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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Stopped breastfeeding... When will the pain stop?

23 replies

FirstTimePetitioner · 23/07/2018 13:08

I last BF DS a week ago and my boobs are still sore, engorged, leaky rocks Sad When will it end? I had reduced feeding gradually, had dropped the overnight feeds and was down to only one feed a day, first thing in the morning. I didn't expect this after tapering off so gradually... Help!

OP posts:
Original poster
FirstTimePetitioner · 23/07/2018 16:26

Anyone? It really hurts Sad

OP posts:
CreakyAuldYin · 23/07/2018 16:52

Hi, you can try posting in the Infant Feeding board to catch the experts. Also maybe include age of baby etc.

Hope you feel better soon. Flowers

Original poster
FirstTimePetitioner · 23/07/2018 17:05

Thank you, I'll report and ask MNHQ to move the thread.

DS is 6 months. Was EBF for 4 weeks but has gradually been increasing formula since then.

OP posts:
MNHQ
AnyaMumsnet · 23/07/2018 17:15

Hi there everyone, OP has asked for this to be moved to infant feeding, so we'll be moving it there shortly.

Original poster
FirstTimePetitioner · 23/07/2018 19:52

Thanks MNHQ.

Can anyone help?

OP posts:
Tryingtogetitright · 23/07/2018 19:57

Try sage tablets from Holland and Barratt. They really helped me to dry up my milk. Hand express a tiny bit in the shower if you need to to get some relief from the pain. I remember it well it was awful! Good luck.

Cleo2628 · 23/07/2018 19:58

Have you called your health visitor? Sorry I wish I had advice!! (Still breastfeeding so interested in the outcome of this for the future)

BusyBusyBusy1 · 23/07/2018 20:01

Ask your GP for medication to supress lactation. From memory you take two tablets over 24 hours and that's it, the cement and engorgement just disappears. I had to do this even when I tapered off feeding as I got so engorged I ended up w mastitis. Make an appt tmrw and consider pumping a little bit tonight to get thru the night

Applesandpears23 · 23/07/2018 20:12

I am sorry you are in pain. It sounds like mastitis to me. Can you hand express enough to make your breasts comfortable? Do you have any other symptoms of being unwell such as a fever? The main treatment for mastitis is rest and taking off enough milk to make the breasts comfortable. If that doesn’t start to help within a day then see your GP as you may need antibiotics.

weasledee · 23/07/2018 20:18

I remember this pain!
Like others have said is there a chance it's mastitis? Do u feel poorly with flu like symptoms? If you do, get yourself to the docs ASAP...
If you feel ok and it's just the pain of the milk then all I can recommend is not to touch them and wear two tight bras and ride it out. That worked for me and it does get better but I do remember how awful it is......

fruitpastille · 23/07/2018 20:24

I would take painkillers and express off a little to get through the night. If you have a sympathetic doctor i would try medication if it's this bad.

Original poster
FirstTimePetitioner · 23/07/2018 20:43

I've been trying to avoid expressing as I thought that would stimulate the milk production? My boobs are constantly leaking anyway.

I hadn't thought of mastitis. My breasts feel very lumpy in some parts and empty in others, is that normal? I don't feel well but not sure if it's flu-like, I'm hot and sweaty (but it's like 30 degrees!), tired and sick and just feel a bit odd, can't really describe it. My temperature is normal though.

OP posts:
DearTeddyRobinson · 23/07/2018 21:01

Are your boobs red at all?
I would pump a bit to relieve the pressure, and maybe get your HV to have a look. Or could you get to a milk spot?

Original poster
FirstTimePetitioner · 23/07/2018 21:19

The left breast looks a little red, but that might be where I've been using a cup of tea as a warm compress haha. I will go and find the pump, haven't used it for months! I can phone the HV tomorrow but no way to actually see one, and I don't know whether there are any BF clinics around.

OP posts:
weasledee · 23/07/2018 21:27

Really wouldn't express.... you're just prolonging the pain as the breast needs to "know" the milk isn't needed anymore......
As as as I know the docs don't prescribe that medicine anymore to stop the breast milk, I maybe wrong but I think there was a slightly cancer link....

Original poster
FirstTimePetitioner · 23/07/2018 21:38

Oh well I have expressed a little now... Soo painful! Sad

OP posts:
Applesandpears23 · 23/07/2018 21:42

If you aren’t engorged everywhere just in some lumps you may have blocked ducts which can turn to mastitis. Try using your hands to massage them and hand express enough to soften them if you can. Some women find an electric toothbrush (or vibrator) helps. If you start to feel really unwell or have a fever then seek medical help.

IsBrexitOverYet · 23/07/2018 21:46

After pregnancy loss it took about 18 days to completely stop hurting silk leaked for about a month. I froze baby wipes and shoved them in my bra and cried bloody loads

Katurah · 23/07/2018 21:51

Buy a cabbage and wear the leaves in your bra - replace every couple of hours with cold fresh leaves. It's weird magical science but it works. Also take ibuprofen. It'll be over in 3-4 days, try not to express. I've stopped feeding twice now and this method has got me through the worst of it. Good luck! Xx

IsBrexitOverYet · 23/07/2018 21:52

You’re doing great, I know it’s shit. Look after yourself, and if it doesn’t get better see the gp Flowers

Original poster
FirstTimePetitioner · 23/07/2018 22:06

@IsBrexitOverYet sorry for your loss Flowers I would have cried lots too

@Applesandpears23 the lumps have softened a bit after expressing and it feels less uncomfortable, so hopefully that has cleared any blockage!

I'll go and buy a cabbage tomorrow and check out the tablets in Holland and Barratt.

OP posts:
weasledee · 03/08/2018 21:40

How you doing now OP?

NanooCov · 03/08/2018 21:47

Definitely sounds like blocked ducts and possibly mastitis. Please take care - it can get very serious. I had to have intravenous fluids in hospital after a particularly horrendous bout with DS1. Massage the lumps to break up, hand express a little for comfort, soy lecithin capsules can help prevent the blocked ducts. Also the Savoy cabbage leaves in your bra really work. Even after over 2 years feeding DS1 and gradually reducing to one feed a day, my boobs were still like rocks when we stopped.

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