Should I squeeze out the engorged milk when I'm weaning?

New mothers will appear flustered when weaning. They don’t know how to wean their babies correctly, and they will feel some swelling and pain in their breasts at the beginning of weaning. This swelling will make mothers very uncomfortable. At this time, they should try their best to squeeze out excess milk, but they don’t need to squeeze it out completely. If they squeeze it out all, it will affect the secretion of milk.

Precautions

1. If your breasts are swollen and uncomfortable, you can squeeze out the milk, but don't squeeze it out completely, otherwise it will promote milk secretion and have the opposite effect.

2. During the weaning period, you should pay attention to reducing stimulation to the breasts and nipples. The secretion of prolactin will decrease accordingly, and the secretion of milk will gradually decrease. Never let your baby suck your breast milk or touch it, and avoid using hot water to rinse your breasts when taking a shower.

3. You can use ice packs to cool your breasts to relieve the feeling of swelling.

4. If you find a lump in your breast, rub it with your hands in time to prevent mastitis.

5. When choosing diet during weaning, you should avoid foods that promote milk secretion, such as peanuts, pig's trotters, crucian carp, soups, etc., and eat less protein-rich foods, which can reduce milk secretion. During the weaning period, you should also pay attention to reducing the water intake in your diet.

6. Try to avoid using hormone drugs or milk-suppressing injections, as they can easily cause breast atrophy or breast secretion problems.

Breastfeeding is not just about the mother feeding the child, it is first and foremost a feeding relationship and a way of raising a child. Similarly, weaning not only changes the child's food intake, but also changes many existing habits in the child's daily life, such as eating, sleeping, and meeting psychological needs. Therefore, when and how to wean, mothers need to consider many aspects before making the appropriate decision.

Natural weaning is a very good choice. But it's not the only good option. It is also good enough for the mother to guide the baby to wean. Breastfeeding mothers should prepare the knowledge of weaning their babies in advance. This is to avoid being in a panic and confused when having to wean the baby suddenly.

Just like breastfeeding is the best option. But it’s not the only option. If the mother knows how to meet her child's need for close attachment in other ways, formula feeding is a good enough choice.

The issue of weaning is a big deal for children and must be taken seriously. Weaning is not only a nutritional change, but more importantly, it means losing the opportunity to suck and snuggle in the mother's arms emotionally. If not handled properly, it will cause significant mental stimulation to the young mind.