I just gave birth 4 days ago iam not going 2 breast feed, but they are so hard & hurt what should I do?

Answer 1

Congrats on the new one!
I just had my third baby 6 days ago, so I am going through the same situation. I am also not breastfeeding, so here are the things I do and have done in the past. Use cabbage leaves...it sounds crazy, but it will help to dry you up. You can use that along with the tight banding that was mentioned above. Just stick a couple of cabbage leaves in your bra and there you go (trust me, it works) I also pump a little bit. I had planned to try and breastfeed this time, but it just isn't going to happen, so I have pumped a LITTLE everyday to relieve the fullness and pressure. I also have used warm compresses which helped a lot. Other than that, my pain may be masked by my pain meds from the c section, but tylenol or whatnot may help also!! Good luck, and hope it gets better soon!
Try the cabbage!

I saw the post below, and just to clarify it's raw cabbage leaves! Change them frequently if you leak a lot!

Answer 2

You are experiencing engorgement due to your milk coming in.

If you are 100% sure you do not want to breastfeed, here are some options:

* Wear a supportive bra (you should do this if you are breastfeeding, too).

* Ice them down/take cold showers.

* My pediatrician also recommended sage tea when I had an oversupply.

* Avoid stimulating the breasts.

* Get a breast pump or hand express a little (if you just gave birth, probably less than an ounce). Express less each day.

In the meantime, you can give this breast milk to baby. Baby won't get all of the benefits of breastfeeding, but will at least get some of the advantages of breast milk.


As someone who really advocates breastfeeding, however, I think it would be great if you gave it a try! The first milk is the most important for baby and even a little breastfeeding is better than none at all. It is good for baby (bonding, boosting the immune system) and for you (helps your uterus contract and helps you lose weight).

You can always switch to formula later if you still want to do so.

ETA: There are some responses that appeared after I started writing and I wanted to warn you that while warm showers/compresses may help in the short term, they will actually cause the milk to flow and stimulate more milk production...prolonging your problem. Of course, with any human body YMMV, but that is what the doctors say.

Answer 3

Ouch! I undergo in recommendations what it felt like while my milk got here in and you're top, whether you're breast-feeding or no longer, that's extremely very painful. i'm useful there's a great scientific answer, yet you are able to attempt this interior the intervening time: first, take a moist rag (or 2) and placed it on your microwave for roughly 30 seconds. you are able to placed that throughout the time of your breasts until eventually it gets chilly. Or a good determination is to take a heat bath or bathe. the nice and snug rag will loosen clogged ducts and get the milk flowing. whether or no longer your are making plans on breast feeding, that milk has to pass someplace, so attempt pumping slightly after utilising the warmth rag. once you have expressed, observe an ice p.c.. on your breasts. this might help to cut back the swelling. The ice p.c.. is the main mandatory area for you while you're actually not making plans on breast feeding. and don't subject; this too shall pass. get exhilaration from your infant!

Answer 4

You should try breastfeeding! Even if you only do it for a couple days... give your baby the perfect milk and it will help with your pain. I would of course suggest a longer term of breast feeding... but every time your baby drinks your milk he/she is getting the BEST there is to offer.

If you're scared about breastfeeding, worried about the committment, or you think you can't do it because you're going back to work, I challenge you to talk to someone about it. It really has so many benefits! No cost for formula, no warming bottles at night, and you'll lose weight so much faster! Give it a try!

Answer 5

I had the same problem after I gave birth. There isn't much you can do about it other than feed the baby to releave the presure. You could always get a breast pump and store the milk just to keep it from hurting so much.

Answer 6

After I had my son a year ago, i didn't breastfeed. My breast did swell and they got sore. I tied a sheet around my breast, or I wore my bras tight. I also took warm showers not hot... and i did use the ice packs but only for like 5 mins a day. with in a week my breast milk was gone and no more pain... don't pump, cause you'll just keep making more milk, pumping helps to open the milk ducts...

Answer 7

Those breast feeding fanatics will take any opportunity wont they ............i had a baby 8 weeks ago and am not breast feeding either. I have heard cabbage leaves will work. Just to let you know they should only be sore for a couple of days and you might have a bit of leakage but mine dried up pretty quick.

Congrats on your baby and pay no attention the those that cant help but give their opinions on how you feed your child.

Answer 8

What I did was wrap them tightly in an ace bandage day and night. Also, even though it is hard to do, try to keep them out of warm water because that promotes your milk supply. Be prepared to wash your sheets as well because laying on your breasts cause them to leak. I decided not to breastfeed as well, and my baby is the healthiest thing around. However, be prepared for some to give you a hard time about it....If your breasts hurt extremely bad (mine did) the doc can prescribe some pills that make them dry up faster, but a huge ace bandage really works wonders.

Answer 9

You need to expel the milk otherwise you will be in agony, do it under running water in the shower but you will need to do it every 4 hours, it will take a while before the milk completely dries up so wear nursing pads when you go out because you will leak.

Answer 10

I took a 6 week childbirth class and gave birth to a baby boy whos 2 1/2 months now. I learned that if you want to stop your milk place cabbage on them it will stop them for sure. Our instructor told us this secret, why it stops she doesnt know. Cooked or not cooked it wasn't clear. I would try cooked cabbage first and place them on your chest. Note: if you pump your milk you will keep producing more. Pumping willgive the same message as breastfeeding to your body.