Giving up extended BF - how long before boobs go down?

[digitalgirl]

Have decided to go cold turkey to stop breastfeeding DS (15mo). He was on a morning feed, late afternoon/early evening feed and a bedtime feed. My last feed was at 7am yesterday morning.

Apart from feeling quite sad about giving it all up, I'm immensely proud of myself for getting this far - especially after a really shakey start. Also, I'm beginning to feel quite positive about DS learning to love me for me, not just my boobs!

But boobs are now rock hard, have got a good bra on so they're not feeling too heavy, but they're extremely tender to touch. Just wondered how long I could expect them to stay like this before they go down.

I think the advice is to give up one feed at a time in order to prevent mastitis. I hope someone who knows will be along soon, but if you are very uncomfortable could you hand express a little? Or use a pump.

Depends a bit on how much you were producing. I dropped BFing at nearly 2yrs recently and my DS had been 'snacking' 4-5 times in 24hrs, but I suffered from relatively little engorgement/blockages, so I'm assuming that by that age he was really just comfort-sucking. Having said that, I still pumped out about 2oz from each breast on Day 2 and 3 of 'cold turkeydom' and then about a week later I pumped out a bit from my sore (always preferred) left breast.

At 15mths I would suppose your LO was getting more nutrition from your milk, and that perhaps you were producing more milk. If you are uncomfortable, savoy cabbage leaves can really help reduce your milk supply (see www.kellymom.com for details on how to use them in your bra), and it might be a good idea to express a little out of each breast when you get really uncomfortable simply in order to avoid blocked ducts and possibly mastitis.

If you are feeling uncomfortable this evening, I would suggest taking ibuprofen (max dose) to help the inflammation and any pain.

hope this helps. Well done on all that Bfing by the way.

Have cabbage leaves in bra...nice and cool. Will express tomorrow if it's really bad. Thanks boyraiser.

Just hoping DS doesn't punch them too hard tonight when I get into bed.