Drying Out the Milk

G.,

PLEASE don't let the nursing natzis guilt you. Nursing didn't work for me either...AND...my children are both healthier than most. I tried and didn't make it. My first was an animal and I just couldn't keep up. No one tells you in the childbirth classes that nursing can be worse than childbirth itself! My husband, child and I were all happier when I went to formula. Sorry to say...you have to wait it out for the pain. You should be through the worst of it. Try some tylenol.

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Don't worry. I tried to breastfeed my oldest when she was born. I only lasted 1 week. I was so sore that I couldn't put my bra on without intense pain. When I saw the doctor about it, he told me that I had an infection that was causing the pain and soreness. I was given medication for the infection which really helped. Since you are still having pain after a week of not breastfeeding, you need to go see your doctor. You may have an infection in your breasts like I did.

Don't fret about not breastfeeding anymore. My kids were raised on formula during the first year because of this infection that I had with my oldest. I do not believe that they suffered in any way.

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I suggest wearing a sports bra(even at night), and put the green cabbage leaves in the bra for 24 hrs or till wilted then repeate the process again, and do this for a few days. Also drink sage tea or buy empty gel caps, and fill them with sage(9 gel caps per day). Also, instead of warm showers which will make your milk come out, take cool ones. Also, rosemary in the gelcaps(2 a day) will dry you up. In 5 days you should be golden and your breast back to mormal.
Your milk will dry up as long as you don't press on your breasts, lean against them, or stimulate them in any way. Granted, when your baby cries, they may leak...but give your baby a bottle right away.
One more thing - and this will sound weird. You may want to stay away from other babies until your milk dries up too. If you hear another baby cry, you may get a let down reflex...highly annoying!

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Hi G., Warm compresses can help ease the pain as well. Sometimes the "drying" process is quick, sometimes it takes longer...if you are really uncomfortable then talk to your doctor. Best wishes.

G., When I stopped BFing it took several weeks for the hard spots to go away. It will just take some time.

I literally had breast milk issues for 2 years after stopping nursing my first son. I was told so many things. One thing that seemed to help was Sage tea. You can buy it at GNC. You do need to drink several cups a day. I tried the cabbage and ice packs which helped with some of the soreness. I don't judge you for stopping. My oldest son weaned himself at 9 months and his pediatrician made me feel awful about it. It's a personal decision. I couldn't wait to stop with the second and am not looking forward to it with the third!

Every mom is different - I got the stomach flu the day after my daughter self-weaned, so didn't have any issues the first week. A week later, when I was rehydrated and "feeling better", I had the lumpiest, sorest breasts ever! I did cabbage leaves, compresses, massage, hot showers (and expressing a little milk in the shower) and tylenol and it took a good two weeks for them to stop hurting and get less lumpy. Then it took a while for them to settle in a "new size". Patience, G.. It will happen:)

i had pain for about two weeks after i stopped breastfeeding - a heating pad helped me

No judgement here. You gave it a go and that is awesome! Now for the tricky part, stopping and stopping without discomfort. I didn't stop cold turkey, I weaned, so my discomfort was probably not as intense as your experience. But here are some things that helped me: Sleeping with a nursing bra on- especially if you have large breasts, trying to express some of the milk ( a few squeezes not a full serving) 2x a day- I did it in a warm shower. I don't know how long you've been experiencing discomfort, but the milk expressing will ease some pressure for you. Hang in there, I found that the discomfort was significantly better in a week's time. Good luck.

G.,
All I have heard of is the cabbage leaves trick. Call your OB/GYN to see if you can take something over the counter for discomfort. Cool shower?
p.s. I wouldn't judge you even if you hadn't "at least attempted" to breast feed! Sheesh. Some people. We are all being the best moms we can be. I am weary of the judgement and self-righteousness of some.

Dear G.,
Not judging just wondering why on earth, if you are having all this wonderful milk, would you give it up after just one month. Breast feeding is so much easier than bottles, and you will lose unwanted weight gain faster. Yes it is uncomfortable if your baby is nursing, your body automatically produces the amount of milk that the baby needs. It is all really natural and healthy for both you and your baby, and you are fighting nature.
Whatever you decide to do is your own choice (along with the consequences of that choice) regardless of what I or anyone else thinks about it, but I would urge you to reconsider.
Good luck and congratulations on your new baby.
N

I had this problem since non of the books tell you how to wean yourself, only the baby. I spoke with a lactation consultant and her advice worked. here it is:

only drop one feeding every 5 days. Each day during that time pump for 5 mins, the next day 4mins, the next 3mins down to the last day for 1 min. then drop your next feeding the same way and continue like this until you are all done. Continue to use the cabbage leaves after you pump/feed and that should also help. good luck. if you have any questions feel free to contact me.

G., Sweetie...do not worry about people's judgment of you! Who cares what they think? Anyway, I was forced to stop nursing my daughter when she was 6 weeks old. I had pain pain pain for almost 1 1/2 weeks but still tender for at least another 2-3 weeks...I still had milk for that entire time if I tried. I took motrin for the tenderness and froze wet hand towels instead of cabbage b/c who has cabbage on hand all the time. I also wore a sports bra day and night until they stopped hurting.

Not being able to nurse my babies was heartbreaking enough...don't worry if anyone judges you...I wish you the best!

Hi G.,

Did you consult your ob-gyn?

Contact your local breast feeding consultant with La Leche League

www.llli.org

There are medications to dry up your milk.

Good luck. D.

At least you attempted to breastfeed. I don't think there is any reason to judge you. I have heard of wearing a tight bra for a couple of days. I don't think you are allowed to do a warm shower though...it may letdown. It has been a few years...sorry i could not be more help.

EDITED: judging is just as bad as critisizing another mom's post. i was trying to help not have my advice quoated and attacked. yes, we are all trying to be the best moms we can be or else we wouldnt be on here asking advice. sheesh! and yes, i think she deserves BIG credit for even trying....just my opinion!!

You're stopping during the time when your breasts are still "starting" which is the really hard painful time. If you began nursing rather than not nursing at all, your body got all geared up to nurse and is still adjusting. I had been nursing for 6 weeks or more before they got normal, stopped clogging, engorging, etc and I was able to continue easily. For your own comfort, you may want to continue a bit longer just to make it more comfortable to stop. If you can stand it for 2 months, your breasts will not be painful at all, or 3 even better, if you can stand it. Usually the 3 month point is where they naturally sort of need more and it's a struggle and commitment to keep going, because weaning sort of naturally starts. That would be an easy time to quit. Good luck. You could wean more gradually too now. Nurse twice a day for a week, then once. This will give your breasts a break.

you may need to express some in order for you to get some relief. It is definitely harder if you've just started nursing as your at your highest milk production right now. You could always pump and bottle feed if this is an issue for you. Atleast then it would be free and you wouldn't have to pay for formula
Also try the lanolin, this works wonders, you can also go braless. I know with my first I went the first two weeks with no bra and as often as I could without one. Yes I know you leak, but for me having something that close to my nipples was worse. Oh and if you are home all day and nobody is around go topless. This may sound really odd. But I did this and it really helped a lot.