Breastfeeding provides the perfect nutrition to your baby, but it isn't always easy. If you're struggling with engorgement and clogged ducts, you have a medical issue that requires your doctor's assistance. Engorgement and clogged ducts doesn't mean you have to stop breastfeeding. However, for some women, the pain involved is too much and weaning is the only option. Understand clearly what issues you have to best decide whether it's time to wean.
Step 1
Get a medical diagnosis from your doctor. Mastitis is an infection that often occurs early in the nursing cycle, before your body regulates your milk supply and your baby settles into a regular feeding schedule. Engorgement, soreness and flu-like symptoms are common symptoms. Mastitis requires antibiotics, rest and warm compresses. Mastitis does not require that you wean. Inflammatory breast cancer blocks the lymph nodes in your breast, causing your breast to appear swollen, red and warm. Because its symptoms are similar to mastitis, a correct diagnosis is critical.
Step 2
Proceed with antibiotic treatment, rest and compresses, if you have mastitis. Follow your doctor's advice if you have inflammatory breast cancer.
Step 3
Drop one feeding a day to wean your baby, tailing off feedings until your baby is fully weaned. If your baby is under a year, you must replace nursing with iron-fortified formula.
Step 4
Wear a tight-fitting bra and do not pump to relieve engorgement as you wean. Pumping encourages your body to continue to produce milk.
Step 5
Replace nursing with bottle feeding if your baby is six months or younger. If your baby is older, distract him or offer solid food and a sippy cup. Avoid nursing positions that you have used in the past. Alternately, have your partner bottle feed to avoid triggering the let-down reflex for your milk. Don't use favorite nursing locations for bottle feeding, to help you and your baby transition.
