You may experience painful engorgement after you stop breastfeeding, particularly if you stopped abruptly. The fortunate news is that extreme pain should subside within one to five days, according to the Ohio State University Medical Center, although Linda Smith, a certified lactation professional and founder of the Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre, notes that it may take up to three weeks to become fully comfortable. In the meantime, several methods will help you relieve sore breasts and minimize your pain.
Step 1
Handle your breasts with care to prevent stimulation of the breast area or nipples. Avoid massaging your breasts, even though it may seem tempting to relieve pressure. Massage, stimulation, and even heat from a warm shower may generate milk production and increase your discomfort.
Step 2
Apply a cold compress to your breasts. Use a cool pack or cover ice with a clean cloth. Gently administer the compress for short periods -- the Ohio State University Medical Center suggests no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time -- to relieve the swelling.
Step 3
Wear a supportive, well-fitting bra. A nursing bra is often the best choice, even though you are no longer breastfeeding, because it provides an additional level of support.
Step 4
Insert washed green cabbage leaves inside the cup of your bra. Several experts, such as the Ohio State University Medical Center, NYU Medical Center, and the Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre, indicate that cabbage leaves will help reduce swelling and engorgement. Change the leaves every two to three hours, and chill them in the refrigerator for added pain relief.
Step 5
Express a small amount of milk if the pain is severe and other methods have not helped. Pump or hand-express only the smallest amount possible -- just enough to relieve extreme soreness -- otherwise you send a signal to your body that more milk is needed, prolonging the engorgement and associated pain. Gradually increase the time between expression over the next few days or weeks until your discomfort subsides entirely.
Tips and Warnings
- You can stop expressing milk once your breasts have been soft to the touch for 24 hours without pumping, according to Linda Smith, BSN, IBCLE. Take over the counter anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen to reduce swelling and relieve your soreness. Temporarily change the way you hold your baby to discourage her from attempting to breastfeed.
- Don't bind your breasts -- this increases the chances of infection and will prolong your pain. Don't take medications to "dry up" your milk -- no product has been proven safe and effective. If you are experiencing a fever or an extreme and unusual amount of pain that cannot be relieved by traditional methods, consult your doctor for advice. You may have an infection that requires antibiotics.
References
- Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre; Guidelines For Rapid Reduction of Milk Supply; Linda J. Smith
- Mayo Clinic; Lactation Suppression: Can Medication Help?; Roger W. Harms
- New York University Medical Center: HealthWise -- Breast Engorgement
- The Ohio State University Medical Center: Preventing and Treating Engorgement
