Weaning Pain

Cabbage leaves can help you to remain more comfortable as you are decreasing your baby's feeds by helping to relieve any engorgement you might be experiencing. They may also help to reduce your milk supply. The exact action of the cabbage in reducing engorgement is not known at this time, but in practice they have proven to be helpful for many mothers.

To prepare cabbage leaf compresses:

* Ahead of time, wash cabbage leaves, allow to dry, and place in a zip-lock style bag, refrigerating until needed.
* Apply after slightly crumpling in your hands (or with rolling pin) to crush veins.
* Use one or more of the cabbage leaves, as needed, to cover all areas of your breast, including the upper and outer quadrants --under your armpit. Your bra will hold leaves in place.
* Reapply in two hours or so, as the leaves begin to wilt.
* Use as needed to help with engorgement, and possibly to help diminish your milk supply when weaning. (Be cautious if using while continuing to breastfeed, as this therapy may decrease your milk supply.)

Upon application you may find you begin to get relief in as little as two hours. Milk may begin dripping from your breasts if they are very engorged. Use cotton nursing pads between your bra and the cabbage leaves to help avoid any leakage. Best wishes!

J.~ Did you just stop all at once? I just weaned my daughter she is now 1 but I weaned her only last month, and felt a little uncomfortable also, I just was nursing her once at night, and it helped to take some nice warm baths/showers. The leaking may be normal, just your body adjusting to supply and demand changes. Let me know how things go.
~Meg :)

I used a hot wash cloth on rested it on my breasts. I wasn't able to nurse my youngest because he was in the hospital for 10 days after he was born. There is a medication you can take, also. Check it out with the doctor. Good Luck!!!!!

ALL I can say is CABBAGE.... Put it over your breast it helped me tremendously!

Lots of hot showers and hot pads on the breasts. If that doesn't help doctors do have that pill that will dry up the glands.

When I weaned my son I did it slowly dropping the day feeding and feeding only at night when he was half conscience, because he was biting me. I only did the night feedings for a couple of days then we were done. Then it was lots of hot showers and hot pads and pain.

Good Luck.