just weaned dd and have 1 enormous breast and an aching heart. normal?

[whatinthewhatnow]

Just weaned my 2.3 DD. last bf was tuesday night. I tandem fed as well so have basically been breastfeeding day and night (every night at least twice) since March 2008.

firstly, 1 breast (her favourite) is now, after 2 days, very full and heavy. It's taken 48 hours to fill up, I suppose because she was only having a little bit of milk at a time. Will it just go down of its own accord, and how long will it take? I'm not expressing or anything. If it doesn't calm down i'll be walking in circles soon. Should I just treat them like you would if you were suppressing lactation at any stage, ie hands off and sit it out? Or because i've been making milk for so many years should I do something different?

secondly I'm feeling a bit naff and sad and tearful about it. I did want to wean and am super pleased that it's been easy and hasn't bothered her a bit, but I suppose she's my last child and I've loved BF so much and now it's over. I know that's a pathetic thing and I'm really lucky that I've been able to bf pretty easily overall, so just ignore this bit if it's idiotic.

thx.

Not pathetic at all, my DD self weaned at 14mo and I still long to console a poorly child with a breast. It's all good but as you say, it's over now and time to have your boobs back. I still think my BF hormones are rampant, I sobbed through the olympics. And will do through the paralympics too.

Hi yes its normal! I felt heartbroken when I stopped feeding my 4th and final baby. I had to stop early too for medical reasons when he was 6mths. The pain was really bad, I was advised to squeeze a tiny bit of milk out if the pain was really bad. I found once my breasts went down, I felt mentally better too. I treated myself to several new bras and that helped! Finally after years of ugly wide strapped feeding bras it felt lovely to have some pretty underwear again. Be kind to yourself and it should sort itself in a fee days x

When my dd went on a nursing strike I felt really emotionally haywire, crying etc, I think its the hormonal response . I really want to stop bf now (have been feeding for nearly 8 years) and so I'm interested to see how it will pan out when I do manage it.

thank you. it's already a bit better today, not so full and sore, and I feel emotionally better too, I think I suppose it was that feeling of being full of milk and not giving it to anyone. The idea of new bras is good, and also of new tops that arent' all stretched at the neck from being yanked down! I might have to go shopping....

x

Am also just weaning my 2.1 year old, and yesterday afternoon I kept bursting into tears for no apparent reason. I was expecting this!

I desperately need new bras but am planning to TTC no 2 quite soon so there doesn't seem much point spending much money! How long does it take for bra size to settle down when you stop BFing? I might buy some cheap supermarket bras for now.

Ahh this had made me sad, bought back the memories of DD coming off thee breast at 2. I too was pleased as I was sooooo ready but really sad too.

Hand express a small amount off just to ease the boob and massage is good too (kneading or using a comb)