Just can't do it anymore. How do I move on to FF?

[PhoebeLaura]

I've had nearly 10 weeks of painful feeding with bad latch, thrush, bleeding and cracked nipples. I've tried all the thrush remedies and medication, spoken to breastfeeding counsellors and been to BF clinics. Nothing has helped and I just keep being told the latch is fine, no tongue-tie etc.
I just can't do it any longer. The pain has taken over my life and it even hurts to pick my DS up.

I'm already giving FF at night as I couldn't cope with the evening cluster feeds.

Any advice for moving over to FF? Please don't criticise my decision, I'm upset enough about it all.

I was advised not to go cold turkey with the bfing - to at least express if not direct feed to avoid risk of mastitus. If you can bear it I would try and gradually cut down the bfs and up the ffs.

PhoebeLaura - I'm so sorry to hear BF has been so difficult and painful for you that you feel you have no choice but to stop. You've done really well to stick at it for 10 weeks under those circumstances.

I agree that cold turkey with BF isn't advised, gradually cutting down is the way forward. Mint tea will reduce your supply.

Please try not to feel bad about it not working out. I hope that, knowing you've done everything within your power to sort out the problems you've been having, you can come to peace with your decision to stop. There is only so much one woman can do!

Don't forget that by sticking at it this long you've given your DS a really good start in life.

Phoebe - of course you are sad but you should be proud at the same time. Loads of people never even get to 10 weeks. And if you wean him off gradually then his last feed might not actually be for another week or two - so that's 12 weeks!

As he can already take a bottle decide which is his "favourite" feed and make that the last one you give up.

Just swap a breast feed with a formula feed about every 3-4 days. Let your body be your guide - if you get lumpy bumpy and painful you'll know you're doing it a bit too fast.

Good luck.

Oh no you sound like you have had a really hard, nasty time.

Have you fluconazole from your GP?

Thanks for the support.

Yes Scorpio, I've had 2 weeks of fluconazole plus cream for me and drops for him. I've tried all the suggestions all the lovely people on MN have given me to try to beat the thrush but it just doesn't seem to be shifting and I also have the cracked bleeding nipples to deal with. On top of it all I have terrible circulation so I'm suffering from vasospasms (blanching of nipple) which make me cry with pain (when I'm not crying from the thrush and the bleeding!! ).

I feel I've given it my all but it's taking over my life and I am not enjoying DS as I should be. As Norktastic says, I just need to find a way to come to peace with my decision.

I'll be careful to drop the feeds slowly - I really don't need mastitis on top of everything...

I have no advice to offer you, just a massive WELL DONE for keeping it up so long (and yes, 10 weeks of constant pain is a very long time), in the face of so many problems. you should feel very proud of yourself!

Well done!!! don't feel bad, feel proud of yourself. I hope the pain stops really soon. it is the best thing to not be in constant pain when you have a new baby to look after and love