Quitting cold turkey

[jrupp2000]

As with my daughter, my son would love to be a career breastfeeder. He recently turned 2 and I've decided it's time to wean. He, however, had different plans. I decided to quit cold turkey, as weaning the old-fashioned way by taking out one feeding at a time did not jive with him. He's been surprising accepting to the fact that mommy's "night-nights" are broken. I, on the other hand, am engorged and in pain. I tried hand expressing, using hot washcloths, etc., but only a few drops would come out. At the suggestion of a maternity ward nurse, I have wrapped my chest with an ace bandage and put on my sports bra. Is this the route to go? Am I at risk for mastitis? Should I get a pump and try to get a little out to alleviate the pressure? Please help!

[tifttu]

Yes, you are setting yourself up for clogged ducts and thus mastitis. You need to pump just enough to relieve the engorgement. You can try putting cabbage leaves in your bra, but a friend of mine did that and found it rather unpleasant. It does have chemicals that help dry up milk, but you will smell like you're cooking cabbage.

[jrupp2000]

Thank you. I started with the cabbage last night, it does feel good because it's cold. Good thing that I wasn't looking for romance, though, because like you said, it smells like a batch of pigs in the blanket. I pumped today and feel much relieved, though I do have some tender lumps on my left side. I'm hoping to work them out before infection sets in. Maybe a couple more days of light pumping once a day and hopefully I'll be done :)