Ow ow oweeeee - when do breasts return to normal after stopping feeding?

[Bicnod]

I've just finished feeding DS (now 8 months old) His decision - I started mix feeding at 6 months and a couple of weeks ago he started fussing at the breast and preferring the bottle when he realised slow let down isn't an issue with formula! Anyhoo - I gave up the fight a week ago and gave him his last feed on 23rd December

Just wondering how long my boobs will hurt for? My left one is ok (he'd pretty much ignored that one for the past month anyway) but my right one is very painful to touch, very lumpy and hard in places. No signs of mastitis (no red patches and I feel ok in myself) so I'm assuming this is normal?

Any ideas how long it will take for them to get back to normal (whatever that is after 8 months of feeding)? And also, will my right boob be forever twice the size of my left or will that even itself out once the milk has gone?!

Thanks in advance

cabbage leaves for engorgement, peppermint and sage help to reduce milk supply

Poor you.
I'd express a bit off the right breast perhaps a couple of times a day, it'll relieve the swelling and discomfort.
You can always add your ebm to his bottle of formula.
When DS1 gave up I used to give him a bit of expressed milk in his cup of cows milk at night, he liked it and it was a gentle way of giving breast milk for a bit longer and helps if you are feeling a bit sad/hormonal after giving up feeding (which is very common I think).

you can take painkillers - i would if i were you

cabbage leaves do work and agree re expressing just enough to reduce the discomfort

Hey Bicnod! Hope this settles for you soon. Perhaps it is a plugged duct caused by quite a sudden stop? Sounds very much like the symptoms I get when I get a blockage. Any milk blister? Lots of hot water (hot bath/ shower) and massage to relieve the blockage may help. When I manage to clear a blockage my enormous boulder boob reduces to normal very quickly, so I'm sure you'll even out soon

Ah Gui yes, your advice is correct, but the problem with heat is it encourages milk. Cold is effective at soothing and will also discourage milk, so is better if you are trying to stop (or at least so I was told after DD's birth)

Ah, MrsG, that makes sense - hence cold cabbage leaves! Thanks
Bicnod - have you got the Savoy out yet?

Thanks for all the responses...

Painkillers. What a good idea - have taken some ibuprofen which has helped a bit.

I'm worried about expressing as I'm concerned that it will just prolong the process??

Cold cabbage leaves - will try that tomorrow as haven't any cabbage at the moment. I wonder if lots of little brussel sprouts leaves would do the same thing - need to do something with the insane amounts we have left in the fridge

I am feeling a bit sad/hormonal - I dreamed about bf him last night

So peppermint - would peppermint tea work?

Will try a cold pack as well and see if that helps...

Boo hoo - really hope this doesn't last long

Expressing a little will help clear any blockages and ease discomfort.
It will take a while for your supply to tail off so expressing a bit wont make a huge difference.
That and painkillers will help...

Thanks Pannacotta - will try hand expressing (pump who knows where in the loft as haven't used it in months)

Hand expressing is prob better anyway, as its gentler and easier to control.