
I am in the process of weaning my DD from bf, and I am wondering how long I can expect discomfort. We were down to 2 feedings a day, and then 2 days ago cut to 1, and then today, none
Thanks! |
I was uncomfortable for about 4 days. Use cold cabbage leaves in the bra - I promise it helps - if you get too engorged. |
I wasn't uncomfortable at all. Maybe you're doing it too fast? |
Not at all. I cut out one feeding every few weeks. I'm at the point now where my baby only feeds for a minute because there isn't much milk left. It sounds like you've gone cold-turkey! |
Not at all, I never pumped once. Weaned at 12.5 months and dropped one feeding every 7-10 days. Take it slow and you won't even notice a physical change. Good luck. |
you need to let more time in between for the transition as this is better for your body and for baby. i wouldn't cut baby off cold turkey just yet unless you have to for some reason. i would at least do once a day for a few weeks or so then cut down. it can be traumatic for a little one to just be cut off so instantly and you are def more likely to get clogged ducts and breast issues. i did a very slow weaning and had no breast issues whatsoever. good luck. |
I was down to once a day (with hardly any milk coming out anyway) after BFing for 15 months, and then went on a business trip for 6 days. Boobs felt full for a day/day and a half but then the feeling went away. |
I was in discomfort for about a week, if I remember correctly. I did everything by the book, the gradual weaning, taking my time, etc. I tried refrigerated cabbage leaves, hand-expressing when I felt like I would burst... and it was not fun. I had to use many nursing pads during that time. |
thanks for all of the replies...just wondering for the PP who said she did everything "by the book"...what references are available for this? I did a quick search online and although many sites advised gradual weaning, they didn't really define what that was. i only chose to do it this way because the other night my DD fell asleep without nursing, so i figured i'd go for it. at this point she hasn't nursed since sunday, my boobs are uncomfortable, but i wouldn't say i'm dying, nothing like in the beginning when i would get engorged. at this point should i let her nurse a little? fwiw, she seems completely unphased by any of this... totally happy with a bottle or cup, but i'm wondering if i could get clogged ducts or something.
thanks! |
I also found it hard to get resources on weaning. It was frustrating. Every place you look up "weaning" just immediately begins encouraging you to keep BFing rather than telling you how to wean. And I didn't need that advice, I had done it (and enjoyed it) for over 13 months but we were ready, thank you very much. I needed practical advice.
As to the OP's question, with my first child I had no continuing discomfort. With my second, I was uncomfortable for a week. Expressed by hand, wore nursing pads and started to consider cabbage leaves very seriously, but the discomfort slowly went away. Everyone's experience is different (and mine different with each child), so please don't let anyone make you believe you are "doing it wrong" just because your experience is different from theirs. |
kellymom.com must have something about weaning. But if you've already done your last feed (and you're okay with that) and baby seems fine, I wouldn't go back. If you're concerned about engorgement you could try pumping a little bit. Not enough to drain the breast, but enough to keep from getting clogged ducts. I don't know how long you've been nursing, but if you've been at it for some time and haven't had problems before, you're probably not susceptible to them. |
Great post - there is so little out there about weaning.
I have to admit I went cold turkey with both my children because I didn't have time to do the weeks-long process and I couldn't find an alternative that didn't cause painful engorgement anyway. So I just went for it. After 4-5 very painful days (if anyone even breathed within 5 feet of me I winced) I was dry. I did need lots of help with the baby during those few days because it was quite painful to hold her. Did anyone go cold turkey and regret it? Reason I ask is I seemed to read everywhere DON'T DO IT but they didn't really provide an alternative to the very gradual process or explain why it was so terrible. |
when i said i did it by the book, it's like the previous poster said... everything i read advised to wean gradually as opposed to cold turkey, the idea being that gradual weaning allows your milk production to adjust more easily down so that theoretically you are left with less bursting and less pain.
... yeah, that didn't work for me. i actually put off weaning and breastfed 4 months longer than i intended just because i didn't want to deal with the pain of full breasts that i couldn't empty. when i finally did wean, it was indeed painful... but after a week it was fine. dd didn't even seem to notice she was no longer breastfeeding either. |