Switching to ff at 6 days, do I just stop? no judging please

[Gerty1002]

Due to inverted nipples which are extremely sensitive I have decided to give up breastfeeding. They have been cracked and sore since day 1 and now it is even excruciating to feed with nipple shields. Poor DS got a mouthful of blood through one yesterday and that was the straw that broke the camels back.

I am gutted as I always wanted to bf, but after 5 days of crying in agony, dreading my gorgeous DS waking up for a feed and DS getting very distressed and windy as a result of this I think I have made the best decision for my family as a whole - none of us are happy at the moment.

Although I am disappointed and feel guilty about stopping, I feel 100% happier knowing I never have to put him back on my breast.

So, how do I do it? My milk is in and breasts are very full... do I just wait it out for them to go down or is there something I can do to speed up the process? Obviously don't want to end up with mastitis!

TIA

It's up to you how you do it. We just stopped and went into formula when dd was 5. Breastfeeding for me was a horrendous miserable experience!

I left my boobs alone! Put on a really good supportive bra day and night. Take some pain killers. Within 48hrs they were beginning to go down. After 4 days or so I was back to normal. Keep some pads it can take a few weeks for your milk to stop.

A warm shower helps the soreness. Try not to express it just encourages more milk supply.

That's 5 days old not 5 years

Gerry - so sorry to hear it is so hard for you. Has he been checked for a tongue tie? If not, ask your mw about this. No advice on stopping except I think I would express the worst off and massage any blocked ducts in the shower - working towards the nipple. Good luck.

Thanks for your replies. His tongue is fine and really good latch but my nipples just aren't built for it. Started ff tonight and already we're like a different family. Just hope my breasts don't suffer too much :)

I did it gradually, dropping a breastfeed every couple of days... If you stop suddenly it can be quite painful but I think it all depends how much milk you have and how resilient your boobs are. Mine were in a state (as was my mental health!) so I needed to cut back gradually to come to terms with it all.

Congrats on the birth of your baby

Don't beat yourself up! Babies need happy mummies!! I also tailed it off but doesn't sound like you can do that, my friend has never breast fed and when her milk comes in she leaves them well alone, it's painful for a couple of days then tails off. Ask your MW they shouldn't be judgy.
Congratulations

If u massage u stimulate
So try
And avoid! Speak to your midwife when she comes
To visit

We had to stop after 6 days. I was going mad with pain, had started dreading ds waking up. Once we changed to formula the house became a happy house and we could really start to enjoy our new baby. Still fed on demand, had to be a bit more organised but definitely the right thing for all of us. 3 years on there are no regrets. Good luck :)

I've stopped cold turkey as I couldn't have managed another feed. We're like a different family today, so much happier. Breastfeeding support worker said to just leave breasts well alone and take painkillers so habe done so. pretty sore but nothing compared to feeding!

Thanks for all your kind replies

Take lots of really hot baths, fully immersing your boobs, and try to get as much milk out during bath time as poss....because you're no longer feeding, your boobs won't be stimulated by baby and so you massaging them in bath to get out any left over milk shouldnt stimulate to produce more (if that makes sense!).

Don't feel guilty at all about stopping - I totally know that relief you feel when you decide to switch from boob to bottle - the different family thing rings true with me!! I stopped BF my first born after 4 weeks as it was SOOO painful & I was so miserable. Plus it doesnt mean you might not try again with future babies - I went on to successfully BF my 2nd & 3rd babies after vowing to never ever try again after my first!

Good luck!