How to stop breastfeeding week old baby

[twentythree]

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?

A bit late in the day I know, but just wanted to say I was in exactly the same boat as Twentythree. I went cold turkey. On the first day I couldn't even bear to wear a bra - just wore a baggy t-shirt with breast pads stuck on the inside in the relevant places (SO not a good look!) Breasts were incredibly painful and I was worried about blocked ducts. I found a warm flannel really helped ease the discomfort - it encouraged a little milk to flow but not as much as if I'd tried to express. After a day or two I was much better and milk completely dried up within a few days.

Like Twentythree, baby was quite large with a suck like a vacuum cleaner. Nipples were sore and bleeding and I didn't seem to be making enough milk to satisfy him - OK during the day but at night he'd just scream and scream. I wasn't enjoying breastfeeding and neither was he - especially as I was also trying to recover from an emergency C-section. Made the decision to bottle feed and have never looked back - he's now a thriving four-month old and the picture of health.

Currant bun thanks for your message, I too had a c-section so the whole feeding trauma was particularly tricky as I was trying to recover from that too.

I am sure I did the right thing switching to bottles, even though I am a fan of breastfeeding and had no problems with DS1. It's only good if it works!

Both my boys have been big eaters and have a fine set of lungs on them so when they're hungry they certainly let me know. At least now I can be sure DS2 is not starving, and I am not in constant pain from bleeding nipples or engorgement.