Hi all...
I finished breast feeding my son (3rd baby) over a week ago and both of my breasts are still really sore. I slowly weaned myself from him...first losing the middle of the day feedings and than the night and last the morning. I never got engorged but on both sides I have a spot that is hard and both are really sore. Last night during my shower I tried to rub and press to see if I could release whatever milk was left and did have some come out but this morning I am still sore. Has anyone ever had this happen and what did you do to try and feel better? I never had this much trouble with my girls...
Thanks in advance!
My doc prescribed pain pills which totally made me feel groggy and sleepy.
I don't remember two weeks hardly at all. I don't recommend them.
I listened to other moms who swore by them. My mistake.
Sounds like you are slightly engorged or have some milk ducts that are filled with milk. Your body is still adjusting to weaning.
* Hand expressing in the shower can offer relief.
* Pump a small amount of milk to offer relief.
*Try using a heating pad or warm compress while expressing a small amount for relief.
* I've never used it but I know women that have had great results with using cabbage leaves to help relieve engorgement or dry up their milk supply.
* Stay hydrated and keep an eye on the tenderness so that it doesn't become red or warm.
* Rest if you can.
Hope that helps some.
Peace & Light,
J.
Google "La Leche League" This is a group of lactation specialists who will guide you, as we are all different, our pregnancies are different, etc.
Blessings
The spot that is hard and sore sounds like a clogged duct you need to clear that if it is. Heat and massage to clear it.
Eat lots of sage that helps to dry up, and talk to your doctor. I have had 3 kids and I never really dry up ever, and that is just me but any way I have never experienced pain.
Janet has good advice. I just want to add that you will have milk in your breast for a long time, especially after nursing three children. Two years after I weaned my fourth child, I suffered a blocked duct that was well on its way to mastitis simply from wearing a bra that was too tight. Keep massaging the spot, it should feel better soon.
When I stopped nursing the doctor told me to avoid showers the first few weeks as warm water increases your milk supply. Did you try putting a hot compress just on the spot that is sore? You could have blocked ducts. If that is the case the hot compresses should work. If not go see your doctor as you can end up with infection from it.
I called my grandmother when I stopped feeding mine. If you make a cup of tea with caffeinated tea bags use the tea bags to stop the pain. Make sure you squeeze the tea out of the bags and then place them in your bra on the part that is sore. You may think I am crazy but I loved it. It takes the warm/pain right out. She also used cabbage to dry up the milk that was left. Oh the tea will stain your bra so place something in there like a wash cloth.
My boobs hurt for a while, and I ended up having to hand express in the shower for a week about 3 weeks after my daughter weaned.
