Giving up breast feeding, how to do it without boobs exploding???

[PandaSpaniel]

My DS is 12 weeks and I want to give up breast feeding as I need to go on some medication that isn't suitable with breast feeding. I am lucky in that LO will take a bottle, he doesn't seem too fussed where his milk comes from.

I have stopped feeding him from yesterday but obviously my boobs feel like they are about to explode. I have been expressing a couple of ounce from each side when they are really painful but this is just going to cause them to produce more isn't it?

What do I do? I can't be walking around with milk dribbling down my top all day!

Anyone???

Hello! There are a couple of different things you can try.

First of all though, who has told you that the medication is not safe? Lots of medications are not licensed for breastfeeding mothers but that's not the same thing as not being safe. If you don't want to talk about your medical condition on here then there's a very good drugs in breastmilk helpline run by the Breastfeeding Network.

If you do have to wean then there are some tips here and here.

You can express just enough to remain comfortable or alternatively some mothers find it better to drain the breast completely and then leave longer gaps between expressing. Your supply will gradually decrease if you are only expressing a bit (or not very often). Keep an eye out for lumps and sore patches- if you do get a blocked duct then it's important to try and unblock it.

There are other ways that you could try to reduce your supply, some mums use sage or peppermint tea.

I have give in today and give little one a breast feed as not taking any meds yet. I feel selfish as I want to take a really strong antihistamine and steroid spray for hayfever but also want to up the strength of anti depressants I am taking.

I do want to wean as I want my body back but feel so horrid as LO is now protesting at the bottle and wants breast feeds. This isn't usually the case, maybe he knows I want to give up??

Wow just checked out the breast feeding helpline run by the Breastfeeding Network and they say I can take the meds I need, other than a decongestant which I can live without. Thank you so much eaurouge. I still plan on FF during the day and giving him a BF at night and in the morning as I would like to carry on giving him the goodness of breast milk but am finding it a bit much exclusively BF him.

Excellent, I'm so pleased they were able to help you out.

If you're finding it overwhelming BF then you can call any of the national helplines for a chat or find a local Baby Cafe or LLL group. If you go to a group then you might be able to get some tips from other mums on how to make things a bit easier.

I do go to a local group but the babies there are all 5 month and over and their mums seem to have forgotten how hard it can be to start with. I think I am making the right decision for me to BF twice a day. I just think I will be happier with that. :)

That's good news!