Sore/Painful bb's from weaning, help!

sevenonesix · March 2011

Yep. We're done BFing. *sigh* I don't even want to comment on it, defend myself, or explain anything because this has seriously been a serious struggle for us the last few weeks - which is in part why I haven't been around (that and the fact that I'm crazy busy with bridal season right now). And, I'm still struggling with the decision and feeling some major guilt...

So, without saying much else...... what can I do about the pain? CRAP my breasts hurt! Obviously I don't want to hand express or anything like that, right? It just hurts... so... bad!

Any advice?

amlea81 · March 2011

Positively no judgments from me. This probably isn't what you want to hear, but the best thing is just the passing of time. You can do Sudafed, cold cabbage leaves, etc, but honestly, it just took a while of super sensitive bewbs before it slowly tapered off. Good luck!

weathergirl1122 · March 2011

No advice. Mine just kind of slowly dried up with no pain, I just wanted to say that I love you

sevenonesix · March 2011

weathergirl1122:
No advice. Mine just kind of slowly dried up with no pain, I just wanted to say that I love you

I haven't had much pain the last two days but today - holy CRAP. OWWIIIEEEE.

I you too. *sigh* I'm in such a funk from all this breastfeeding nonsense!

sevenonesix · March 2011

amlea81:
Positively no judgments from me. This probably isn't what you want to hear, but the best thing is just the passing of time. You can do Sudafed, cold cabbage leaves, etc, but honestly, it just took a while of super sensitive bewbs before it slowly tapered off. Good luck!

Yeah, I figured there wasn't much to do. Thanks hun

weathergirl1122 · March 2011

sevenonesix:
weathergirl1122:
No advice. Mine just kind of slowly dried up with no pain, I just wanted to say that I love you
I haven't had much pain the last two days but today - holy CRAP. OWWIIIEEEE.
I you too. *sigh* I'm in such a funk from all this breastfeeding nonsense!

I know its difficult to finally decide but you're doing great! Look at how much BM Collin has already gotten from you! He's going to be healthy and strong no matter what you feed him

happyhoopla · March 2011

Absolutely no judgement....you have to do what's best for your family. As far as dealing with the discomfort, tylenol can help. Put some cabbage leaves in the fridge and once they are nice and cold, put those inside your bra (I swear, it works!). You can express just a little milk so that it's not painful anymore. A tight, thick bra. Warm showers (but try not to have the milk flow directly on your breasts). I've heard that eating sage can decrease your supply, but I'm not positive about that one. Also, there is a medication that your doctor can prescribe, but that's more for if you still have milk 3 months after weaning. I hope that you start to feel some relief very soon.

sevenonesix · March 2011

weathergirl1122:
sevenonesix:
weathergirl1122:
No advice. Mine just kind of slowly dried up with no pain, I just wanted to say that I love you
I haven't had much pain the last two days but today - holy CRAP. OWWIIIEEEE.
I you too. *sigh* I'm in such a funk from all this breastfeeding nonsense!
I know its difficult to finally decide but you're doing great! Look at how much BM Collin has already gotten from you! He's going to be healthy and strong no matter what you feed him

Thanks hun. Also, he's gained just over a pound in two weeks!!! WOOT WOOT!!

Mrs.KS · March 2011

I don't have any advice on the weaning as I haven't been there yet, but I just wanted to extend big hugs to you. You've done a great job to have nursed for the time that you did. Nursing is not easy and it doesn't always work out. You're doing whats best for you and your baby and that makes you an awesome mama! Don't think of stopping as a failure, think of the time you did it as a success! (((HUGS)))

amlea81 · March 2011

Mrs.KS:
Don't think of stopping as a failure, think of the time you did it as a success!

LOVE!!

sevenonesix · March 2011

Mrs.KS:
I don't have any advice on the weaning as I haven't been there yet, but I just wanted to extend big hugs to you. You've done a great job to have nursed for the time that you did. Nursing is not easy and it doesn't always work out. You're doing whats best for you and your baby and that makes you an awesome mama! Don't think of stopping as a failure, think of the time you did it as a success! (((HUGS)))

Thank you so much for your support, Mrs.KS. I think I'm just afraid of the judgement from others (esp friends & family). I know that in the end I've made the right decision, but feeling like I constantly have to explain myself to others (IRL) is a bit ridiculous!

Kelly0615 · March 2011

You have to do what's best for both you and C. I know how hard it is and it feels really defeating to stop, but you will realize you made the right decision.

As for the pain...I don't suggest quitting cold turkey. Try to cut out a couple of sessions per day for 4-5 days. Then cut another session for a couple of days. Eventually get to 1 session and be done. I had 2 days of engorgement/pain and I pumped for 5 min to relieve the pressure. I also used ice and Advil.

