update & questions

On 4-15 I delivered my baby.  I was only 36 weeks, so she came early but she is healthy.  we are now home and doing great.  

my question is:  Im not breastfeeding but my milk came in two days ago.  Im in a lot of pain and am leaking milk.  What do I do and how long will this last? When will it dry up? Someone told me to pump some of it out to relieve the discomfort.....but I want to dry up so I'm not sure if that is good advice.  
and since the milk has come in, I'm considering pumping and do both bottle and breast milk.  Please let me know what you think...is doing both ok?

I am by no means an expert on this, but I think there may be medication the doctor can give to you to dry you up. I've also heard drinking tea with sage can help or going back on b/c with estrogen. I hope you find some relief soon!

Tina

Just an FYI...they don't prescribe the pill to dry you up anymore. 

If you don't want to use breastmilk, you should not pump-even a little, because that tells your body to keep making milk. You should wear a good supporting bra, and then basically wait it out. Everyone is different as far as how long it takes to dry up.

If you DO want to use breastmilk and formula, it's fine to do both. You may notice a little more gas or spitting up, but my older daughter was on both and did just fine. Hope that helps!

Do not let warm or ho****er run over your breasts.  Whatever you do don't express any milk or try to stimulate your breasts at all.   Wear a really tight sports bra 24/7 and what helped the most was to put frozen cabbage leaves in my bra.  I took a head of cabbage pulled the leaves off and froze them individually and I kept replacing the leaves as they wilted.  It took a couple of weeks for my milk to dry up completely.  Also I purchased disposable nursing pads to wear in my sports bra but if you don't want to do that...you can take thin maxi pads and cut them in half.  Stick the sticky part up against your bra.

I don't know how to get your milk to dry up because I am currently breast feeding but I wanted to say any breastmilk you give your baby will benefit her! If you are willing to pump and feed I say go for it! It's one of the best things you can do for her!

-Ashlie

I want to try and pump.   Any advice on which electric pump to get?  There are so many and I'm not sure which one is good. 

I pump. I do this as she just wont latch on as she started on bottles in the hospital (due to NICU time) and she realized she can get milk faster through one. But to pump I use the Medela In style double pump. Its amazing, fast, and good suction. I also supplement with formula as she is tiny and needed a high calorie formula to help her gain weight and I have a low milk supply.

Simone 

You know, there are people who will say you can't nurse and use a bottle, but my son had no trouble at all with it.  I've had to supplement my breastfeeding since my son was born - I just didn't make enough. Once he started daycare, I started pumping as well and I have his bottles numbered so they give him the breast milk first and then the formula. We haven't had any trouble with ti at all, any breast milk you can provide is good for them!

Mine only leaked a little and they got so cute (I took pictures so someday I can have those breasts again- LOL) However, they were painful for about 4 days or so...then they just gradually deflated to their prior to pregnancy size.  Nursing Pads help with the leaks. 

I use the Medela In Style Advanced double pump. I love it!