Mummy is much better without fever after taking antibiotic given by gynae who was worried on last Monday (28July2008) check-up seeing the right side of the right breast was a bit red.
Now Mummy is in dilemma, some people advised Mummy not to pump and just direct feed Ariel to avoid over supply. Some people advised Mummy to empty the whole breast.
The problem Mummy is facing is unable to empty up the whole breast. Is it because during this situation, it is impossible to make Mummy’s breast soft to indicate that it is empty? Mummy did try to pump until nothing to pump but then Mummy’s breast not totally soft (‘lembik’). Mummy is getting confuse now. Mummy tried hot compress but still cannot totally soften the breast.
Mummy’s freezer now had more than 80 oz breast milk and Mummy is slowly de-freezing the breast milk bit by bit for Jeriel to mix with his usual milk powder because freezer out of space already.
Which is the right way?
- To empty or not to empty?
- How to know whether the breast is totally empty?
- If soft breast is the indication of empty breast, how to pump everything out?
Mummy hopes to get help for experience Mummy out there….
Other related posts on Breastfeeding Experiences.
22 comments:
hi Chanel, as I know some of the breast pump can't empty the breast totally. my relative who used the medela electric pump experienced this, so in order to empty the breast, she manually expressed the milk using hand after the pumping session.
For me, I could totally empty my breast using the Avent manual pump.
direct feed now before u start work and ur body will know when to produce milk. u can also squeeze out some esp when u hv engorgement
In my opinion, better to empty. I was oso having engorgement probs during the 1st 2 mths. Was hosp for breast inf. If it had been more serious (mastitis), I'd hv to go for surgery.
I oso had difficulty emptying the breast by pumping. The best way is to let bb feed directly. U can try to pump 1 side while bfg Ariel on the other. It helps with the let-down reflex while bb's sucking. So at 1 period of time (after his milk intake is more stable), I was feeding CE ebm, then let him suckle n I pump at the same time. All the best to u!
for me, whenever the breast becomes soft, it should be empty coz no more milk is being pumped.
Don't push yourself too hard. If you do not feel any more pain, just leave it. It's not necessary to empty it.
the hot towel worked pretty fine for me, when i felt breasts hard (engorged) but pumped nothing out, i would massage my breasts and put hot towel on them, after this, i normally could empty my breasts.
hope you're fine now..
I salute you for your patient & determination...
Err... I feel my breast does not become soft by expressing using medela electric pump. But compared to avent manual pump, the breasts became softer than using medela electric pump. Also, by direct breastfeed my baby, my breasts became very soft.
Hehehe...I never have this scenario before because my production was not as good as yours.
I find that Avent pump can empty my breast very well and I get a fuller breast if I do that.
Of coz direct feeding is the best! Hassle free.
One thing I learnt from my two boys. I used to pump out everything for Joshua and I still had my supply running. For Joel I tried to direct breast feed, and the supply is not as great as Joshua's time. I guess, the more you extract, the more it will come.
At the beginning, I also had hard lumps at both sides of my breasts. I tried every method I know but failed. I can't even lay down at one side as it's painful. Then my midwife came and asked me to try breastfed in The clutch (or football) position: The baby's head is supported by your hand, but instead of lying along your chest, his body rests between your side and your arm, clutched like a purse or a football. His feet protrude from under your arm, while the opposite hand holds your breast. This position can suckle milk from side of breast better, it works for me. To empty or not is depend on whether u want more milk or not! I think ur problem now is the hard lump at right side of ur breast, right? Try to breastfeed in different position! Good luck.
if you want to reduce milk production, i guess it's best to pump out jz enough to relieve the engorgement... but if you want to maintain this level (ie so much milk!) then pump them until they're empty and then try applying cold cabbage to soften the breasts??
Definitely to empty the breast. It is to keep the supply flowing. Empty it even if you are going to discard it.
When there isn't anymore milk coming out, that means the breast is empty.
You may want to invest in a good pump. I used to use a handheld manual, could only get 2 oz out of it. When I bought a dual pump back pack Madela, I could get 8 oz from each breast per pump and about 42 oz per day.
Did you try www.mymombest.com?
try searching for the forum. Lots of moms out there breastfed all their 4 to 5 kids. Good place to get info
hmm..don't empty if there's really too much, just leave it there..then slowly the breast will adjust back..just pump some out to ease the engorgement
Hi chanel, I don't think the breast can be totally emptied out. I had really full breasts as well. Just let baby nurse often I think. My breasts used to be so full that i constantly smelled of stale milk. Yuck. But I didn't pump out the milk just let baby nurse often and I didn't have problems with engorgement. Good luck!
eh i was at yr apartment last night but i dun have yr number cos my ho kaputted and i was using my old fone. When u're pumping clear the breast by massaging at the same time. then it will be empty.If still swollen, then use warm towel and put it over.
1. definitely empty your breasts. Milk left over could clog up the milk ducts and be very uncomfortable. I usually hand express after using the pump to ensure the breasts are emptied. By the way, good job there on the 80oz! I'm so impressed! Better to have more milk than not enough ma :)
2. You will know when the breast is empty when during hand expression, very little or no milk comes out.
1. definitely empty your breasts. Milk left over could clog up the milk ducts and be very uncomfortable. I usually hand express after using the pump to ensure the breasts are emptied. By the way, good job there on the 80oz! I'm so impressed! Better to have more milk than not enough ma :)
2. You will know when the breast is empty when during hand expression, very little or no milk comes out.
if you are trying to stock up, then pump after feeding.
if you are not, just direct feed.
I did that.
Same as all other's comments, empty the breast. If baby sucking doesn't empty it, pump it out & keep for feeding next time.
If you still feel breast like engorged even though no milk can be expressed, maybe the milk dust is already clogged. You just have to keep massaging it (hot towel is good) & keep feeding & pumping and it should turn better in the next couple of days. :)
The lactation nurses at my baby-friendly hospital (and baby books)advised mothers to pump out remaining milk if baby doesn't empty breast totally.
To stock up supply for returning to work, pumping according to schedule only needs to begin 2 weeks before you start work.
I'll go with Wen because breastfeeding is a natural demand-and-supply process. Personally, I don't see the point of stocking up so much milk now since frozen milk's life span is only 3 months.
Breastfeeding is supposed to be an enjoyable and bonding experience with your baby - not a stressful stocking up marathon :-)
I NEVER experienced engorgement as I breastfeed directly and pumped only twice a day.
May your heart guide you to the advice you will follow.
I do have problem like yours at times when milk doesn't want to come out when pumping. Normally, I'll let baby suck one side n the other side auto stimulated n milk started dripping. I'll pump the other side while feeding.It really helps. Or else, let baby suck for awhile and then pump,switch baby to the other breast.
i know how u feel coz i experience 4x of breast infection during my 1yr3mth fully breastfeed my girl.. so red n painful!!
u have to empty ur breast else will get infection if u keep for too long esp those who get infection easily, it reli serious have to go for surgery
use hot water bottle in order for u to get the flow n so dat the milk will not get clog
Post a Comment