How to stop without getting even more ill

[MollyDefoe]

DD (4mo) and I have had a tough time breastfeeding - one of our problems has been that I've had recurrent serious bouts of mastitis, about once a month, once requiring hospitalisation. In August I've had it twice, and this current bout is being really hideous - I feel dreadful! Despite our problems, from when DD was 10 weeks old, I've really enjoyed breastfeeding and so glad we persevered. But I go back to work full-time on 1 Oct and DP starts a new job on Monday, and I cannot afford to keep getting this ill this regularly. No doctor or lactation consultant I've spoken to has been able to offer me a reason why I get mastitis so often, so I've got no choice really but to stop breastfeeding.
My question is really about the best way to stop. I know that going cold turkey isn't really advised, in case it causes mastitis, but seeing as I'm currently suffering from a bout (and taking antibiotics), is there any reason why I can't just completely stop bf in the affected breast? My boob's so swollen at the moment anyway, because of the mastitis, that very little milk comes out anyway. Or is it still better to try and continue bf with both boobs, but gradually add in formula and cut down that way? How long should I allow to stop bf entirely? I'd be so grateful for any advice - I feel so clueless about the best way to stop bf!

Stopping cold turkey, especially if you're already suffering, is not a good idea. Mastitis normally stems from blocked ducts, and ineffective drainage of the breast. Have you had your latch checked?

If you're certain you want to stop, then doing gradually is the way you need to go about it.

I'm sorry you've had such a rough ride.

Yes, we've had a lot of support along the way. DD was born with an 80% tongue tie, which was diagnosed at 4wo and snipped shortly after. That made a huge difference to her latch, and she instantly fed much better. I got the most serious bout of mastitis shortly before the snip, and think that was totally down to incomplete drainage. But once we got her latch sorted out, I've been religious about draining the breast every night via pumping, if DD hasn't drained it herself. But I've still had 3 bouts of mastitis since then

I sympathise greatly, I breastfed by dd with no problems then had 8 bouts of mastitis in the 8 months I fed my ds. It's awful, you can't imagine till you get it. No-one could give me any answers either, i kept thinking it would stop reappearing, but no. I think you will need to wind down unfortunately, sure that's not what you want to hear as it's horrible feeding through it. My baby was a bit older and on solids so I cut back pretty quickly. Part sad, part huge sense of relief. Maybe drop every other feed once this mastitis bout is on the way out? I'm not an expert at all, sure you'll get more advice soon. Best of luck.

Anecdote rather than evidence but some mums are helped by taking lecithin supplements.

You can stop just on the affected side and your supply will dip on that side with the mastitis. Better to do some feeds or expressing to help make your breast more comfy but not so many that your supply is upping as the madtitis resolves.

You may be over pumping, in that case. Reduce the amount you're pumping slightly each week. The more you pump, the more demand you're putting for milk, the more milk your body will produce, and a pump is never as effective as a little one, so it will be a cycle.

Also, feed so little ones lower jaw (that does the movement during a feed) is pointing towards the areas that are sore, as it will stimulate milk to flow from where it really needs to.

Yeah just noticed what you said about pumping, may not have helped long term.

Thanks for your advice! My instinct is that the pumping isn't a problem. The first bout of mastitis (when DD was 2wo) had completely killed my milk in that breast, so we haven't been able to EBF since then. Instead I've been trying to build up my supply (with help of domperidone, fenugreek, pumping etc) and over the last 3.5 months have managed to go from 50% bf to 90%. But we've certainly never had problems with oversupply, since that first bout, so I don't think the evening pumping has really been a problem in that respect ....

you do know you can feed with just one breast? if its just in one side then I'd dry that side up and carry on feeding with the other.

Don't stop though until your better from this then drop one feed at a time leaving at lest 3 days ideally a week between dropping feeds.

Thanks MigGril - sadly it's both breasts. I've had it once in my left breast and 3 times in my right breast. I did think about drying up the right side, and continuing with the left - but I really think it's not fair on DP to continue putting myself at risk of being ill. He's the one who then has to drop everything and take care of DD 24/7 until I'm better. That's been doable up to now, because we've both had 5 months leave, but when we both go back to work, I can't risk it. I've thought long and hard about it, and I feel really sad, but I think that stopping is the only option. If someone could give me a cast-iron guarantee that I wouldn't get ill again, then of course I'd keep going, but I know that's not possible.

beatofthedrum - thank you so much for the sympathy! Gosh, 8 bouts - that's terrible. I'm so sorry. Do you mind me asking what made you stop after 8 bouts? Had you had enough? Was the last bout particularly bad? Do you regret not stopping earlier at all? I hope you don't mind me asking these questions!

Not at all. My whole bf experience with ds was very difficult with repeated mastitis but also (sorry, this sounds horrible!) horrendously ripped and bleeding nipples that continued through most of the 8 months despite lots of bf support and counsel. Everyone was bewildered. I saw stars whenever he latched on, was awful. I found it hard to stop because it had all gone so well with dd, it didn't seem fair to treat him differently and I couldn't accept how wrong it had gone.

When I finally stopped I had a recurring mastitis bout after only 3 weeks since last one (needed antibiotics every single time!) and the lump was huuuuuuge (doesn't it feel awful?!) and my nipples were so badly torn he was digesting blood (this happened quite frequently and although I was told not to worry, how can anyone proceed happily when their baby is producing black poo??) and I thought ENOUGH. And it was. I know I did my best and it was time to stop. You know that too now, it takes a while to get there but eventually you just have to say, I can do no more. Once you feel that way, it gives you a sort of release.

You've coped with lots, you've fed through great discomfort and now you need to give yourself permission to wind it down, stop and enjoy your baby.