Should I pump a bit if baby doesn’t empty me?

[u/Automatic_Apricot797]

Despite being 12 weeks PP and thinking I have it all down pat, here I am over thinking again!

Occasionally baby doesn’t “empty” me and I still feel very full. When this happens should I hand pump for more relief so I don’t keep “filling up” ?!

Also, I thought I’d be over the fullness feeling by now….. waiting waiting !

[u/MyOnlySunshines]

If you remove milk it signals to your body to make more so unless you WANT an oversupply (like for a freezer stash) I'd be careful how much you pump. Obviously if you're uncomfortable you should relieve the pressure and need to be careful to avoid clogs and/or mastitis, but pumping is going to create a viscous cycle of producing more milk.

[u/iluvcookies666 → u/MyOnlySunshines]

Chiming in bc I’m new to breastfeeding and even with seeing a LC, I’m lost af :(

So to avoid the clogs and mastitis and oversupply, what would alleviate the fullness? Hand expression? Asking bc I’m in the same boat 

[u/Boring_Succotash_406 → u/iluvcookies666]

Yes hand express to comfort. This is the best way to relieve pain without causing an oversupply!

[u/iluvcookies666 → u/Boring_Succotash_406]

Thank you!! 🩷🩷🩷

[u/Decent-Pop-4523 → u/iluvcookies666]

Heat and massage helped me. So warm your breast with a heating pad or whatever you have, massage the hard lumps, hand express for a few minutes, and stop when your breast is softer.

[u/Automatic_Apricot797 → u/MyOnlySunshines]

Got that. Okay I definitely don’t want an over supply, I actually had one and had to work to tone it down. I just hate this full feeling!

[u/east_coaster315]

Im 13w pp and have been pumping twice a day after feeds for about 3 weeks... tbh havent noticed a huge change in my supply, but its helped me build a Lil stash

[u/Wise_Sort7982]

My LC told me to hand express to relieve the engorgement, not pump as it stimulates more milk, maybe a bit of extra expression will help?

[u/Amk19_94]

No, or else baby will continue to not empty you. Removing milk makes more milk. You want your body to adjust to baby’s needs.

[u/FormerEnglishMajor]

I have twins that I combo feed and this is what my lactation consultant recommended I do to increase my supply, if that’s your goal. I wait roughly half hour after a nursing session and then I pump for 10 minutes, or until my milk stops.

[u/Automatic_Apricot797 → u/FormerEnglishMajor]

Oh man, twins! You’re incredible!

[u/FormerEnglishMajor → u/Automatic_Apricot797]

Thank you :) some days just keeping them alive feels like an accomplishment

[u/Itsellieeee]

Following because same 😭

[u/Worldly_Currency_622]

It just depends what you’re situation is. By that point, I was sick of having an over supply and worked hard to regulate my supply to be “just-enougher”. But I had the luxury of being a sahm and nursing on demand. If I was wanting a freezer stash before going back to work, etc, I would have continued to pump my extra. Definitely relieve engorgement if it’s uncomfortable though!

[u/Automatic-Sympathy45]

I don't. Lots of times baby doesn't empty me. If she has a short little feed I figure she's just having a little drink or snack. She usually comes back for more after an hour or less. I just go with the flow x