Best way to stop Breast Feeding?

[MissyBabee]

The time has come! Six long months of breast feeding have come to an end. Although I've been looking forward to this moment (each day I worked out how long until the 6 months were up!), I do feel sad about it BUT please don't all come on saying why don't I continue!!! I've read the other threads and BOY do they make me feel guilty!

Nope, I have decided to stop! Soooo, what's the best way to do this? I read dropping one feed a week but that will take me 6 weeks! Someone at my postnatal group went cold turkey - ouch! Not for me, don't fancy mastisis (sp?). So, does anyone have any advice?

HV today recommended I immediately drop 3 feeds and just feed first thing, lunch and last thing and keep this going for a while so that it's not suddenly a big shock to DD & me. She admitted not having ever breast fed herself.... so, I thought i'd check with the experts .

Hope you can help! Many thanks.

bump, please help!

Hi Missy. making the decision to stop is half the batle so welldone. make it and stick to it and your half way there. iI speak from experience, just decided to stop feeding my second (didn't make 6 months though well done)

I gradually dropped feeds with my first and had no problem with my boobs at all. This time, I dropped feeds less gradually, over about 4 days, and my boobs are very tender. I hpe they get better soon, but basically I have adopted the cold turkey route more or less. If you want to avoid that, then just replace 1 feed for two days, then two feeds for two days etc.

HTH

Bloss

x

With DS1 I started by alternating BF and bottle feeds for a week then went to 1 or 2 BFs then stopped but expressed a little each morning for about a week just to relieve the pressure/pain then that was it

I stopped feeding at 9 months, and I found that it took about 3 days for my boobs to adjust when I dropped a feed. I would suggest dropping one of the daytime feeds, the one that your DD is least enthusiastic about, see how it goes, then drop another one when you feel ready.

Having said all that, when it came to dropping the last feed (bedtime), it took me a good 10 days of pain and discomfort before my boobs finally deflated!! I must have been producing gallons of milk! Hopefully you will find it easier.

Anyway, good luck - and well done for getting to 6 months. There is so little information available about stopping feeding isn't there? I remember when I decided to stop I couldn't find any advice - just lots of articles extolling the virtues of extended feeding - made me feel so guilty

I was unlucky, I went cold turkey with ds1 and got really sore. With ds2, I dropped one feed at a time and was fine until it came to the last feed and again I got really sore. I think it can also be a bit overwhelming for your body too with all your hormones kicking into place again.

Some people stop without any bother at all.

Why not drop a feed, or three, and see how you're feeling the day after tomorrow - take it from there.

oh, thanks everyone! really appreciate your replies. my brain keeps getting in a tiss when i try and plan what to do and then i look down at DD while she's feeding and feel mean!

ok, i think i'll start with dropping one of the daytime feeds and as you say, that may only take 2-3 days to adjust. i'll see and take it from there i guess.

wondering what it will be like not to have to wear these damn awful bras! can't imagine life as it was