So three months in and breastfeeding problems can still occur. Cordelia is going longer between feedings, sometimes 4 hours by day and she has been sleeping in long stretches by night, sometimes 5-8 hours. And while I am grateful for this, my boobs (particularly the right boob), have yet to clue in to produce less milk. So she is eating the same, or sometimes maybe even smaller shorter amounts and not fully emptying my enormous boobs. Leading to ENGORGED BOOBS (particularly the right boob). It is so frustrating and uncomfortable, let me tell you. Your baby is done eating and your boob still feels so HEAVY and by the time she is going to eat on that side again, you feel like there is going to be a boob-slposion. Last night, I started feeling like I am getting Jason's cold, which made me feel like I had been hit with a truck... achy all over! I tried pumping my right boob, thinking to lighten it a bit, while Jason gave her a bottle. She was due to eat again on the left side for the next feeding... but she ended up going to bed. I got up at midnight and pumped, which was a good thing since she slept until 6 AM.
This morning my right boob was starting to get reddish patches...... t seems from not getting completely emptied I have developed mastitis. So maybe not Jason's cold, as I felt like I was having flu like symptoms. I talked to Kaiser and got some antibiotics over the phone!
So, tomorrow I return to work, having spent my last precious day of maternity leave dealing with this delightful problem. Currently sterilizing tons of pump parts and bottles to return to work. It will probably take me some time to figure all this out. Personally, I am thinking that pumping may be a good thing if it lightens my supply just enough. I would be so happy to drop a cups size. Or two or three. At this rate though, I will just settle for a fully empty boob.
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