Still have milk....

[Beach Mama]

As the title suggests, I still have milk even though J weaned at 17 mths old. He is nearly 22 mths - so 5 mths on if I give my nipples a squeeze in the shower (as you do sometimes ) then milk comes out almost right away.

Is this normal to still have milk 5 mths on after not feeding for that long? Even when he weaned he was down to 1-2 feeds a day so it wasn't like I producing heaps.

TIA

[~me~]

My GF had milk for a long time after finishing BF. Her DD was nearly 4 and she still had milk.
It's possible, if you are worried I would go to your GP and explain what is happening and they may do some blood tests to check hormone levels and so on.

[Shanti]

I didn't realise this was completely normal until a few months ago when I saw a Remedial massage therapist who specifically deals with the breasts and lactating women (current and post lactating) and he told me that the breasts don't just empty by themselves it can take quite a long time for some women. Other women can dry up quite fast. Through remedial massage he helps to drain the breasts through lymphatic drainage techniques etc.
very interesting stuff. He told me a story about a woman who hadn't BF for 7yrs and he expressed (after massage) stale milk from her! incredible it can stay in there for so long huh?

[turtleschell]

is it the same old milk been sitting there for ages? or is it a maintained small supply?
are there any risks of mastitis etc if you let it just sit there?

[MantaRay]

This is fairly common and nothing to worry about. By squeezing your nipples occasionally you are stimulating them a little so that might be contributing to it taking longer to stop.

[Barb Glare]

Hi, it's normal. I'm guessingyou wouldn't know that it was there unless you gave it a squeeze - to leave well enough alone. It doesn't need to be expressed or removed -it's fine.

[Kazmar]

I think its a sign you should have another baby, Tan

xx

[Beach Mama]

Thanks all! Kass - it's not gonna happen!!!!! I have too many post attempted VBAC issues to go for #3!

[Beach Mama]

7 mths on - yep still there!

Just sayin'.

[Lady-bug]

I think its a sign you should have another baby, Tan

xx

Tan, I was going to say the same thing!!

[~Lashes~]

yep i still have that to, i stoped feedin dd at 3-4 months, shes now 9 months and it never compleatly "dried up" now im having no4, more seems to be there then befor. good to know its normal!!

[Beach Mama]

Shush Ladybug!!!!

Sarah - yep apparently so!!

[sconeonamission]

I didn't have 'milk' as such, but enough that if I squeezed my boobs that milk droplets would come out. Not colostrum type milk, but milk ! It seemed to disappear just before I found out I was pregnant!

DS stopped breast feeding in Nov 2008, and I found out I was pregnant in July 2010.