Do my boobs know what to do?

Brideinbklyn

Ok, now that I have gotten your attention. LOL. So I think that DD is almost fully weaned off of nursing. She has not nursed in 3 days. Yesterday she asked for it before bed but when I gave her a cup of milk instead, she was ok with it. She wanted to cuddle a bit in the rocking chair but then went into her crib without a fuss.

So here is my dumb question. Do my boobs just stop producing milk now? What about the little bit of milk that is still in there? I do not want to risk getting any clogged ducts but there is so little milk left I do not think it is an issue.

Educate me please!

KristinKD

I haven't weaned yet, but yes, your boobs know what to do. If you're not engorged after not nursing for three days, there is probably very little milk left. I don't know exactly what happens to it, but I assume it dissipates somehow. Obviously you shouldn't express it (unless it's uncomfortable or painful), or it would signal your body to keep producing milk.

gategirl

It's pretty amazing, really - your ducts learn to produce less when you nurse less. Your body will adjust according to the needs (or lack thereof) of your child. Eventually, you will stop producing milk, but it takes time. I weaned almost a year ago and can still produce tiny amounts of milk. If you are really in pain, just express enough to relieve the pressure, but otherwise, it will go away on its own. Also, if you're in pain, you can try cabbage leaves in your bra (they are very cooling and help dry up milk) or even low doses of Sudafed.

Congrats on making it this long - my DD was weaned at 6 months and although it was the best thing for both of us in terms of our health, I always wish I had been able to give her that for longer.

jillybean222

You will eventually stop producing milk but it might take a few weeks before no milk comes out at all.  If they don't hurt by now, you probably won't have to worry about engorgement. 

jen5-03

My boobs knew what to do! We had been down to 1-2x a day nursing for a couple weeks, so when DD gave it up completely I never had any engorgement/plugged duct or any sort of problem. And I can not get a drop out of my boobs.