One boob getting engorged after weaning - help???

[ninipops]

I started weaning DS by introducing 1 bottle a day about four weeks ago. He was 5.5 mths at the time. About 2 weeks ago he started sleeping through so decided then to cut down to two feeds a day. Had a couple of day of engorgement but dealt with it ok. Then dropped to one feed no problem and last Monday gave him his last feed. I expected to have a little bit of discomfort, which I did after a couple of days but it hasn't subsided - on one side. My left boob is constantly hard and sore and last night I hand expressed to take the edge off so I could sleep but this morning its worse than ever.

I didn't have any issues like this with my DD - it was all over in 2 days. Also I have never had mastitis or a blocked duct so don't know what that is like. I have started to take sage and have some sudafed ready to take - couldn't get cabbage at supermarket this morning so will have to venture out later to try and locate some.

Any thoughts on should I express and totally empty my boob - I know this will prolong things but happy for that if it stops being so sore - or should I just stick it out?

hello, well it does sound uncomfy! I think, although trying to remember exactly as bit of a blur, that i reduced down over several weeks and months. Maybe you just need to take the long route. Mine were all a year when i stopped so had less feeds by that point anyway. I would express when you absolutely have to and over time surely it will be less and less. If youre not planning to use the milk then don't worry about taking painkillers, ibuprofen should take swelling down a bit. It doesn't matter if it takes longer than last time. Mastitis is no fun at all.