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Question
I recently stopped breast feeding my daughter. I have pain my breast how long before the pain subsides or is there something that I can do to ease the pain? I squeeze some of the milk out to ease the pain. Then it starts to hurt again. What do I do?
Hello Lisa - many thanks for your question and I hope it helps to know first that engorgement pain is quite common as your body does take some time to cease the breast milk production process. But some key things to do and please make sure you give each enough time to set in and reverse your body's natural process to produce milk right now. Remember this is hormonally driven, so a number of factors do need to come together. You'll need to do a few things to help trigger your body to know it's time to stop the process. Two key things are to restrict movement/friction on the breasts. Please do not tightly bind them as that can lead to mastitis or clogged duct, but do where a tight yet comfortable bra or sports bra consistently day and night. When you are showering do not have the warm water hit your breasts...movement, warmth and friction from clothes or loose bras can stimulate the production process. Also, you should apply cold compresses to your breast for about 20 minutes each time about 4 times a day. This schedule is important and I'd suggest doing this for one to two weeks until you see improvement. For some women it can take longer. This will help to decrease any inflammation and aid in constricting the membranes that produce milk. There's a bra on the market that offers both the appropriate pressure and has gel packs that you can chill and place into pockets within the bra...visit http://www.lamabra.com if that's easier for you. This makes it a little more simple. All the best!
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Answers by Expert:
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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