Alleviating Pain from Weaning
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Alleviating Pain from Weaning
Many women choose to breastfeed, it can be a great nutritional choice for your baby.
Many times when a woman chooses to stop nursing, her breasts become engorged and painful. This happens often with women who make the change from breastfeeding to not breastfeeding.
There are things that a woman can do to help alleviate the pain involved with weaning a baby from the breast.
-Pumping: Women can either manually express milk from her breasts when they become full or choose to use a breast pump. Pumping the milk out of the breasts can help with the engorged, painful feeling that can come with weaning. Be careful not to express too much, as you do not want your breasts to continue to make milk, which may happen if milk is being expressed often.
-Hot showers or warm compresses over engorged breasts often feel good on breasts that are weaning a baby. Be careful, if you are severely engorged, heat may make your breasts feel worse.
-Breast massaging can help. Start massaging your breasts at the armpit and work your way down to your nipple.
-Acetaminophen can help with the pain also. It is always wise to check with your doctor before taking any pain medication.
-Cabbage leaves can also help with the pain. Cabbage leaves placed inside your bra may help reduce engorgement and lessen your milk supply. Make sure the leaves are cold and cleaned before placing inside your bra.
There are many things a woman can do to help alleviate pain from weaning. Trying each of the ideas until you find one that works for you is best. As always, check with your doctor if you are having severe pain or discomfort.
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| Heidi Splete |
