 week and then pumped for 2 more.

Dncr251 · August 2012

teacherjess:
I used a tight sports bra. You really just don't want them to be able to bounce around or jiggle a lot because they will be very hard and sensitive to the touch for 2-3 days. Keep them out of the shower spray and get some breast pads, because they will leak until they are dry. Not a lot, but enough that breast pads will help.

This. I'm not sure of everyone else's experiences, but it was very uncomfortable

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