I am weaning off breastfeeding. How can I avoid getting mastitis when I stop?

Question

I am down to one feeding a day because I am trying to do it gradually but am nervous!

I have to quit for medical reasons, so please give me a break here!

Answer 1

You'll be fine. Just make that last feeding shorter and shorter, and then skip it one day and see how you do.

If you find yourself engorged, try putting cabbage leaves in your bra (sounds completely weird and gross, but lactation consultants recommend it and it really works) and take some ibuprofin.

Engorgement doesn't necessarily lead to mastitis, and, if you go slow and easy, you likely won't even find yourself engorged.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Avoiding Mastitis

Answer 3

I didnt manage to avoid engorgement with weaning both my girls.
I had a lot of milk and although I was only skipping one feed in the end I still ended up with engorged boosoms. If you do end up where I did its not the end of the world its just a bit uncomfortable for a week or so. Take lots of long hot showers, and massage the lumps where the milks getting stuck down and out!
I never hgot mastitis weaning because I was aware and mindful of making sure my milk didnt get stuck for long periods of time.
I did get mastitis at other tiomes during breastfeeding though but that I think was from not seeing the warning signs and expressing [massaging the problem areas]when I needed to.

I think my funniest engorgement day was when I just needed to be away from my demanding weaning baby for a hour or two and I went off to my yoga class. I was lying on my back for the relaxation section when my engorged milk finally came unstuck
[ I think the exercise had done some good] and literally spurted out through my singlet all over the pace much to my absolute embarrassment as I had to sneak with a towel wrapped around me out of the very crowded room. So the moral to the story is youll be fine, maby just stear clear of yoga classes if your not wearing large amounts of breast padding.

Answer 4

Mastitis While Weaning

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
I am weaning off breastfeeding. How can I avoid getting mastitis when I stop?
I am down to one feeding a day because I am trying to do it gradually but am nervous!

Answer 6

Some really good suggestions on here! Also too add to them... make sure you are not wearing an underwire bra. Sports bras that hold you securely but not too tight would be good here...other than that it really is supply and demand. so keep those feedings shorter and shorter, massage any lumps that come up, yep the cabbage leaves really do help, and the hot showers or warm packs directly after the one feeding... if you do get mastitis despite all this get your buns to your dr/midwife and get some antibiotics (yep one of the times when the truly are necessary)! Good luck, I'm sorry that you had to stop... but kudos on doing it all... even one feeding helps!

Answer 7

The best way to prevent mastitis is to avoid the situations that set you up for it.

Relieve engorgement promptly. Milk that doesn't flow gets thicker and clogs the ducts, which is a set-up for mastitis.
Breastfeed frequently. Don't restrict the length of feedings.
If you feel your breasts getting full, encourage your baby to nurse. You don't have to wait for baby to tell you he's hungry.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach or so far over on your side that your breasts are compressed against the mattress.
Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest (both of mind and body).

Answer 8

Make the feedings less time, and less amounts gradually in the next few days.
Your body will adjust itself to this change, and TADA, you stop making the milk. If you feed more, your body makes more and vice versa.

P.S. Good for you to choose bfing in the first place, you have given your baby the BEST possible start :)
And beware of withdrawal symptoms when you completely stop. I know you can easily get depressed because you miss you so much.

Answer 9

I know this sounds really silly, but it worked for me both times I weaned my sons. Wash fresh cabbage leaves, pat them really dry, then put them in the freezer. Line your bra with them several times a day. It helps relieve the engorgement.

Answer 10

Lightly pressing on your breasts to get that little bit extra out when they hurt really helps. Use ice packs when you can. Change your breast pads hourly. Wash your breasts with cool water when you change the pads to remove any buildup.