Patient's question:
I stopped breastfeeding last month on the 29th, and now I basically don't have much milk left. If I squeeze, there will be a little, but one of my breasts is a bit painful. Please have the experts reply as soon as possible.Doctor's answer:
This is normal. During weaning, breast tenderness and even hard lumps can occur, which can be improved with local heat application or massage. However, you need to pay attention:After weaning, breastfeeding mothers should reduce fluid intake to help decrease milk production and facilitate faster weaning. If milk production remains excessive, you can use a binding cloth to compress the breasts or use a breast pump to extract some milk when the breasts feel overly full, then bind them tightly with the cloth. If the breasts do not feel overly full, avoid expressing milk to prevent further stimulation of milk production. (Remember: never squeeze engorged breasts, or it will take a long time to wean.)
Alternatively, medication can be used to wean. Generally, you can take ethinyl estradiol 5 mg orally three times a day for three days; or use estradiol 6 g for intramuscular injection once a day for three times; or apply half a pound of Epsom salt to both breasts daily, removing it after it has fully dissolved. This usually results in weaning within two to three days.
Vitamin B6 can also help with weaning! Traditional Chinese medicine is also a safe and effective option: you can drink sprouted barley and wheat sprout tea (commonly known as "two sprout soup"). However, it is recommended to buy from a reputable traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy, as the sprouts should be acetic-acid-treated for better efficacy.