Stopping breastfeeding- how?

[RowenaDedalus]

I’m stopping bfeeding after 1 week. Yesterday instead of doing any feeds I pumped once in the morning and once in the evening, for 3 oz each time. This morning my breasts are very painful so I have expressed 3oz again. I wanted to give some breastmilk for another few weeks (or until supply runs out) through the day, by expressing.

However I have read on line that I should be emptying the breast- is this still the case if my overall goal is to stop bfeeding? Am I making it more complicated by expressing and should I just go cold turkey and stop altogether?

Thanks in advance for any advice

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Sorry I don’t know much about expressing. Have you tried calling one of the BFing Helplines? The BFC who answers should be able to tell you the best way to stop without risking Mastitis

[RowenaDedalus]

That’s a good idea. I was afraid to ring them in case they started to persuade me to breastfeed again!

[Shelley54]

If you want to feed your baby by expressing milk then you need to pump 8 times a day or more to build your supply.

If you want to stop the milk then yes the odd short pump when it becomes uncomfortable for a few days and I’d recommend a cabbage - leaves from the fridge in your bra will help.

No judgement here either way but you need to decide what you want to do - you can’t pump twice a day and feed baby expressed milk long term.

[RowenaDedalus]

If I pump twice a day how long would it last- a few more days? I want to formula feed it’s just I don’t know how to deal with the milk I’m producing. Should I just stop out right or express some until it stops.
Or should just express a tiny bit to make my boobs more comfortable and take ibuprofen and grit my teeth for a few days?
Thanks for cabbage leaf hints!

[Welshmum16]

Don't stop expressing,a friend of mine got mastitis and it's very painful, it depends how much your producing already.

I stopped day breastfeeding first (kept the night going as was easier for me) and I just expressed in the morning perhaps once in the day and maybe evening if I didn't breastfeed. I just was expressing to be comfy and a bit more and gradually it got less.

[Welshmum16]

Do you go to any bumps & baby groups, perhaps some other local mums to talk it through with or even the health visitor?
They are very good around here won't push you into anything and prefer to help with your decision

[RowenaDedalus]

I haven’t gone anywhere yet, not even left the house! I haven’t seen the HV yet either although I could ask the midwife couldn’t I

[Welshmum16]

Sorry just seen you said it's been a week, yes midwife should be able to help,
They are usually so understanding these days don't push you to continue BF at all, it's not for everyone.

[Shelley54]

Here’s some guidance from the KellyMom website - I always turn to it for help...

kellymom.com/ages/weaning/wean-how/lactation-suppression/