Preventing engorgement.

Bridget - posted on 01/28/2009

Gradually is the best way. I was a full time pumper. I pumped and bottle fed only breast fed when I had to go out so I just pumped less and less each day took about 2 weeks. I can imagine it will be harder with a baby that is on the breast. I suggest bottles in the day with breast milk to start and then slowly wean off the pumping and then eventually off the morning and night feeding.

Deanna - posted on 01/28/2009

Do it gradually and if you do get engorged, put cabbage leaves in your bra, the colder the better. For some unknown reason, it really does seem to help with the discomfort.

Amanda - posted on 01/28/2009

You could try using a pump and start with every other bottle. One with formula and then one with the pumped breast milk. Then a few days later, do less pumping and more formula, eventually you will get to the point where you dont need to pump at all and you will be straight on the bottle. No more breast feedings after that.

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2009

I'm going to do the same thing.  My little guy is going to be 7 months next week and I've been trying to give him a bottle, but he cries horribly.  I feel bad, but still try and give it to him.  The one day, I think he only drank a 1/2 oz in the bottle the whole day.  I think the sippy cup is actually working better. Hopefully he'll take it instead of the bottle! :)

Stacy - posted on 01/28/2009

Use spearmint and peppermint (teas, capsules, earth baby product etc) as they dry up your milk supply,,,,I accidentally took these while breastfeeding and noticed a severe drop in milk.  There are other natural products too...try this website

http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/produc...(Box).php

Jennifer - posted on 01/28/2009

haha thanks ill keep that in mind!

Shannon - posted on 01/28/2009

This sounds wierd but it works great.  Get some cabbage leaves and put them on your breasts.  There is something in them that will stop milk production.  My lactation nurse from the hospital told me this. I had areas in my breasts that wouldn't drain because of breast reduction surgery.  I put the leaves on those areas and it helped a lot.  When I came home from the hopsital, I came home with a baby and a head of cabbage!  lol.

Marta - posted on 01/28/2009

Quoting Jessica:

stop breastfeeding GRADUALLY. Don't just go cold turkey. Instead, cut down the number of feedings per day. Try giving him his bottle first, then offer the breast at the end of the feeding. Your milk is produced according to demand, so if you are giving him less, less will be produced. Continue the process until you are down to one partial feeding per day. And don't be worried...when I weaned my son at 6 mths I did it this way and there was really no pain at all...maybe a little bit of achiness, but nothing like when you get engorged.

yes, do it gradually. and when you're completely done bind your breasts real tight and avoid nipple stimulation for a while until you stop producing (heard it on "The Doctors" today)

Veronica - posted on 01/28/2009

What I have done in the past is to take a really hot shower and let the water just run over your breasts. The heat really makes it more tolerable. You could always use a heating pad too. When I would start to get full I would express a little, just enough to relieve some pressure. HTH

Jessica - posted on 01/28/2009

stop breastfeeding GRADUALLY. Don't just go cold turkey. Instead, cut down the number of feedings per day. Try giving him his bottle first, then offer the breast at the end of the feeding. Your milk is produced according to demand, so if you are giving him less, less will be produced. Continue the process until you are down to one partial feeding per day. And don't be worried...when I weaned my son at 6 mths I did it this way and there was really no pain at all...maybe a little bit of achiness, but nothing like when you get engorged.