i had my daughter a month and 4 days ago ive been breastfeeding the whole time and i want to stop. i need to know how to make the switch easily without hurting myself or her.
2007-03-01 02:36:00 · 5 answers · asked by kristianbrocksmom 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I'm a La Leche League Leader and here is my comment:
-weaning is best done gradually....this will be easier on you and your baby
-like the LLL bashing pp mentioned, begin by supplementing with formula/breastmilk in a bottle a few times a day. Doing this will decrease your babys time at the breast and your milk supply will start to diminish
-this may take a few weeks, but it's worth the time if your want this change to have as little harmful effect as possible for you both. Moving too quickly could put you at serious risk of mastitis/plugged ducts/extremely painful engorement etc and your baby's digestive system that has been used to human milk could get quite shocked by the transistion to artificial milk.
-you can manually express just a little bit after showers/warm baths. Don't
express too much or your breasts will think they have to replace that milk
-cabbage leaves work some some, it's worth a try
Obviously I'm heartbroken at the thought of another Mom *not* wanting to nurse. I devote my days to helping Moms breastfeed successfully.
But, it's YOUR choice. All I can offer are suggestions on the most humane way to wean, however much I dissagree :(
One month of human milk is better then non at all :(
2007-03-01 02:58:51 · answer #1 · answered by Gr8fulmom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do it gradually. Pump and feed her a bottle of beast milk here and there to make sure she's able to use a bottle. Some babies just dont deal well with them.
Once she's good with a bottle try mixing breast milk with formula, and eventually no breast milk.
You want to pump less and less as each day and week does by. You'll get sore and engorged, but it wont last long.
If you're stopping because you're sore and its painful, dont. It really will stop hurting. Iam at 6 weeks and have one nipple that doesnt hurt anymore, and the other still hurts like fire sometimes. Not to mention a clogged duct, and PAINFUL let down. BUt its getting better. I promise it really does stop hurting eventually. And its so much easier on baby.
But, some times you just hurt too bad, or your situation just doesnt support breast feeding, and thats okay.
Dont let the Le Leche's badger you. Youre allowed to not breastfeed.
2007-03-01 10:46:53 · answer #2 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I too stop breast feeding after a couple of months.. I just started to offer my son bottles, at first I mixed breast milk and formula.. but that only lasted a few weeks. It's not going to hurt her by just stopping, she may however refuse to drink from a bottle at first, or take very little which means feeding her more often but if you stick with she will eventually take to it.
2007-03-01 10:50:05 · answer #3 · answered by Mandie M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
give her formula. the switch wont hurt her. she may spit up a little more than usual after starting formula, but shell be`ok. you will have to keep your breasts up tight to avoid feeling like they are going to burst. a regulsr bra with a sports bra over is great. make sure to use some kind of brast pad tp avoid leakage. your breats will be sore for a coupe days, but then it will go away. you can even start by just breast feeding at night and formula in the day. youll find the best way by winging it. it is all natural
2007-03-01 10:43:03 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs.Vick 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Theres always a risk to her, formula can be very hard on babies digestive systems.
And stopping so early will probably be painful for you as well.
If I may, why do you want to stop?
2007-03-01 10:41:26 · answer #5 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