Help! After 8 months of bf with thrush have thrown towel in and want to take dd2 off breast but keep engorging - advice/help needed

[Wills]

Hi.

Having struggled with bf thrush for 8 months now I am finally giving up and want to move dd2 onto formula. The problem is every time I drop a feed I engorge/block and am in a lot of pain. It doesn't help that of course dd2 is fighting me all the way, refusing her cup (although I've seen her feed from it happily) and stores up her desire for milk for marathon runs during the night. I've just dropped the early evening feed and have been engorged for about a day and half. Any milk that I do get out is yellow/slightly green but doesn't smell. Past advice contradicts so I'm seeking help from any mumsnetters who might be bf experts. To relieve a blocked/engorged breast you're supposed to put the baby to the breast at every opportunity however I don't really want to do this as I'm trying to drop the feeds not increase them. Also the midwives in the hospital told the women who were not planning to bf to leave the breasts alone and not express anything. So what do I do? My gp has indicated to me that if/when (because with this thrush I block and engorge on a regular basis) I block I should shift the milk as soon as possible lest I develop mastitis (sp) or an abseces. Help! I've just had a hot bath, a large glass of wine, some ibuprofene and am about to feed (sounds toxic and one of the reasons I think I'm better off weaning).

I struggled to stop Bf so just refused to do it - Wore tight bra and top - similar to advice given to new mums who do not want to bf I arranged for dd to be feed by dh for the first two days and we sang / rocked to sleep offering cup at night - dd adjusted quicker than me - I don't know about the thrush but if you keep area dry and cool thatshould help

If it were me I would express off (for each dropped feed) to a comfort level but no more, and that should take the pressure off.
Have you tried cabbage leaves? I think you take them out of the fridge and stuff 'em in your bra, can't hurt, anyway!

HTH, until somebody like Tiktok sees this!

Well done for getting this far with breastfeeding, Wills, I really admire you for persevering with the problems you've had. What did you ever do about the thrush medication and the reluctant GPs?

GP finally gave in and gave me the necessary medicine. It holds it at bay but doesn't cure it. It has made the breast feeding bearable.

Hi Wills - just seen this and thought it must be you. I'm sorry you're still having all these problems - you really are a superstar for having persevered for so long.

Did the diet help at all? I have to say you were my saviour - although now I can't see dd ever wanting to give up.

When you say you have the right medication is that for the thrush? Are you back on the diflucan?

I often wondered how you are, you really should be so proud of yourself.

xxxx

The cabbage leaves definitely do help.I used them a lot and they did provide relief.
No advice I'm afraid but deepest sympathy.I had thrush and several bouts of mastitis at the beginning and it was hell.I think you are a hero for keeping going.I hope things get better.
cheesy((()))hug!!

The hot bath thing is good, it makes the milk come out if you are horribly engorged. And definitely keep expressing off a little bit when it gets really uncomfortable, it will relieve it, and don't be afraid that it will stimulate milk production, expressing milk doesn't stimulate anything like as much as putting the baby to the breast. Aargh, it's awful - but it sounds like your recipe of hot bath, large glass wine, ibuprofene and cabbage leaves is a good one - it worked for me!