What I was told about drying up:

bigbootyjudi · September 2012

I talked to an LC this morning and this is what I was told concerning drying up:

- That I was putting myself in a "dangerous" position, since I already have a clogged duct and "drying up" would cause more, but if I wanted to do it and didn't mind having more than one lump, then to go for it.

- That I couldn't stop pumping all of a sudden. I was told to drop one pump every 3-5 days. I currently pump 8 times a day...so it's going to take at least 24 days to get this done and over with? Kind of defeats the purpose of me stopping pumping...the point was to be able to spend more time with DS immediately, not in a month when he's two months old and I've spent the past two months hooked more to the pump than to him.

- To not wear a tight bra.

- Use cabbage leaves and ice to relieve pain.

This all contradicts all of the advice I've received on both this board and 0-3. I've been told to stop pumping, only express enough to feel relief (and to do it by hand, or pump if I really really needed), wear a tight bra. Did I just get a shotty LC or were any of you ladies told/doing the same thing as she said to do? WWYD?

latnprincess · September 2012

I think in the situation you're in, she might be right. You have an oversupply and already have a bad clot. You might cause more just stopping like that. I was just reading another poster who said she got mastitis because she had an over supply and was pumping just to relieve engorgement.

I think maybe a tight sports bra might be fine just to help with the pain when they move around, but I wouldn't do underwires. Again I read that they cause clogged ducts too.

Just my .02!

HeartsOnABand · September 2012

During week 3 I switched to FF. All I did was wear two tight sports bras, used ice packs, and used breast pads. My right breast got a clogged duct and had two painful lumps right near the nipple. I would have to change breast pads at very feeding and often woke up with soaked shirts, but they have finally quit leaking. If I squeeze them I can still express milk but no more leaking and no more engorging pain.

If it wouldn't have stopped by now I was gonna do the the cabbage. Strange that the LC told you to pump still. Is it possibly because you pumped so often and have a bigger supply so you have to sort off wean off of it?

ETA..I am still wearing my tight sports bras and the lighter breast pads in case I spring a leak!

mamahawk12 · September 2012

I'm no professional, but I'd agree with your LC. Stopping cold turkey is going to be extremely painful. More clogged ducts aren't a guarantee but certainly possible. I wore one of my pre-preg sports bras the other day while my nursing ones were all in the wash and had a clogged duct within a few hours - so I'd also have to agree with not wearing a tight bra. (I think there is a difference between snug and tight.. mine was TIGHT).

I think if you also cut down the duration of your pumping sessions as well as the number (gradually) you will dry up faster. Sorry it can't be a super easy road for you - Once you make up your mind about something it's really frustrating for it to not be an instant reality. But even gradually cutting out pumps will increase the time you have with DS. Little by little is better than none... right?

mollyxcate · September 2012

When I was giving up BFing at 4 days I was told I could nurse when I wanted to relieve pain and to help her transition to formula. She spit up when I nursed her so I just quit cold turkey. I was told that a tight bra would help and it definitely did help the pain.

If I were you I would seek out a second opinion since I believe you mentioned having an over supply it may be different.

My boobs were totally porn star boobs and rock hard for a few days but it wasn't awful.

I was also told an antihistamine at night would help.

Tula214 · September 2012

I think considering you have an oversupply and your clog, your LC is right. Your situation is a little different.

I know how you feel about wanting time with baby, though. I feel like I don't get a lot of mommy/baby time.

sosoph · September 2012

LucyD1029:
I agree with your LC. The advice you've been given on this board and others is for women who haven't established their milk supply. Weaning is a gradual process. You could stop all at once, but it's going to be very painful and you risk infection.

This. Drop the pump that is most inconvenient first.

Mrs_Bennett · September 2012

meaknigh:

I'm no professional, but I'd agree with your LC. Stopping cold turkey is going to be extremely painful. More clogged ducts aren't a guarantee but certainly possible. I wore one of my pre-preg sports bras the other day while my nursing ones were all in the wash and had a clogged duct within a few hours - so I'd also have to agree with not wearing a tight bra. (I think there is a difference between snug and tight.. mine was TIGHT).

I think if you also cut down the duration of your pumping sessions as well as the number (gradually) you will dry up faster. Sorry it can't be a super easy road for you - Once you make up your mind about something it's really frustrating for it to not be an instant reality. But even gradually cutting out pumps will increase the time you have with DS. Little by little is better than none... right?

All of this! I think that since you've been pumping so much, stopping all at once will be very painful. You don't want more clogged ducts because you'll be risking mastisis. Try cabbage leaves in your bra, and taking an antihistamine at night--both of those are supposed to reduce milk supply. Good luck!!

morgs8384 · September 2012

I agree with your LC. Last time around with DS I dropped a pumping session once every couple days, I think it took me about a month to fully stop pumping. It wasn't very painful, but it did take time to dry up. I will do the same this time too since I didn't have any problems.

babyike · September 2012

What the LC told you is in line with what I told you in your previous post, minus the pumping part. Cold cabbage leaves and ice for pain relief (also can add anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen). Wear a comfortable sports bra (not tight). And it will likely take you at least 3-4 weeks.

As for the pumping advice... I did almost exactly what the LC advised you to do when I was weaning DD and DS1. I took out one pumping session every few days, which is why it took a few weeks for my milk to dry up. However, you mentioned in your OP wanting to be done asap, so that's why I said to pump for relief or hand express.

But I'm not an LC and I didn't know you were still pumping 8 times a day. So, all that being said: Do what the LC told you. I agree with all of it Yes

EDIT: And again, I'm so sorry you're not getting as much quality time with your LO due to all of the BFing/EPing issues. (((HUGS)))

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