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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Formula feeding straightaway

73 replies

Tea1Sugar · 27/10/2013 06:27

This isn't my decision I'm just wondering. If you for eff straightaway what happens to your milk when it comes in? Do you still have to pump to stop them getting engorged?

OP posts:

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vichill · 27/10/2013 06:33

I ebf but i would think you must completely ignore the boobs when milk comes in. expressing will only encourage them to produce more.

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SlaveToRuthMiskinPhonics · 27/10/2013 06:34

I don't know what happens if you choose to ff, but I know that in some circumstances, like a stillborn baby, the mother can be given a medicine to stop milk production.

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GinGinGin · 27/10/2013 06:35

Agree, pumping will only encourage milk flow. Use raw, cold cabbage leaves in your bra to reduce swelling/engorgement, take ibuprofen for any pain & just wait it out. Your milk should dry up in a few days/a week.

Make sure you wear a vv comfy non-wires bra too

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UriGHOULer · 27/10/2013 06:35

I know there are tablets that you can be prescribed to stop the milk But in the main they just tell you to leave them alone. binding your breasts can help.

Its not just choosing to ff, it can be because a baby is stillborn. my niece was born so.

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UriGHOULer · 27/10/2013 06:38

Sorry, ill finish my sentence..

Her mum, my sister wasn't given anything to help her stop making milk. She had awfully painful engorged breasts for about a week or so. Then it just stopped

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GinGinGin · 27/10/2013 06:42

Uri , that's awful. So sorry for your sister

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Mumof3xx · 27/10/2013 06:51

I chose to ff
Go on shoot me
You just have to ignore them it only lasts a week or so

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Frecklesandspecs · 27/10/2013 07:01

I'm ff from the start this time. ( wrote a thread further down) its third baby and have made my decision. I think its best to not start iyswim and I heard epsom salts can help dry you up which I'm going to try.
you Will still get a bit of the pre milk probably but best to not try and express it and leave the breasts alone.

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Frecklesandspecs · 27/10/2013 07:04

mumof3 I'm stood next to you in the firing line!

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emmac3616 · 27/10/2013 07:32

me too - and actually, it's impossible to find any information on what happens if you choose to ff from the outset as it seems to have become so taboo :-(

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Mumof3xx · 27/10/2013 07:33

That's because we are all awful awful mothers did you not know that?

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Babieseverywhere · 27/10/2013 07:47

Yes, your milk will still come in and you will need to watch your breasts whilst the milk dries up.

If you get very uncomfortable you could hand express a small amount of milk off that side. Whilst removing milk can encourage more milk production it is negligible in a small amount of hand expressing and it is better that you feel comfortable.

Like all your mothers no matter how you feed, if you get a lot of pain or red, hot patches on your breasts seek medical help asap.

Cabbage leaves in your bra can help.

Binding your breasts is a bad idea and can encourage blocked ducts, stick to a snug supportive fitted bra with no underwiring.

Hope that helps.

Ps. I have no idea why this decision has been made for you and it is none of my business.

However many women are told they cannot breastfeed due to certain medications when there are often breastfeeding friendly alternatives, if this might fit your situation, there is further advice HERE.

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Babieseverywhere · 27/10/2013 07:48

Like all your new mothers

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Babieseverywhere · 27/10/2013 07:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Babieseverywhere · 27/10/2013 07:55

Despite being an american site Kellymom is a highly respected infant feeding website and she has a page of links on stopping milk

Worth a read.

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killpeppa · 27/10/2013 07:57

I had a traumatic labour and was given a high dose of morphing to knock me out after wards do I my husband FF out DS1 straight away, DS2 we just did then same as I had such a low milk supply.

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Frecklesandspecs · 27/10/2013 08:04

gosh peppa. I won't ask questions as I'm due with no 3 in 2 days but that does sound nasty.
I tried breast with both dd1 and dd2 and mix fed for a few weeks. ..... few days
I got horrid mastitis first time. Really painful btw so do try and avoid.
This time I am just going to be brave and tell them all I'm formula feeding from the start!

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ShowOfBloodyStumps · 27/10/2013 08:04

I thought the op was saying that she isn't making a decision to use ff straightaway, she's just wondering what happens if you do. I've often wondered this too but haven't asked because I didn't want it to degenerate into a row.

I don't think there needs to be a firing line does there? Not yet anyway. Somebody might admit to coke in a bottle at 3 days and then we can unlock the arsenal.

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Aworryingtrend · 27/10/2013 08:09

I ff ds from the start, my milk came in on day 5, I just wore two very tight bras and ignored it, it went away after a few days.

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Babieseverywhere · 27/10/2013 08:12

:) Yep, that proberly is it. Hope the links help anyway :)

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pumpkinsweetie · 27/10/2013 08:14

So sorry for your sister uri, how awful x

I found this when i ff 3 out of my 4, shoot me with a grenade launcher
A warm bath helps, other than that a comfy bra as suggested and leave well alone, to dry up of their own accord.

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Foxeym · 27/10/2013 08:39

I had my DC3 2 weeks ago and have ff, my milk came in on day 3 and was quite engorged and painful for about 5 days and I just took paracetamol and then it subsided, wasn't too bad at all :)

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Tea1Sugar · 27/10/2013 08:55

Woah I never said this was my decision I was just interested!!

OP posts:

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BlackholesAndRevelations · 27/10/2013 09:38

Wow, these threads always mention firing lines etc; if you are happy with your choice, just state the bare facts, rather than spoiling for a fight.

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emmac3616 · 27/10/2013 09:43

Ha ha ha - i think it mentions firing lines because the second you even mention to an NHS midwife that you are considering not breastfeeding they treat you VERY differently, make you feel very guilty and will not listen to your side of things at all. Doesn't matter how hard you've tried during pregnancy to eat right, exercise, avoid alcohol / caffeine etc. you are far worse than someone who smoked / drank throughout and breastfed in their eyes. Lying to them is the only option if you are feeling fragile!!