How to Reduce Breast Discomfort During Weaning

Gradual Weaning Protects Comfort and Health

Reducing feeds gradually helps your body adjust and prevents pain or engorgement.

I always like to say that weaning is all about finding that perfect balance. In some ways, you have to push your body to some limits, but at the same time, you have to be careful not to push too hard. It is extremely important to listen to your body during this time. Some women may choose to wean early on, because breastfeeding simply isn’t for them or maybe circumstances don’t allow it, while others may breastfeed for years before their weaning journey begins. Whatever your reason or timing may be, it is always important to remember this one thing. Weaning is a gradual process that requires time, understanding and patience.

Once you commit, just know that you have to take things slow. Your body will need to learn and understand what you are asking of it. You will begin by reducing one feed or pumping session at a time. This might mean shortening a feed, spacing feeds farther apart, or skipping the least important session of the day. You will want to hold this new pattern for several days, until your breasts feel comfortable, before making the next change. This process could go on for weeks or even months, and it should, as stopping too abruptly can lead to complications.

Normal Breast Discomfort During Weaning

There is no doubt that you will feel discomfort during weaning. Normal weaning discomfort can include:

• Fullness or heaviness in the breasts, even after a feed.
• Tenderness
• Firmness and tightness
• Nipple sensitivity
• Leaking of the breasts
• Feeling uneven or “lumpy”
• “Twinging” sensations

It is important to remember that mild discomfort is normal, but significant pain that does not resolve is not.

Practical Ways to Ease Discomfort

Cold compresses, cabbage leaves, supportive bras, and gentle hand expression can reduce discomfort.

• Keep things cold: This is my # 1 tip. Using ice or cold compresses, not only calms down the inflammation in your breasts, but will help to ease your discomfort, and help signal your body to reduce your supply. You will want to do this frequently and diligently.
• Go to the produce section: Yep, that’s right. Go to the grocery store and pick up those cabbage leaves everyone talks about, and stick them in your bra. Yes, this may seem silly, but it works. Cabbage leaves contain antiinflammatory components that work to reduce swelling, and ease pain, and also tell your body to slow things down. Don’t forget about my #1 tip, to keep things cold. Store your cabbage leaves in the fridge, apply them cold, then keep them on until the leaves start to wilt.
• Wear a supportive bra: A well-fitting, supportive bra can provide comfort and reduce discomfort without compressing the breasts too much. Avoid tight bras or bras with underwire, and DO NOT wrap or bind your breasts. This is an old and outdated practice, and highly discouraged nowadays. Similarly to abrupt weaning, it can increase the risk for clogged ducts and mastitis. Comfort and gentle support is your main goal here.
• Hand express: Once you are nearing the end of the weaning process, hand expressing will mostly take place during your final days. If you have completely dropped all feeds, but find your breasts to be painfully full, try gently hand expressing, just to the point of comfort. This is where finding that perfect balance will be crucial, where expressing too much will stimulate your breasts, and could draw out the process even longer, but ignoring them could lead to bigger problems.

Be Kind to Yourself and Your Breasts

Weaning from breastfeeding is not always a linear process. It can be touch and go at times, and finding that perfect balance is not always easy. It’s common for weaning to move forward, pause, maybe even go backwards for a bit and then pick back up again. Hormones, stress, sickness, sleep and emotional attachment all play a role in how your body responds. So respond gently and provide comfort, because you, your breasts and your baby all deserve some tender loving care during this time.