I finished weaning my 9 month old son a few weeks ago. (I had wanted to breastfeed him for a year, but had some complications arise so I would appriciate not getting lectured by weaning him early. I've already been lectured by a few of my friends who don't even have children!) My question is, how long does it take for the milk to dry up? I haven't been terribly engorged, but I still feel full. And I have a lump on one side that feels like a clogged milk duct. Is there anything I can do to help speed up the process?
As I've heard from my sister-in-law and from a few lactation consultants, you can dry up your ducts by taking some cabbage leaves, roll them out to be more pliable, and then place them on your breasts around (not on) your nipples for as many hours a day as possible. This should dry you up.
Good luck!
In regard to the milk drying up, I've heard not only from my lactation consultant, but other people and books that you can place cold cabbage leaves over your breasts to quicken the process. Also, it helped me to place a warm/hot pad over the lump and gently massage afterwards. Repeat this several times a day if needed. If you don't have a hot pad, then a wet washcloth thrown in the microwave for about 45 seconds works great. Good luck! And hopefully you don't feel bad about not being able to continue breastfeeding. I planned on it for one year and my baby girl decided on her own to quit after 8 months--possibly related to some complications I was having. Long story, but what matters is that she's perfectly strong and healthy.
Hey you did great! 9 months is wonderful. I had a swollen milk duct while breastfeeding. It sounds like that is what it is. If you were still nursing I would suggest pressing on it while nursing. Sage is known to decrease and help dry up milk supply. I would consult an herbal remedy book. It will dry up on its own. No breast stimulation at all in the mean time. If I remember correctly, it will take about a week to really notice a difference.
Good luck to you! We get past it all.
Kind Regards,
L.
First of all, you should be proud you breast fed your son for this long, many people give up way early! I was lucky enough to be able to go a full year, and I did have problems weaning or drying up! I have heard that if you put your bra in the freezer over night, the cold helps you dry up! Good luck! And again, congrats on making it for 9 months! Good for you!
