My son decided to wean the other night ;-( I didn't do anything special when my daughter weaned, and I ended up with lumps a month later, needing to express milk. My son weaned a little more gradually, only nursing once a day for the last two weeks.
He weaned two nights ago, and this morning I was a little leaky. Am I suppose to be doing anything? What care is necessary to get my boobs back to normal quickly, with the least amount of issues? Should I express a little, or not at all?
My son weaned. Not sure why people think he went on a nursing strike. He was naturally dropping feedings over the last month, and then he just stopped. He asked for his sippy cup. Kids naturally wean around this age (13 months), if we let them.
I had to express my one boob for a few days, but it's all clear now.
Just express enough but not too much to make yourself comfortable. If he was only nursing once a day, you really shouldn't experience any kind of engorgement whatsoever. But, if you do, just express a tiny bit to relieve the discomfort. It may take a few months to notice your breasts are completely dry but you won't leak. There isn't much else you need to do.
If you are uncomfortable you can express just enough for comfort. This will not signal your body to make more. But if your son was only nursing once a day for the last two weeks you really should be ok.
There is nothing special that you need to do but avoid advice like binding your breasts. That can lead to problems like plugged ducts and could even bring on fun things like an abscess.
I never expressed anything after my kids weaned. But I also was not so full I was uncomfortable. If it is so full it hurts, express just a tiny bit so you feel relief.
I have 3 children. 1st just gradually weaned by 10.5 months. I don't recall
any issues because he was supplimented with formula so I didn't have a huge supply. 2nd child, I stopped nursing when she was 14-15 months. My hubby & I went away for a long weekend & I didn't nurse her again upon returning. I was definitely uncomfortable and bought those cold compresses that are made for the boobs - bought at Target. Hot shower helped too as well as Tylonol or Advil. I was probably uncomfortable for 5 days to a week. I definitely didn't express any though. For my 3rd, he weaned himself at 5 and a half months. He was supplimented w/ formula too so I didn't have a huge supply. I think the formula was a quicker fix to his hunger so that's what he preferred. I wasn't too uncomfortable with weaning him either.
If you express any, do it manually in the shower as you massage your boobs, just to give yourself a little relief.
A friend of mine was advised to freeze cabbage leafs and put them on her boobs and she said it worked amazingly. You could also ask your doctor for some medicine that will dry you up. I know they used to give something to moms right after birth who didn't want to nurse. Call and ask to talk to a nurse and see if they have a suggestion.
Usually no... but don't take a sudden disinterest in nursing as they are completely weaned. Nursing Strikes are common and can last up to 2 weeks before the child is ready to come back to the breast.
Depending on age of the boy... will depend on if you should express or not. Over 2 years old, go ahead and do nothing. Under 2 y/o, you may want to express to make sure if he decides to come bac to nurse, you still have milk.
This sounds more like a nursing strike. Babies don't truly wean this suddenly. Kellymom is a great website for lots of nursing info :)
M.
One thing that works wonders is frozen cabbage leaves. I have no idea why cabbage helps with the drying out process but it does, and with them frozen it will soothe the swelling and soreness of your breasts. You can express a little to give yourself a some relief, just don't pump everything out, just enough to help, otherwise you will keep producing milk.
Hope this helps!
