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Original poster

How to stop breastfeeding asap

13 replies

Spencer2 · 04/04/2023 06:24

Hi all,

I want to stop breastfeeding as soon as absolute possible. I am completely and utterly gutted as it has only been a month of exclusive feeding. However, I ended up in hosp over the weekend with mastitis and now it’s come to the other breast too.

Latching is horrific, feeding is torture. My nipples are bleeding, cracked, blistered. I am really not in a good way and to be honest it is making my time as a new mum a negative time which I don’t want.

Baby is also ingesting blood from my boobs and spitting it up, gp says its ok but I just don’t like this at all.

Like I say, absolutely gutted but can’t keep torturing myself.

Question is.. how do I stop? I can hardly go near them without crying but I know I can’t leave them as full rocks all day and night?! I just cannot latch baby any more (pain is way too much now) so please don’t suggest this!! I will have to pump, do I just pump enough to feel comfortable?

OP posts:
PurBal · 04/04/2023 06:29

Sorry to hear you’re in so much pain. You might find it easier to drop one feed at a time, especially since they’re so uncomfortable, and just pump to comfort for that feed. It may take a few days per feed though. I’m sure others will have better advice.

CastleTower · 04/04/2023 06:41

Check the KellyMom archives for some links on milk suppression and sudden weaning. Usually recommendations include ice packs, cabbage leaves, eating/drinking lots of sage and peppermint, and using decongestants (e.g. Lemsip). It would be worth talking to the health visitor or midwife, they must see this lots and must have some ideas.

Pumping until you feel comfortable sounds sensible.

You've done so well. It sounds like things need to change for you both, so well done on making that happen. Mastitis is absolutely awful.

BouncingWorms · 04/04/2023 07:10

Firstly get baby taking bottles of formula do you only have to worry about you. Pumping pulls on the nipple, I think that might be very painful right now if it’s not absolutely necessary. You’d be better off hand expressing until you’re a little more healed, that also lets you manually clear the blocked duct causing the mastitis.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Antenatal & postnatal Breast & bottle feeding Families General health
newtb · 04/04/2023 07:43

Apparently taking milk of magnesia will help to dry up your milk. A midwife told me that young mothers on a local estate used to ask for it as they didn't want to breadtfeed. Her husband, a pharmacist, was horrified. Her pov was that it was better for them not to have mastitis which is horrible.

Gremlinsateit · 04/04/2023 09:24

As well as anything else that’s recommended, try hand expressing under a hot shower, just enough to feel comfortable. While doing so, massage the area of the blocked duct.

dreamygirl25 · 04/04/2023 09:28

I have been in your situation (hospital on a drip) . Everyone told me to express but I wanted and needed to urgently stop. Its just a wait if about a week and they will start to go down. Just don't touch them and take ibuprofen and paracetamol and know it will be over soon.

I went on to bf my 2nd and 3rd children with no mastitis and no problems but first time round it was way too hard to breastfeed.

Merrow · 04/04/2023 09:30

When I had mastitis and needed to drop my supply I was told to hand express for comfort only. Even a minute took the edge off the pain from my breasts being rock hard.

bussteward · 04/04/2023 09:34

Second suggestions for a hot shower and hand expressing. Pumping will hurt and may stimulate more supply. You want to just relieve the worst engorgement without encouraging more milk. You can also try a basin full of hot water and dipping your breast down into it and expressing into that, or in the shower use the handheld shower head to direct pressure onto any hard or blocked parts. I used to punch myself gently in the boobs in the shower when I had mastitis. Cabbage leaf in the bra is supposed to help. Regular painkillers, alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol to a schedule rather than letting them wear off.

Can you enlist someone else to wean the baby onto formula asap so you can just take care of you? Can your partner if you have one take time off work to do this while you simply focus on deflating your breasts and healing?

Silver cups (you can get them from Amazon) over your nipples with some of your milk while you still have it inside them will help them heal quicker than cream.

Twizbe · 04/04/2023 09:34

Please ring the NCT infant feeding helpline to get some information from qualified people.

Given the history of mastitis it's important you go slowly to allow your body to adjust.

It might be a case of expressing feeds and slowly dropping those as your supply adjusts.

You don't say how old baby is, but I'm guessing young?

Do ring a professional and make sure you get good information.

Don't stop cold turkey though.

AliceS1994 · 04/04/2023 09:51

Please don't stop cold turkey of you still have mastitis, it will make things much much worse. For the first few days you can have someone else do bottle feeds for bub, they will likely accept them more readily from.someone other than Mum, and you can offer them a little bit before they usually have a feed to reduce upset.

Sorry your having such a tough time and I completely understand your reasons for wanting to stop. I want to add that the mastitis problems and nipple problems are probably all due to baby having a shallow latch, of you still wanted to continue breastfeeding then you would probably feel better and have healed nipples in a few days with the support of a lactation consultant/midwife with your latch. I understand that you've made you decision, and fully understand why, I've been there so no judgement here! But just thought I'd mention it as it sounds like your upset about stopping. A month is fantastic and you've clearly persevered to breaking point for your little one!

saveface · 04/04/2023 13:27

I agree. Move baby onto formula, gradually if you can. Hand express just enough so you're comfortable and then drop one express session a time leaving a few days for supply to adjust in between.

Gremlinsateit · 04/04/2023 23:55

Also really hot compresses on the sore area can help.

If you are still nursing (and I’m not saying you should), try to use a football hold so your baby’s chin is massaging the blocked duct, and/or massage the area gently yourself while nursing.

OnaBegonia · 05/04/2023 00:12

Apparently taking milk of magnesia will help to dry up your milk. A midwife told me that young mothers on a local estate used to ask for it as they didn't want to breadtfeed
Had to be a local estate eh? asked for an item that was available
off the shelf? Always one snob that can't help themselves.
Hope you feel better soon OP, I had to stop after a month due to mastitis, fortunately wee one took to bottle quickly.

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