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Breastfeeding/stopping breasfeeding

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Expert: - 9/18/2007


Question
Please help! I have been breastfeeding for 10 months. I have been pumping while at work and at home.  After my fourth time of having mastitis my doctor told me that I need to stop breast feeding.  I am still on antibiotics for that. It has been 9 days and I am more engorged than ever.  I started slowing weaning and have not pumped at all for four days.  I have tried cabbage and psudophed.

Answer
Hello Carla - and firstly it is tough enough to endure mastitis once, so having it four times, I can imagine you are quite exhausted from what must feel like ongoing discomfort.  If you have chosen to stop breastfeeding, there are a couple key things you want to do. First, restrict the movement and friction on your breasts.  You should wear a tight (but not binding) bra or sports bar to limit the movement of your breasts as this stimulates your milk production. Also, the application of cold paks to breasts will help constrict the milk producing membranes thus slowing and eventually stopping your supply.  Some women have found relief from bags of frozen peas and you've mentioned also having already tried the chilled cabbage leaves against their breasts, and there is also the LaMa Bra - designed for this purpose and applies the right amount of pressure and have form fitting cold paks that slip into the cup pockets.  You can get full details at http://www.lamabra.com Also, do remember not to let warm shower water hit your breasts and just remember any warmth, touch or expression of milk will continue to stimulate your milk production.  You want to do the weaning "gradually, so drop one feeding/pumping a day as you go and your body's clock will adjust it's production supply also to help things. Good luck!

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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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