Milk just come in but I'm ff - how long til my boobs go down?

[Coastingit]

Ow ow ow!

How long until my boobs realise that I won't be bf and go down to normal proportions?

Thanks

2-3 days I think. Cabbage leaves straight from the fridge can help relieve soreness, also soak a newborn nappy and freeze it, stick in your bra. (both recommended for when you're at home, of course!)

Eat copious amounts of sage too. Am sure there are other herbs to help dry up but I can't remember them.

Can I ask why you decided not to bf at all? Not judging. Just curious.

Have you not considered breastfeeding? That works a treat and gets your baby weight off!

I would express just a little bit to relieve the pressure. But not too much as that would encourage production.

mine went down pretty quickly. not that I never really had much.

A couple of days if discomfort and that was it. you just need to ride it out.

congratulations

Seriously? Three posts in and two asking about BF.

The OP is a big girl, I'm sure she is perfectly capable of making the decision herself. And she doesn't have to satisfy anybody's "curiosity".

It took about two days each pregnancy with me. It was mildly uncomfortable in the meantime but nothing too terrible.

Re baby weight, I was back in my size 8 jeans in less than four weeks after birth (the second being a caesarean) so don't let anyone fool you that breastfeeding - and the inactivity which often goes with it - is the only recipe for losing baby weight.

Thanks all! 2 days or so seems the consensus.

Not up for discussing my reasons for not bf really, sorry. It's not my first baby, I lost the weight quickly last time and intend to do the same again quite insulting that that would make me able / willing to bf though, putting that as a main reason to on this thread?! But not getting into a debate, there are plenty of other threads in Feeding for that. I just can't remember how long it took my boobs to go down last time. And it's sore! Will send DH out for a cabbage, that sounds good.

I've got them strapped into a soft bra, it's quite hard as baby can smell the milk but as long as I feed her lots she doesn't seem to frantic being cuddled up to me, I'm trying to keep up skin to skin but without stimulating my boobs. DH is feeding her too so he is getting lots of lovely skin to skin 'to make up for it' - as in he just loves it! We are co sleeping and she is just delicious, I can't stop staring at her.

I don't think I should express - the midwives said not to stimulate them at all.

Arf at the idea that anyone with a newborn, sitting at home with sore boobs because their milk has just come in would need someone on a forum to point out BF is actually an option. Some people just can't help themselves OP!

congratulations on your new baby

A good bra, painkillers and don't touch them, not even water if you're having a shower. I formula fed all three of mine and it took between 3 and five days to settle down. Again don't touch them

Oh and congratulations, mine settled down quicker after each subsequent baby.

The bf comment was meant to be lighthearted with no judgement intended. So please don't take it the wrong way. It's every woman's right to feed her baby in the manner which suits her best. From what I remember my impression of Dolly Parton lasted about 3 days! I hope you feel better soon and congratulations

Ah ok Soncey, no worries! I really need a shower today but won't touch them other than water running over them. I do have breast pads I can use if they're leaking too.

I've probably been watching too much call the midwife but aren't Epsom salts meant to help dry out milk??

Some of you have very odd ideas of what constitutes light hearted.