HellWeaning off breast feeding

[anitapatsy2]

think I've messed up stopping bfing and need some advice. I thought it was ok to just stop after ebf and so did that yesterday only too find I now have very painful and lumpy breasts. I stopped because of constant feeding by 3 mth old, cracked nipples and pressure from family but now think I've made a mistake to do that. will the lumpy painful breasts ease all by itself or should I still do some bfing? Can I mix feed or go back to ebf after a day of formula feeding? I'm so confused. I've expressed once today to relieve the soreness which helped. Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.

It's best to drop one feed a day every 3 days or so - that way your body can adjust to dropping feeds. Stopping suddenly can mean you risk mastitis.

If you want to continue breastfeeding though, maybe you could get in touch with a breastfeeding counsellor? You shouldn't have cracked nipples if the latch is good, so maybe there are some adjustments that could be made to improve things and help the baby feed more efficiently.

The NCT breastfeeding helpline is 0300 330 0771 - they can give you some advice about how to stop or help to continue.

No, you can't just stop im afraid. Your breasts are used to making the milk that your baby needs and has taken from you for the last 3 months.

IF you want to stop BF you need to do so gradually, cutting out one feed at a time. I'm sure someone will be along soon to suggest a timescale for this. I have not done it and don't know but would think probably one feed a week.

Blocked ducts are painful enough but they can also lead to mastitis. You did the right think to express today. The main thing is to not let your breasts become engorged and lumpy whether you decide to stop or not.

You could definitely go back to ebf or mixed feeding and for the sake of your breasts alone you should do!

It sounds like there are quite a few reasons why you decided to stop and I think you need some real life help. Have you tried the nct bf helpline? Phone number is 0300 330 0771. They can also advise you on weaning if that is what you want to do.

Your nipples should not be cracked and you can sort that out if you get some help with latch. Family pressure is difficult, it's easy for people on forums to make light of it but hard for you. What pressure in particular? Re the baby feeding constantly, thats what little babies do but it gets better! Plus your baby probably feeds to feel close to you as well as for nourishment.

I hope this helps.

If I were you I would give the baby a breastfeed now to relieve your breasts.

Thanks for the advice. Just rung the nct helpline which was very useful and I'm going to bf tonight. Thanks again