Pain when stopping breastfeeding!!

[Jessthepseud]

Hi

My dd is almost eight months and I've decided to stop breastfeeding her - I've done the cutting down gradually method. i finally dropped the last night time feed the night before last. She's fine with a bottle (my mother suggested top up feeds after she was born and my c-section wound opened up - ICK) and seems not to be TOO unhappy. But I am in agony. It feels almost as bad as the mastitus I suffered when she was about 5 months. Can anyone give me any tips or maybe even an idea of how long it should last? I also feel really mixed emotionally - not sure if it's hormonal or just guilt!!!

i was told to wear a sports bra or even bind myself with a bandage - should only last 2 or 3 days.

Cabbage leaves inside bra should help engorged feeling, a friend of mine did hand express a little for releif to stop the pain but was aware of the supply demand thing.

I also hear hormones are wizzing when you stop breast feeding but aslo heard you get your libido back! Swings & roundabouts!

Sorry can't speak from experience on this, but I am however gonna be watching this thread as just starting to drop feeds as bf for me is on the way out!

Yeah I've tried the cabbage thing when I had mastitus but I wondered if it just makes you feel better cos it's cool?

Right now I'm trying the binding thing with a cut up Green Day tour t shirt. I feel gooood.......

I think my libido might be dead and buried haha!

I read a book which followed 4 pregnant women & their experiences & one womens dh went out & bought shredded cabbage, needless to say he was sent straight out again for real cabbage!!! LOL

As for libido I had to check its meaning in the dictionary!!!

I am in the same situation. Right side not too bad as thats the side DD last fed from but left side very uncomfortable and very big!

I too felt a bit sad last night thinking I won't breastfeed DD again. I don't think its guilt as I am now 100% certain I want to stop (DD biting!) its just a period that has come to an end and I did love breastfeeding her when she was tiny. I think its natural to feel a bit emotional about it.

Looking forward to buying some nice new non nursing bras though - once breasts have deflated!

I've been talking to my mum (of 4) and she says it's natural to feel really fed up - i feel a bit like baby blues (maybe there are different issues haha)

I think it's not guilt but more a case of knowing it makes my dd happy and i NEVER deny her anything! shame on me

Watch this space....right now it just seems I ought to carry on!!