On my third baby and just weaned her from nursing yesterday (she is 1 year and 2 months). I have always been very lucky in that my kids just weaned themselves at about a year just as my milk begins to just dry up. Very easy - until now! For the first time, my daughter weaned just simple as pie just like the boys but today I AM SO ENGORGED! How long does this take? Is there anything special I should do? Of course it is Saturday and my docs office is not open to call, frankly I feel kind of dumb asking anyways. You would think after 3 kids I would be old hat at this. I have looked up some stuff online but thought I would get some first hand accounts. I always like the advice I get from all of you anyways.
T.
Cold cabbage leaves helped me. Anti-inflammitory and cold compresses also helped a bit. Hot water/compresses only stimulates them more. I would let the hot water run over me while showering but that was it. Then I wore tight,tight sports bra's and wrapped them up! It took a good week with boy my boys for the engorgement to go away! Good luck and hang in there!
Hi T.,
HOt showers to help milk let down can help. Try a Mastitis tincture. But be very careful that you express enough to relive it. Also Milk weed slightly boiled & applied to the affected areas is a life saver. WHATEVER you do DO NOT get mastitis (Symptoms are like the flu). Because if it goes to far you can become very sick. Rest, lay down & keep calm & quite until this passes. Otherwise you will have to take antibiotics for an infection & you do not want that. Take care! G
Cold compresses, you can take Pseudafed also, that will help dry up your milk. Also, don't risk Mastitis if you are in a lot of pain it's best to pump every once in awhile when you really need it. As someone already mentioned, it will take about a week.
I'm guessing if you drink less water you'll have less milk. I'm just taking a stab, you're the mom here.
At the hospital where I work we occasionally have to help moms dry up their milk supply due to an infant death. I know they recommend pumping only to relieve the pressure. They also have used green cabbage leaves with success. Here's a site that tells you how to use the cabbage leaves. http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-there-anything-i-can-do-...
I once had a clogged duct, and the pain from engorgement was terrible. I called busom buddies, and the lactation consultant told me to put cabbage leaves in my bra. I know it sounds crazy, but it worked. I was not weaning at the time, and I guess the cabbage leaves somehow deplete your milk supply, so they told me not to leave them on for more than 20 min. I used cabbage, then pumped, then put a warm washcloth on my nipple. This lasted about a day.
Have a warm shower and hand-express just enough milk so that you do not feel pressure anymore. Or if you want to pump you can do that instead. You can even feed the pumped milk to your baby mixed into her food if you don't want to be wasteful. Once you have relieved the pressure, put cold cabbage leaves in your bra. Crush them slightly first for best results. Try eating cabbage salad too, if it idoes not make you gassy! I talked to a lactation consultant once and she said that the only substance that has been PROVED to reduce milk supply is cabbage juice, weird but true. YOu want to be really careful not to let yourself get too engorged or you will get plugged ducts and even mastitis, then you will be beggin your baby to nurse again just ot relieve the pain! Good luck!
The cabbage advice is right on the mark. It sounds crazy, but it works. Plain ol' green cabbage - cut out the thick center vein just so it will lay more comfortably inside your bra. Wear it until it is limp & replace.
Now & then you can also use ice for 10 minutes at a time, if you have the luxury of laying down for that long! (A bag of frozen veggies works well.)
There is also an herbal tincture of sage made by Motherlove for reducing milk supply. But I'm guessing the cabbage will work before you have a chance to get to a store for the tincture.
BYW - Congrats for a year+ well done!
S.
I had a little one go from nursing 6 times a day to never nursing again, so I can totally feel your pain. Very literally. It sounds weird, but cold cabbage leaves were an immediate relief! Better than any pain killer, too. I think they do something to reduce milk, too, but I'm not sure. I just know it was worth looking weird because it felt so good. I did take them out before going anywhere, though. :) GL! If you do this, my guess is by the time the Dr.'s office opens on Monday, you won't need to call. You can also take Advil, or anything that reduces swelling.
I always take a hot shower and massage the boobs while running the water over them. I did this in the beginning while my supply was coming in. You can also try warm compresses. There are even some tips on kellymom.com. Good luck!
Make it a GREAT day!
S.
The cabbage leaves work really well. I got mastitis with my second and used this method and it was amazing (and cheap and natural!) Goodluck!
I just pump a bit when I get engorged--just enough to relieve the pain. At first, it might be every 5 or 6 hours, and then I try to increase the interval--to 8 or 10 or 12 hours, and then once a day, etc... I am really prone to getting clogged ducts and mastitis, and by pumping I make myself more comfortable, as well as preventing any issues.
There is also some tinctures to help dry up milk that can be found at the health food store.
Good luck!
If I were you, I would keep nursing her and not worry about weaning her until she is ready.
