How to get rid of BREAST milk when you've switched to bottles - sorry double thread

6 replies

hockeymum · 02/05/2006 15:24

Sorry just posted this but forgot to make clear it was breast milk I wanted to get rid of!! (mother of newborn brain drain alert!!)

Following on from my bottle feeding thread I was wanting advice about boobs!

I fed ds from one side for 10 mins before his 2am feed and from the other side for 5 mins before his 6am feed and nothing since so boobs a bit sore!

What is the best way to get rid of excess milk? Should I just keep doing 5, then 4, then 3, etc mins before each formula feed to dry it up slowly? I'm happy to do that if necessary. How long does it take? Any other ideas? He is 10 days old btw. Thanks for your help again!

OP posts:

oranges · 03/05/2006 12:07

No idea, but wanted to say hello and congratulations on your baby. HOw did the birth go? I wanted to thank you for all the help you gave when I asked about hospitals in Cardiff. I had my baby boy in London in the end - the same as you - he lost 22 per cent of his birthweight and needed formula. I'm trying to get back to breastfeeding, or at least mixed feeding, but not sure if it will work. Good luck!

secur · 03/05/2006 12:10

I htink I just stopped and put up with the pain for a day or so - TBH it dried up quite quickly and I didn't have any problems with mastitis or anything - when it got to much I hand expressed a tiny bit and it just went away!

Chloe55 · 03/05/2006 12:54

I cut down the amount of feeds from the breast, not the length of time. Eg, I bf in the middle of the night then at lunch time then the last one in the evening. A week later I cut it down to two feeds, then a week later down to one feed. I haven't bf for 5 weeks now and I still occassionally leak a little milk. I didn't find the process too painful doing it this way.

leogaela · 03/05/2006 13:13

try drinking peppermint tea, its supposed to help reduce the milk.

Original poster

hockeymum · 03/05/2006 18:23

oranges - how lovely to hear about your little one - congratulations! I hope you had a good experience in London - when are you heading back to Africa?

OP posts:

oranges · 04/05/2006 13:12

I'm here for good now - decided I wanted to be close to home and family for the baby, though we may go off again in a year or so somewhere else.

Flip