Engorged - Denton,TX

When you are engorged I would feed my baby and then pump a little after they are done to releave a little of the milk. Another trick is to put a cabbage leaf over your breast. I know this sounds crazy but ut works! Just don't leave it on there for hours or it will dry up your milk. My last suggestion is to call your local la leche league. I am nursing twins and they have helped me out a lot. You can find their # online on their website. Good luck!
M.

Engorgement usually doesn't cause a high fever. You may have mastitis (an infection). See a doctor or go to the ER as soon as possible. Hope you feel better soon.

It sounds like you had a clogged milk duct with the fever and everything and it got infected, I have been there and it sucks!! I actually had to get antibiodics for mine so you are lucky there. You can try cold cabbage leaves or ice packs. I had the same problem with my last one and it was miserable but I don't think there is much you can really do other than let it all go down and pump, and make sure that when you do pump you empty yourself as much as possible. I hope this helps good luck and hang in there!

Engorgement happens in the initial transition phase between colostrum and milk production as your breasts get used to making milk. What youre describing sounds like recurring mastitis and the conventional wisdom of nursing and pumping frequently with antibiotics for the infection can indeed lead to rebound infections. Mastitis is caused by increased milk production that is not being emptied effectively from the breast. Now here is the catch, when we pump a lot to keep it reallllly empty, the stimulation if too much, can increase production and the process may begin again. A good solution may be to only feed on one breast every few hours but completely emptying it then alternate breasts between feedings. Cabbage leaves, verrry cold may help decrease your milk supply but be careful you can decrease it to gone that way. Please feel free to call for a consult, you don't say if you have seen a lactation professional but I would be happy to help.
K. @ The Nestingplace

pumping or breastfeeding usually will do the trick. If you can't breastfeed b/c your little one is sleeping, you may consider pumping. That way you have milk saved up anyway.

I am definitely no expert here, I breastfed my daughter until she was 16 months, and toward the end, I had some engorgement. When I called & spoke with the lactation consultant, she suggested I try a new position, so that those ducts would be "relieved". It worked out quite well! Not sure if you've tried that...but either your doctor or babies' doctor should have a lactation consultant you can contact.
Hope you get some relief soon!