Hello all, I am getting ready to go back to work and I have decided that breastfeeding from this point on is not really a good option in my line of work(it would be nearly impossible to pump during the day). I have been weaning my son (and myself )off the breast for the last few days but I was wondering if there was something that I can do to draw the milk out myself, at this point my breasts aren't even hard like they are full but I know there is still some in there. Do I just have to let my body take care of it? or is there something I can do. Someone told me that cabbage works? Any suggestions? Thank you.
Thank you all for your help I really appreciate how many of you gave me advice.
hey J.,
You might try this, if you are full pump once more and then putona tight binding, Abdominal binder, etc,,keep this one for two or three days without removing it. Works probably best on a w/e. that is what women of old did,and i did, It works. Afterthree days I had no milk and no engorgment, Good luck.
My daughter-in-law did the cabbage thing by putting crushed cabbage leaves on her breast and her milk dried up almost immediately.
Congrats on breastfeeding to begin with. Even a small amount of time has been beneficial. But I'd also like to encourage you to continue on a schedule that fits your life. BF'ing doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing. You can still breastfeed when you are together or just at night. Your body is so intuned to your new baby, it will regulate itself so that you only produce what the baby takes.
No matter what you decide, I suggest taking it slow and easy. Mother nature will take care of you, just don't rush her :)
I'll paste below some excellent articles from kellymom.com. Kellymom has an awesome reputation for having current, fact-based information on breastfeeding and all it entails.
Partial Weaning and Combination Feeding
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning-partial.html
Comfort measures for mom during weaning
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning_mom.html
Weaning Techiniques
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning_techniques.html
Weaning FAQ's
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/weaning_faqs.html
When the baby quits suckling, the body (pituitary gland, I think) takes that as a hint to quit producing (as much) milk. He's probably having a growth spurt about now, anyway; so if you were exclusively breastfeeding, he'd be wanting to nurse every little bit (which would alert your body to MAKE MORE MILK!) Since you're supplementing, he can get as much as he wants from the bottle each time. It should go pretty easily for you. Even if you (still) breastfeed him only one or two feedings a day, though, your breasts will make a little milk each day and that would be good for you both (like early a.m. and 12 hrs later at his bedtime).
Good luck!
(P.S. I'm 51 and nursed 4 babies for at least a year each, so have a little experience! LOL) I don't know (scientifically) about the cabbage leaves, but I'd assume that they're simply 'cool' and soothing and LARGE enough to cover the entire breast (and also waterproof if you leak. he he). Like someone said, breastfeeding is NOT an 'all or nothing' proposition. I started giving our kids juice and formula very early (they used to recommend starting juice and cereal at 6 WEEKS, not months!) and I always had plenty of milk.
I am a nurse and have breast fed 3 children. Unless you get uncomfortable, just let your body manage it. I will mention that after my first 2 I could express milk for months after weaning-some freinds have said the same thing. It doesn't sour in your body or anything. If you get uncomfortable I would hand express it (push from your body out towards your nipple with one hand on top and one on bottom) but only as much as you need for comfort. The more you get rid of, the more your body makes and the longer it takes to completely dry up. If you get any redness DO NOT let that go-see a doctor for antibiotics as you probably have mastitis. Good luck and congrats for breast feeding at all!!!
Unless you are horribly uncomfortable, I would say let nature take its course and let your milk dry up on it's own. Just wear a tight-fitting bra like a sports bra to help bind your breasts. It took about 3-4 mos after I stopped breastfeeding before I finally had no more milk at all, but til this day, I still sometimes feel my letdown (esp around the time I am about to start my period). Expect some bodily strangeness... haha
Hi J.,
I don't have personal experience with cabbage leaves but I do know of women that used them to help dry up their milk. I'm not sure why or how long it takes but it does work.
Congrats on the birth of your son.
Peace,
J.
