HELP PLEASE!

Hi Moms,
I am in the process of weaning my boys whom I nursed and pumped for these last 14 months. I was down to 2 feeds a day for a few months and when pumping produced a total of 12-15 oz a day. I was blessed to have over production of milk through my entire bf experience but I am having trouble with having my milk dry. My last pump was last Saturday the day before mother’s day and I haven’t nursed or pumped since. I am so engorged and I am pretty uncomfortable. I have been wearing multiple tight sports bras and I haven’t stimulated production but every time I change or shower I have milk spraying out. I didn’t know if anyone had any experience with this or any advice on how to help this process. I appreciate any advice. My urgency is I have a wedding I am in next Sunday and I cant zip my dress with my breast this size and I am freaking out that they wont go down by the wedding. Thank you for your help!

 

So first - be careful binding your breasts! It doesn't do much to actually decrease supply but it can cause plugged ducts & mastitis. Ouch!

Here's a link to some things you can try: http://kellymom.com/ages/weaning/wean-how/weaning_mom/

Good luck!

 

I also think you do need to express, just enough to relieve engorgement. The minimum amount possible.

I remember that when I weaned my twins my breast were the same for four days--then they shrivelled up and disappeared! Like complete. Before kids I was like a B and a half. After weaning I went down to an A.

Good Luck and congratulations on your special day! :drinks:

 

When I finally stopped pumping, I was down to one pump a day and getting 6 oz. I did one pump a day for probably about 3 weeks before I stopped all together. I did have a little bit of discomfort for about a week, but I didn't have engorgement or pain. I was also a mass producer (by pump only, no BF) so the complete weaning process was long ~ 4 months!! Maybe try adding just one pump per day for a few weeks, but don't pump until empty. Just pump for 5-10 minutes or until you are comfortable... or until you fit into your dress!!! Good luck!!!

 

I've heard cabbage leaves are supposed to help dry you up.

It's hard to say how much shrinkage you will have. I had stopped nursing for four months, and my breasts were still bigger than they were when I got pregnant. It sounds like some others were much smaller much sooner.

 

Thank you so much! I pumped for 5 min and still got about 11 oz so I think you ladies are right in that I need to slow the process and pump 1x a day. Thanks for all the advice!

 

I had to take decongestant to finally dry up. I took the rec dosage then manually expressed to a comfort level and took the decongestant around the clock for a few days only expressing enough to be comfortable. It took a solid three days but worked really well for me. It has to be the decongestant that you get from the pharmacy, not the PE stuff on the shelf.

GL and way to go!