I have had to stop breastfeeding as my milk doesnt have enough in it for my baby.?
He has started on formula today after three weeks being breastfed. My breasts are extremley engorged lumpy and tender. Any suggestions aside from panadol coca cola and coffee to dry the milk up. I have tried a hot shower but the milk is just leaking out. I have a breast pump but have resisted using this as I dont want to create more milk. I am not sure if I could be getting mastitis either before taking my baby off breastmilk my left breast was very painful and warm to the touch I have woke the past couple of nights in a cold sweat the cause of this unknown. Any help or suggestions on how to quicken the drying up process would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, please genuine responses only.
Very snug sports bra or ace bandage (not so tight you can breathe) for at least a week (you should notice a difference within the first 24 hours depending on how low your supply was, i.e., how much you exclusively bf for and how much you supplemented, if at all). Cold compresses/bag of peas on your breast several times a day (make sure they are wrapped in cloth/towel). I used to just stick it in my sports bra. Try to avoid the hot shower, do not let the hot water hit your breasts. The first 24-72 hours are the most painful.
If you start getting fever and chills, I would definitely call your OB/GYN; you’ll want a prescription if it is infectious mastitis, from bacteria in baby’s mouth transferred to breast which may clog ducts and cause further pain and potentially and abcess requiring surgical drainage if not properly attended.
I got mastitis within the first week of breastfeeding which diminished a lot of supply — I had horribly cracked and bleeding nipples — they were practically gone (improper latch can be really bad!). I then continued to nurse on one breast and pumped the other (baby had a really difficult time latching on to the breast). At the three week mark, I got mastitis in the other breast. I too, decided to stop. I often wish I hadn’t stopped breastfeeding, but at the time, I was absolutely miserable. It didn’t make sense to breastfeed 30% and supplement 70%. I was chasing this horrible nurse for 40 min-60 min, then double pump both breasts for 20 min. and supplement feed with formula, keep warm compresses on breasts/massage, diapers, bottlewashing and everything else every 2-3 hours…there was no time for eating, sleeping, and all the other things that I needed to do to get supply up (and be a relatively pleasant or just tolerable person to be around).
Depending on your supply levels, you may want to seek the advice of a lactation consultant, you still may be able to get supply back up, maybe not to exclusively breastfeeding but a couple bottles a day — your supply may also slowly go down which can make stopping breastfeeding a little easier on you (and baby). I apologize in advance if you have already looked into/researched this. During my ordeal, I was torn knowing “breast is best” and that I might be missing out on bonding with baby by nursing. Relactation, I hear, is very difficult (definitely possible, though you may not be able to regain all supply, and more successful in babies under three months).
My baby is now six weeks and I am considering giving it another go. I might just be a glutton for punishment (my hormones might have some part in this). I only share this, b/c if you can avoid this back and forth and feeling unsure of your decision then it maybe worth your while. In the end, it is YOUR decision. Formula feeding is completely fine and you’ll bond with your baby by holding her more, playing with her, and just being a nurturing mother. A happy mom means a happy baby:)
Good luck!