I can't remember....

[rebecaq]

Until when my booobs are supposed to feel like no one can touch them. Not the nipple the whole boob. DS#1 comes up for a hug or rests his head on my chest when watching tv and my whole boob hurts that I jump up. DS#2 is 4 weeks old and I can't remember if they were feeling like this at 4 weeks with DS#1. I went to see my lc yesterday and forgot to mention it 

[daybyday]

and you're not engorged?

I don't remember having that...sorry hon...you didn't mention that earlier...is this been since day 1? or just in the last couple days?

[First Time Mom]

If you're not engorged I would get that checked out. I remember being in agony in the beginning but my dd had a bad latch and I had bleeding, but the entire breast was not in pain.

[NoelleChristine]

My lo is 4.5 months old and my boobs are still tender.  It's not like no one can touch them but sometimes if one of my boys "hits" me just right it really hurts.  Not continually, just for that moment and then it's gone.

I'm not sure if it's normal or not but I wasn't really worried about it as it's not really a chronic pain.

HTH's

[Samuel's mum]

Hmmm. I would also get that checked out. Not to say it's not 'normal' for you but it doesn't sound ideal. Just gently resting a head shouldn't really cause that much discomfort

[*Mona*]

hi Beca

sorry no help from me as I have never had this but like PPs have said- I'd get it checked if you're not engorged.

love
m

[rebecaq]

Soooooo, turns out that the pain coincided with Julian's 3 week growth spurt. So I guess the pain had to do with boobs getting ready TO engorge.

So Emma, my question now is.....Is it ok to pump from the breast he's not feeding on? Because I let down rather hard and tons and since he fills up with one breast the other one stay hard and engorged until next feed. Or am I setting myself up to be overly-supplied?

[Samuel's mum]

Why do you want to pump? To alleviate discomfort or for another reason?

If it's to alleviate discomfort if you pump the minimum - like no more than 1-1.5oz you should be OK. But really try and keep it to an absolute minimum.

If it's to build up a stash or for some other reason and you want to get more than that - then yes, you are technically stimulating your supply and in the long-term it won't help your problem.

HTH

[rebecaq]

I'm pumping to alleviate the full breast, I engorge to the point that it hurts to raise my arm 

So, pump only a tiny bit, or is it better to not pump at all? If I don't pump will thw engorgerment go away? If so, in how long? It makes liife with 2yo Santi a bit painful 

[deb]

When that happened to me I'd pump just enough to relieve the worst of the pressure. Things did regulate eventually, but having had mastitis with Josie, to the point where by the time anyone would prescribe me anything I was too sick to get it (Thank God for DH!), I was in no hurry to risk it again, so I decided to go ahead and at least pump the foremilk just to keep the ducts open. (I did decide not to give just the foremilk in a bottle though; I think I had it over cereal, mixed with regular cows' milk! )

Not saying that was the best option for anyone, but it worked out OK for me. I'd say if you take that route, just make sure you aren't pumping right to the end, just to let pressure off.

[meltown]

one word CABBAGE!!  get a head of cabbage leave it in the fridge and when you are very uncomfortable get a leaf take out the center ( hard part) and place it on your breast under your bra.  the cold from the fridge helps the pain and the cabbage takes just enough of the milk away so tyou don't hurt as much.  I would use it constantly though as for some repeated use for long periods of time causes them to dry up.  this was the best for me as at the beguinning I could pump 9-10 oz out of one breast!!!!  so I was REALLY uncomfortable if I didn't do something.  it took almost 6 months for supply and demand to even out, but this helped to take the edge off in the beginning.  hope you feel better soon!!!!

[Samuel's mum]

Yes, ideally you wouldn't want to pump at all - but sometimes it's important to relieve the pressure as in the short-term you might put yourself at risk of blocked ducts etc.

Cold compresses traditionally 'slow things down in the milk producing areas' - disposable diapers/nappies filled with ice-cold water make good compresses.