advice needed please...

[trixipaws]

anyone who stopped breast-feeding suddenly or who bottle-fed from day one (the latter is probably more likely but im sure its the same principle)...

over 10 days ago i stopped BFing suddenly, altho melissa is 8 months and on 3 meals a day so was only BFing thru the nite anyway, its was only 2 or 3 times in 24 hours and only 5/10 mins each so it had kinda been gradual- but still, it was a sudden stop i have not expressed or anything.

after 3 or 4 days i became rather engorged and leaked a bit (altho not on the same scale as in the early weeks when milk was first coming in), but by the 6th day or so my boobs had gone down and were less sore. but last nite i found i couldnt lie on my front again and today they hurt more to touch or move than they did a couple days ago. they feel weird too- not firm like engorgement when it feels like liquid inside balloons, its more like hard lumps like butter behind the nipples, just there and the fat bits are soft. is this a normal part of the "drying up" process? or am i getting an infection do i need a docs app? please tell me i dont wanna go getting my tits out and having some middle-aged dude fondle them unless i really have to!

 

[Josephine_Beth]

Maybe you should express once a day or something?

When I came off BF, I tried not feeding/expressing at all but I got so sore. I have big boobs as it is and the lumps were, how you are explaining. So I have to express, once a day, you're milk will go down, as there isn't a demand but you're draining what is being blocked.

If you know what I mean. But I didn't hurt as much as you say you are. Maybe visit your doctor for a check up.

But I have a sneaky feeling, expressing once a day, will ease what you are feeling.

 

[Gem & Leland]

if it was an infection you;d really know about it , the lumps would also show like red patches on the skin and be really hot , and you'd be feeling awfull and flu like !

ive stopped bf too but as i was only going 3 weeks it aint gonna be same , i did have some pain and leaking tho but it is calming down now

 

[KJ]

my auntie is a midwife and said you should never just stop. You risk all the usual, mastitis, blocked ducts, etc, etc.

Deifnitely express a bit each day and then just reduce the amount you express each week until it's hardly anything.

K.xx

 

[Squiglet]

I never just stopped with Tia... I cut back my feeds... till there was just one night feed left...then I eventually dropped that too. I cut back from 8 months and by 10months she was fully on formula.

 

[trixipaws]

my auntie is a midwife and said you should never just stop. You risk all the usual, mastitis, blocked ducts, etc, etc.

Deifnitely express a bit each day and then just reduce the amount you express each week until it's hardly anything.

K.xx

what about mums who choose to formula feed from day one? isnt it the same? i was only BFing 2 or 3 times in 24 hours anyway, and only 5/10 mins at a time. i couldnt express now as they are too sore to touch
i just want my boobs back to pre-preg state! should i go to the docs?

 

[Redshoes]

If you formula feed from day one then your milk will never get to the supply yours did trixipaws My best friend exclusively BF but she gradually stopped, after getting her little girl to one BF a night. I think the expressing advice is the way to go, I really hope you feel more comfortable real soon, very best wishes

 

[trixipaws]

i didnt think i had a big supply anymore as she hardly seemed to hav much milk! when i went out in early feb i didnt get engorged i went over 30 hours i think- compared with december when i was having to express in the toilets of the niteclub! i thought it would be no big deal stopping. its just strange that they filled up after few days like i expected, then went down like i expected, but then started filling up again!
last nite was the worst nite so far- felt really hard lumps in them and couldnt sleep they were aching- and had to wear a bra in bed- also they were leaking. i had to get up and squeeze out just a few drops in the bathroom sink to alleviate it!
slight improvement today, really hope it goes soon! might try some sage if i can get to holland & barrett

thanx for all ur advice everyone!