Drying up breast milk-cabbage leaves...?

Question

Okay my 11 month old has pretty much weaned himself. Crazy...but he has.

I've never had one do that so early, i usually BF for a full 12 months.

He was VERY interested in what everyone else was eating (which is understandable at his age)...i have 4 kids he's my youngest. I have tried over the last 2 weeks to get him to feed. I offer and he turns his head and wiggles out of my grasp to go crawl around w/his big sissy (who is 2). I just decided that if he was done, he was done. My new peds doc is sweet about it, but doesn't offer much advice. Only saying...well he'll be okay. lol

so...of course i am HURTING! I’ve not fed in 2 weeks, I'm engorged, swollen, leaking etc.

I bought cabbage leaves and am using them in my bra, but how long does it take for them to do anything...do they really dry you up or just relieve swelling and pain.

I’ve never had to use them before...i am used to a more gradual weaning, where this one was pretty abrupt.

Answer 1

My daughter got an infection and had to get antibiotics when she wasn't feeding enough and was engorged so be careful and see the doc

Answer 2

You need to use them as cold or as frozen as you can handle. My sister in law did this and it only took her two days, but the result is different for each woman.

Answer 3

From what I've heard, anything that is like a cold compress should relieve engorgement and dry you up.I would stay away from hot showers, because that actually helps to let down your milk and stimulate milk production.  I would've loved to make it 11 months.  I work full time, was never able to pump enough, and I eventually dried up recently.  My little girl is 5 months.  

Answer 4

im not sure how long it takes with leaves, never used them.   but for me what worked was binding.  the tighter the better.  sure it was uncomfortable, but seriously when you are engorged, you dont them babies moving one inch!!  I remember waking up one day the size of cantaloupes. granted hubby was happy, but if he came even close to touching them he was dead.  I had to express till I was as empty as could be.  I did this in the shower, the hot water helped with the let down effect and well you stay clean.  as soon as I got out, I binded up.  Put on a smaller than normal sports bra.  I think after my 3rd child, I actually wore 2 different sports bras and then ace bandages.   Take any sort of anti-inflammatory, the recommend dosage.  reduce your water intake to no more than the normal 8 glasses a day. I think i was back to normal in a week or so.   good luck!

Answer 5

I've heard the cabbage leaves work well, but I'm not sure how long it takes.

I've also heard that benadryl (an over the counter allergy medicine) works well to relieve engorgement, and it might work a little more quickly.  

Answer 6

You could pump and gradually not pump as much. Cabbage leaves just relieve the pain. All people are different so there is no time frame as to when this will stop.  

Answer 7

they draw the milk out and it should only take a lil while for it to work but make sure u freeze them first ... good luck it worked for me

Answer 8

They work great, it took about a week to really dry me up when i used them but it helped with the pain and swelling while drying up the milk.  

Answer 9

It took about 4 days for my milk to dry up completely.    Right before I would insert the fresh cabbage leaves (first time for the day), I would take a warm shower and let the warm water hit my chest.    I would expel some milk (just with the water hitting my chest), then I'd dry off and put the leaves in my bra.   I changed the leaves a 3-4 times and day and wore them all day.     The green leafy outside layers work the best (or so I was told).  

I was told that the sulphur contained in the cabbage destimulates the milk glands.   I don't know this for sure, but was told this by an older nurse in the pediatrician's office and I was desperate, it worked, so I didn't question it.   She told me to wear a good fitting, secure bra.