Stopping BFing..

JulyMomma2U2 · August 2013

What were your tips to help you dry up? Of course, after "fully" deciding yesterday morning to no longer nurse, now my boobs have suddenly been SO incredibly full after 3-4 hours. Like, painfully full. I'm pumping every 4-6 hours, depending on when I can fit it in and what the littles are doing, but I know the frequency isn't enough to maintain my supply.. just wondering how long it'll "last" going this pace? And, what some tricks were to help with engorgement when "weaning" away from EBFing?

To be honest, it pisses me off that I'm feeling so "full" now.. prior to giving it up, I wasn't pumping more than half an ounce-1 ounce between both breasts.. and, DS wasn't taking more than 1.5oz per feeding when nursing off of both.. why now am I suddenly so full?! I pumped over 3oz earlier - granted it was a 5 hour stretch when I had been nursing DS every 2 hours, but still. Makes the "decision" even harder to deal with.. but, I can't "go back".. the wavering had to stop..

Anyway.. I don't want to end up with plugged ducts/mastitis from leaving myself engorged.. but not sure what the best way is to help my body dry up in the process.. like I said I'll pump now, while it's weaning away.. but I also don't want to be tied to the pump..

ETA: WTF TB.. how come when I post via my Ipad "new paragraphs" never show up -- instead, you post my threads as one huge run-on paragraph.. but, when I access the actual site on my desktop, the formatting looks fine?? Argh TB -- you're just trying to make me look like a fool when I post from the iPad!! I'm on to you.....!

orangegoggles · August 2013

I'm not sure how to dry up as I'm still nursing but I have cut back to only twice a day around 7 months when I introduced formula. When I wanted to dry up a bit, I just cut out one feeding per day for a few days, then another, etc. it was a process. Eventually my body got the memo that I dont need as much milk, however I haven't dried up. So if you want to completely dry up it might take longer because the pumping signals your body to keep producing lore. I'd cut the pumping short to only elevate pain. I know certain medicines can dry you up too..allergy meds...I think. Also not that this is the best idea...but limiting your water should help a bit too. I'm sure others will chime in about how to dry up. Good luck and hugs!

Rachel Goldstein · August 2013

I'm in the process of drying up myself. I haven't pumped in 4 days and the girls are soft except for one duct that apparently refuses to give up. I had dropped to pumping every 8-12 hrs and I swear my body would have kept that up forever so I finally just pulled the plug on the pump.

I didn't want mastitis a 3x so every time I pumped I pumped until empty. Usually right before bed so I could sleep.

I wore 2 sports bras to prevent any stimulation to my nipples but not bound up like some may say.

I've heard cabbage leaves help with the process but honestly with two LOs I didn't have the time for that.

Icing your chest will help with the pain. I also took psuedophedrine every morning.

It took about 10 days to get where I am now but my pump is packed up and in the guest bedroom and words cannot express the bittersweet feelings I have about it.

Ultimately this is what is best for me and ultimately my children.

Hth! Best of luck!

Junebug060609 · August 2013

It sounds like that lag I spoke of caught up with you

. Sorry the timing coincided with your deciding to stop. My ds basically weaned himself, so I am not the best one to ask, but what little I did do weaning-wise...I just pumped to relieve discomfort. I am now nearly a year out from my last day of pumping and can still hand express a drop if I try (just mentioning that so you arent surprised if you dont completely dry up quickly)

jbranden12 · August 2013

Agree with pps that you have to wean gradually. Here are some things I would do:

Each day for the rest of the week, try adding one hour more in between each pump session and only pump until you are comfortable.
Wear a sports bra that's supportive but not too tight.
Try not to let really warm water run directly on your breasts when you shower.
Put cool packs on them if you get a chance to lie down.
If you get an obvious clog, try to work it out with a warm cloth and a little bit of massage, then go back to cool packs.

martinimomma · August 2013

((Hugs)). More info on a few of the things PPs mention is on this Kelly Mom page re: weaning:

https://kellymom.com/ages/weaning/wean-how/weaning_mom/

Sudafed (pseudophedrine) is the allergy medication that help dries secretions...wherever they are secreting from, so that is why it can help.

MickeyM04 · August 2013

UGH. I got mastitis so bad and I weaned over the course of FIVE WEEKS. You do have to stop slowly, so keep pumping every few hours, just a little bit, not enough to empty the breasts. Then start going longer in between pumps...I read that you have to drop one feeding at a time, usually one every 3-5 days. Then for the feedings you aren't dropping, don't empty your breasts. Emptying just stimulates production. Then after a few days, drop another feeding, and so on and so forth. So it will take awhile.

To dry up, echo PP's on the antihistamines. Cabbage helps with the engorgement, and also Advil for any pain. Also anything that dehydrates--coffee, etc. Basically the opposite of everything you're supposed to do to stimulate production.

