Weaning and Engorged - Medina,OH

Hi,

I think you're suppose to try to get some out with a pump or manually, if you feel like that, but only enough so you don't feel pain anymore, not all because your brain will think it now has to produce more. If you do this every time you get engorged, your milk production will decrease gradually once the brain gets the message you don't really need milk anymore and it will stop producing.

With my son I used to pump up to 7 times a day and decrease one pumping at a time but after I did it only once a day, I still had a couple ocassions where I did it every other day until I stop completely.

Good luck!

I did not have this problem, but I don't think it's really what's supposed to happen. A week seems quite long! I do know that you can pump or manually express a LITTLE bit to relieve the pressure (not a full bottle or it will be like you are nursing again). Otherwise, I would suggest contacting a lactation consultant or knowledgeable physician (not all of them are!). One good LC is Pat Buchnell in Avon, OH--her contact information is in the reviews section if you want to try her.
Let us know what happens, though...
Lynn

when i weaned my son, i just spent as long as i possibly could without doing anything about it. i think i went an entire day just dealing with the engorgement. then, i pumped just enough to make it stop hurting, and then went as long as i could again doing nothing. i think it took just a couple days for the problem to resolve by doing it that way. since your daughter is one now, you probably aren't making that much milk so i think you'd have an easier time weaning than someone trying to wean earlier. CONGRATULATIONS on making it a whole year with your daughter! the health of your daughter AND yourself will benefit!

As some of the other moms mentioned, use cabbage leaves. Put one if your bra, and change it every couple hours. Theres something in the cabbage leaf that helps dry you up, sorry can't think of a nicer way to say that:-)
I did this after i was done nursing with both of my kids, and it really does work.
M.

This may sound weird, but have you placed cabbage leaves on your breasts? I have friends who did this (even a nurse) and it dried them up.

Put Cabbage leaves in your bra. They stay cool and they feel really good.
J.

When I stopped EP-ing, I would only pump to relieve the pressure/pain. I went from pumping once every like 18 hours, to a full 24 hours, then to a day and a half, and so on. Only pump or express until the pressure subsides - nothing more.

Hi D.,
I hear placing red cabbage leaves inside your bra will help with engorgement. I know this sounds silly, but I actually learned this from a breastfeeding class I took at the Cleveland Clinic. I think you're supposed to put one leaf in, and change it when it wilts. Good luck!

S.