Baby refusing to Brest feed and my breasts are so sore!

[Newmummy1212]

I have exclusively breastfed my baby for 12 weeks. She was born with a really tight tongue tie and a minor cleft palate. Both of these things have made feeding very tricky but I persevered with it. After many stressful feeding sessions I decided to gradually give up BF by introducing a bottle at one feed, then two etc but this week she is now refusing to feed from the breast at all and just screams hysterically when I offer it. Although I am wanting to stop feeding, I wanted it to be gradual to avoid engorgement but baby has other ideas. I think the bottle is so much easier for her to get suction with because of tongue tie and cleft. I just wondered if this has happened to anyone else and how to relieve engorgement and pain. Thanks.

For the engorgement, I've known people who say putting a Savoy cabbage leaf in your bra brings some relief. I've never tried it myself, but worth a try, maybe?

Yes happened with DC1. I was mixed feeding and he decided he had enough of the breast.
You can try to express just a tiny amount to relieve engorgement but not more than essential.

Is the CLAPA team not helping you? TBH it would be my first point of contact as they will (should) have a Infant Feeding specialist nurse/MW on staff to help you. It is 10pm so they are probably not working but hopefully in the morning/Monday they will be able to give you some tailored support.

In the mean time gently hand expressing (perhaps in the shower/bath) to relieve some of the excess milk will help you to feel more comfortable.