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Uni-boober- that's funny... but I know that the lumps and engorgement are painful! I don't know how to even out the bbs, but one thing that has worked for me to get rid of lumps (clogged milk ducts) is to switch the baby's position each time he nurses... have you tried that? Also, when you are expressing milk in the shower or when feeding the baby, try gently massaging those areas... sort of in a circular motion, starting nearer your arm and moving toward the center of your body. You definitely want to get rid of the lumps or you could end up with mastitis. Also, make sure to "drain" each breast as much as possible at each feeding. Hope some of that helps!

Lol... I liked the term uni-boober... anyway, what's mastitis? and no I havent switched positions, i'll try that next time she wakes up... you have helped and thank you

Alichild- mastitis is an infection in the breasts. Common symptoms are sort of like the flu - chills, fever, etc, and the breast is very hot to the touch. You can google it for more info. If you have it, you are supposed to keep breastfeeding off both bbs. Are things going any better? :-)

That sounds painful... And no I havent been able to breastfeed, I went to the dentist and they used sedatives on me, then told me not to feed for 48 hours....so it's been one thing after another....this sucks...

Oh, i just thought of something, if I get mastitis, is it possible to give the infection to my daughter? I'd almost rather pump exclusively (if I had one...) than chance giving her anything....

If you aren't supposed to breastfeed for 48 hours, then you really need to pump during that time-you'll definitely get engorged which can lead to clogged milk ducts and mastitis. If you do get mastitis, you can still breastfeed. It won't hurt her. However, some babies (mine was one) won't take milk from the infected side, and you have to pump-which is more painful than usual when you have mastitis.

Jenprice is right - you can't give your child mastitis. How are you doing? That's a bummer about not being able to bf because of the sedatives. Have you gotten the lumps to go away? If you don't have a pump and are having issues with engorgement, you should contact your hospital/maternity ward/birthing center - they often rent pumps. You can also buy manual pumps if you don't want to spend the money on an electric one. I haven't used a manual (I have a Medela pump in style). If you can express enough milk in the shower to avoid engorgement/lumps, that's great! Hope you are doing ok...

Thank you both about the info on mastitis... I expressed in the shower, but when I tried to bf yesterday and today both it's like my milk just up and quit... If I still try to bf my daughter first, then give her a bottle will my milk come back in? I was hoping to nurse her longer than a week.... (She's only a week and 2 days old)

Any nursing that ur daughter does will stimulate ur milk supply, and then u can supplement w/ formula after. I would try to do it every 2-3 hours for a while if u really want to keep b'fding. Maybe get a lactation consultant to help u out. I know my pedi has one for free consultations 24hrs. Ask ur Dr or hospital about it, or call ur local Le Leche League