I just stopped breastfeeding today and am engorged and sore, when can I expect to go back to normal?

Also is there anything I can go to ease the discomfort or to make it go faster?

?2012-01-15T19:38:42Z

Favorite Answer

The engorgement should be better in 3-4 days, but you won't be back to "normal" for several weeks, and you may have milk for several months.

You can express small amounts of milk, alternate hot and cold packs, take ibuprofen or acetaminophen, try a decongestant, drink sage and/or peppermint tea and try putting cold cabbage leaves in your bra. But there is nothing that I know of to make it go faster. You just have to wait it out.

Jazmyne2012-01-16T03:33:39Z

U. For can expect to go bak to normal n about a week or so..dont. put hot compresses or run hot water over ur breast bcuz tht will help the milk flow out..instead use cold compresses..and wear a snug fitted bra. this is a home remedy tht helped me..put a whole leaf of cabbage in ur bra on each breast..once the leaf is dried out replace with another. For some reason this helps with the swelling and soreness. Hope I helped :)

Love.bein.mommy2012-01-16T03:37:25Z

Ive heard not sure though that cabbage leafs on ur breast relieve the pressure a bit and try not takin shower w hot water im sure uve heard that one ive also heard that cold water dries up milk faster

woollysheep2012-01-16T04:18:35Z

I am just wondering why you stopped so suddenly? If you can stop gradually you will have no side effects. If you are going back to work, you can still nurse baby before and after. Maybe you don't want to do that, but it is an easier option.