How do I stop breastfeeding 3 month old?

[Moonshine160]

3 month old DS is breastfed but will accept the occasional bottle of breastmilk or formula from someone else without any issue.

I have been reluctant to stop breastfeeding but feel it is now affecting my mental health and I am ready. DS has always been a fussy feeder, dropped a centile (to 2nd centile), constantly fusses at the breast and latches on and off every few seconds which really hurts, can’t cope with my forceful letdown so gags, splutters and ends up full of wind. My nipples are so sore and have scabs. He had his tongue tie cut a few weeks ago but it’s made no difference; I’ve even had him checked to make sure it hasn’t reattached. He is a snacky feeder so doesn’t have much in one feed and then wants more a really short time later. I’ve had a breastfeeding support worker out to me and paid to see a lactation consultant twice. Feeding is still a nightmare so I just want to stop.

I need advice on how I actually stop. He won’t accept a bottle easily from me when he can smell my milk, it just makes him really agitated. But he does accept it from DH or someone else. How do I get him to take a bottle from me? Also what do I do to start reducing my supply? Do I express the milk to stop engorgement but no more than that? Help!

Do you feel it has to be an all or nothing or could you start with mix feeding and see how that goes?

In either scenario the key is to go slowly to protect you from mastitis.

Start by replacing 1 feed a day with a bottle. Maybe lunch time or first thing. I'd avoid night or bed time bottles for now (not least because breastfeeding can help babies to sleep)

Don't express that feed. Your body will get the message that you don't need that milk and will start to regulate down.

Wait about a week and introduce the next bottle. Try to alternate between bottle and breastfeeds so your body can adjust slowly.

I hope this helps.

As has been said start by one feed at a time and get someone else to do that feed: will your DH be around for a few days at Christmas so that they can do 2-3 feeds a day?
Dont express as then your body will keep on producing the milk thinking you need it; you will get very full but you have to go with it and your body will get the message. If you’re only dropping one at a time then you shouldn’t get engorged. I only waited about 2-3 days before dropping the next one but youll know once your body has adjusted