Tips on how to wean from breast milk to formula

[Flowersandfloral]

Just looking for some tips on how best to handle weaning from breastfeeding to formula.

My DD is 8 months old, I EBF for 6 months, found it difficult for baby to take bottle but she does now take between 2-5oz formula replacing her dinner time smaller breastfeed. I've just started to replace a lunch time feed with formula and my WORD do my boobs know it!! They have always been enthusiastic to feed her, but one has a huge lump below which really hurts when I raise my arm and the other is rock solid. This is just day 2 😂

So do I just stick it out? I'm using a warm compress when nursing to hopefully ease the blockage, but I know it's going to get worse before it gets better!

From experience, I would be working hard to dislodge that hard lump before it turns to mastitis.

Hot shower or bath with lots and lots of very hard massage on the lump (it will hurt). A vibrator or electric toothbrush can also be handy to dislodge the lump. In between the massage try some manual pumping to release some of the milk. Good luck!

@HappierTimesAhead thank you! She had a feed before bedtime so the rest of the breast much softer now but that hard lump is really there. The thought of prodding it is scary though, it's really sore! I'll start trying to work on it

I know, it's not pleasant but IMO (and it is just my experience!) the pain of massaging it out is preferable to the pain of it staying there and getting worse. It's also a relief when it starts to soften. I think you are probably at the most difficult stage as your body will quickly recalculate the amount of milk required.

Hot baths. Hot flannels. Gentle massage. Shudders in muscle memory