my daughter is 11.5 months old and weaned herself to only nursing when she goes to bed. i have some medical reasons i need to quit nursing, she has no problem taking a bottle to go to bed so i have not had a problem quitting. i have not nursed in 3 days now and it is killing me. it hurts, bad. not to mention i feel guilty and want to nurse so bad. any remedies to help the swelling and pain and make this pass as quickly as possible??
2006-07-07 13:33:25 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
wear a tight bra. use ice packs if necessary, do not release any milk purposely, this will only make the drying process take longer and more painful. you are at the worst part of it now, the pain and swelling should subside within the next couple of days. also take a pain reliever, like tylenol.
2006-07-07 13:39:56 · answer #1 · answered by masmalan2004 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all, check with an expert to determine if you really need to wean. Other than cancer treatment, you can usually either continue to nurse, find an alternative treatment that will allow you to continue to nurse, or take a break from nursing, then go back in a few days or weeks. Call a local La Leche League Leader (see sources section below).
If you *do* have to wean, then try cabbage leaves. Place raw green cabbage (either direct from the fridge or at room temperature) directly on the breasts (but *not* on the nipples). When they wilt, replace them. You can use this all the time if you want; it will almost always help. It eliminates swelling and can be used for twisted ankles and other types of swelling, too. (It really *does* work; it is used in some hospitals as a safe way to wean.)
Eat lots of mint and sage; both will dry up your milk if you get enough.
Use ice packs. Some women use bags of frozen vegetables because it is easily shaped to the breast.
If all else fails, pump. Pump just *barely* enough to feel more comfortable. More than this will encourage your body to produce more milk. You should see that from week to week you are pumping less, although not necessarily on a day-to-day basis.
2006-07-08 15:36:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG DO NOT wear a tight bra or bind yourself!! You are asking for mastitis! Are you sure she weaned herself? Babies under 18 months rarely do, it could be a nursing strike. If you decide you want to fully wean then pump just enough off each breast to relieve the pressure, the milk will dry up quickly. If you would like to continue nursing use a double electric pump 6-8 times a day to keep up your supply while she gets over the strike.
Good luck with whatever you do. My 10-month-old recently went on a 10-day nursing strike following a sore throat and it was horrible. She's back to nursing full time, so it is possible if you would like to continue nursing---even just at bedtime. Congrats on doing such a great job getting this far with breastfeeding!!
2006-07-07 21:39:02 · answer #3 · answered by all_my_armour_falling_down 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi..simplycurious is right..stand under a hot shower, let the water run on ur breasts, this will express the milk out..listen, DO NOT PUMP...if u pump then u know what will happen, ur body will make more milk, because the pumping simulates the baby sucking. Stand under the shower as long as u can, this will not relieve it completely. You need to get a Xtra large Ace Bandage and bind ur chest, this is tight and uncomfortable, but it will stop the milk from producing in about 2 days. Sleep in this at night as well. Good luck..it will pass.
2006-07-07 20:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by tammilynn05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Climb into a shower as hot as you can stand it! Let the water run on your breasts and express just enough to ease the pain( but no more than that).It will only take a couple of days of this before you feel better. If you express too much, you're just going to increase production of milk. Good Luck and my heart goes out to you.
2006-07-07 20:40:54 · answer #5 · answered by simplycuriousNC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pump. Even if it has to be disgarded. Pump a little less each time you do. In a few days it will be better. Warm compresses help the pain. I used diapers! Wet them and put in microwave to warm them up.
If you haven't got a pump La Leche should have how to do it yourself, a little massage and a little pinch of the nimple. Try doing it in a warm shower at first.
2006-07-07 21:58:03 · answer #6 · answered by Marge Simpson 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My doctor always told me to use refrigerated cabbage leaves on my breasts if they became engorged. You may also want to try cold, damp wash clothes. Whatever you do, in spite of how much relief it may temporarily offer, do not use heat or hot showers. While it provides temporary relief, it also stimulates your mammary glands, creating a worse problem with engorged breasts later.
Hope you find this helpful and good luck!
2006-07-07 20:40:19 · answer #7 · answered by Jessica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can pump your breast just a little to releave some pain. That should help. Try not to feel guilty. I had to do the same thing when my son was 9 months because he bite me so hard it caused me to bleed. She will be fine.
2006-07-07 20:39:39 · answer #8 · answered by teechallkids 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They sell a strechy belt that acctually goes on the breast to help with that. It decreases the flow of milk and helps with pain. I think motherhood maternity stores sell it, and they have them online too. Some ibeprofin may help too.
2006-07-07 20:38:10 · answer #9 · answered by new mom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I did was to wear a regular bra with a couple of sports bras over that....the regular bra kept them separate...(they can get really really hot)..and the sports bras kept them in place...wear them all the time except while showering and before you know it you will be fine...Some tylenol will help some too.
2006-07-07 20:39:19 · answer #10 · answered by Heather 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