Should I squeeze out the swollen milk when I am weaning?

When breastfeeding women are weaning, they sometimes experience breast engorgement. At this time, they must emphasize nourishment. When weaning, you can squeeze out a little milk, but it is not recommended to empty it completely. In addition, when swelling and pain occur, you can use hot compresses to relieve them. You can also perform moderate massage at other times to relieve the corresponding symptoms.

1. After weaning the baby, the mother's discomfort caused by breast engorgement will last for 1 to 2 weeks.

1. Breastfeeding mothers know that after weaning their babies, the milk originally secreted by the body suddenly becomes useless. Without the sucking of the baby's little mouth, milk secretion cannot stop for a while. A large amount of milk accumulates in the breast, making the mother's milk swollen and uncomfortable. Well, during this period, if the mother can tolerate it, there is no need to express milk. The milk will naturally decrease until it stops due to lack of stimulation. If breast engorgement is unbearable, you can squeeze out a little milk to relieve the discomfort caused by it, but do not squeeze it out completely, as that will stimulate milk secretion.

2. In addition, during the weaning period, the mother can take grain sprouts, malt, light black beans, pigeon and pork liver orally, which will help reduce milk supply, but taking medication for weaning is not recommended. Because the drugs may damage the mammary glands, causing them to atrophy, and affecting milk production when giving birth to another baby.

2. There are several ways to relieve milk swelling during weaning:

1. Hot compress: Hot compress can make the milk lumps blocking the breast become unobstructed and improve breast circulation. When applying hot compress, be careful to avoid the areola and nipple areas because the skin in these two areas is more tender. The temperature of the hot compress should not be too hot to avoid scalding the skin.

2. Massage: After applying hot compress to the breasts, you can massage. There are many ways to massage the breasts. Generally, you hold one breast with both hands and massage alternately from the bottom of the breast to the nipple, and then squeeze the milk into a container.

3. Hot bath: When your breasts are swollen and painful, you might as well take a hot bath and massage your breasts, which will make you feel more comfortable.

4. Soak the breasts in warm water: You can put a basin of warm water on your knees, then bend your upper body to your knees, let your breasts soak in the basin, and gently shake your breasts. Gravity will allow the milk to flow out more easily.

5. Swelling method: Allow your breasts to swell and endure the pain. After about a week, they will swell back into shape. During the weaning period, you must be patient and avoid letting your baby suck intermittently or expressing milk due to bloating and pain. Doing so will inevitably prolong the weaning time.

3. How long will it take for milk to increase after weaning?

Studies have found that the production of milk is the result of the combined action of prolactin and the lactation reflex. The baby's sucking stimulates the nerve endings of the nipple and transmits the stimulation information to the anterior pituitary gland, causing it to secrete prolactin. During the weaning process, the baby's sucking time and frequency will decrease, and the secretion of prolactin will also decrease accordingly. The milk secretion will slowly change from large amount to cessation, and the milk engorgement will gradually disappear. This is a natural process.