It's painful to start breastfeeding and it's also painfully to stop. Dealing with sore breasts which feel like they are going to explode is not easy and makes you restless. It can make you sick. The last thing you want to care about at that time is if your boobs are going to sag after it's over but how you manage your sore breasts counts.

Weaning my baby was an experience I didn't know was going to end. It was a long week of pain and somehow I managed to worry about making my breasts sag. When your breasts are sore, you need some remedy to help you soothe the pain and reduce the milk piled up in your breasts. Here are the methods that I used to soothe my breasts and this is what I did to make sure that my boobs don't sag after it.

How To Soothe Sore Breasts During Weaning And Prevent It From Sagging

1. Hot and warm massages

The milk that fills the breasts needs to be evacuated and sometimes your breasts may leak very slowly or may not leak at all as in my case. A hot or warm massage helps the veins to relax and also the milk to flow out.

This is what I used to massage them. Just make sure you are careful and don't burn yourself with hot objects.

- Coconut shells

This method really helped the milk to flow out very fast. Make sure the shell is smooth so that it doesn't feel uncomfortable or hurt during the massage. Do it gently and take your time.

How to use it:

I let heat the shell by the fire and massage the breast from downwards going up. This means, you start massaging around the nipple and move upwards towards your chest. Don't do it in the opposite direction as it will make your boobs sag.

How many times can it be done a day? 

This can be done twice or thrice a day. Or when you feel the need to help the milk flow out.

- Hot or warm water

This gave me some relief from the pain and relaxed my chest.

How to use it:

Heat the water and dip a towel into it. Squeeze the towel and use to massage each breast especially around where you feel much pain. Another way is to hold the entire breast in the hot or warm towel for a few seconds then take it off.

How many times can it be done a day?

I recommend doing the water massage after the coconut shell massage so you can follow the same twice or thrice a day schedule.

2. Wearing firm bras

After massaging and soothing your breasts, wear a firm bra to hold them together. A firm bra which is still very comfortable and fits well. The bra should be able to keep your breasts in one place to reduce your pain.

I recommend body or sports bras that cover you up and hold your breasts well without feeling tight.

Also, get some good sleep, eat well and rest. Avoid bending over to the front too much and get some healthy comfort food. My comfort food was boiled fresh groundnuts as we were visiting my mom and it was the groundnut harvesting period.

Related: Travelling To Harvest Groundnuts, Weaning My Baby, & My First Brand Deal

3. Hand and oil massage

When the pain is over and your breasts are getting to normal, start using your hands to massage them. Apply some oil to make it easier to massage. Place both hands above and under your breast and massage clockwise and anti-clockwise gently. This will make them firm and reduce wrinkles.

Related: 6 Ways To Care For Your Breast While Breastfeeding

Those are my tips for you to wean your baby and prevent saggy boobs.