how do you stop bfing?

[Rachog]

So far the majority of breast feeding has been a nightmare, tounge tie, thrush and now mastitis, I have gotten through this far, 9 weeks by telling myself that if it doesn't get better soon we can switch to bottles.

It's not that easy though is it! I stopped feeding on one.side due to thrush causing cracked nipples and.while I expressed a bit it wasn't enough and I now have masitis, so if that happens after a couple of days reduced feeding, there is no way I could just stop and switch to bottles when I choose is there.

So how do you actually stop breast feeding? I'm not at that point yet but would like to know for my back up plan.

You need to see if your baby will take a bottle of formula if they will you can gradually feed more bottles and less breast milk.

My DDs decided for me, DD1 hated BFing and just got stroppier and stroppier until I just I just gave her bottles.

DD2 wouldn't take a bottle to save her life, literally.

(Lost weight from 4 months on and ended up being weaned early onto a diet of yoghurt and fromage fraise as well as the usual purée.)

Carried on BFing for ever and aged 11 still won't drink milk.

Medication isn't everyone's thing, but I stopped bf a couple of weeks ago by taking cabergoline - a 2-day course of pills was enough to basically stop milk production. GPs won't prescribe it routinely, but, like you, I'd had a difficult time bf, and kept getting terrible bouts of mastitis (on top of other issues). After having mastitis so frequently, I couldn't see how I was going to stop naturally without getting it again; and the cabergoline meant we had a very easy, stress-free end to bf.

Thanks for the replies. Was having such a hard time with it yesterday, today has been much better bt it helps to know that it is possible to stop if need be!