milk supply

Hanako - posted on 06/05/2009

Kristen,

You're right to be a little confused... it all sounds a little backwards, doesn't it? lol...

Here's my advice... until your supply settles down and 'tunes in' a little more finely to you bubs needs, I wouldn't worry about expressing to store (unless you have to for work etc).

Often, if you have mastitis, it is very hard to drain the breast properly. Feed feed feed and perhaps try pumping to help clear the blockage and infection. BUT this doesn't have to be a continuous thing. The more you pump, the more your will produce, so it does become a vicious cycle. Unless you want to store milk, I would steer clear of the pump and just let you supply regulate itself. If you are feeling really full between feeds then just express a little bit to take the 'edge off' until bubs wakes for a feed. Keep a look out for any sore or red spots that could indicate a blockage. If you find any, give them a good massage in the shower, or with a hot compress, to try and clear them. The advice about changing positions is a great one too. Your baby is probably the most efficient way of unblocking a duct so try everything from a football hold to kneeling over him on all 4s (yes, it looks odd but can help :) ).



My other advice would be to have a good look at what you're wearing to bed at night. If you have engorged breasts and are wearing anything that cuts into them then that can cause problems with blocked ducts etc. It's really hard when you're boobs leak everywhere all night (well, mine did for a long time). Perhaps a tight fitting singlet might be the way to go? And make sure that when you're feeding (particularly at night) you don't have a bra, or any other clothing that is stopping all of your breast from being drained, for example right at the edge near your arm pit...



All the best! I hope that's helped

Rebecca - posted on 06/05/2009

Hind sight is 20/20 and and after being in your situation I say pump when ever you feel engorged the baby will catch up to the increased milk supply and you can never have to much milk saved up, you never know when you will need it. I also recommend that if you are engorged and it is feeding time pump just a little so the baby doesn't get an over flow all at once, some times it can make them choke a little.

Melissa - posted on 06/05/2009

This is a tough question. You should pump during the day if your baby has not eaten well.If you fell engorged during the day, you should pump and massage those areas that may be sore. At night, I recommend never wake a sleeping baby. My children have always slept through the night and I have had a several nights that I woke up with painful breasts. Pump enough to relieve swelling, but leave some if the baby awakes an hour later. In the morning, you will always wake with very full breasts. Feed as much as the baby will take, then pump until you are completely empty (freeze and store). If you start developing a sore spot on your breast, warm compresses and massage while feeding/pumping should help.

Sarah - posted on 06/05/2009

Pumping could potential increase your milk supply, but I wouldn't worry too much about that. Your baby is so young, and he will quickly catch up to an increased supply. That being said, I wouldn't recommend a full pumping anyway. Take a warm shower, or use a warm compress and just manualy pump out a little- enough to reduce the pain. Another way to relieve clogged ducts is by the way you nurse- sometimes, if you always hold the baby in the same position, the milk doesn't drain from all the ducts. Switch it up a little. Once, I had to lay my baby on the floor and kneel over her, upside-down. I felt like a cow, but it worked!

Your supply will match up with his demand, it just takes a while sometimes. If he is sleeping 4-5 hours, consider yourself lucky! I wouldn't wake him unless he goes past the 5 hours, or if he hadn't been nursing much throughout the whole day. As long as he is having about 6 wet diapers in 24 hours, you can be assured he is getting enough.

My mother told me once, "Breastfeeding my be the most natural thing in the world, but that doesn't mean it is easy!" Truer words were never spoken! There will be many ups and downs, but I applaude you for making the decision to nurse. It is the best thing you can do for your child. I would recommend that you find your local La Leche League group and attend the monthly meetings. It is a great resource, and I'm sure you will make some great friends there, like I did. My daughter weaned more than two years ago, and I still attend the meetings sometimes for advice on raising her!