Breastfeeding & quitting after 6 weeks - question. Please help!?

Question

Ladies, I'm a very private person & don't feel comfortable breastfeeding, at all, really. But, I know it's good for me and for the baby. So, assuming that I'll want to stop after 6 weeks (when I go back to work), how do I make that transition? How & when do I switch to formula & in doing so, stop producing milk? Any suggestions will help. I think I'm just a little overwhelmed right now.

Answer 1

Good for you for commiting to at least give it a shot! Don't make any decisions about when you'll want to quit until you've experienced it. The first 6 weeks are actually the hardest part. After that, you and baby begin to fall into a pattern and you may find that it's really rewarding and enjoyable. You may decide that you absolutely love it.

You may decide to combine breastfeeding and bottlefeeding by pumping or offering formula when you go in public. It doesn't have to be an "either/or" kind of thing. (Although I would suggest waiting until breastfeeding is established to offer the bottle.)

This link has LOTS of great info on breastfeeding, pumping, weaning, etc.

http://www.kellymom.com

Answer 2

I just finished this same scenario. I went back and forth on the issue. Many of my friends quit after 6 weeks but my family has always been adament about the benefits of breastfeeding and that made me feel a little guilty.

At four weeks I feed him one bottle of pumped breast milk to see if he would take the bottle he did with no problems. I did not give him any pacifiers either until this point. At about 5 1/2 weeks I took one of the formulas I had been given as a sample and made a bottle. He downed it in about 2 minutes. I supplemented one bottle a day for the next week and then went to two bottles during the 6th week. That last weekend I was planning on quitting cold turkey but then felt bad and would give him a little breast, which I think also helped the engorgement. Be prepared as you do feel happy that you are over this stage, but at the same time bad that you are not doing the best thing in others eyes.

I was sore for about 3 days unbearable for one, never used the cabbage leaves but just pumped about one oz from each breast when it became unbearable.

Now that it has been two weeks since I stopped I am relieved that stage is over and happy that I made that choice. He has gained about 3 pounds since I stopped. Oh and got a little case of the sniffles for a couple of days which added to the guilt, as I assumed it was my fault for not providing the breast milk "immunities" any longer.

You have to remind yourself that if you are happier you are a much better mother then if you are struggling with breast feeding. It takes about two weeks to stop producing a lot of milk and I still have some residual supply, but havent been engorged.

Stop stressing take a deep breath you will be a great mother and formula feeding will still be heatlhy and nutrituous for your little one. I wish you well.

Answer 3

First of all you need to ask the pediatrician what formula they would prefer your baby on. I personally have liked Enfamil. It does not stain the clothes if the baby spits up. When it is time to feed the baby you introduce the bottle instead. Start out with 4 ounces........as you really have no idea what the baby is getting thru your breasts. I would switch to formula a week before you went back to work as well. Your breasts will dry up on their own as the baby will not be using them once you start to bottle feed. You can also pump your milk and keep bottles in the freezer if you prefer. I know you feel as if you are your babies own personal restaurant, a little levity here, but it will all work out. Try not to be overwhelmed k? I wish you Good Luck. Blessings, Donna

Answer 4

If you want to continue breastfeeding, you can by pumping milk. All places of employment are required in the US to have a private area in which to do so.

BUT if you want to quit, I'd start the week before going back to work with a bottle and formula at every other feeding. You need to make sure that your little one will accept formula. It will be difficult at first because it tastes so much different.

To stop producing milk--unfortunately that's something that has to run it's course. Your breasts will be SOOOOREE for about a week or so until it happens because YOU WILL GET ENGORGED. I looked like my breasts had *corners* on them because of it. The best thing you can do for that is wrap them in cool leafs of cabbage (I'm serious!) whenever you feel your milk let down. You may also want to wear a TIGHT bra for 24 hours until the engorgement stops.

Answer 5

Being overwhelmed with breastfeeding is totally understandable. It is a very demanding job, but so worth it in the end. With my first baby, who is now 3y old, I bf until 6 weeks and had had it. I couldn't take it anymore. I started pumping at that point, but I had waited too long and was just ready to give up. I had no idea what I was getting into with bf and was ill-prepared for the demand. We transitioned her to the bottle and started her on formula at 8 weeks. Luckily, she didn't have a bit of trouble drinking out of a bottle. It took about a week of extreme pain for my milk to dry up. Fast forward to now, I have a 3 1/2m old son and I started pumping milk by day 2 of his life. He drank my milk out of a bottle since we came home from the hospital. I wanted the flexibility of feeding him on the go and letting others help with his feedings. I didn't want to give up on bf like I had with my daughter. I was pumping both breasts every 2-3 hours and building up my milk supply. I wanted to have a stash frozen for when I returned to work. At about 7 weeks, I stopped pumping so that I could start drying up. Once again, very painful. I wore a sports bra to try and limit the movement of my chest. Very painful. We started giving him formula every other bottle at 8 weeks and then my milk in between. I had a months worth of milk frozen when I returned to work at 9 weeks. Keep in mind that whatever decision you make will be what is best and right for you. You have done a terrific job in breastfeeding this long. I think it is a tremendous task and that is why not many mothers do it. It is a lot more work than mixing up formula. Best of luck to you and your baby.

Answer 6

Try to introduce the bottle now, pump breastmilk and offer it to your baby in a bottle. This will get your little one used to taking the bottle. I would say about 2 weeks before you go back to work start introducing formula for a couple of feedings a day. This way you have time to see how your baby will react to formula and to see if maybe you will need to to switch to a soy based. If after the first week with supplementing occasionally all is going well, increase your formula feedings to a couple more a day.

As you start to supplement your milk supply will start to decrease as you will not be nursing or pumping as often. Once you go to strictly formula only it will take some time for your milk supply to dry up completely. Each woman is different, it took about a month for mine to dry up completely.

Good luck and congratulations on your little one!

Answer 7

The sooner you introduce the bottle the better. I switched to the bottle and formula when my son was 8 weeks and he was fine. Good luck to you!