Breastfeeding

I'm looking for some help and don't want to be judged..

Hi ladies, I'm going to get to the point here.. I've been breastfeeding for a week and I have decided not to do it anymore and don't want to continue on because I think it'll take longer to get rid of the longer I keep giving it a try. I shouldn't be in tears every two hours for feedings. I started pumping and have pumped blood out and it's way too painful, yes I have lanolin and religiously put it on, my breasts are engorged to the point where I can't even hold my son right now..I'm sure in a few weeks it will get better but I don't want to be tied down to this pump..I've been pumping 3oz every few hrs and yesterday started pumping 1.5oz total from both.. How do I dry up my supply and am I doing it right by pumping less? Cabbage leaves? TIA...

Re: I'm looking for some help and don't want to be judged..

  • Yes to pumping less, try to slowly take away one pumping sessions every few days to prevent further engorgement, plugged ducts or mastitis, cabbage leaves in your bra, also certain medications like sudafed/Benadryl have been known to dry up supply, hope you start to feel better soon! And good job for breastfeeding as long as you could :)
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  • When my sister was drying up her supply the doctor gave her a wide ace bandage to bind her breasts tightly. You could try that. Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon.
  • I'm not sure how to dry up your supply, but I just wanted to say ::hugs::. It's ok to stop and use FF. I had a similar experience with my daughter. I would cry every pumping session. Looking back, I really think it played a big part in me developing PPD. Don't feel like you need to apologize or that you are doing something wrong, your not. You know what's best for you and your baby & if that is FF that's ok. The most important thing is that you and baby are happy and healthy. Hugs again.
    happily married since 2009, SAHM
    diagnosed with unexplained infertility, regular cycles
    Baby #1: ttc naturally for 3 years, 6 yr old daughter
    Baby #2: ttc naturally for 2 years, 2 yr old son
    Baby #3: ttc naturally since August 2016
  • I've heard cabbage leaves and Sudafed (pseudoephedrine, the kind they keep behind the pharmacy counter) help. Also, I agree, don't beat yourself up. FF is fine. DD had some formula in the beginning, and she is fine. I almost quit in the beginning because it was so hard, and I was so depressed/anxious. Be sure to talk to your OB about PPD if you don't feel better soon. HUGS!
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  • When my sister was drying up her supply the doctor gave her a wide ace bandage to bind her breasts tightly. You could try that. Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon.
    Please don't do this! Binding your breasts could cause clogged ducts, which can lead to mastitis. I suffer form recurrent clogged ducts, so trust me - you don't want to risk that!

    Here is a useful link on how to wean from the pump. 

    Best of luck to you and good job BFing for as long as you could! 

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  • The last baby I delivered was for another family (I was a surrogate) so I had no baby to nurse.  I tried pumping for almost 2w and honestly it just took TOOO long (I could easily pump for 45 minutes before the milk would stop dripping out.).  I took sudafed and put cabbage leaves in my bra.  I was in some serious discomfort for a couple of days but that was about it.  Putting the fresh, cold cabbage leaves in my bra felt like heaven.

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  • Cold cabbage leaves, a tight sports bra (day and night) and eat peppermint altoids. I stopped cold turkey on Friday night and by doing this I am already feeling better today. The first day was the worst and then it got a little better every day. Good luck!
  • jrosa1 said:
    Cold cabbage leaves, a tight sports bra (day and night) and eat peppermint altoids. I stopped cold turkey on Friday night and by doing this I am already feeling better today. The first day was the worst and then it got a little better every day. Good luck!

    Wouldn't a tight sports bra make you prone to clogged ducts too? I have no experience, but Earth Mama AngelBaby makes a No More Milk Tea.
  • RDK24RDK24 member
    I've heard good things about Sudafed as well.

    As others have said, no judgment here -- the most important thing is to feed the baby. :) GL and enjoy your LO!
  • Thank you ladies so much for your support, it means so much for your kind words and advice
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