I have stopped breastfeeding my darling little DD3 (6mos). I have ductal thrush for the second time and and I just can't bear the pain any more. I am taking a fluconazole course for the thrush, but it isn't working yet, at least not quickly enough. Also having already had the thrush a couple of months ago, and tried hard to keep it at bay, I feel like it perhaps never went away, and am not confident I can get rid of it without stopping bfing. Please don't try to change my mind about giving up. I am quite sure it's the right thing to do, but emotionally it's very difficult.
I was going to try and stop gradually, one feed at a time. I successfully got it down to 3 bottles during the day, and bfeeding morning and night, but it got to the point where I was in screaming agony when the breasts were fairly empty after she had a good feed one morning. I knew that feed would be the last. Painkillers not enough to help. So I have stopped much more abruptly than I wanted to. I think I was driving my family mad moaning about the pain.
DD is coping ok, she likes her bottle thankfully, but she is a bit puzzled I think. She has developed a new type of moany cry which I think is a "wish I could have booby" cry. The heartbreaking thing is that I can't even comfortably cuddle her that close because my breasts are so sore with engorgement. I am pumping a little bit every now and then just to relieve the engorgement, but I just want to get this over with.
I am concerned the sudden change in hormones will affect me badly, I am already in tears every day. DH doesn't really get it when I cry, and just says you've done really well to feed this long, DD3 will be fine etc. But it just feels so unnatural not feeding her. I was so sure I wanted to stop and I know it will be fine when the engorgement is gone and when DD3 has forgotten and isn't trying to dive down to find the boob.
I'm just so sad. Crying now as I type this. If you made it this far through my rambling, thanks for reading.