Hi ladies! Did anyone dry up their breastmilk after a period of breastfeeding? How long did it take you? What did you use?
I'm currently rotating through frozen bags of vegetables, cabbage leaves, and sage tea.
What did you start giving LO? How is he/she tolerating the switch?
TIA!
Re: Drying up breastmilk, etc.
I did exactly what you're doing, but I continued pumping everyday less and less. Also make sure that you're wearing a sports bra over your bra and to sleep. I dried up completely after about 14 days and only leaked for a couple of days after that. This was just after week 6 and I had a huge oversupply. I was pumping regularly every 4 hours to begin with, so this is how the lactation consultant told me to dry up:
day one: pump every 5 hours for 10 minutes
day two: every 5 hours for 9 minutes
day three: every 6 hours for 8 minutes
day four: every 6 hours for 7 minues
and so on, and so on until you're down to like one minute. then you should just dry up what's left with the ice packs, sage and cabbage. worked for me. good luck!
Luc had no problem with formula at all. Our lactation consultant had us alternate a bottle of formula with a bottle of BM until the BM was gone.
I was having a hard time drying up until I got a cold and started taking cold medicine:)
I did the cabbage leaves and took sudafed. Took about 4 days to feel empty and comfortable. Its been a week since weaning, I still leak a little but not much. Oh and I did not pump unless I was uncomfortable or felt a lump (concerned it was a plugged duct). I just weaned her slowly.
Unfortunately, a week after LO was on full formula, we found out she has a milk protein allergy. Never had a problem before! She started with mucous in poop and a little rash on face. Within a few days she had blood in her poop. Pedi put her on alimentum and we will see how it goes. I felt so guilty for stopping breastfeeding to then have my poor baby be so uncomfortable!
Thanks ladies! Here goes Day 2. So far, no reaction/trouble with the formula. However, LO has been sleeping like a log.
I smell like cole slaw, hahahahahah. Have a great day!