The Cafe / The Cafe

Keep up with discussion in the "The Cafe" group through your e-mail, or join in the conversation yourself!

Join CafeMom Today (It's free and easy!) Already a member?

How can I cure breast engorgement WITHOUT breastfeeding? UPDATE/EDIT

kiddiecare05
posted to The Cafe in The Cafe
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 2:36 PM

122 Replies
1765 Total Views

I have made the decision not to breastfeed this time around due to multiple factors. Baby and I have been home from the hospital for three days, and when I woke up this morning my breasts were completely engorged (no sign of milk before this whatsoever). Is there anything I can do BESIDES breastfeeding to get rid of the milk? I googled it and the answers were conflicting (bind vs dont bind, apply warmth vs apply cool etc). I wish I had money for a pump but I don't so I can't do that either. Any other ideas would be welcomed.

First of all THANK YOU to the ladies who actually offered advice. I actually tried the cool washcloth thing and it helped a LOT with making them feel better. I also dug out an old bra that I dont like because of the tightness and put it on and that helped SO MUCH. (I never would have thought to try this without some of your replies, so thanks!) It isn't overly tight but offers much needed support at this point. I slept with it on and they felt much better this morning. The worst they have hurt today was in the shower without the bra. When I put it back on the pain went back to being manageable.

To the women who are so strongly defending breastfeeding:

Thank you to those who expressed your opinion with class. To the others, I appreciate the information but I have already made my decision. I commend those of you who were able to breastfeed through some very tough times. Since some of you seemed so curious, here are my history and reasons:

I breastfed my first son for the first two months of his life, but slowly gravitated toward pumping because he was eating every 30 minutes and I couldnt keep up with the pain anymore. Eventually I must not have been pumping enough because I was producing less and less. To be quite honest I didn't mind because my son was doing so well on his formula. With this baby there are multiple reasons I decided against breastfeeding.

My first son is 18 months old, and I didnt want to be stuck on the couch breastfeeding instead of spending time with him. I had a very rough pregnancy (high risk, lots of pain, etc) and was unable to do very much with him. I want to make up for that now. Bottle feeding in my mind is more efficient and MUCH less painful. My breasts were so sore my entire pregnancy this time around, that I couldnt stand to have them touched. The thought of having them sucked on, and remembering how painful breastfeeding was the first time, sent shivers down my spine. No thanks. Also, I am a full time college student and I only have two semesters left after I finish this one. I am gone all day tuesdays and thursdays, and will be returning to school next week. I didnt want to be unable to breastfeed or pump all day on those days and deal with leaking, a messed up supply due to the odd hours, etc. I got rid of my old breastpump after my first (dumb of me) and we cant afford a new one. I am not eligable for WIC - trust me, I wish I was! Most importantly is the fact that I know from experience breastfeeding SUCKS, at least in the beginning. Between school, homework, two babies, and lack of sleep I will be stressed enough as it is. I didnt want to add the stress and pain of breastfeeding because that is adding more stressors, which whether I would like to admit it or not would have added to creating a worse mood and shortened temper. When my main goal is keeping my 18 month old feeling loved and important, as well as bonding with my new son, I didnt want to have a shortened patience/tolerence level.

They might sound like really stupid reasons to some or all of you, but I did do what I felt was right for me and my children. I have no regrets or doubts about my decision.

Written by

kiddiecare05

on Nov. 7, 2009 at 2:36 PM

Replies:

1-10 of 122 replies

12 3 4 5 next last

by
- CARA2008
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:05 PM
I am guessing you werent on yesterday to read the drama filled post about getting your milk to dry up.... be prepared for the breastfeeding nazis is all I can say!!

I had a bind and was dried up in a few days. Other people were suggesting sage pills, cold cabbage leaves on your breasts..... dont relieve your breasts it only tells your body to make more. Good luck and remember it doesnt last forever!

by
- norahsmommy
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Are you sure you don't want to BF? Its free, always ready, helps you loose weight and reduces risk of breast cancer for you as well as being perfect nutrition for baby. I know its your decision but I just won't understand why people who can choose not too. Not bashing, please don't be offended. Anyway, I wouldn't bind, it can cause tissue damage and plugged ducts ect. Just wear a normal bra and you might want to get some breast pads to catch the leaks you may have for a while. Placing cabbage leaves on your breasts helps, there is something in the leaves that inhibits milk production. I have read that sudafed also does this. Stay away from warm compresses or showers. That will make you produce more. Try ice packs. Other than that you just have to wait for it to go away. They used to have a pill for it but its no longer considered safe.

"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is also a government big enough to take from you all that you have." - Gerald Ford
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." - Ronald Reagan

by
- Lil_ol_me9306
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Ouchies! I remember drying up. It sucked. I would bind your breasts and unfortunately, you may just have to deal with the pain. I breast fed my oldest for 7 weeks but wasn't making enough for him so I had to stop. It took me a day or two to dry up after him, but my youngest breast fed for 11 months!! I was in agony for a week after that.

by
- Nathans_mom0612
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:13 PM
I dont know if this just worked for me or if it works for everyone but I was so engorged with my first and he wouldnt latch and I was actually in pain so I made the decision not try to nurse anymore and I took some IB Profen. The next morning I was no longer engorged and no longer sore. It is a swelling reducer which is why I think it worked. If you do do it, you might want to sleep with a towel under you because I woke up in a puddle of milk when I did it.

by
- indymom72
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:13 PM
After my son was born my doctor told me to bind myself up as tight as I could stand it and just deal with it. lol Take ibuprofen for the pain..it went away in a few days. I feel your pain though! :)

by
- littlemisscutie
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Frozen cabbage works. I used it to dry up my milk when my now 8 month old was born. I breastfeed for about 2 months and then I started drying up so I decided not to continue breastfeeding. I go cabbage and froze the leaves. I put them in my bra over the breast. I would change them about every hour in a half- two hours. I even put them on before bed mind you, you'll still have to change them in the middle of the night. It only took a couple of day to dry them up completely. Whatever you do DO NOT put Hot shower water on your breast it will make them engorged bigger. For some reason Hot water does it. Good Luck.

by
- Genbee
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:19 PM
When I had my son I had made the same decision to not breastfeed. What I did is just let my milk dry up, but I believe you can't avoid engorgement, the milk is what makes it engourged. I've heard wearing a sports bra and some pads while taking showers will help that way they don't get stimulated. I hope this helps a little for I am sorry I understand how uncomfortable the feeling is.

by
- lovinmykiddo07
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:21 PM
I just kept mine in a tight sports bra and would apply ice if needed. I couldnt breast feed due to a medical condition. I'm not gonna sugar coat it for you, it was horrible. Good luck.

by
- amayabrianna
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:29 PM
There is a tea that is available in most chinese stores that will reduce the pain and dry you up in about 24-48 hours. Good luck but be ready for the BF nazis to come soon!!!

by
- tiffanypfeiffer
on Nov. 7, 2009 at 3:29 PM
Here's an old trick my mother used and her mother before her. Sounds a little weird but I can attest to it working. Get some cabbage leaves and line the inside of your bra with them. It reduces the pain and swelling.