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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

How to stop breastfeeding week old baby

27 replies

twentythree · 23/06/2007 11:38

I have reluctantly started bottle feeding my DS2 after a very difficult first week of unsuccessful breastfeeding. I am absolutely sure this is the best thing to do as he was starving and not gaining weight.

However, after 24 hours my breasts are VERY sore, and looking dangerously like getting engorged. I have been expressing small amounts off every 4-8 hours when I feel they are about to burst but worried this may not be the best thing to do. I can't breastfeed him any more as my nipples are in agony so it's either expressing or nothing. Any suggestions/what worked for you?

OP posts:
WriggleJiggle · 23/06/2007 11:46

Get on the phone to one of the bf help lines - you should find the numbers if you do a search on MN or Yahoo. It is really really important you get proper advice.

WriggleJiggle · 23/06/2007 11:49

La Leche League will help.

Kellymom.com will also give you good advice.

Original poster
twentythree · 23/06/2007 12:11

Thank you - I have had different advice from different people and was hoping to hear from anyone who found what worked for them?

I can't just drop feeds (which seems to be the consensus on the ideal way to do it) as I'm not breastfeeding at all now. But just going cold turkey seems a bad idea too as the norks are very painfully swollen already. I had engorgement earlier in the week and it was agony. Is expressing a little as and when necessary ok?

OP posts:
maxbear · 23/06/2007 14:03

It won't do any harm to express a little BUT it will mean that they take longer to settle down back to normal. If you go cold turkey it will probably take a couple of days and then you will be ok, you have to do what feels best for you.

mosschops30 · 23/06/2007 14:13

I gave up after a week. Just stop, do not express, take some painkillers for a couple of days and you will be fine HTH

lulumama · 23/06/2007 14:16

do you think you might want to continue feeding if you could get some assurance that your baby is getting milk? sore nipples usually indicate a problem with the latch..has anyone checked it out?

Assoc. of breastfeeding mothers

0870 401 7711

Breastfeeding network

0870 900 8787

La Leche League

0845 120 2918

NCT

0870 444 8708

IsabelWatchingItRainInMacondo · 23/06/2007 14:20

TBH babies do not feed much during the fisrt week as the milk only comes down a few days into it. Actually, most of them loose a bit of weight during the first weeks. I hope this may reasure you a bit, and help you to keep trying. But, if you are convinced you want to stop, I'm afraid it will hurt for a couple of days.

Try to contact someone from one of the organisations suggested, it can really make a difference

Bouquetsofdynomite · 23/06/2007 14:22

Have you got the breast shells that gently suck/catch drips? They don't touch the sorest parts and ease the pressure without stimulating more milk production (like expressing.) And because they're sterilised first you can tip it in his formula at feeding time.

Original poster
twentythree · 23/06/2007 14:28

I have already spent a week with a breastfeeding support woman who was excellent but it's not worked.

I fed my first baby perfectly easily, it worked a treat. But the second hasn';t been latching on properly (despite lots of effort to get positioning right) so the nipples bled, then I got engorgement because he wasn't feeding properly, then the milk production started to wane, and all the time this (rather large) baby was starving.

Because I was perserving with the breastfeeding up until yesterday, my milk production has rallied so I have huge swollen mommajommas but definitely don't want to return to breastfeeding. The baby is much happier on bottles now and I don't want to mess him around any more.

If I just leave them and go cold turkey won't this mean more engorgement and the risk of mastitis?

OP posts:
Liska · 23/06/2007 14:30

I had really sore nipples for the first ten days or so even though the latch was just right.

I used some things the MW gave me - little scraps of material impregnated with vaseline that you put in your bra - and carried on to see how it went (masochist that I am). My nipples toughened up and can now take any abuse dd throws at them (and she does like to tug...). I had hoped to bf for 3 months, but as we are doing so well, I am planning to keep going for at least six months.

I spose I'm saying it might be worth persevering if you have some support - it can get so much better with practice. BUT only if YOU want to.

Liska · 23/06/2007 14:31

Sorry - ignore last. crossed with yours. will shut up now.

Flamesparrow · 23/06/2007 17:57

Message from "RL" - is your baby tongue tied? Please check as it can make latching a nightmare.

It can be cut and then feeding is normal again

(The last bit was me)

Original poster
twentythree · 24/06/2007 12:06

No he's not tongue tied, infact was latching on ok on one side but not on the other. Anyway that is a distant memory now as I've been bottle feeding him for 2 days and he is stacks better. It's just dealing with the painful breast swelling that's the problem now.

If anyone else is in the same position, I spoke to 2 breastfeeding counsellors over the phone yesterday who both advised against going cold turkey and suggested expressing little bits out just to ease the discomfort, but not so much to stimulate the supply. It's a bit tricky trying to guess how much that is but I've been trying to do it as little as possible and just massage away any lumps. They are still very sore but I don't think they're any worse and possibly even getting a bit better.

OP posts:
MatNanPlus · 24/06/2007 13:17

Have you tried hand expressing in a hot shower and are you taking regular pain medication?

WriggleJiggle · 24/06/2007 13:24

What they have said does sound right, and a far better option than going cold turkey. Keep going with the expressing as little as possible, and watch out for any problems developing. Is there anyone who could help with the bottle feeding. I know myself that I only had to look at dd when she was that age, or hear her cry and milk spurted everywhere. I'm not saying don't go near him, but there are plenty of other ways to bond with him without necessarily doing the actual feeding bit.

Amberjee · 25/06/2007 09:38

twenty three, its not a good idea to go cold turkey as you will put yourself at risk of blocked ducts and mastitis if your breasts are continually engorged. so what hte BF counsellors have said is a good idea to express a bit to feel comfortable but not too much. i know its tricky, but better to cut down gradually so that you are more comfortable. xx

cathcart · 25/06/2007 09:47

A savoy cabbage leaf in each bra cup will help ease the tenderness!
it might sound strange but it works - even my midwife told me that one!

Original poster
twentythree · 26/06/2007 11:06

Thanks everyone, I have found the cabbage leaves very useful. After a while they came out kind of steamed. It almost seemed a shame to waste them, but don't worry they went in the bin.

The swelling has calmed down a lot so things are MUCH more comfortable now - I would advise anyone else to sit in a warm bath and express a little bit off when they get too sore but not to overdo it in case that kick starts more milk production.

It's now day 5 and it's totally bearable - still leaking a bit but I don't mind that at all. At least I can move my arms now!

OP posts:
MrsFish · 26/06/2007 11:10

Only just seen this thread but I did as you did when I weaned ds, just expressed off enough to relieve the pressure, they settled down far quicker than I thought they would.

paulaplumpbottom · 26/06/2007 11:11

Surely expressing just prolongs it

MrsFish · 26/06/2007 11:14

Only if you totally express what is there. I bf for 5 months and was expecting a month to wean completely, it took me 5 days to no longer have painful boobs, you just tone down the supply a bit at a time, your body soon realises not to make as much if you aren't getting rid of it.

Amberjee · 26/06/2007 11:17

paula, you need to express a bit for comfort at first and to avoid mastitis. the idea is to cut down as your boobs allow!

paulaplumpbottom · 26/06/2007 11:18

I wish I had known I just suffered for about a week

daisyboo · 26/06/2007 11:19

twentythree, only just found this and just wanted to add that when i stopped bf ds at 5 weeks, i expressed off for about a week, gradually decreasing the amount i expressed each time. It took longer, but i was more comfortable.

congratulations on the birth of your baby, i hope he's now doing well. There is a June Post-Natal Club if you fancy joining us!

Amberjee · 26/06/2007 17:31

ah paula, you poor thing. must have been painful.