I need some quick help with engorgement and leaking

[Lousli]

My third daughter arrived Wednesday night, and last night/this morning, my milk came in. My biggest bra is feeling snug since I’m so engorged. I have always had quite a supply, and my daughter is just 5 pounds 14 ounces (and lost a little of course) and not eating all that much yet. I pumped just a little to relieve some of the pressure, but of course I don’t want to pump too often and encourage my supply.

I’m struggling with what to do for the pressure and discomfort and what I can wear today since my bra is creating pressure and if I don’t wear a bra I’m leaking everywhere. I have lilypadz and they work for a while, but after an hour I’m leaking again. There’s no way I can just go and get a bra or nursing tank in a bigger size for today, the one I’m currently wearing is a 32I so stores don’t carry a size I can buy unless I order online.

[Llyra]

I think you're right to avoid too much pumping-- if you don't pump more than you absolutely have to, then it's likely the engorgement will settle down more quickly. Is baby having trouble getting the milk out? I remember after my twins were born, that when I got really engorged, they would fuss and have a hard time latching, and even once they latched, they would have trouble getting much. Heat really helped with that-- I'd put rice in socks, and microwave them, and then put those on my breasts before I tried to feed the babies. (Make sure they aren't hot enough to burn your skin!) Another thing that can help is a hot shower-- I'd stand with my breasts under the hot water, and I'd hardly have to tough my breasts, and the milk would just run out. If you have somebody hold baby, and take baby right after you come out of the hot shower, and feed right then, the milk will often flow easily.

As for the leaking-- I never resolved that. I used to just stuff a ginormous towel inside a t-shirt and walk around the house like that. But with twins, after a c-section, I didn't have any visitors other than my mom, and wasn't going out at all, so it didn't matter if I looked ridiculous.

Congratulations on baby's birth!

[Lousli]

I think she's getting the milk out okay, it is just that she only needs so much, and I'm making more than what she needs.  I pumped for just 10 minutes or so and got about 3 ounces.  I'm off to take a shower now, but we were planning to take the baby on a short outing to visit a friend and I don't know what I can possibly wear!