How long for milk to dry up?

[meow1989]

My little boy is 16 weeks and fully formula fed. Unfortunately, despite having wanted to breastfeed for as long as possible, two nasty bouts of mastitis (one resulting in hospital admission) meant that I only managed it for 11 days exclusively, and until he was 4+5 combination. I did also express a bottle a day until he was 8 weeks old. Can you tell I'm still a bit gutted at giving up from all the explanation and justification?

Anyway, I still have some milk (pure curiosity in trying - was just able to express about 5 mls, think it's somewhere between colostrum and mature milk) and wondered when this should stop? I don't leak or anything it's just if I try . I do also have a history of high prolactin (drs think due to AD's, I disagree as had history prior to starting them).

The other thing I struggle with is I feel like if the milk is there why aren't I committed enough to try relactation. Even though ds utterly thrives in his formula, it means I can leave him easily with dh or with family on rare occasions and he was never settled on breast anyway I don't need advice on this bit, I'm just getting it off my chest, so to speak! why do we do it to ourselves?!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

meow

Have you thought of phoning one of the Bfing Helplines. The BFCs who take the calls are just that, fully trained Counsellors.

You can talk through exactly how you are feeling.

[meow1989]

Thanks @JiltedJohnsJulie , I'm ok really, it's only f I sit and think about it too much. DS is such a delight that he keeps me too busy to focus on regrets