I recently had to abruptly stop nursing my 6 month old due to food allergy issues and I am wondering when my breasts will return to normal. It has been a little over a week since I completely stopped nursing and pumping and my right breast is still very full and hard. My left has gone down considerably but is still tender. The nurse at my son's dr.'s office said things should be fine after about 3-4 days so I am confused as to why I am still feeling discomfort and milk in them. I am wondering if I need to make an appt. to see my OBGYN or if I just have to wait it out a few more days. I definitely do not have any fever and they do not appear to be infected. This is all new to me because my first son weaned himself off by himself at about 9 months and my milk production was so low that my breasts were back to normal immediately. Any advice would be appreciated...
I am doing a bit better thanks to everyone's advice. I skipped a trip to my doctor and just waited it out after I read from a few of you that it could last several weeks. My breasts still have milk in them but they are not quite so uncomfortable. Thanks to all of you who took the time to respond to my question.
It can take quite a while. I went through the same thing, and my midwife said no binding, no hot showers, and no expressing unless absolutely necessary.
It took me about a month to lose my milk all the way, though I still leaked occasionally for another couple of months after that.
Sorry- I know you probably have mixed feelings already. And the physical discomfort only makes those worse! But it'll be better soon!
I never had to suddenly stop breastfeeding, but if it hurts that much it could not hurt just to pump a little to release pressure. It will slow down the complete shut down, but it would make you feel better. also Sage/sage teas can help withthe drying up process. I would call a lactation consultant in your area, they could help you through this with out having to bother your doctors.
Good luck.
No don't pump!!!! Mine didn't right for a couple weeks!I had weaned too, so I wasn't producing much at all, so I never was engorged, but very uncomfortable. I would massage them a little just a little, but NO PUMPING, that will only make it worse. Try cold ice packs. Then one day I woke up and they were completely gone-back to the old ones. You could call your local hospital to talk to the lactation nurse or your local la leche and see what they suggest.
As a side note: I also had developed fibroids after my first child, which makes them lumpy and painful-but nothing serious. So it is possible something unrelated is going on as well.
Hi J., Sorry you had to stop and are uncomfortable. It is a long time ago for me but I do remember using cold to ease the pain. A bag of frozen veggies, soft like peas or corn may help. If you are not better in a few days it cannot hurt to call the doctor. Grandma Mary
You may still be producing milk so I suggest you pump until you feel comfortable...and only pump again when you feel full and just pump to comfort - listen to your body...it will readjust...give it time. :)
Hi J., I had a similar experience. I had intended to wean my now-17-month-old at 6 months however at 5-and-a-half months he decided he'd had enough of me. So, really abruptly I stopped nursing because that's what my son "decided". My breasts felt like bags of rocks -- hard, lumpy, really unattractive -- and they were sore for about 6 weeks. Each week they got a bit less hard and a little more normal. Hang in there. You'll get your girls back. :)
I know you made to decision to stop breastfeeding but babies are never allergic to breast milk, but rather something you are eating. Have you tried not consuming dairy? It could be a cows milk protein allergy. This is the most likely culprit, and actually it usually starts to go away between 6-12 months. You have to stop dairy for at least 2 weeks before you see any results though because the protein takes that long to get out of your system. My son had terrible stomach cramps that kept him up crying half the night, bloating and diarrhea and a diaper rash for months until I figured it out and quit eating all dairy- no milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. Look at this site for more information.
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/food-sensitivity.html
stopping nursing cold turkey can realy be hard on your body, when I stopped nursing my daughter I did it gradually and still had milk for over a month after I finally stopped. It will take time to get your body back to pre baby/nursing. You can try warm compresses to releave the pain & help the pressure. have you considered pumping to release the pressure?
B. - working mom to a great little girl
Hot compresses and pumping... just enough to reduce the pressure. If you don't take some of the milk out you may get an infection. I had mastitis and it was horrible! Spiked a fever of 102 and couldn't get out of bed for three days. Take with your doctor, but mine suggested hot compresses to "soften" and then pumping just enough to reduce the pressure and eventually the milk production stopped.
Primrose oil take 1 tablet a day.. 1000 mgs. Its great to relieve painful breast.. but also call your dr. You may have a clogged milk duct.. give them a call and good luck!!!!
here's what they told me at La Leche League - you may need to pump a little to relieve the pressure. but make sure it's as little to not overstimulate the nipples, if you need to do it more than once in a month then make sure you pump a little less each time to teach your breasts they don't need to be making milk.
Drink peppermint tea, and take lecithin. The mint restricts milk production, the lecithin prevents clogged ducts.
This is what I did when I stopped nursing, it took four times pumping (like once a week or so), I would reduce the amount of time each session, and I drank peppermint tea with lecithin in it as well.
It worked.
Good luck! If you need more help, contact La Leche League, they are the real experts and have 24-hour hotlines. Just look them up online for a number to call nearyou.
Hi J.,
It can certainly take more than 3-4 days for your milk to stop being produced after you've breastfed for 6 months - don't be confused, the nurse simply isn't trained in breastfeeding/weaning. There's nothing really wrong and an appointment to the doctor isn't necessary if you don't have an infection. Wear a bra 24/7, do not pump to relieve the pressure, put cabbage leaves in your bra when you're home. Sage, caffeine and antihistimines can also help to diminish milk production.
Freeze some cabbage leaves and apply them to your breasts for about 15 minutes. I know it sounds strange, but my OB told me to do it to get rid of the milk and it worked. Good luck!
Try to put fresh sage in your food. A lactation specialist had me try it and I dried up within a few days. Good luck!
*K.*
