Over Production
March 3, 2006 by kate baggott
Filed under Infancy
Just when I thought I would be able to put this post partum recovery behind me and enjoy showing off my beautiful children, the fact that I have recently given birth came up and bit me.
I woke up this morning with swollen breasts that were as hard as rocks and a headache. I had the same problem with my first child a few days after his birth. The day my milk came in he was so hungry that he ate every two hours. The next day, he wasn’t even peckish. The problem being that my body had received the “increase production” message from frequent feedings and now had all this extra milk.
This time, it was caused by travel-stress nursing. Everytime the baby wimpered on the plane, I gave her my nipple so she wouldn’t disturb the people sitting around us.
Over producing breast milk is a problem. It can cause mastitis, the inflammation of the breast and infection or blockage of the milk ducts. I’ve had two friends recently describe to me the fever, chills and pain of mastitus and it is something I want to avoid.
The first time my breasts were swollen, my midwife put me on a strict regime to deal with the problem. After each feeding I would plunge my breasts into a basin of ice water and soak them for five minutes. Then, I would apply a qwark (a kind of German fresh cheese)mask for twenty minutes followed by ice packs. Right before the next feeding, I would thaw out my breasts with warm water. It was a terrible few days.
This time, because I caught the problem right away, I applied some ice packs first thing in the morning and am repeating it now. Hopefully if I regulate the baby’s feeding for the next few days and keep the ice on, the problem will go away.
Do you have any tricks for maintaining breast health while you nurse?
My gosh! I don’t know if that quark treatment really decreases your chances of mastitis, but your skin must look great!
I discovered COLD CABBAGE LEAVES!!! Read about it and confirmed by the la leche league consultant.
I would swear by it unless you are allergic to sulfa drugs (but no problems for baby). They contain a potent agent that soothes and slows milk production, so your pain is relieved – also by the cool temperature.
Warning! – you can not use this longer than 2-3 days at a time – it can actually drop your milk production.
Directions: keep a cabbage in the fridge , better yet, put pieces of leaves large enough to cover the nipple areola at least in a bowl of ice water in the fridge. Place them between nipple and breast pad between feedings. This is very very soothing, with an almost tingly anesthetic feeling and near instant relief!!!
PS that was in response to me overdoing the use of pumping to relieve the pain,( I read to pump after every feed durign engorgement – and pumped both breasts right down – 4-5 oz each after each feeding!) it felt very good at first but totally exacerbated the situation despite Callums good and frequent feedings.
I later learned you are meant to only pump ONE ounce to relieve the pressure. This is easily done in the sink or shower – but you must also use cold to then slow it down otherwise it upregulates again!
Oh well- at least we have loads of frozen breast milk now!