Just wondering what happens to milk after stopping bf?

[Booklover]

This is probably a very stupid question but I stopped a week ago (ds is now 1) and my boobs are quite heavy now. Hope I don't end up with a bigger cup size than before as I was already D before the pregnancy.....

[SenoraPostrophe]

a week!

I stopped a couple of days ago and was rather hoping I'd be back to normal tomorrow.

It does just go away at some point though, I do know that. Bra size may change, but it can go down as well as up. (now i sound like a pensions ad).

[TracyK]

I stopped about 7 weeks ago - boobs stayed quite big for about 4 weeks or so - quite sore but not engorged. I thought they'd never go back the way they were. atm they are a bit softer then they used to be but about normal pre bf size.

[PeachyClaire]

I got bigger boobs, but as I was a B Cup I was well chuffed

Took three babies first though so don't panic

[Booklover]

Just wondered if you did any special exercises/treatments in the meantime, did you wear a very tight bra ( I read that somewhere though that sounds very uncomfortable and might look really stupid)....Thanks for your messages btw, really helpful...Did you also find it a bit sad when you stopped? In a way I am glad I have got "my freedom" back but at the same time it is the end of a very special relationship, isn't it? I also noticed that I am feeling a bit pmt this week, could there be a connection? Sorry for being a bit sentimental today

[Fran1]

I stopped bf about 4 mths ago, and after two years tbh i couln't remember what normal boobs felt like?

But i do know from bra size they are still bigger than pre pregnancy size.

[jeweljilliancaitlin]

I stopped Breastfeeding my 4 1/2 month old yesterday on Saturday April 23,2005. My Boo-bies are Huge,Sore & Leaking all over the place.Does anyone know how long it takes for this to subside since I cant recall how long it took me with the first child I had who's now 4 1/2 yrs. old?
It's Sunday & I am screaming HALLELUYA help!!!!
Jewel from Austin.

[bambi06]

arent you supposed to do it gradually as your boobs have a chance to decrease slower?

[TracyK]

I would think Jewel that your baby at 4 mo would be getting a lot of milk from b and so to stop cold will mean sore leaky boobs. my ds was 12mo when I stopped and so didn't really get much milk from me by then. Maybe 4oz a day and my boobs still felt a bit sore for a while after. At 4mo I'd do it gradually.

[Fran1]

Agree with others jewel, at that early stage you'll be producing loads so either do it gradually or express a little every now and then to relieve the discomfort and prevent you from getting blocked.

[jeweljilliancaitlin]

Hey Fran1 & TracyK, I appreciate ya'lls love but I didnt quite cold turkey on purpose.But my Dr. diagnosed me with an over active thyroid & was told to take 5 pills 3 times a/day which means 15 a/day. I cant gain any weight & just yesterday they also put me on a low dose of high blood pressure 3 times a/day which is now a total of 18 pills a/day. I was crushed because I thought that I was doing so well with breast feeding with her since I didnt feed my older daughter quite as long. I loved breast feeding & not to mention I did not want Caitlin injesteing any of these meds into her system.I LOOOOOOVVVVVEEE my sweetheart!

[hunkermunker]

JJC, have you phoned the breastfeeding network's drugline? It may be that the meds you're taking are compatible with breastfeeding, or there are options that would be.

there's info here and the number is 02392 598 604.

Also, phoning a breastfeeding counsellor will help with stopping if you still need to - they may be able to offer you some suggestions. HTH a bit.

[suzywong]

my bosoms went down a cup size and firmed up a couple of months ago and I am still feeding ds2, 19mo, before bed. Go figure

But where does the milk go? do we absorb it in to our systems?