Catherine mentioned an article about milk only draining from abscesses when mother was not nursing or pumping that breast. This has not been my experience. All the abscesses (6-7) that I have personally managed have drained milk from the incision site. This scares everyone including the doctor if all are not warned/educated/prepared for it. I have a fabulous and by now very exerienced surgeon whom I refer to. We've never personally met, but I think he does a great job and he is supportive of my advice to clients on how to manage the 'mop-up' phase. In all my cases weaning was not effected abruptly but proceeded more or less gradually -- generally with a pump, but in two cases mother kept nursing. This draining when milk lets down makes for the need to change a lot of dressings, and this forces mother to have to keep confronting the frightening visual appearance of the wound. ( I have some slides that make strong stomachs lurch.) This is a slow healing situation -- over weeks. the range I have seen is 2-5 weeks. There is a need for lots of reassurance for mom that this will heal. She needs rest, strong immune system -- diet not working too hard, approp. meds. and prob. for at least a slight wean-down of production of affected size to promote speedier healing. BTW, a cool trick if abscess is close to areola where baby's mouth or pump flange might impinge is to cut up a nipple shield so nipple pokes through, but silicone donut ring covers and holds down dressing and keeps another barrier between mouth/pump and bandage. I, too, like the analogy of walnuts to graphically emphasize the the size and holding contents of newborn stomach. Sometimes I bring a bag of walnuts to in-services and pass them out so everyone has one to use as a 'worry bead' while we talk about early feeding. Often, if I'm feeling naughty, I will suggest they 'hold onto their nuts.' Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSE, IBCLC priv. pract. Austin, Tx