switching to FF - how to do this gradually to avoid mastitis

[lainey1981]

Hi All,

Have posted a couple of times on here about my struggles with BF over the last couple of weeks (DS1 is 2.5 weeks). He had posterior tongue tie (which was snipped on Tues), and caused severe damage to my nipples.
all through the pain, tears, and battle at the breast I had the day of tongue tie snip in mind as the day things would magically get better - and they didn't! Turns out the shooting pains in my nipples and the pain when feeding is because me and DS have thrush.
I have been prescribed some daktarin which should hopefully clear this up - but have been so down and crying constantly as I can't feed him for more than a couple of minutes without having to stop - so have been giving formula top ups for most feeds since yesterday.

The thought of each feed fills me with dread I am so down that I feel like I can't cope when I'm on my own.

I have made the decision to switch over to EFF for the sake of my wellbeing as can feel myself slipping into depression. I have had loads of support and help from BFing groups etc but know this is the right decision for me and my family. It's not fair for DS to have a crying mummy all the time and for DP to have to constantly see me in pain and not bonding

I am sad, but think it's the right thing to do as I feel more hopeful about getting out and about now I have made the decision.

Please can anyone offer some advice about how I can make the switch to FF gradually to avoid mastitis etc? will this take a few weeks?

TIA for any ideas x

I think you're recommended to drop one feed every few days.

Is it just nipple pain or breast pain with the thrush? Are you both being treated?

thanks moonunit I'll give it a try, just so hard as can't seem to manage a full feed due to pain. It's mainly nipple pain but have noticed some pain in breasts today too

Yes we are both being treated - DS has daktarin gel and I am picking up my cream in a bit.

If you have breast pain ask for fluconazole too - thrush can by hard to shift, me and ds had it for weeks and we only got rid of it by blitzing everything simultaneously.

Good luck :)

Ask the doctor for tablets to suppress lactation. I am taking these now as even though I reduced feeds gradually and stopped BF the 'correct way' I still got mastitis