How to stop breastmilk?

[ajja2021]

Hi,

I'm currently combination feeding, expressing milk and giving bottles of breastmilk and bottles of formula.

I want to stop expressing. I can't do it anymore, I don't want to go into it but I have to stop.

On advice from the midwife I pumped less often and pumped to relieve not to empty.

I'm drenched, covered in milk. I can't go longer than two hours before I'm absolutely soaked.

I had a routine of pumping every 4 hours, my boobs seem to fill up every two now and it's making Me miserable.

Please can I have constructive help, I don't want anyone telling me to keep going. I know my limits, I've reached them. I'm really struggling with it now and want it to stop. I knew it wasn't going to be an overnight process but nothing is helping.

How long have you been doing what your midwife suggested?

5 days

Cabbage leaves in your bra around your breasts. Lots of baths and showers to let the milk out naturally rather than expressing. Flannels (sorry, can’t remember if hot or cold). Be careful of mastitis.

Thank you. I'm really struggling, it's effecting my mental health.

I had a bad experience breastfeeding my first son which resulted in him being hospitalised, I so badly wanted it to work out this time but I am starting to feel depressed and anxious

Take cold and flu meds. The decongestant dries up milk glands and the paracetamol helps with discomfort. Worked for me twice. Then just express small amounts for comfort as needed.

Same advice as @elf1985 - take Sudafed and express tiny amounts. Good luck!

On my way to buy some Sudafed, I've never felt pain like it. After expressing its like they fill right up straight away, they're like rocks and hot! And this is after reducing pumping sessions and pumping to reduce rather than to empty.

I had a similar issue with my son, but stopping was never this difficult. I'm anxious leaving the house because I leak constantly

I am sorry you had such a bad experience. My first dd was stillborn but I wasn’t given the medication to stop breastfeeding. I had rock hard red boobs, which added insult to injury. Cabbage leaves is a very old remedy, but it does work. And in a hot bath the milk came out slowly, so relieved some of the immediate pressure.

How old is your baby? Were you pumping morning and night?

I pumped for ds1 for almost 12 weeks. I gradually wound it down by dropping one pumping session every 3-4 days.