I want to give an update on the situation where a mother who is pumping for
triplets. I had originally posted with a real crisis situation for this mother
who was unable to get her milk to let down when pumping on the left breast. Her
right breast was doing fine. She had been getting 80 to 100 ml from the right
breast but overslept and her breasts became engorged. Since this happened she
was getting about 40 ml and the only way she was getting that was to lean over a
bowl of warm water and put pressure on her breast with both hands and her milk
would spray and release into the water. Her nipple was swollen into the 30mm
shield. 36mm did not improve the situation. Her breast never felt emptied and
was getting worse along with orange peel look to her skin on the lower outer
aspect of the breast. Mom was at the end of her rope.
Jean Cotterman to the rescue. She gave me great advice which I gave to mom and
over night her breast showed improvement. Jean stated that the subareolar ducts
were compressed by crowding by "third space fluids" that have been pushing
forward to neutralize the vacuum in the flange tunnel.
If you want to read her response it was in May 26 digest. Some great information
for all of us.
This mother followed Jeans instructions to do reverse pressure softening (RPS)
with the mother reclining at least 3/4 of the way down on her back with her
nipple above her heart level, so gravity would help. Mom repeated this several
times while pumping and her milk started to let down. Within 24 hours her supply
was back up to 80ml. Mom looked like a new person. I saw mom this week and she
is still doing great. Her breast has recovered and she is very grateful for the
advice.
I have learned a lot from this experience and Jean's knowledge on this topic. I
plan on reading some of the books Jean recommended so I can be prepared when
this happens again because I am sure it will.
Thanks again to Jean for her prompt response and sharing her expertise and
knowledge.
Nuala Murphy
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