Weaning Breast Pain

OUCH! :) I know that feeling. Try Cabbage Leaves. They are supposed to help ease the pain in your breasts. It escapes me now if they should be cool and wet, or warm and wet??? I'm sure if you google it you'll get oodles of info.

Also....it really isn't any of my business, and it really doesn't matter to me that you are weaning. I'm throwing these questions out for you, not to offend or place any guilt. Most of us are doing the best we can at any given time with what we know and the resources we have.
You say you have a baby girl. Baby could mean 2 months, 8 months, or 2 years, even 4 years! How ever long you nursed - Bravo for you! "Normally", our breast are very full, painful, and leaky when our children are very young...thus it will make it more of a challenge to wean our breasts.

Take a moment and ask yourself - if you already havn't.
"What are the reasons I am nursing and what are the reasons I am stopping?"
"Am I weaning because of judgement from others?"
"What and Where do I feel it in my body when I nurse my baby?"
"How have I felt about nursing so far, and why?"
"What does my inner wise mamma - my instinctual mamma think and feel about nursing?"
"What do I feel is best for my baby?"
"Can I feed my baby with the same nurturance and love without nursing?"
"Am I nursing because of judgment from others?"
"How can I best nurture my daughter and myself with my heart wide open?"

I put these questions out to you so you can always choose the most truthful path for you and your baby. Again, I don't know your reasons for weaning and it really doesn't matter to me. What matters to me is if you - and every other mom out there - truly are moving through your own journey moment to moment in complete awareness and truth.
Below is an excerpt written for Nursing Moms. Whether you continue nursing or not, or if you nurse your next child, I hope it will help you (and other moms struggling with nursing issues) open to just BEING in the moment.
Much good energy to you and your daughter.

In Peace,
A.
mom of 4, Birth and Parenting Mentor
www.birthingfromwithin.com

Breastfeeding From Within
By Virginia Bobro

Birthing From Within encourages and teaches "doing the next best thing" when it comes to making decisions within the flow of labor and birth. The same mind-set is important during postpartum and breastfeeding. In the days, weeks, months, and even years that a woman is breastfeeding, she will face numerous obstacles, detours, and unexpected events. How she prepares prenatally and how she views these challenges can make a difference in her ability to cope.

As a breastfeeding counselor, I support many breastfeeding mothers who have to change their perception of what a "successful" breastfeeding relationship is. Some mothers need to wean much earlier than they hoped. Others need to supplement with bottles or formula. These are opportunities to re-envision what it means to nurture and nourish their babies. Many mothers are humbled when the "breastfeeding fairy" presents them with difficult circumstances and spoils their fantasy that nursing is easy and blissful.

When breastfeeding does not go as expected or hoped for, a mother can feel regret, anger, blame, grief, and guilt. Inevitably, this negative self-talk begins to affect her self-esteem and attitude, her ability to receive support, and her relationships with her baby, partner, and others in her community.

So, what can be done?
In addition to learning practical things that make breastfeeding easier, do this:
♥ Learn and practice mindfulness.
The same pain-coping practices you learn to help you cope with labor can help you postpartum when you need to still your mind, quiet negative self-talk and deal with physical discomfort and stress. (See Birthing From Within, pp. 213-238).
♥ Get a breastfeeding "reality check."
Breastfeeding is natural, but not always straightforward and easy. Very few women sail through breastfeeding on calm seas from beginning to end. Even for the most vigilant captain, storms arise outside of her control, and still, she can do the next best thing. When women know that they can influence but not control what happens, they can see the wisdom of preparing for all possibilities.
♥ Set up your breastfeeding support system.
Having a supportive crew onboard in the first months of motherhood can make all the difference. Welcome meals, errands, and compassionate listeners. When breastfeeding gets rough, support is needed to keep going and not get mired in "what ifs" and judgment. You need to hear acknowledgment that you are doing your best, not more advice and information.

♥ Focus on connecting with your baby and yourself as a mother
Come to breastfeeding with an open heart. To the degree that you can, let go of your ideals and goals, such as breastfeeding exclusively for six months. Just hold the intention to do the best you can. When you love yourself and feed your baby in love, this is the heart of breastfeeding from within

EXERCISE: Feeding with Love

When sitting (or lying down) to feed your baby, try this:

Begin to notice all the sensations around you, beginning with your baby:
Look at her face, notice the touch of her skin, take in her smell and her sounds.

Then begin to bring your attention to your own body: Where does your body touch your baby's body? How is your breath moving in and out of your body?
Where do you feel relaxed and open?
Where does your body feel tight, tense, or closed?

Gently and mindfully breathe into those places, softening and releasing anything that is unneeded in this moment. This may take several minutes. Go slowly and do not expect perfection!

As your body lets go of anything extra, feel your heart opening.
Allow yourself to inhale the presence of your baby, loving her in this moment and loving yourself as well. With each new breath, feel into your baby's heart, visualizing a connection that endures beyond feeding time.

If feeding is difficult, your focus may return to the task of latching or monitoring the feed. Do what needs to be done, then, when you are ready, take another conscious breath and return to your opening heart.

Resources
Local La Leche League
Lactation Consultants
Other Supportive Breastfeeding Moms

It may not be feasible for you, but I'd suggest making it a gradual process so your breasts have time to adjust to making less milk. Once I decided I was ready to wean I took away one daily feeding each week until I was down to just nursing before bed. When I was down to just one feeding, I started skipping days in between before I eventually stopped altogether. As I took away nursing sessions, I started substituting cow's milk (or you may need formula depending on the age of your baby) for the breast feedings. It was about a 6 week process, but it was so much easier on me in terms of engorgement and pain.

If you need to wean quickly, I heard that you can take a cabbage leaf and make a small score in an X- shape. Place the score mark over your nipple and wear the leaves all day long under a snug fitting sports bra, changing the leaves as they get warm or smelly. I've never tried it, but a few moms on this site have said it worked for them. Best wishes! :)

This may sound very strange and funny, but I worked at a Hospital in Post Partum. I know it works for mothers who do not want to nurse and may work for your situationa as well. They put cabbage leaves on the breasts to stop milk production. You wet the leaves with warm water and lay them on the breasts... Can't hurt to try it!

Hi L., I breastfed both of my babies until they turned 1. When my breasts would get lumpy and hurt, I would get a warm washcloth and hold it across my chest and repeat until I felt some relief. I would also take a warm shower and let the water hit my chest & try and massage my breast & let out the milk that needed to be released. Good luck. I hope you get some relief!!!

This is what I found for my sister: http://www.motherlove.com/product_sage.php. I found it at Sunflower Market, but they probably also sell it at Whole Foods and Sprouts, etc.

She said it is working beautifully. Even cleared up some clogged ducts.

You can also use a tea, such as this:
http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/no_more_milk_tea.html

Kellymom is always a great source of information:
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbs-oversuppl...

Good luck!

My doctor suggested that I pump, just enough to relieve the pressure and then stop. It worked really well. I pumped for less than 30 seconds and it releved the pressure and stoped the leaking. Hope this helps.