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AIBU?

To ask what I can do about my exploding breasts?!

44 replies

Spice17 · 17/02/2013 16:26

HELP! Did my last express of breast milk 12pm yesterday and am using the cold turkey approach in drying my milk up (can't see the sense in expressing a bit, as assume my breasts will then just produce more milk again?)

Must have missed something in the pregnancy and baby books because I can't believe how much it hurts and how thouroughly miserable I feel, can barely pick DD up.

Firstly, how can I make it more comfortable? Accidently hit myself in boob earlier and shouted like I did when I was in labour - ouchie, ouch!!! Secondly, when will the Lolo Ferarri faux boobies deflate? Supposed to pop into work tomorrow but fear I will be leaking and crying all day!

And finally, why do I feel so incredibly rubbish and sad? Worst day I've had since DD was born. Guessing because I feel guilty for stopping but milk was lessening anyway, just feel like shite :(

OP posts:

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calendula · 17/02/2013 18:16

Engorgement can easily lead to mastitis. Your best move is to express as much as you need to to feel comfortable plus just a little bit more. Massage your boobs downwards feeling carefully for lumps, painful areas or areas that feel crunchy. Make sure you massage any of these points you find until they feel soft again. Run your thumb over the sore spots from the top in the direction of the nipple (yes, it will be agony but has to be done). Then extend the time between expressing and reduce the amount. If you have sore spots or blockages again, massage them out. Good luck, your supply should dry up over the next week.

catpark · 17/02/2013 19:54

Back when my mum had me 30 odd years ago, the matrons on the ward (When you were kept in for 7 days after birth or longer if c-section) used to bind the mothers who were FF. Basically they wound fabric/towels round your chest and the pressure caused the milk to get out but cause of the pressure it was hard for the milk to come back or something.

Perhaps give this a try ?

Also doctors can give you tablets to cause your milk to dry up, they are available in private maternity units so you might have to pay for them. But they are available.

diddl · 17/02/2013 20:26

Binding can cause mastitis!!

I was born in the 60s & am fairly certain it was out of date then!!

Twattybollocks · 17/02/2013 20:27

Don't express until you get to where it's uncomfortable, then express the minimum you can to get a little relief. Ibuprofen is good in this situation, also sudafed decongestant is good for reducing milk supply.
The first 3 days are the worst, and you should be right as rain in a week or so.

SirBoobAlot · 17/02/2013 20:30

Don't bind, for goodness sakes, and do not go cold turkey. Express small amounts off, either by pump or hand, and keep massaging any lumps that appear.

EasilyBored · 17/02/2013 20:32

I hand expressed in the shower, just enough to take the edge off the pain, did a but less each day.

determinedma · 17/02/2013 20:36

Agree that cold cabbage leaves in bra really does help

JeffFaFa · 17/02/2013 20:37

I didnt BF but when my milk came in after the birth ds2 like you i was in AGONY they were swollen from collar bone to my ribs!, rock solid, hot, red and i couldnt breath without wincing, i seen 3 midwifes who were shocked at how engorged i was but i wasnt infected and i was told NOT to express any off as it would make it worse, they were so bad i had to shower in my bra as too painful to remove, when i tried to i noticed my breasts were more square than rounded and lumpy as the massive bra was still cutting in (ive kept the bra it fits over my head) applying cold compresses really helped and was allowed although they seemed to warm instantly i was told to NOT apply warm as it would stimulate milk. After about 4-5 days they started to go down.

Angelico · 17/02/2013 20:37

Kellymom website on weaning / drying up milk recommends expressing as little as possible, cabbage leaves in bra for a couple of hours then replace with fresh ones. BUT another tip from site - take sudafed. Apparently just a couple of doses can reduce milk which is why they advise you not to take it when Bfing. Haven't tried any of this yet myself, am hoping that when DD weans milk will sort of reduce gradually...

aldiwhore · 17/02/2013 20:42

I just dropped feeds gradually so I'm guessing that would have the same affect as expressing a little? I could never express...

Don't suffer. If expressing gives you some relief, go for it.

I THINK it took me about 2 weeks of cutting down a little everyday before my boobs got the message.. I felt 'full' but not uncomfortably so.

Good luck

I felt really awful emotionally. Could be hormones, or simply the decision to move onto the next phase in your child's life? I STILL ocassionally feel like snatching up my 5 year old and giving him a boob... not sure he'd appreciate that though.

diddl · 17/02/2013 20:44

I also gradually dropped feeds, so I would think that mimicking that is the way to go.

WilsonFrickett · 17/02/2013 20:48

another one for the cold savoy cabbages - send DP out for two and get them in the fridge. Also ibruprofen. And it does pass. But it's awful while you're waiting for it to pass.

DameFanny · 17/02/2013 20:49

I had to go cold turkey with ds at 6 months as I was going back to work and he wasn't taking bottles during the day even though he would at night. However - and it's a big however - bf was giving me 2 migraines a week and my flow was shrinking with every migraine.

So I cut off the bf and took a Triptan for the next migraine and that stopped me being tempted to bf.

Which probably doesn't help you much.

Agree though that savoy cabbage leaves work marvels, and should you be in the bath or shower long enough to leak you'll feel better for it.

Spice17 · 17/02/2013 20:56

Thank you all, so, so much. WTAF was I thinking doing cold turkey? Expressed for about 4 mins and boobs feel still full but markedly better - I've had a personality transplant since, felt really low today, now feeling much better.

I'm not fliching every time DH comes near me now (was panicking he would knock into me!) And could pick up DD for a cuddle :) so even though I'm still sad about stopping, I do feel happier.

Now, is my plan to do 4-5 mins a day and then stop? Was doing 4 long expresses per 24 hours before. I guess I'll see how I am in the morning....

MNetters are then best!

OP posts:

Matildaduck · 17/02/2013 20:59

I cut down feeds gradualy, i don't remember much pain with the first. The second child was agony, i hand expressed a bit to relieve the agony and hot showers, cold towels to relieve the pain.

It's a shock, you don't expect the pain, a bit like your milk coming in :-)

It will pass.

Spice17 · 17/02/2013 21:01

The best not reiterating, though you are all fab, just correcting spelling mistake!

PS Going to buy some 36E shaped cabbage leaves tomorrow - shall I try them on in the shop!

OP posts:

DameFanny · 17/02/2013 21:03

I couldn't cut down gradually if ds was about, hence the cold turkey. Just express for a short while when you absolutely have to.

DameFanny · 17/02/2013 21:04

By which I mean - don't set a routine because your breasts will learn it and produce for that time.

VisualiseAHorse · 17/02/2013 21:32

Express just enough to relieve the pain. No more than that.

You feel rubbish because of the hormone change. It will get better!

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