My son is now 5 months old and I just finished breastfeeding him. I decided to stop because I was not producing nearly enough for him and my supply had gotten so low that I was only able to pump just a few ounces (like 2 oz.) a day at work. He was already getting formula 80% of the time anyways and pumping was beginning to be a pain. I have no engorgement so far (5 days in) and no leaking. Is there anything that I am supposed to be doing to care for my breasts now that I have finished breastfeeding? What kinds of changes should I anticipate?
Thank you all for the wonderful advice! I am proud of myself and looking forward to being "normal" again very soon!
I breastfed all 3 of my kids for 6 months. With 2 of them, I had no engorgement issues. With 1 I had a tiny bit of leaking (mostly nipples that were a little (soft)crusty for a few days. But my 3rd child where my supply was considerably less, I experienced absolutely nothing (except my bra size has gone down from a B to an A - but that happened after my 1st baby). I call them the deflated balloons.
Good luck!
Your not engorged because your body adjusted to the slowing down gradually. You could be able to squeeze a drop out for a few more months but really there is nothing you need to do nature will take care of the rest. For future reference breastfeeding is supply and demand, the more formula you give your baby the less your body will produce. Good Luck--glad you breastfed!
sounds like you're on the right track. there isn't really else to do but wait for your milk to dry up. just be careful, some women get clogged milk ducts when they are trying to stop and it can cause mastitis(sp?). if your breasts suddenly get very tender, and hot and you feel a lump call the doc becuase that might be it. they may have to put you on antibiotics, maybe not. they will tell you for sure what to do it that happens. it's not real common though i don't think. if you start to feel any engorgement, which i doubt you will after 5 days already, put cold cabbage leaves on your boobs, it will releave some of the pain.
i was like you to....when i finally just stopped breastfeeding...i was almost dry.....i just stopped....and let it dry up....lucky for me....i had no engorment or any thing else....
I had to quit at 6 mos due to medication I started taking so we nursed about the same amount of time......however, everyone experiences something different so while this happened to me, it may not be what you experience.
My breasts went from an EE cup size to a C and changed shape drastically. Most women I spoke with also had post partum depression hit after they quit nursing because the constant release of oxytocin put it off. I, on the other hand, had MILD post-partum depression that RESOLVED QUICKLY after I dried up - about two weeks after I stopped nursing. But I was producing about 8 oz every three hours. Since you're producing significantly less than that and nursing less often, I would imagine the hormonal impact would be concurrently lessened.
Good luck!
You may now buy any type of bra you want and use any type of lotion. Yea!
E.,
Just enjoy having your body back :) You may feel sad that this milestone is gone, but your body will be back to normal, or semi-normal, if you know what i mean! When you are in the stages of drying up your milk supply, don't touch or stimulate your breasts in any way. This may stimulate milk production again or leaking. Tell your hubby too...off limits! Ha Ha!
Great Job! Feel proud of yourself!
K.
I am a childbirth educator and mother of 3 boys, once you stop nursing them, that's it. Sounds like you did it slow enough that it didn't make any problems..That's the best way to do it.
If for some reason you are torn up about it and want your milk back, you can do that, but it will take a lot of work.Pumping and herbs etc...but it sounds like your ok!
I breast fed 3 children. As long as you are not nursing, your breasts will dry up. A tight sports bra can help but isn't necessary. PLEASE do your monthly breast exams! My sister discovered a lump at age 32 while weaning and it was cancer. Good Luck!
E.,
I wouldn't worry as long as your not having any real pain. It sounds like you pretty much winged your son off since he was getting formula 80% of the time. I did this with my daughter and my son. When your not nursing at certain times of the day your body knows not to produce the milk at that specific time anymore b/c it's 'not needed'. Also since you were only producing only a few ounces a day at work it might not be enough to feel any significant engorgement. I know i didn't have any since i would stop breast feeding at one time during the day and then at another time and then at night and finally morning. Since the cutoff of weaning wasn't so drastic neither was the 'drying up' of the milk. Sounds like everything is just fine! Congrats on the new little one!
M.
you don't need to do anything. if you're serious about stoping, you could try to sleep on your stomach to discourage production, but you should be fine. you may become uncomfortable in a few days but do not pump or nurse or you will only encourage production.
