Does BM go away naturally or do you need medication?
How will breastmilk eventually go away by itself if you still need to express a bit to avoid engorgement? as doesn't this trigger a let down which = milk production? or do you just put up with the pain and it will eventually stop, in which case how does THAT milk get out?
Or is medication the common way? in my google search it said that the medication they give to dry up breastmilk has not been approved by the FDA for that purpose.
Tried calling ABA and understandably they were not helpful in regards to fast weaning. Only told me to drop one feed a week for several months, which in my case is not possible. (also told me doing it quickly would cause medical issues and be distressing for the baby - which is something i had to way up against MY physical and mental medical needs).
Hun, it will dry up eventually because you are not expresssing it all, so the amount being re-absorbed will trigger your body to produce less. You will need to make sure you express enough to avoid mastitis (and to be comfortable), but no more than that. Also watch closely for the signs of mastitis so if it starts you can treat it before it takes hold.
I weaned Nina slowly, but with Emily we went away and I wasn't very prepared, so I sort of had no choice but to wean quickly as I was in Brisbane, she was in Cairns and I had no pump.
I would express enough for comfort only. I avoided bras with underwire and wore loose fitting clothes. I was very uncomfortable, in pain at times actually, but I knew my body. I knew what signs to look out for in case of mastitis. It took about 3 days and I didn't feel the need to express for comfort after that. I still had milk for another week after that, but it didn't hurt.
So yeah, it can be done. Like I said, listen to your body. Look out for the signs. Good luck with it.
B - when I was waiting for my milk to dry up - the docs didn't give me any medicine cos the side effects are worse than just dealing with a little pain ya know?
I got told to just express until comfortable - and this won't get a let down - I just did it in the shower. Then if they are really sore - cabbage leaves or frozen nappies full of water.
When i weaned Aiden, admittadly, i had mastitis already, and was on antibodics, which made it abit easier.
Express for comfort, i just did abit maybe, 20ml every so often, or in the shower. I did a quick goggle - the herb sage is mentioned alot, a couple of cups a day. Some also mention to avoid nipple stimulation completly, so, avoiding expressing, but, i think you also need to avoid mastitis abit as well. Using ice packs or frozen veges to relieve swelling, and also to reduce milk supply. Dont use heat packs, as it can create a let down effect.
Keep up your fluid intake.
Also, taking antiinflamatries like ibuprofen will help.
Thanks, can i ask you Jodi, how many feeds were you doing at that time?
I've gone from about 20 feeds a day down to 2 in the space of 5 days. I am still engorged, just expressing with my fingers the pressure off, but find that by the night time i am lumpy, a feed gives relief but i don't want to keep producing milk. Is the lumpy stage a sign of impending mastitis or do i just need to get past that so the milk learns to go back in to myself? (i have had mastitis 4 times so i am scared too). Sorry if the above didn't make much sense.
Edit - thanks debbie i will see if someone can get me sage, maybe it comes in tablets.
and Mel, congratulations matey, i haven't been on so i didn't know.
Emily was 6 months old, feeding her every 3 hours during the day, none at night. So 5-6 feeds a day?
My boobs were extremely lumpy, how I didn't end up with mastitis is beyond me.
the lumps are a sign of impending mastitis i would say...suggestion.. see a different doctor (am not sure if you are able to at the moment thou) tell them that you are still b/f, a few little fibs, and ask for antibodics for the mastitis?
Stop b/f thou.. even thou it relieves the pressue, you are still stimulating the hormones etc.
If you have any issues getting the sage, let me know.. i will see what i can do for you as well.
Does BM go away naturally or do you need medication?
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Best of luck hun, I hope you are doing ok.
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