JulyMomma2U2 · August 2013

Thanks ladies. Despite switching over to formula, DS still isn't really putting on weight yet.. granted, it's only been 24 hours, but I would have expected something... the only thing I do think we've figured out is that he's probably got acid reflux, too. I love my ped.. they are great -- she actually called and talked to me for a half hour this morning about everything that's been going on. DS has been spitting up a ton of super mucusy stuff after each bottle feed.. and he's only taking 2 1/2-3 oz per feed every 3ish hours.. so not even that much more than he was getting from me by breast, but now he's spitting it up.. I cried, again, on the phone about my decision to stop nursing.. my ped said I don't have to fully stop.. that if i want to just nurse him at times when I feel engorged, that's fine for now.. it may not last a while, but at least it's still something for now.. and then maybe if in time he gets better at nursing, I can work with her (my ped) and an LC and switch back to EBFing.. she also has us switching him to soy formula (as we know that's what worked for DS) and seeing if that helps his belly some/reduces the spit up.. if not, we'll start him on an antacid next week... At least I feel like we're getting somewhere.. and, having gotten 4 hours total of sleep last night feels amazing...

orangegoggles · August 2013

JulyMomma2U2 said:
Thanks ladies. Despite switching over to formula, DS still isn't really putting on weight yet.. granted, it's only been 24 hours, but I would have expected something... the only thing I do think we've figured out is that he's probably got acid reflux, too. I love my ped.. they are great -- she actually called and talked to me for a half hour this morning about everything that's been going on. DS has been spitting up a ton of super mucusy stuff after each bottle feed.. and he's only taking 2 1/2-3 oz per feed every 3ish hours.. so not even that much more than he was getting from me by breast, but now he's spitting it up.. I cried, again, on the phone about my decision to stop nursing.. my ped said I don't have to fully stop.. that if i want to just nurse him at times when I feel engorged, that's fine for now.. it may not last a while, but at least it's still something for now.. and then maybe if in time he gets better at nursing, I can work with her (my ped) and an LC and switch back to EBFing.. she also has us switching him to soy formula (as we know that's what worked for DS) and seeing if that helps his belly some/reduces the spit up.. if not, we'll start him on an antacid next week... At least I feel like we're getting somewhere.. and, having gotten 4 hours total of sleep last night feels amazing...

Glad you had a good talk with your Pedi...I hope your DS starts gaining and you get some answers. I think that's a great idea to continue nursing when engorged, you don't quite sound like your ready to stop yet. I am only nursing DS twice a day so it is possible to not dry up for a while. Best of luck hon!

Junebug060609 · August 2013

It sounds like you've got a plan going with the pedi. Do what works. If that's a mix of breast and formula (or all of either), that's fine.

And give things time. Give him time to gain. Give your body time to adjust to whichever choice you make. Give him time to figure out the feeding thing. I know it's hard when you're spent and running on no sleep, but sometimes time is all it takes.

martinimomma · August 2013

Junebug060609 said:

Give him time to gain. Give your body time to adjust to whichever choice you make. Give him time to figure out the feeding thing. I know it's hard when you're spent and running on no sleep, but sometimes time is all it takes.

We always referred to this as "tincture of time" when I worked in the hospital. Sometimes just having the pressure reduced so that you can gain a little perspective is helpful. ((Hugs))

If the soy does not help things, one thing to know is that if the reflux is aggravated by a sensitivity to dairy, many babies who are sensitive to dairy are also sensitive to soy. It sounds like DS1 did well on soy, so hopefully that is not an issue here, but as one who experienced MSPI with their LO wanted to point it out just in case.

katigox · August 2013

I'm late to all of this (your last few days), because I was away from the internet over the weekend (for the most part!) Anyways, I just wanted to offer some encouragement about having to end BFing ~ I completely understand how devastating it can be . . . but what helped me was to realize that my son would thrive just as much on formula, as he would on BM (my big guy is in the 95th percentile

). Formula isn't the worst - you are feeding and providing for your baby - and it's a good thing we have the option to FF (because sadly, think about the babies who used to die before formula came around. Formula has saved lives

)

Plus agreed that happy mamma equals happy baby, AND you gave him BM for three weeks (that's more than I could!)

Okay, now that I've said all that lol ~ let me just add that I decided to stop at 10 days PP because I couldn't pump anything (in 24hrs, I had half an ounce of watery consistency :P) And I knew my boobs were completely weaning on their own, when after I decided to stop pumping I was able to go cold turkey, and they didn't even hurt. Sadly, there was nothing in there, and I'm glad that DS was adjusting to FF just fine (a few spit ups too, but he seemed okay within a few days).

I will say if you're boobs feel full, go ahead and pump for relief, and let your DS have that BM for supplement

At least, that's my opinion ~ I hope that things improve for you and your family soon, and you continue to let us be there for you, during this emotional transition

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