Engorgement question (EBF)

jenb_99 · August 2014

DD is EBF. No bottles, no pumping, just the boob. She has some light days, but today she's eaten like a bird all day. She's happy but sleepy. I assume she's either recovering from or preparing for a growth spurt. I've been full and sore all day but I figured NBD, my supply will adjust and she'll take care of it as her appetite increases. And I was only truly engorged for the first couple of feedings today, so I didn't bother pumping. I also didn't want to make the problem worse by triggering more production.

But now my mom has me second guessing myself (don't you love that?). She acted like I was crazy for not pumping and told me I'm hurting my supply. So I looked it up on kellymom and it says you should pump during a nursing strike, but I don't consider this a nursing strike. This is just a light day.

Right???

What do you do on your LO's light days? I know expressing a little can help discomfort, but under normal circumstances it's not necessary, is it?

This is my second baby but the first to successfully breastfeed. I guess some days I need a little reassurance. $:\$

skyrockets · August 2014

I'm new to breastfeeding too but I think I would pump to feel comfortable if I were in your position. How old is your little one? Hope you feel better soon.

spacepotatoes · August 2014

You can still pump but limit how long/how much. I forget which section of Kellymom talks about it, I think the over active letdown one maybe. Pump for about 10 mins, just enough to get relief but not enough to stimulate more production.

In The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep, Dr. Karp says to just pump 1 or 2 oz. with my manual pump, I get 2 oz in 10 mins when engorged.

If you're uncomfortable, just pump. Not worth risking a clogged duct or mastitis by waiting it out.

jenb_99 · August 2014

@Itay1982 She's 10 weeks.

@spacepotatoes I probably will next time. I was out most of the day, so I couldn't have pumped today anyway. I don't have much trouble with clogged ducts; I'm more worried about my supply tanking. But she's making up for it tonight, cluster feeding ever since I wrote the post. I'll be sore for totally different reasons tomorrow! Ouch.

Junebug060609 · August 2014

Personally, when my kids have days like that I pump just enough to take the edge off. Usually no more than 2-3 oz total (both sides). It's never messed with my supply either way.

jenb_99 · August 2014

Good to know, @Junebug060609. Thanks!

ns1 · August 2014

I would leave it be. I figure my body will adjust to whatever LO is doing without the need for pumping.

waldothewiener1 · August 2014

Definitely not necessary. It's just one day she ate a little less than usual. She'd have to be eating like that for an extended period of time to really impact you. I'd only pump to take advantage of building my stash on days like that.

blessednewmom1 · August 2014

I usually just let it be. Even if my supply drops a bit from the engorgement it returns in a day or so.

jenb_99 · August 2014

She fixed the problem herself by nursing more often late last night and longer this morning. Crazy. I guess babies really know what they're doing.

krlovell · August 2014

On light days I go ahead and pump so this way my supply stays up and I also have added to my stash. But one day really won't change your supply but if LO does it for a couple days id definitely pump.

jenb_99 · August 2014

@MK1013 Oh no, you poor thing. You just can't catch a break! FX that you heal quickly and with minimal pain.

spacepotatoes · August 2014

MK1013 said:

Just when I thought I loved BF and all of my problems were solved (nipples that didn't heal til the 8 week mark, engorgement, clogged ducts, OALD, thrush) I now have Mastitis. Just thought I would vent here. I want to cry. And quit. (

Oh, that sucks! Feel better soon, and never quit on a bad day!

spacepotatoes · August 2014

MK1013 said:

@spacepotatoes‌ it sure does suck. So much going on this week. Hoping the antibiotics kick in quick! I've told myself I've made it this far, I can't quit now. I worry next the thrush will be back from taking antibiotics? Ughhh....

If you aren't already, taking probiotics can help reduce the chances of thrush.

LeeLee86 · August 2014

@Jenb_99 Yes I pump on light days or when she only takes one side. I only pump 10 minutes but I've been able to slowly build a stash bc it just makes me more comfortable to know its there just in case. But like you said EBF babies usually make up for it later lol.
@MK1013 don't give up you're doing great! Supplement if it will help you keep going through this but you are doing the best thing you can for your LO

jenb_99 · August 2014

@MK1013 If you remind your doctor about your history of thrush, s/he might go ahead and prescribe Diflucan for you to take as a preventative. Wouldn't hurt to ask! And be pushy about it.

jenb_99 · August 2014

@‌MK1013 I probably would. But if you're going use the Nystatin, do a full treatment like you would if you actually had thrush.

QOTR · August 2014

Good luck @mk1013 and @Lissiehoya‌ !

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