Expert: ruth kraft - 2/24/2009

Question
Not to long ago i gave birth to a full term baby girl. I brest feed for a month and maybe a week before i couldnt produce enough and had to resort to formula...it's now a 12 months later, and for the last three months i've been lactation or maybe not. My left and Right brest are swoll like they have milk but only my left ( Which is the one my daughter ate from the least by alot.) has a 'substance' clear, that if i put pressure on will come out...but only if i apply pressure. I've taken a cream that my OBGYN suggested for two weeks twice daily and it hasnt helped. I'm scared now actually no one will clearly tell me what is or could be wrong with me. I am on birth control since around the time i quit brestfeeding if that makes a difference. ANY ANSWERS WOULD BE GRATELY APPRECIATED ...THIS IS CAUSING ME TO LOOSE SLEEP.

Answer
well, I am not a doctor, and would imagine if your doctor isn't concerned then not to worry about it. If it is your milk coming back in for some reason, and you obviously want it to go away, you can put fresh cabbage leaves on your breasts. when you wake in the am, put one on each side between your bra and leave it there till it wilts. do the same in the evening. there is a chemical reaction that will help it to dry up the milk.

I hope that helps!