https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 01:03:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2778157 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 19:59:04 +0000 Foodnerd81 2778157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ssmom: so glad you are feeling better and you found something that worked for you!!! Hope you get to snuggle in with that sweet baby pain free now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2778146 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 16:54:27 +0000 ssmom 2778146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all--just wanted to follow up on this post in case anyone else ends up in a similar situation. While several lactation consultants told me what was going on with my boobs was totally normal, my OB who also has extensive lactation info/training said I was on my way towards mastitis. She had me nurse for 10 minutes and then pump for 10 once I got home. I then started following a strict schedule of nursing and pumping every 3 hours to help myself regulate and it worked (not BFing on demand for various reasons). My supply has leveled out and no more engorgement. Although it was just a matter of time before it would have regulated on its own, I really think the extra pumping session helped so just sharing what worked for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776485 Fri, 29 Sep 2017 07:53:22 +0000 Littlebit7 2776485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had awful engorgement to the point that I couldn't understand what was happening and it was not letting my milk flow. My LC didn't treat it as an oversupply (i.e. Cabbage leaves) but rather tried to get the milk to flow properly. So lots of self massage before and after nursing. Pre nursing I used a heating pad and some massage, post nursing some ice packs for pain if I needed it. Lots of massage. Starting waaay out and working your way towards nipple and then from nipple outwards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776471 Fri, 29 Sep 2017 07:14:16 +0000 skinnycow 2776471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry - engorgement sucks! I had a similar experience with my daughter. My milk came in about 36 hours after she was born and I was engorged for a few days. The thing that helped me most was hand expressing the breast she didn't completely empty (just to comfort). Eventually they will adjust! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776462 Fri, 29 Sep 2017 06:34:53 +0000 petitenoisette 2776462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first I was really freaked out by the engorgement like it was going to last forever. It went away really quickly. I would try your best to not assume you'll have the same issues as last time - I definitely do not think this is a clogged duct issue so early. Hand express in the shower and reevaluate in like 48 hours. Rereading your post, I'm not sure how long you've been feeling engorged but I really hope it subsides ASAP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776449 Fri, 29 Sep 2017 00:23:25 +0000 peaches1038 2776449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ssmom: yeah it was right after birth. I had a monster oversupply so I think that's why it took so long. But, I should've clarified that after the first few days, the engorgement was intermittent, not constant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776445 Fri, 29 Sep 2017 00:04:24 +0000 ssmom 2776445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: was the engorgement from right after giving birth? I had read that initial engorgement takes 24-48 hrs to resolve but not sure how accurate that is (so I'm terrified when you say it took a few weeks!). I'm also taking sunflower lecithin so really hoping that prevents clogged ducts and that I don't have any. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776444 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 23:58:48 +0000 peaches1038 2776444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an awful time with engorgement. I used the cabbage leaves for the first couple days, but just once a day bc I was afraid it would drop my supply too much. I also struggled with clogged ducts but once I started taking sunflower lecithin, I never got another one. I'm going to start that day one next time! I had to hand express before nursing or DS either wouldn't be able to latch or he would choke on the milk. I also block fed and it worked itself out eventually but it was probably a few weeks </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776439 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 23:03:32 +0000 ssmom 2776439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: Did the engorgement slowly improve for you or was it more of an immediate thing (like woke up one morning and they had quickly changed?) I'm dying to know when this will go away. I hand expressed earlier to take the edge off and found myself wanting to continue but I am worried I will over do it :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776438 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 23:02:13 +0000 ssmom 2776438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: did you block feed on the really engorged side? That didn't overstimulate or cause more production? Thank you so much for replying! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776435 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 22:53:17 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2776435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Engorgement sucks. I didn't last as long the second time for me, maybe two days. The best thing to do IMO is hand express enough to take the edge off. I would lean over the sink or hand express in the shower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776423 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 21:49:42 +0000 Foodnerd81 2776423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a lot of engorgement after my second was born. It was so bad she couldn't latch properly to relieve it, but using a nipple shield for a couple of days helped a ton. I put ice packs in my bra to alleviate the discomfort. And I did pretty aggressive block feeding, but I don't think quite that early. My pediatrician was also a lactation consultant so she was able to help me a ton. </p> <p>I can't really help specifically but it sounds really similar to what I had, which was just crazy engorgment, not clogged ducts or anything. The ice packs and ibuprofen helped. I also had an oversupply, which is why I did serious block feeding. Like 6 hours or so on one side. It all worked out, but it was really uncomfortable for a while. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/day-2-engorgement-questions#post-2776422 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 21:41:21 +0000 ssmom 2776422@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi all, I just gave birth to my second on Monday and didn't expect for my milk to come in so quickly, nor did I expect the accompanying engorgement. It's overwhelming because with DD1 I experienced 20+ plugged ducts and this is just a reminder of those awful times. Breastfeeding was a huge contributor to my PPD so I am already beginning to struggle...</p> <p>My questions are:</p> <p>1. How long does this usually last?<br /> 2. What is going on with my breasts exactly; how do I know if this is enforcement from milk coming in versus plugged ducts?<br /> 3. I am nursing on demand and DD's suction is great so she is able to get the right breast to a comfortable place but the left side is constantly quickly returning to that engorged, taut state. Not sure why or what I can do to help that. I've tried block feeding but no luck. Am I overstimulating it?<br /> 4. Should I consider using cabbage leaves to alleviate the left side even a little? If so, how frequently would I need to do this and how fast does it work? I don't want to dry up the supply completely but would this help even things out?</p> <p>Any other advice would be great. I've met and spoken to several lactation consultants and still feel lost and overwhelmed. </p>