Help with weaning/discomfort

[lovetostep]

Does anyone have any advice for breast discomfort once you have stopped breastfeeding? I nursed my son for 14 months, slowly dropping off feedings once he turned a year. He was only nursing in the morning until this past Friday when he slept later than usual so I decided this was the time to drop the last feeding. He hasn't seemed to mind, but I am in a great deal of discomfort. It didn't start until Saturday but I am still very sore, breasts are hard and lumpy--it hurts to even hold my son! I did try chilled cabbage leaves Saturday and part of Sunday which seemed to help a little, but I can't wear them at work! Any advice? I will even take advice with the cabbage leaves--is there some sort of trick for that treatment to be most effective? I called my doctor (all she had to offer was the cabbage leaves) and she said to expect the discomfort to last a week--is that what most people's experience has been? Any input is much appreciated!

 

[chefkate]

Wear a VERY tight bra to compress your boobs. A sports bra is your best bet, double up on them if you have to. The discomfort WILL go away. Hang in there~!

 

[morris]

when i weaned my son, i had the same thing. i had gradually dropped feedings until just the last. when i did stop the last, 1.5 days latter i was miserable. i waited 2 full days, nursed (or you could pump) him once, and that was it. it helped to have that last bit drained off.

 

[judyja]

As a old mother of 3,(28, 25 & 14) sage tea will dry you up over night you can get this from any Health food store.

 

[melanalyus]

I guess I was lucky. No pain at 15 mos with #2 & 24-25 mos with #3. NONE.

~Melanie~

Jadon born 11/23/05
Justin born 1/17/04
Jory born 4/9/94

 

[annettej123]

If you think it is because you are still producing milk, try taking sudafed, a lactation consultant had me take that after I weaned because I dried up on one side before the other. And it worked quickly.

 

[nkhansen1]

Have someone help you wrap an ACE bandage around your chest as tightly as you can. It works better than a sports bra, and you can bind all the breast tissue, even the really sensitive parts under your arms. My son decided to go cold turkey on me at 1 yr (he was nursing around 5 times a day at that age), and I was in an incredible amount of pain since I still had a lot a milk. The bandage helped a lot.
I would say the worst of it was over in a week, but I still had residual milk and let down for several weeks after.

 

[lovetostep]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I wound up binding and compressing (tightly!)and that did work thank goodness! It did take about a week though. When you are in the middle of that discomfort, it feels like it will never go away!