engorgement?

Question

if there a method that i can use to stop breastfeeding without having to go through painful engorgement? i heard if you use birth control it decresses your milk flow. will that work?

Answer 1

Yes, you have to stop gradually. Don't drop more than one feeding a week until you are down to 1-2 feedings, then wean even slower (for instance by shortening each remaining feeding before stopping entirely).

The Pill would usually only reduce milk supply when used during the first 6-8 weeks after the birth. And it doesn't happen for everyone. It is not an effective method for decreasing milk production. And every drug that has ever been used for that purpose has been withdrawn from the market because it kills women. I wouldn't suggest using the current "drug du jour" while it's "still safe"--you don't want to be the one to get *this* one taken off the market!!

Binding is not a good idea, either. It may work, or it may give you a breast infection or even a breast abscess (which can require surgery and can recur if you aren't nursing).

Answer 2

Do you have to stop right away? If not, do it gradually so that you don't suffer through it. Drop one feeding a day... every 3-4 days and your milk production will adjust. It will take you about a month or so to do it this way.
If you can't wait, then wear a tight bra and every time you feel your breast full (to the point where you can see & feel your ducts on the sides), express just enough milk by hand so that it relieves the pressure but not so much that it triggers more production. This way you'll be forcing your milk to dwindle without suffering too much. Don't get me wrong, it will still hurt a bit... so take Tylenol to ease the pain. You can also place ice packs on your breasts to help with the discomfort. Try not to take hot showers and don't let the hot water hit your nipples. That'll trigger a letdown and more production. This method should take anywhere from 3-5 days.
I hope you choose to do it slowly. It will benifit your baby tremendously and help you with the pain.

I've been through engorgement & clogged ducts for the first 6 months of nursing (never mind the 3 bouts of mastitis). But I stuck through it and still continue to nurse my 1 year old... while 3 months prego with my second.

Good luck!

Answer 3

You need to wean SLOWLY and not all at once. Cold turkey weaning is cruel to both mom and baby. It makes mom more likely to get engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis. Take it slowly, one feeding at a time over a period of a couple of weeks. If you are feeling engorgement, wait until it goes away before cutting another feeding.

Cabbage leaves in your bra can help some with the engorgement.

Taking decongestants can help to dry you up.

Takiing a warm shower or hand expressing/pumping just enough to get comfortable can help.

Ice packs (frozen peas work GREAT) and ibuprofen can help with any discomfort as well. (Ibuprofen will work better than Tylenol because it's swelling that you're trying to treat.)

COMBINATION birth control pills may lessen supply for some mothers.

Answer 4

After 6 weeks...you shouldn't be getting engorged. If you are having a problem weaning and the engorgement is bad, you can get medication to stop the milk

Answer 5

Don't use the Pill! The hormones will go into your breastmilk and into the baby. Just taper off breastfeeding. Replace 1-2 feedings per day with formula or food(or water if the baby is over 12 months at least) and replace more feedings each week. Your breasts will respond to the lessened demand by producing less milk.

Answer 6

do it slowly over the course of a week or 2. reduce a feeding a day or over 2 days with a bottle. after a week or two all feedings will be with a bottle. if you do it slowly, you won't get as engorged or sore. it's less tramatic for the baby and less chance for you to get a breast infection.

Answer 7

Try searching on yahoo or google for info about cabbage leaves. I know it sounds weird, but there is some trick to putting the cabbage leaves on your breasts and it actually reduces the engorgement and helps dry up the milk supply.

Answer 8

i don't know about birth control but i do know that there are pills the doctor can give you for that...you can also try a hot shower let it beat down on your breasts and it will cause them to release a little milk and it really helps just don't do it too much or the milk will keep coming in

Answer 9

The Drs can give you something to dry up your milk if you don't want to nurse.
But first see it the baby will take to a bottle. I've heard some don't.

Answer 10

oh... i've got faith for you!! After my son grew to become into born the discomfort grew to become into awful and that i grew to become into embarrassed to circulate in public (my as quickly as B cups did not slot in an E anymore!) I had my husband take a scarf and tie them up as tight as he might desire to (made it not user-friendly to breath...in spite of the shown fact that it grew to become into worth it!) That way they does not circulate around and harm greater. Plus I took ice chilly showers and that helped. fortunately it basically lasted possibly each and every week and issues have been lots greater effective. besides the reality that i did not thoroughly supply up lactating till my son grew to become into over 6 months previous! Congrats!