Help stopping BF

[Lwat86]

Hi, new here...just looking for a bit of advice! Went to see the gp about disastrous breastfeeding. My baby is 4 weeks and getting enough milk but I absolutely detest feeding. It's agony, his latch is appalling (even if starts well, changes and clamps to my nipples!), completely white nipples when he's finished (and they actually look like those flying saucer sweets you can buy haha!), excruciating pain and crying through the night (me, not him!), he's a frustrated feeder too, gets himself all worked up and to top it off, I had issues with eczema on my nipple before which has now returned. All in all, it's making me completely miserable so my GP told me just to stop breastfeeding cold turkey and start on formula. I have cut out 3 feeds and still attempting to feed twice a day but my boobs are like rocks! I feel like I've not been given much support in how to go about any of it and i don't know if stopping suddenly was a bad idea? Do I BF more than twice, should I pump? I feel completely useless!!

(Also, without offense, please don't anyone make me feel like I should be making more of an effort with breastfeeding, believe me, I feel awful and guilty enough without further criticism or 'helpful suggestions')

It doesn't sound sensible to stop feeding cold turkey. Ideally you should reduce your supply slowly. If you don't want to feed baby anymore, can you express? That way you can express the milk off for comfort and reduce the amount you express gradually.

I’m shocked the dr told you to stop completely as that could lead to blocked ducts & mastitis, as well as uncomfortable engorged breasts.
If you don’t want to breastfeed get a pump & express - then you can give your baby the expressed milk. If you still want to stop expressing gradually over a couple of weeks reducing the amount of time you express for & lengthen the time between expressing. Otherwise, express somewhere like the shower to remove the milk.
It certainly sounds like your baby’s latch isn’t correct - it’s a real shame you haven’t had the support to get this sorted for you both. In my area we have an Infant Feeding team based at the hospital, community midwives & health visitors, all of whom can be approached for breastfeeding support; & until recently a dedicated breastfeeding support group.

When I have oversupply and really hard boobs I just squirt a bit out down the sink/ in the shower, enough to relieve the pressure. There are Nhs videos on YouTube on how to hand express. If you do want to discuss latch would be happy to, but if you want to FF crack on and don’t feel guilty for loving & feeding your baby! :)