Made a decision - I'm not going to BF

charmcitygirl · February 2012

I only BF Jacob for 6 weeks, but I decided that it wasn't for me. I considered it a lot with this pregnancy, but I've ultimately decided not to BF. Its a decision that I have to make with the best interest of me and my family in mind. Thanks in advance for not making any comments to undermine my decision. Its not one that I have taken lightly. It is simply what is best for my family.

Any advice for getting my milk to dry up? Supply was never an issue for me. In fact, Jacob was born on a Thursday evening and my milk came in on Saturday night after a shower. No joke, I looked like a porn star and I pumped out like a crazy 8oz. I pumped and nursed him for those 6 weeks. When I pumped, I would get anywhere from 5-10oz in mere minutes and this was only a week or two after giving birth. When I stopped nursing, I weaned down my supply by pumping less times a day until I could stop without a lot of pain, engorgement or clogged ducts.

I've read about putting on a tight bra, not taking hot showers, cold cabbage in your bra. Anything else I should know about?

kbeach82 · February 2012

I'm glad you made the decision that you feel is in the best interest of your family. I didn't BF Vin for a variety of reasons and I don't regret the decision I made in the least. I never had to resort to the old cabbage trick that one of my MWs mentioned, but I did keep a VERY snug fitting sports bra on at all times after giving birth. I also wore a tight fitting bikini top in the shower and kept the hot water off my chest as much as possible.

Mouseygail · February 2012

I've heard that the cabbage thing really does work!!! I think there are meds you can take to help you dry up faster...and if not, you could take sudafed or any of those cold medicines that you are supposed to avoid while BFing for supply reasons..put those side effects to work!

I'm sure I'm going to debate the same thing as it gets closer...BFing was a lot of really hard work...and I never got the warm fuzzies from it that some people do. Good for you for making a decision that you are happy with and not torturing yourself with the decision when you have pp hormones affecting you!

Marc's Mrs. · February 2012

I think it's great that you made a decision that's best for you and your family and that you took the time to make a thoughtful decision. I'm super jealous of your supply though. I had horrible supply issues but managed to BF DD 15 mos.

The only other thing I'd try that I didn't see on your list is Sudafed. I hear that will dry you up pretty quick since it's a decongestant.

krissyh21 · February 2012

The tight bra thing never worked for me. My breast hurt more with the tight bra then when I wore a soft cotton one - I am only an A cup, maybe a B once the milk came in, so that may have played a roll.

It didn't take me very long to dry up - maybe 5 days at most. I did not breast feed from the get go. I actully did not follow many of the "rules" that I read to dry up faster. I allowed warm water to hit my breasts in the shower, that offered some relief for me. I have heard sudefed and cabbage leaves help. I never did either though.

Dr.Loretta · February 2012

I believe there's a med your dr can give you to dry up your supply. My mom asked for it after she had me

roselln2 · February 2012

I'm happy for you in making your decision and being comfortable with it. No need to explain any further... It's your baby and your family, and you're doing what is right for you all.

Apart from the sports bra, I have heard that actually wrapping yourself really tight with an ace bandage while even still in the hospital will help. I also second PP's advice on decongestants. I am breastfeeding, so I have had to avoid decongestants like the plague, which made for a very difficult cold season for me. So applying that logic, taking some Sudafed should help! Good luck!

CallMeAl · February 2012

I breast fed DD for 3 weeks until I made the decision to stop due to hospitalization for severe mastitis. I did try the cabbage leaves and they helped! I also took antihistamines. The combo of cabbage leaves, antihistamines, and weaning down the pumping is what dried me up.

Good luck and I'm glad you made the decision that is right for you and your family. I hope no one here would judge you for that.

abcteach · February 2012

I wore a bra all day and night. I was a bit sore but within a week or so I was fine. Good luck!

soccerwife · February 2012

Both of my kids were formula fed from birth. I never had the desire to BF - it just wasn't for me.

