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Breastfeeding/Giving up breastfeeding - Pain

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Expert: - 9/6/2009


Question
I have decided to give up breast feeding my 7 month old son. Since approximately 3 months my son had been having 1 / 2 formula bottles per day, as recommended by my health visitor, due to low weight gain. Over the past month I have increased the bottle feeding and have just been giving 1 / 2 breast feeds per day. I stopped breast feeding altogether 1 week ago and my right breast is still engorged and really painful. My left breast dried up without any pain at all. Do you have any tips for pain relief? Should I express a little or will this prolong the pain?

Answer
Hello Paula - Sounds like nature has gotten the signal half way already!  your other breast will follow shortly, and it's quite common to have each breast work on a different time frame.  but there are a couple of things to do if you have not already.    First, you want to restrict the movement of the breasts as any friction will stimulate the milk production cycle and any amount that is expressed or relased can trigger the production to replace that amount.  The second thing that will help is to apply cold compresses as that will work to constrict the milk producing membranes. So using what you have, you may want to wear a tight (not binding) bra or sports bra solidly for a week or two to limit the movement.  Also apply cold compresses for about 20 mintues 3 times a day ... many have used frozen peas or chilled cabbage leaves...or you can use the LaMa Bra bra designed for this purpose at http://www.lamabra.com  which was designed to apply the appropriate pressure and also has soft form fitting cold packs that fit into the pockets inside the bra cups.  A couple weeks of this solid routine and you should give nature the signal that it can stop producing milk.  All the best!

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Sue Ennis

Expertise

I am looking to support the segment of mothers that encounter engorgement issues that prevent them from continuing to breastfeeding, those that do not breastfeed or are ready to start weaning. As an aside, I wish to add that questions asked in terms of those not breastfeeding will not be given guilt for their choice. In many forums, including this one, there is currently no category developed for this "not breastfeeding" audience. I do believe that breastfeeding is best for both mother and child, however, I believe more strongly that there is a lack of support for the woman that for either personal or medical reasons cannot breastfeed. My strengths would be in answering questions related to stopping breast milk production comfortably either right after delivery or after nursing their children for some time, reducing breast engorgement pain and dealing with overactive lactation. Questions I would not try to answer are those tied to emotional feelings as I feel many times women that don't/can't breastfeed struggle with it...and that should be directed to the appropriate counseling channel.

Experience

I am the inventor and founder of LaMa Bra and for years have researched the human body functions, both in process and emotions/hormones to develop a bra to help mother slow or stop their breast milk.

Education/Credentials
I hold a BS in General Biology, a MS in Human Nutrition and an MBA in Marketing.
Also, am the the founder of LaMa Bra found at http://www.lamabra.com that has helped many women with engorgement while breastfeeding and through stages of weaning when ready to stop breastfeeding.

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