Weaning and blocked ducts

[teteali]

I am in the process of weaning my 4 month old and am doing so gradually (only replacing a feed every 4-7 days) but am so prone to blocked milk ducts!  How do you avoid this, they are so painful!  I know that the best way to cure them is to feed often, but when you're trying to wean you don't want to do that.  Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

I would try weaning even slower, if you can.  Aim for the 7 day range instead of 4 - or even longer, and if you start getting too engorged, pump a bit off - it will help avoid the plugged duct. Massage your breasts a bit in a warm shower to let off some extra milk, and you might try using cabbage leaves in your bra to reduce the engorgement. It will make the weaning process take much longer, but hopefully you'll avoid complications like plugged ducts or mastitis.

[Carter'sMama]

Blocked ducts and mastitis are both things to avoid (OUCH!).  I found that warm compresses worked wonders for me and then cool compresses after feeds helped as well.

Good luck

Sending unclogged duct vibes your way!!

[Layla]

When I weaned my lo, I would wait until breasts were full (not engorged) and then pump a little (or feed), then wait again until they were full and pump (or feed), etc... Eventually your brain will get the message that your baby doesn't want so much milk and your milk will stop. I did this over 2 weeks thou.

I only pumped a little until breast full feel comfortable, not the full breast.

HTH
Layla