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Stopping Breastfeeding ?
I made the decision about a week ago to quit breastfeeding and go to formula. Since then, DD has been getting alternating bottles of breast milk and formula. I'm ready to stop pumping 100% My only concern is that I had mastitis and have had clogged ducts in the 8 weeks I breastfed. I'm scared that by stopping, I'm going to get another infection. Is it likely? Last night around 2am I woke up in pain with my left breast and had a clog. I was able to pump it out but since then that breast has felt kind of sore. The last time I pumped and emptied my breasts was at 9am. Should I just stop it, and keep my sports bra on or what? I want to be done with this and stop dragging it out. Has anyone had problems when they stopped breastfeeding cold turkey? Do doctors still offer that pill from back in that day that dries you up? (my mother in law mentioned she got that in the past, but doesn't know if it is offered anymore.) I tried calling my doctor yesterday but the office was closed. Help me please!
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Re: Stopping Breastfeeding ?
No pills are offered anymore. You can take things like Sudafed which are designed to dry you up. I've heard that cabbage leaves in the bra also help.
I think it took me about two weeks to fully dry up, even though I had very little supply at the time I had to stop. I would go as long as I could until it hurt, and then either pop on the baby for a couple minutes or pump just enough to where it didn't hurt anymore. I didn't want to fully drain them, because that just signaled the body to make more milk. But I did get rid of enough milk to relieve the pressure/pain.
I hope your transition gets easier!
I did this and also shortened the time I pumped. I pumped just enough to be comfortable and then stopped. I never did take anything for it. I did get one clogged duct (my only one ever) but a hot shower, massage, and pumping it out took care of it.
It's never a good idea to do it cold turkey, but especially not when you have an active infection and a history of clogged ducts. You really have to be patient with yourself. Yes, it may take a little longer than for someone else but just give it a little extra time and you'll save yourself a lot of physical pain!
Personally, I got in the shower as much as I could and hand expressed when I needed to. I found that I could focus on just the ducts/areas that were getting clogged and drain those areas instead of the stimulation of pump.