Drying up - or not?

[DisasterZone]

I stopped breastfeeding my DS (11 months) 9 days ago. I had gradually wound down to 1 feed for the last week and then extended that for another week as I was getting so engorged. Now 9 days since the last feed I'm still walking around with very engorged, lumpy and painful breasts. I am using cabbage leaves, and even made myself a cup of sage tea last night (eugch but will do it again today I'm that desperate). For the first 5 days I expressed about an oz am and pm and then hand expressed just a little. I've been avoiding hot showers - all the things that encourage milk supply but the damned stuff won't go.

I really don't know what to do. I'm not getting red streaks but they are very sore. Made worse by my boisterous son who constantly thumps and headbutts them. I do get occasional shooting pains.

Should I go to the GP - is there even anything they can do?? Or should I just become a wet nurse?? I'm not sure how much longer I can cope with these very sore, hard boobs. I had engorgement every step of the way dropping feeds but it did adjust within 5 days each time. This is getting a bit ridiculous. Help!

I'm not trained, but have a read of this as you may have mastitis. I'd say yes too, get yourself off to the GP.

Thanks JJJ - although I don't have fever, just what I'd describe as ongoing engorgement. It's like when you milk comes in - but for 2 weeks now. Just wondering if anyone has experienced it for this long?

Just bumping for you as I don't know, but feel so sorry for you!!! It sounds like many blocked ducts and probably mastitis. I'd get to OOH and take some heavy duty painkillers. Keep going with cabbage leaves. Hope it gets sorted soon

Mastitis would have symptoms like fever, feeling shivery etc - doesn't sound like that. I think you are right Disaster, probably engorgement at this stage, maybe a bit of blockage.

Probably the best thing is to continue with hand expression for a bit longer. If you can express just enough to ease the discomfort every day, that will help prevent it turning into a full scale blockage. Your milk supply will adjust now that you've stopped BF, but it takes a few weeks.

Breast massage is also brilliant for engorgement - use the heel of your hand on the painful/lumpy bits and make sweeping movements towards the nipple. The more you can do this, the better. Ibuprofen might help as it is an anti-inflammatory.