Stopping breastfeeding

Following as I'm in the same position and very much on the verge of stopping pumping 😅 x

It’s hard isn’t it! Sounds selfish but I just want my old boobs back now 🙈

@Jasmine funnily enough I had a good cry this morning about the same thing, my boobs look terrible 😂 woke up with a clogged duct at 4am which hasn't helped, they're massive and sore and I'm just sick of having to constantly think about pumping/feeding in meticulous detail! She's still not had any formula yet though and I'm trying to stick it out and see if it gets better but starting to think my mental health matters more 😅 x

Following as in the same boat! Mentally exhausted by BF xxx

I was expressing every 2/3 hours, then I slowly moved to 4, and then to 6, 8 and to twice a day, once and then only squeezed out whatever made me comfortable. I followed this schedule for about a week and a half but it totally depends on your supply. In between if you get engorged, again squeeze out whatever makes you comfortable but not more. Use heat and massage if you're unable to get rid of lumps. Use breast pads if you're leaking, I did especially before showers and baths so I'd make sure I had something to catch it in to still give to the little one x Keep checking for redness, fever, etc in case of mastitis

@Amanta I am currently down to expressing 4 hrly for about 10 mins to feel comfortable it’s knowing when to cut it down further without making it uncomfortable. I have had mastitis which I had antibiotics for that has left a sore lump :,( so I am trying my best to drain that also…it’s so mentally taxing starting to regret even starting breastfeeding with all the issues I have had 😢

@Jasmine i used pain/ leaking as an indication when to pump for next time. Like if I woke up engorged or leaking I'd quickly pump and try to get back to bed. I know lovely, I was exactly in the same boat. I found it such a hard decision to make if I should continue or stop. I know everyone keeps saying it, but honestly you'll get there. Since stopping, mentally I feel so much better xx

@Amanta it’s hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel but I’m trying to stay as positive as I can and realise it’s a slow process. Thank you for the advice I’ll just keep cutting back the pumping as much as I can. Its hard to just relieve the Breast and not drain it fully - didn’t realise how much I could hate pumping haha

Cabbage leaves!!! Sounds bizarre but it worked for me within 2 days. One savoy cabbage leaf in each bra cup, cut the stalk out in a v and they kinda turn into breast cups anyway. Keep the cabbage in the fridge so they are nice and cool too. I swapped them 3 times a day and my milk was gone as I say, within 2 days x

I had the same situation and I just spaced out the pumping a lot more for a few days and if my boobs didn’t feel full then I didn’t pump. My friend recommended the Haakaa because it doesn’t pump your milk but sort of lets it fall out so it stops your body from trying to make a supply. I used that a few times a day for as long as needed until my boobs felt empty and then just massaged my boobs in the shower and hand expressed if they felt they needed it. After a week or so of that I just stopped and I’ve been fine ever since. I still wear a tight-ish bra all the time even to bed just to support them but it’s been a few weeks now and I’ve not had any issues!

@Leanne I just feel like my supply isn’t getting any less. I am spacing to 4 hourly now but I still leak in between and when I pump for just 10 mins I’m still getting a good 50mls off each breast…am I pumping for too long? But I do it til it feels comfortable so I’m stuck really :/

@Jasmine I think that’s quite normal - when you pump you’re telling your body that you still need that milk to be made so you probably will still produce a fist amount for a while, maybe try spacing it to every 6 hours instead and still only doing 10mins, if your boobs still feel full then maybe go for a bit longer! I did this and then I stopped pumping overnight and slowly my supply decreased and stopped. 😊