Breast no more...

[PicnicPie]

DD is 8.5 months and I decided to go cold turkey with BFing yesterday for a number of reasons, including returning to work.

DD took bottle fine but only took a few ounces each go. Didn't fuss at night time and slept ok.

I have been expressing and bottling the milk up and using that to feed. However I don't think my breasts are being fully emptied as my left breast is in pain even though it feels empty.

My question is, is going cold turkey a stupid idea. Already I'm feeling pain, I don't want it to get worse. DD woke at 6:30am and has had 1oz and a bit of porridge and has gone back to bed.

A part of me thinks when she wakes, BF her and then after lunch give bottles for the rest of the day. Or will that confuse her and should I just stick with what I've been doing and no breast at all?

Also is it unrealistic at this stage to express for all her feeds? She is on two good solid meals a day with snacks and water but still has about 5 day feeds and 2 night feeds.

Grateful for any advice, especially from those that have "been there, done that". Just so confused as t how best to proceed.

At that age I no longer expressed milk for daytime, and was just feeding mornings, evenings and weekends. I was back at work fulltime from 14 weeks, so did a lot of night time and office-time pumping, so I was really glad not to have to express anymore.

DD had one small bottle of cows milk during the day, plus yoghurts, etc. and water. (no allergies in family).

I found just the morning and evening feeds kept her going, and we continued bfing to 15 months. We stopped quite suddenly, one night I didn't feed her before bedtime, and that was it.

I'd quite like to do a morning and evening feed only. But my concern is that she won't be full and will end up waking through the night to get her full intake of milk. Which is why I have resorted to no BF at all. Ok, maybe I could try a morning feed when she wakes up in a bit (which will help relieve pain in breast) and then offer solids and bottles.

Did your DD still wake through the night for feeding?

She did for a bit, but we cosleep so I slept through most of them. I think when she was about 10-12 months we started offering water instead of boob when she woke at night. We got one of those sippy cups with non spill mouth pieces so I didn't have to wake up too much, just hand her the cup and go back to sleep.

Ok thanks. I'll see how today goes. Have just b-fed her when she woke up. Followed by some toast and cheese. I'll offer bottle for the rest of the day and see how she takes it.