Having to stop breastfeeding suddenly

[katmarie]

I've been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid, and prescribed carbimazole which I have to start taking tomorrow basically. The doctor has told me that I have to stop breastfeeding my 7mo ds. Does anyone have any advice? I have a good pump so can pump to relieve discomfort, but what do I do when he starts rooting for food? And how do I cope with knowing that tonight will be my last time breastfeeding him? How do I comfort him without breastfeeding? I can't stop crying at the moment and I'm supposed to be going to work in a minute!

Rationally I know he will be fine, he's taking to solid foods like a champ, and he happily takes a bottle of formula. I'm just gutted though. Anyone got any words of wisdom?

Anyone?

This sounds stressful OP

I just did a quick Google because I know that most drugs are not labelled as 'safe' in pregnancy. The NICE guidelines say the depending on dose carbimazole needn't always preclude breastfeeding.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/carbimazole.html#breastfeeding

The following website says similar: www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/

So it might be worth calling LLL or the breastfeeding network for advice.

If on balance, you would rather stop breastfeeding, you son will probably adapt quite quickly. The first few days will be difficult though as he will still smell your milk. I would use lots of distraction. The only times DD happily missed a feed at that age were if we were busy doing something interesting (out for a walk, socialising etc.)

Thanks @INeedNewShoes it is stressful. Unfortunately the options were take the carbimazole and subject ds to regular blood tests and risk his health, or stop breastfeeding. I know it's the right thing for me and ds, I need the medication, he needs a healthy mum too, but I just feel like we've come so far and now my body has let us both down. I just don't know how to get past feeling so sad about it.

Aww, your baby will probably be fine but it’s not nice for you. You might feel down for a while and will be sore and miserable but I’m sure your boy will take to a bottle or Cup like a champ, and you will see he’s fine. Lots of cuddles and kisses will comfort both of you. I had to stop breastfeeding after 10 weeks as I was admitted to hospital, and my son wasnt used to a bottle yet. But after a few days of stress he got the hang of it.

OP you've done an incredible job breastfeeding your little man all this time truly. You will have formed such an amazing bond with him and he's had a great start because of you. It sounds like the weaning is going really well and it's not long until solid food will be taking over from your milk anyway so don't be too disheartened. Be sure to have extra cuddles and time for the two of you once you've stopped breastfeeding. I remember reading from LLL to pump for approx three minutes or so to relieve pressure but not to encourage further milk production but would be worth reading up on anything that may have changed. Good luck with the transition and I know it sounds so cliched but it's true a happy, healthy mum makes for a happy baby

My advise would be to take hot showers when you feel engourged. I had to stop breastfeeding and the pain was so intense that I couldn't move but having a hot shower and realising a little bit of milk helped so much. I wouldn't pump as your body thinks it still needs to produce milk. The pain eases after a couple of days and my milk stopped about 2-3 weeks after stopping completely.

just keep looking into his eyes when bottle feeding I felt the same bond with him. Either way your baby will be happy as they are being fed 😊