Each week was pretty easy until I went from 3 to 2 pumps. I got engorged by the time 12 hours hit when I was doing two a day, but it wasn't bad at all. I didn't notice it that much except two nights when I leaked milk in my bed. No biggie.
And as last week progressed, I started making my second pump of the day shorter and shorter (15 mins, 10 mins, 5 mins), so I could be prepared for jumping to one pump a day. I even had it in my mind that going from 2 to 1 wouldn't even matter and I may not even have to worry about it. Boy was I wrong.
Monday was my first attempt at 1 pump. That didn't work, so I pumped at 4 pm so I could enjoy my anniversary dinner. Tuesday came and I had a slight clogged duct in my left boob, so I pumped on that boob two extra times at 5 minutes each just for relief. It didn't work. Last night was awful. I hadn't pumped at all on the right side all day (since the 5 am one) and it was ok. I was engorged but doing just fine. I bought some cabbage leaves and sage tea since it was recommended all over the internet. The cabbage does work. It felt good. It stinks, but feels good.
I took out the cabbage when it was time for bed, put a towel down because I knew I would leak and went to sleep. That was at 11 pm (I fell asleep on the couch for about an hour prior) and I was awake again at 1:30 until about 4 pm in misery. My boobs hurt. I was so engorged it hurt to lay on my back, to lay on my side or just lay down. I felt hot and awful. No sleep. Ugh.
5 am came and I pumped (for my only pump of the day) and felt some relief. My right side is better but I still have this stupid clog in the left. I brought my pump to work in case it gets that bad. But I may do a heating pad session and a 5 minute pump to get rid of this clog. And only the left side which was only producing a few ounces anyways. But tonight I have lots of advil and scotch ready to knock this momma out.
Ouch. I am hoping tonight is better and my body can get used to once a day and then none. I am trying to dry it up quickly. Any recommendations? I wanted to be done pumping by Saturday but I am fearing I will have to pump the 5 am time. But maybe not. Here is to hoping cabbage and sage tea work pronto.
Weaning sucks and I can't wait to have my boobies back.
So glad you posted. Ugh! I agree - it sucks. The pump and the weaning lol. I would say to just pump a little as needed. Because there is not much worse than the feeling of engorgement.
ReplyDeleteLast night wasn't as bad as Tuesday night. I did leak some, but since I got the clog out yesterday afternoon (with the heating pad trick) I wasn't in as much pain. And I think I was just too tired to even care. So I pumped again at 5 am and have my pump at work just in case, but here is hoping I can make it 24 hours with just one pump (which I have done twice on my right boob, but not at all with the left). Then focus on transitioning to no pumps maybe this weekend or Monday.
DeleteIt's not advice you want to hear probably, but I'd recommend giving yourself more time. It takes a long time for some women to stop producing milk. I had Oscar on one feeding a day for several months before we weaned, and then when I stopped there was no pain or problems at all. But trying to do it in just a week or two sounds painful, I would not recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI know. I just followed all these recommendations on weaning over a month (I did 5 weeks) and I am still producing quite a bit. But I am down to the one pump a day and going to continue that for at least another week or two. That way the girls still get one breast milk bottle a day once the freezer stash is gone. I have been using cabbage leaves at night and they help so much. And I can tell my supply and engorgement are finally going down. Crazy to end this chapter though. Can't wait to see you Mel!
DeleteOh ouch!! Engorged boobs hurt so bad!! That happened to me when I was weaning with Cameron. Haven't had to do it yet with Emmy since she won't take a bottle but I notice how full I am at night when she sleeps longer. I'm ready to have my boobs back too but I have a little bit to go yet since she refuses a bottle. :(
ReplyDeleteHow long do you plan to breastfeed? I am still pumping (once or twice a day) until at least this weekend (gotta make it to 8 months at least for me). I am finally not as engorged as I was last week and I have had a clog this week, but it came out easily in the shower. I am happy to be almost done but it is a bit bittersweet. I wish I could have made it to a year, but it has been a tough journey to get this far (clogged ducts, mastitis, breast abscess that lead to surgery, supply drops, blistered nipples, crack nipples, etc.). I wouldn't change it for the world though. Many of my twin mom friends stopped earlier, so I am pretty proud of myself thus far.
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