The cabbage leaves are A-MAZE-ING. You'll go through it quickly, though. I changed leaves every 2 hours or so, even throughout the night. The relief you get is incredible. They'll give you ice packs in the hospital if you ask. I made my husband bring me cabbage after my c-section

LIAngel · February 2012

I had no desire in the least to BF either of my kids. I just wore a tight tight sports bra and just left "the ladies" alone. No hot showers and no stimulation. I also bought a bag of frozen peas to alleviate the pain (but I didn't need it).

ohiostategal · February 2012

Marc's Mrs.:
I think it's great that you made a decision that's best for you and your family and that you took the time to make a thoughtful decision. I'm super jealous of your supply though. I had horrible supply issues but managed to BF DD 15 mos.

This. No judgment, but I am so jealous! I can't fathom being able to pump that much as I would pump for 20 min to get 1 ounce. Obviously I am therefore no help in how to stop producing milk. Everyone else has great ideas though.

DavezWife · February 2012

Good for you! (really)

Ps sudafed will dry u right up. Behind the counter kind, as directed, 2-3 days.

TamTam624 · February 2012

I completely understand your decision. I tried to BF with DS and was told to dump and pump due to pre-eclampsia and clampsia medication I had to take. I tried for a week and was so exhausted. I was running myself down and not getting any better. Plus DS was on formula, I decided not to pump or bf and formula DS for our family and my health.

I was put on lasix (sp) water pill to remove the built up fluid from the pre-eclampsia and clampsia and it dried up my breasts as soon as I stopped pumping. When I did pump I was lucky to get an ounce.

I too have decided to not BF baby #2, I have no regret to DS be formula fed.

mrsolsenk12 · February 2012

I never BFed Hsyden. Just an FYI, they no longer offer the meds that dry you up, i am not sure why. I was engorged for days. I used ice packs in my bra for the pain and sutafed also does work.

GreenEyedGal · February 2012

No judgement from me! Different strokes for different folks. Big Smile

JillRock96 · February 2012

I was in a very similar situation with Ava in terms of milk not coming in, pumping for six weeks, etc. I decided the night before my water broke with the twins that I was not going to BF them. I wore sports bras for the first week and put nursing pads in for leaks. That's it -- I did not have a ton of pain. Good luck!

browneyedgrl4282 · February 2012

No judgement here either! It wasn't for me either! I tried but it just wasn't working for me! I was told the samething they no longer give meds to "dry" you up! My OB that delivered Brady said they found that caused some sort of long term problems for women. I didn't ask him to go into details!

beebe929 · February 2012

Cabage and skip beer and oatmeal

*hugs*

LuckySunshineBaby · February 2012

Sudafed:) and I actually regret even trying with #2. I knew I didn't want to and I should have had the courage to just say no.

Needlessly to say, she is FF

itsmevkb · February 2012

I used the cabbage leaves and a very tight bra.

My doctor said that they no longer give meds to dry you up because it can increase the risk of blood clots.

howleyshell · February 2012

Good for you for making the decision that's right for you and your family.

My advice: Sudafed.

Dries you up in every way humanly possible.

lrrb · February 2012

I didn't BF my kids. I just let it dry up on its own. I used ice packs in my shirt haha. It only took a day of PURE hell and then about 3 days of moderate pain for it to dry up then about a month before my boobs were "normal" again. Good for you for making a decision. BF was NEVER EVER for me and honestly I have ZERO guilt over it. I feel like I know my limitations and well BF just wasn't something I could or would be able to do....sorry

Temp893722312503334 · February 2012

I used sudafed when I stopped BFing DS. Its quick but get some saline nose spray to relief that dryness.

JGirl2005 · February 2012

That is good that you made the decision and no one should persuade you otherwise. It is your decision and your family.

Cabbage worked from me at 12 months when I stopped. I had low supply but that definitely helped, but is yucky.

Ready4life · February 2012

I didn't breastfeed either of my girls. With DD #2 I used newborn diapers soaked in water and then frozen. When opened up they fit great in a sports bra and you can refreeze them. I also put nursing pads between me and the diaper so I could reuse them and just change the pads.

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