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Breastfeeding/Weaning and infections

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Expert: - 2/26/2011


Question
Hi Sue,

I breasfed my baby for 6 months and I have now weaned her. I haven't been feeding or pumping at all for a week. I've been wearing a sports bra and doing ice packs at night. My left breast was always her perfered breast and i used to get 8 oz every time i pumped no matter how often. The size and hardness has gone down but there is still a good amount of pain and some hard and full spots  left. There are no visual signs of infection except for the size difference. This pain feels different and isn't just painful to the touch. I know i should massage and use hot compresses to get this to go down but will this also make my milk drop? I dont want to become engourged again. Please help.

Answer
Hello Michelle, Many thanks for reaching out to us with your question.  And at a point where it's just one week since your stopping realeasing breast milk, your body is still adjusting to the ceasing of breast milk production and your body reseting to those cues.  You are on your way with the things you mentioned in terms of wearing a sports bra to reduce movement / friction.  But on the massage and the warm paks, you may want to reverse that and use cold compresses while limiting all touch and stimulation from massage.

So as mentioned, you want to restrict the movement of the breasts as any friction will stimulate the milk production cycle and any amount, even the smallest, 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.   Also apply cold compresses for about 20 mintues 3 times a day, not just at night ... many have used frozen peas or 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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