Weaning Pain

[ditty]

Okay, so I have 100% weaned DS and haven't nursed him since May 5th. I expected the first few days to be uncomfortable, and they were, but I also figured it would get better after a while. It's been 10 days and I actually feel worse. Starting on Sunday, I feel even more engorged and have pain when I hold DS or bump into anything with my chest. The leaking has also gotten worse. So far, no signs of infection (warmth or red spots) but shouldn't it be getting better at this point?

I started wearing cabbage leaves in my bra (day and night) and it hasn't helped at all. I have been avoiding all stimulation and turning my back to the water in the shower. I am still working out, but I can't see how that would effect it. I'm taking Ibuprofen for the pain, but is there anything else I can do? Since this is my first DC, I am not sure what's normal. Should I be having so much trouble after this length of time? Any recommendations on what to do? I'm worried an infection might develop if it doesn't start to dry out soon as I am still really engorged :(

[rin]

No BTDT (I weaned DD when I got pregnant, so my milk supply dried up naturally), but can you try just pumping a little bit to relieve pressure? It might make things drag out a bit longer, but I'm thinking it would reduce the chances of an infection/plugged duct/etc.

[Beckylove]

I took some sudafed on accident while nursing (with pseudoephedrine) and my supply took a big drop. Maybe a few days of sudafed to dry you out until your body figures out that there is no more demand.

[ditty]

I'd considered sudafed and I think I might go that route at this point. I don't like to take meds unless I really have to, but I'm thinking that would do less harm than getting an infection.

I am just so ready to be done with this. It's taking me a while to emotionally get over being done nursing, and still dealing with it physically makes it harder to move on emotionally. Hopefully in the next few days it will get better. I'm ready to have my boobs just be boobs again!

[essnce629]

You can take sage tincture to dry up your milk. My friend was a surrogate a few months ago and used sage tincture (and cabbage leaves) to dry up her milk after the birth. She said she was only uncomfortable the first 3 days.

Here's more info on it:
http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/herbs-oversupply/

[ditty]

Thanks! I'll take a look :)