J., If you have been gradually reducing the frequency and duration of feedings and are in no pain, your body will take care of itself. If you want, you can even continue to nurse your son just once or twice a day for quite some time. Somehow your body regulates the production of milk. Basic supply and demand. I have to say that I would strongly urge you to continue to breastfeed your infant until he is at least six months old, even if it is twice a day, (like a bedtime snack and a mid- night feeding or morning feeding.) The benefits you pass on to your child are surprising in number and long lasting. Remember though, to consult your doctor or a lactation consultant if you begin to experience painful swelling or discoloration of the breast. Stopping breastfeeding sudenly can cause discomfort. I hope this helps, I'm a big breastfeeding advacate, I mean, that's what they're for :) Oh and sometime the cold cabbage leaves help with discomfort, it doesn't stop your milk production.
Yes,
Apply green cabbage leaves directly to your breasts, you can tuck them in your bra.
If you blanch them (drop them in boiling water) for 1 minute (the cabbage, not your breasts-ha ha), they are more pliable & it will work faster as it will draw out the compound in the cabbage that helps dry the milk.
P
Hi J.!
There really isn't anything you can do...you just have to wait it out. Cabbage doesn't really help..but if its cold what it can do is help make you more comfortable as when you are engorged. You honestly will probably get a little leakage a month or more from now when you are in the shower or something. But eventually it will dry up...be prepared to wear nursing pads for a while though!
Hope that helps!!
K.
Hi! The only thing cold cabbage will do is have an ice-like effect and make your breasts feel better if they are engorged. If you aren't engorged any, I would just stop any activity, no feeding or pumping, and let you body take care of it (I had to do this three times). You may still feel some tenderness or pain in the process, but within a week or so your breasts will feel normal.
Hey, when I weaned I just gradually cut down on the amount and the times per day--- HOwever, I was pumping exclusively. But I would assume that if you began working bottles into your baby's day and reduced the amount and times that youa re nursing, it would be the same.
Anyway, it dried up on it's own.
J.
Wear a good and I mean good sports bra with the store liners for breast feeding mothers (I for the life can't remeber what they are called). I am sure if you are breast feeding you use them anyway. I just took some ibueprofin and wore my bra and it was over in about 2 or three days. Eventually you wont be sore and your body will take over from there. Good luck.
B.
.
Cabbage leaf in your bra does work. Sage taken internally dries up milk as well. Good luck.
I am 51, so forgive me if I give you old advise and not the modern advise of today. You can put cabbage leaves in your bra and it will help your milk to dry up. Also, I took an ace bandage and pulled it around my breasts, without wearing a bra, and binded myself for about five days and the milk dried up.
J....I know for myself, I just let my body take care of it...Your body will only produce what is needed and when the need diminishes...so will the milk. I always thought cabbage was used when your milk came in and it helped with the pain of engorgement.
Good luck!
I can completely understand not being able to pump during the day at work. Could you pump/nurse twice a day? Once in the morning and once at night. Your body can adjust to what you ask it for! Breastmilk definately doesn't have to be all or nothing. My son got a combo of breastmilk and formula.
But to wean, anything cold on your breast will help to dry up the milk. You can also wear a snug (not very tight) bra to help as well. I don't know if your planning on going on the pill or other horomonal BC, but this will also dry up your milk if you don't plan to nurse anymore at all. Good luck to you!
J.,
When I was breastfeeding my 4 children I took the pump with me to work every day. It only took 10 minutes to pump and I found that everyone would let me pump in their offices. They were all really nice about it except one DA who thought it was funny to ask me in crowded elevators if that blue box was oxygen. People I worked with used to say "moo" when I went in to pump, but I never let it bother me. I used a Madella pump (that pumped both sides at the same time) that I rented from Le Le Che. I have pumped in the DA's Office, in a restroom at the courthouse, in my supervisor's office, etc. I just took the pump with me. I usually got a lunch break of some kind and I would always pump first and take a sandwich with me to eat if my lunch got interrupted. It is harder to do it when you have a demanding job, but it was possible for me to pump once a day. I was not able to every day, but most days I found a way to pump once a day.
S.
If you're not feeding, your body will gradually stop producing milk. You don't have to do anything to "draw it out". However, if you're uncomfortable it's best to pump just a little bit until you're comfortable. You can gradually pump less until you don't need to anymore.
