Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

I gave birth on M 4/7. My milk came in and my breasts became engorged on F 4/11. Yesterday after I took a shower milk was leaking out and the same thing today (not as much as yesterday though). They are swollen, painful, and lumpy.

I have been wearing a tight sports bra 24 hours a day and have been icing once a day. I tried to keep the warm water off of them in the shower. I tried to express a bit but it just hurt like hell and nothing really came out. I am going to try cabbage leaves and get some Motrin since Tylenol and Advil don't seem to work very well. Any other tips?

Also, how long from when your milk came in did it begin to dry up?

Thanks!

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

For me, it took about a week for the pain to go away, then another week for them to deflate more.

I'd keep icing, frozen peas work wonders also wear 2 sports bras if you can. I wouldn't try to express anything from them...

It'll get better and congrats on becoming a mommy

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

like the PP said, it took about a total of 2 weeks. (my boobs never looked better BTW lol)

Make sure if you shower with hot water, to not have the water hit your chest and make sure to have a sports bra on all the time. When you let your girls hang, it makes them produce more milk.

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

I had a c section so I was still on the pain meds when my milk came in and went and it still hurt a ton. I would do 600mg of motrin every six hours which is rx strength. It should only take a week or so total so hopefully you're almost there

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

One week of wearing 2 sports bras and they went down. Another week and I was feeling kinda back to normal. It took a couple months for them to actually really deflate and I had milk in there, but there was never any more engorgement or leaking.

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

Welcome to Mommyhood and Congratulations on your new baby!!!
I wore 2 sports bras AND an ace bandage (very tight) and it took about 5-7 days for the pain to go away...to me this was more painful than labor!! I did the cabbage thing (be prepared to reek!) but I didn't find much relief plus the smell was just as bad as the pain. I had ice on them constantly for the first 2 days then only a few times a day the last 3. I read somewhere you should put a 1/2 a cup of water in a NB diaper and freeze it...instant ice bra LOL.
I have to say the only thing that really helped was the painkillers the dr. had prescribed for my labor...if it wasn't for them I would have been seeing stars for days.
When you're in the shower keep a sports bra on and try not to let warm water hit them (I tried to bathe instead). Also you can try massaging your breasts but not so much that you stimulate the milk flow again (that would only make it worse!). Good luck and feel better!!!

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

It took about 2 weeks for them to dry up. It was super painful and I wore two sports bras so it was tight and they couldn't move.

I iced them a ton, it helped a little. I was also taking painkillers recovering from my c-section so it helped too, not much though.

Other than that I'm really no help just wanted to say hope they start to feel better soon.

Message edited 4/16/2008 10:01:59 AM.

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

It took about two weeks for the engorgement to really subside. Though the pain was at its worst for only a few days--after that they were sore, but not painful all the time.

All the things you are doing are supposed to help--I can't really think of any other suggestions. Be careful about getting water on them in the shower, it's supposed to encourage lactation which can make the whole process take longer to go away.

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

My engorgement didn't last very long at all actually...a few days at most and not very painful.

I would be careful not to express...it may stimulate more production?? I don't know about it though, it just seems that would be the case.

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

wow im now realizing how low my milk supply really was even with meds to help it out...i was in pain for a couple days i think (advil helped me its all i needed really) and then it was fine...i dont know how you girls went through weeks of it!

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

dont let the water hit your breasts in the shower

I tied ace bandages VERY TIGHT around my boobs

This was the worst pain ever

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

It took about a week for the pain to subside. I took motrin, wore a tight sports bra and put a package of frozen peas on my boobs

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

You should try to ice more. That really helped the most.

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

Thanks for all of you advice. I now have been wearing two sports bras and that seems to help. I know I could have another week of this, but at least I know an end is in sight!

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

Ughhhh I feel your pain. This was honestly the worst pain I felt through the entire birth process.

It took about 2 weeks and I only did two advils every 4 hours which seemed to help a little. They gave me percaset in the hospital and that WORKED WONDERS!

Nothing really helped me but time. I tried icing, cabbage leaves, everything. It just took time.

The worst part is when the babies would cry my breasts would hurt more. It was sooooo weird!

Re: Those of you that didn't breastfeed--question about engorgement

For me I only went through about 2 days of pain...absolute hell though.

Whatever you do don't stand facing the water in the shower and don't try to get it out...from what I heard they will only fill up again.

Message edited 4/17/2008 10:37:14 AM.