Stopping breastfeeding: how long does it hurt for?!

[kjh5]

I'm going back to work and with the bubba merrily chewing on broccoli and happily taking a bottle the time has come to stop breastfeeding. Over the past two weeks I've reduced the feeds down to three a day. And then yesterday decided (after the two morning feeds) to stop cold turkey. So I stuffed my bra full of cabbage, gulped down some ibuprofen and didn't sleep all night as my boobs got more and more engorged and painful. I've had a hot shower, I've refreshed the cabbage and taken more painkillers but I'm in agony. Any idea how long this lasts for?

[TiredandGrumpy2014]

I got down to 1 feed a day when dd just turned one and I did the last feed on Friday of last week- and still in pain now I'm afraid! Though engorgement has gone, its more tenderness now so think it's getting better. I saw my v good gp this morning who doesnt think i have mastitis but she did say some people take longer than others to get rid of the pain and milk. Just keep an eye out of signs of mastitis such as red streaks on your boobs and flu like symptoms. Hope you feel better soon!

[kjh5]

Thanks so much! I definitely feel less sore today (thank goodness!) spent yest popping painkillers and trying to sort out lumpy blocked ducts. Who knew stopping would feel like such a nightmare?! here's hoping I manage to avoid getting mastitis...

[stargirl1701]

Sudafed or sage tea will reduce your supply. Soya lecithin should prevent blocked ducts.

[BlueberryWafer]

I feel for you OP it's bloody uncomfortable isn't it! Hot showers actually stimulate milk production which can obviously make the problem worse! I'd stick to warm showers until you start to notice an improvement. Keep an eye out for hot, painful engorged breasts as this can be a sign of infection.

[BlueberryWafer]

Hand expressing just enough milk to relieve discomfort won't stop your supply from decreasing either, so you could always hand express a tiny amount to relieve discomfort?

[PacificDogwood]

No need for the nightmare - just reduce more gradually.
I think towards the very end I fed something like 2x/week just to reduce discomfort.

Hand express or let the baby feed just enough to relieve the discomfort and your breasts will soon get the message without any pain or blocked ducts

Or keep feeding before and after work

[TiredandGrumpy2014]

How are you doing OP? If anything I'm worse than a few days ago! Noone tells you how hard it is to stop bf!