After 5 weeks of breastfeeding I have moved my baby into formula due to severe nipple trauma and an inability to latch properly (we have seen professional consultants and there is nothing wrong with baby, position or latch - it was actually suggested I consider moving on from breastfeeding as the physical and emotional pain I was experiencing we're affecting my bonding with my baby) and I have some concerns involving reducing my milk supply.
A week ago I stopped breastfeeding and instead expressed milk using a pump, but that was too painful to continue. However, I know I cannot just go cold turkey so it was suggested I only hand-express enough milk to relieve pain, and my milk supply should get the message within a week or two.
What I need is a little reassurance that this will happen, from anyone who has done this themselves.
I currently hand-express up to 1oz of milk every few hours, but if I go any longer than that I am crying in pain from how engorged my breasts are. I can't currently hold my baby, it's so bad. I'm worried that if I express any more than that, my supply won't slow down quickly enough, but it's awful that an hour after expressing I'm in pain again. Has anyone else experienced this, or have any suggestions?
[Please don't comment about how I should see more lactation consultants or make more effort to breastfeed - 4 weeks in pain and misery were enough for me; we got off to a bad start feeding, baby lost weight then cluster fed 20-hours a day for two weeks. I appreciate that breast is best but I am happy with my decision to move on and only want help implementing that.]