Breast to formula

[Tashdreams]

Hi all,
I am in the process of switching from breast to formula & looking for advice with managing my milk production down.

Our LO is 16 days old, he was a preemie born at 34+1, and ended up in scbu for feeding only. He was tube fed initially then we bottle fed him my expressed breast milk. Since we've been home he just can't get what he needs from the boob as he's so used to bottles & for various reasons we've decided to commit to formula full time.
Given that I've been pumping every feed, my milk is quite established & I need to manage it down. So far I've gone from using the electric pump to the Hakka just to take the edge off when I'm feeling engorged. So far today I'm on my 3rd use of the Hakka - I don't want to encourage milk supply but I don't want to end up with blocked ducts or mastitis either.

Can anyone recommend any alternatives or am I doing the right thing with the Hakka and just need to use it less and less each day?

Thanks in advance, an uncomfortable FTM xx

Hello!

I think in a perfect world you would gradually reduce your pumping sessions so your supply decreased slowly but that doesn't always work in reality.

You should be ok using the Hakka to ease any engorgement as long as you're not expressing loads as that will tell your body to make more! Hand expressing will also work.

I don't have any experience myself as we are still feeding but one of my friends had to give up recently and said it was a good couple of weeks before it dried up - even a month on she can still get odd drops in the shower. Don't feel disheartened if it doesn't look like it's slowing as it's not always a quick process.

Cold cabbage leaves in your bra also help ease discomfort. Ice packs too.

I'm not sure if it's suitable/appropriate but certain contraceptive pills can also reduce milk supply as a side effect.

Good luck x

Hiya,

I stopped bf at around 2/3 months and it was hard to star off with but happy with my decision of how I went about it.

At the time I decided to stop I was pumping on schedule, pumping 12 times a day. Follow the below link, this is how I reduced my pumping until I dried up completely .

exclusivepumping.com/weaning-from-the-pump/

It a tough to start with and be careful and seek advice from you HV or GP also.

Also, I drank sage tea regularly and jasmine tea. Sage tea is bitter but I put a little honey if I really wasn't in the mood to drink it. There is advice about have Sudafed (a specific one) however its not recommended by the medical community.

Good luck! X