You can get through it. And you gave him an awesome start. ::hugs::

sevenonesix · March 2011

Kelly0615:
You have to do what's best for both you and C. I know how hard it is and it feels really defeating to stop, but you will realize you made the right decision.
As for the pain...I don't suggest quitting cold turkey. Try to cut out a couple of sessions per day for 4-5 days. Then cut another session for a couple of days. Eventually get to 1 session and be done. I had 2 days of engorgement/pain and I pumped for 5 min to relieve the pressure. I also used ice and Advil.
You can get through it. And you gave him an awesome start. ::hugs::

Thanks Kelly *hugs*

I actually have already been weaning - did it the exact way you recommended so I'm glad to hear I was in the right direction. I did have some engorgement at first but now it's just super sore around my nips. Ice is a good idea, thanks again!

mamaholic · March 2011

Hey, no judgment here. I am weaning as we speak. It's been 10 days and I am finally feeling back to "normal". The first 4 or 5 days were the absolute WORST. A few things I did were

avoid letting hot water hit your bbs directly in the shower.
at night I turned newborn diapers inside out and stuffed them in my bra to absorb the leaking because it seemed that I leaked most at night. (I think you're CDing, so try using a night soaker in each cup)
I took one prescription Motrin that I had left over from PP healing whenever I needed to take the edge off.
Avoid purposefully expressing at all costs.

Also, a tip my OB/GYN gave me was to make sure when you put your bra on that you want to lift your bbs up and press them into themselves. Apparently this will help to make sure you don't get a clog.

Now that the milk is going away I notice they are a bit saggier than before so I have to physically lift my bbs and put them where I want them in the bra.

GL!

vlewis515 · March 2011

I had a seriously depleted supply (down from 4-6 oz per side at pumpings to may 1-2 oz) so I went cold turkey and between hours 30-36 were the worst, after 48 the swelling and pressure was almost gone. My OB still scolded me and told me she'd have had me do it slowly. I did it over the weekend, I was renting a pump and it was coming time to renew or turn it in on that Monday and I'd already really wanted to stop so I just did! She was ok with that explanation coupled with the depletion but told me next time I needed to do it slowly!

Kelly0615 · March 2011

sevenonesix:
Kelly0615:
You have to do what's best for both you and C. I know how hard it is and it feels really defeating to stop, but you will realize you made the right decision.
As for the pain...I don't suggest quitting cold turkey. Try to cut out a couple of sessions per day for 4-5 days. Then cut another session for a couple of days. Eventually get to 1 session and be done. I had 2 days of engorgement/pain and I pumped for 5 min to relieve the pressure. I also used ice and Advil.
You can get through it. And you gave him an awesome start. ::hugs::

Thanks Kelly *hugs*
I actually have already been weaning - did it the exact way you recommended so I'm glad to hear I was in the right direction. I did have some engorgement at first but now it's just super sore around my nips. Ice is a good idea, thanks again!

Oh and mamaholic mentioned something I forgot! I wore the tightest nursing bra I had...a sports bra would do the same effect. My Medela comfort bra held them up and squished together in place. It was painful to pick up DS otherwise.

Hang in there, girl!

Erin RN · March 2011

I'm so sorry. I just went through the same thing last week. What worked for me was 2 sports bras, ice, sudafed, and lots of motrin. I tried frozen cabage leaves, but the smell made me sick. My OB did say that there is a med they can prescribe to help the milk stop faster. Its been a little over a week and I'm starting to get comfortable again. Honestly, time was the only thing that really made it better. Sorry:(

lax15bsu · March 2011

Aw, hon, no one here will judge this decision. Breastfeeding is hard. Like pp said, think of the time you breastfed as such a great thing. Don't think 'well, I only breastfed four months.' Think of it as 'I am so proud I breastfed for four months!' You did great. As long as you are feeding your child, you are a great momma.

I don't have any tips or help with weaning. Just wanted to offer a gentle hug and I hope you get feeling more normal very soon!

TravelinMama · March 2011

::::just hugs, it's not easy::::

applebride40 · March 2011

I really hope the pain starts to go away. Lots of hugs to you! You are doing great!

LaciLeigh · March 2011

no judgements here. You made the decision that is best for you and your family, there is nothing wrong with that.

I only EP for 2 weeks so I am not sure if I am much help, but I did was slow down my pumping from sessions every 2/3 hrs, to 4/6, then 8/10 then stopped over a week period...I am not sure the time constraints you are in though.

I am sure others will give you much better advice though. ((hugs))

KelleyBean · March 2011

No judgement at all. It's such a difficult decision and you've given LO a great start! I've heard mucinex can help dry up milk. You can also wet some diapers and freeze them then put them in your bra. It should help with discomfort. ::hugs::

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