**NOTE: I don’t want to hear any BS from people preaching "breastfeed, don’t pump!"**
For the last day or two, I’ve felt some engorgement at the bottom of my right breast, but when I pump, it doesn’t empty all the way. I massage beforehand, while I’m pumping, and I’ve even pumped, massaged, and hooked back up again. I’ll still get 2-3 oz every 3 or 4 hours from that breast alone, but at the end, it still feels hard deep inside when I squeeze my breast.
It just felt engorged to the touch before, but now, it seems like it’s backing up; it’s getting so engorged that it’s starting to hurt. It was doing fine just a few days ago…why the sudden change? And what can I do to fix this?
As I said, I massage before and during pumping, and I’ve tried using a heating pad, a damp warm washcloth, and even hopping in the shower for a few minutes before pumping, and that part of the breast still doesn’t empty all the way.
August 17th, 2011 at 4:50 am
I recommend that you see a international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). You may have a blockage, which if continues will develop into mastitis, but it is difficult to diagnosed over email.
Here is some information about pumping:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-links-pumps.html and
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/
Good luck.
August 17th, 2011 at 4:50 am
You could be developing mastitis which can be very dangerous. Have you tried cabbage leaves? That worked for me. If you have or and the end of your tether then go to your doctor who will prescribe you medicine to help, don’t suffer in silence
August 17th, 2011 at 4:50 am
Clogged ducts can lead to mastitis, so I would get an IBCLC to check you out.
I would say pump as much as you can, then try to hand express in the shower afterwards. I’m sure you know pump isn’t as efficient as baby, but I gather you are doing this for a reason… What pump do you have? That makes a difference. I recommend a hospital-grade!