Since I quit nursing my daughter about 5 months ago, I've noticed that sometimes I'll get urges to nurse. For example, when she cries, or when I'm holding other babies. I haven't noticed that it's only when I'm menstruating. During nursing, I still got my period and it made my milk come in less for about 1 1/2 weeks every month. This month I noticed redness on my breasts, and it looked very similar to the beginning stage of mastitis I had when my daughter was 2 weeks old. I massaged them a little, then tried to express milk on a whim, and some came out. My husband and I don't want to get pregnant for a few years because of financial and time reasons (as well as some very important health issues I have to work out first). I do want another child though, but aren't sure whether it would be best to get pregnant or adopt (again b/c of health issues). I never imagined I'd still be producing milk, even though I'd feel it in my breasts-I guess I figured they quit working for milk when the child was weaned. I figured it was just emotional, but I definately had milk in both breasts. My mom and my MIL have never heard of this or experienced it, and I figured I'd call my OB, but I wanted to ask here first. Anyone heard of this or experienced it, or know if it might be a problem somehow? Thanks in advance!
Some women have a little milk in their breasts even if they don't give birth. Everyone is different. Thank you for nursing your baby. You gave your child the best! AF
Yes, lactation stops after you wean, but sometimes it takes a very long time. My sister-in-law maintains that she was still producing some milk when her youngest was in highschool.
It could be a hormone problem, but as it has only been 5 months, I wouldn't think so. Apparently your body was good at producing milk and was just slow to give it up.
I lactated for a year after I stopped nursing my son. It gradually got less. I had a lactation consultant who told me this is perfectly normal. HOWEVER, I agree with the first post. If it is getting worse (more milk instead of less), seek advice from your doctor. At this point, it's still fairly early for it to be a problem. Your daughter is still an infant and, yes, crying does stimulate a physical milk release so you will probably still lactate for awhile. Good luck!
it's been awhile since I weaned my son (he's 4.5 now), but I don't remember urges to nurse, but I definately expressed milk for almost a year, not a lot, but some. If you're getting red, I would hot pack them to prevent mastitis and talk to your OB just in case (i thought i was the only one, not so much). Good luck! PS it did eventually stop. I wondering if your urges to nurse are a psychological urge because you're worried you won't be able to have more. Good luck!
No need to worry! I had this too. I was actually still leaking up to a year after my 2nd stopped nursing. Emotions were tied to it but I had A LOT of milk the whole time. My breasts started leaking when I was around 4 months pregnant both times ~ a long time to wear breast pads.
My son is 14 months old and I stopped nursing him when he was 10 wks old. I still leak milk from time to time, not a lot, but if I squeeze my boobs I can definitely get some milk out. I asked my GYN and she said it wasn't a problem and was nothing to be concerned about.
