Pumping - First timer/engorgement?

[LauraZD]

Per my LC's recommendation, I have been pumping 0.5 oz. every morning in an effort to introduce the bottle to my 5-week old son, prior to his six week birthday (when my milk supply will be established). I need to leave him on Friday night, and it was recommended by my pediatrician that I pump 0.5-1.0 oz. prior to AND following (for hind milk) a feeding a few times a day in an effort to collect 3 oz. for a total feeding, while I am gone. I have pumped two bottles in case I miss two feedings, which are being stored in the freezer. Will my breasts feel engorged while I am gone? Will this affect my milk supply at all? Should I get a hand pump? Also, sometimes I get a sharp tingling in my left breast/nipple...is this normal, or should I be alarmed?

[shariibclc]

Your LC gave you good advice to start the bottle early and be consistant. Yes, you will need to pump while you are gone to avoid engorgement and possible mastitis from going to long without feeding. Being engorged can actually have the effect of decreasing your milk which is not what you want!!

The tingling in your breast can be from the let down or be a sign of yeast. Without more information it is hard to tell. If you are not having shooting pain in your breasts between the feedings or extrem pain in the nipple during the feeding I would not worry!

[LauraZD]

Some days I feel like I have more milk than others. Could this be from engorgement? Also, I have had some shooting pain between feedings, but it has subsided. It, however, comes and goes...how do I know if I have yeast?

[shariibclc]

Usually the nipple will appear bright red and the pain can become unbearable. I would try some acidophilis and decrease your sugar intake. See if this helps or the problem gets worse.

[LauraZD]

You mentioned that being engorged can actually decrease your milk supply. If my son eats less (feedings get shorter), is he getting less food or becoming more efficient at getting it? Will my breasts adjust? When I start pumping for storage, won't this effect my milk supply, possibly making me engorged?

[shariibclc]

Eating faster does not mean eating less. Just more efficient. I don't recommend pumping more than 1 feeding per day for storage.