Weaning after extended breastfeeding.

[123cupcake4]

Hi all. So I am on day 2 of weaning my 3 year old off of the breast completely. Cold turkey. We are doing well. Very sore today though! Even though she is my 4th child I have never actually had to wean myself as I have been breastfeeding through pregnancies for the last 9 years! What can I expect after stopping when the child is 3. Will it get much more engorged. I am achey but not fully engorged. Will it effect my weight or my skin?

I'm not sure if it is different to when weaning a younger child? How long does it take for breaststroke to go back to normal?

Thanks

Anyone? Or any advice for managing the breast pain please

I would suggest you either pump a little or at least express some milk. Stopping cold turkey can result in blocked ducts or even mastitis. Cabbage leaves and hot showers might also help.
I'm looking to stop feeding my second (she's 18months) so I'm watching your thread with interest

Drop a feed every couple of days. I had no trouble weaning mine off.

Thanks both and good luck! I have tried dropping feeds slowly but she's like a milk vampire. She just wouldn't accept it and want milk all the time so I'm at my last resort and cold turkey is working.

I breast fed continually for 15 years and strangely, my milk reduced really fast after the initial first days of discomfort. I'm 3 years on and even now if I squeeze my breasts then I can lactate. Obviously I don't do that deliberately but my DP has had some milk in his eye during sex!

So for me it was fine. My body had done its job and was ready to stop. I actually think that in nature breastfeeding for years was the norm so I do think our bodies adapt to stopping after long periods much easier than after short ones. Good luck!

@AnuSTart thank you! That's exactly what I was hoping! And well done!

Have you noticed your weight go up or down at all after stopping or changes to your skin?

Even if you are going cold turkey with DD you still need to express or pump or you risk blocked ducts or worse mastitis! If you’re engorged you need to express and then gradually express less and less over the next week or so. Xox

Thank you @sjxoxo

Sadly my weight has gone up but I'm not sure if that's Covid years or my age! It's probably a combination of those and stopping.
Boooooooooo

Oh no! I was hoping to lose some 🤣 oh well!