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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Tips needed for reducing/stopping milk flow

9 replies

Dolby · 07/12/2011 21:24

I stopped breastfeeding 13 mnt DD 3 days ago (after many tears on both sides, mainly mine) :(. Luckily she has only asked once for milk then quickly got over it. Am yet to get through a weekend of not feeding her to sleep though which will be tough. But now my breasts are filling up and becoming painful. I can express to ease the pain but am worried that it will just keep my milk going. Does anyone know how to stop breastfeeding without being in bits? Any suggestions gratefully received!

OP posts:
TruthSweet · 07/12/2011 21:28

Generally speaking removing only enough milk to be comfortable (rather than draining the breasts) is the best bet.

You can have pain killers (ibuprofen is good for reducing inflammation but check it is suitable for you) and having a warm shower can help with letting down with out touching (the less you touch your breasts the better as touching increases oxytocin).

Hope these work for you.

floppops · 07/12/2011 21:32

I stopped recently and my breasts were so painful for a week and then just painful for another week! It took longer than I thought. I expressed with my hand just a little to ease the pain and then in the second week they leaked a lot. I also fed my dd to sleep for 21 months!! So I was v worried. But she was fine. Now she just asks for lots of hugs instead :)

Original poster
Dolby · 07/12/2011 21:34

Thanks TruthSweet. Do you know how long it will take till I stop producing milk?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dolby · 07/12/2011 21:37

Sorry Floppops, I didn't see your post before I replied to TruthSweet. Did yours go after the 2 weeks then?

OP posts:
floppops · 07/12/2011 21:40

Yes my breasts suddenly felt ok one morning. Did take two weeks though. Have heard others say a week so maybe everyone's different. So glad to have normalish breasts back now after nearly two years!

floppops · 07/12/2011 21:42

Also as TruthSweet says warm baths help

Original poster
Dolby · 07/12/2011 21:45

Thank you for your advice. I hope it doesn't take too long as I'm worried if she screams at me for milk at the weekend and I am in pain that I will give in and let her have it! Fingers crossed Xmas Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Dolby · 19/12/2011 21:27

If anyone is looking at this, I am pleased to report that my will power was strong (although she didn't even ask!). My breasts only hurt for a day or two and I didn't need to express at all. My top tip would be to cut down on feeds first then you won't be producing so much milk when you stop. After a couple of days my breasts were back to normal. All that worry for nothing. I was also worried it would affect my relationship with my daughter but we are as close as ever Xmas Grin

OP posts:
TruthSweet · 19/12/2011 21:53

Glad to hear that Dolby Grin

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