I'm no longer going to be breastfeeding my son - do I just let my breasts get engorged and dry up? or do I pump a little to bring them down?
(I'm just getting over mastitis .. I don't want it to come back)
If I quit cold turkey will the mastitis come back???
and how long until my milk completely dries up?
2007-09-16 20:29:14 · 12 answers · asked by Mommy of One 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Amore-
I'm NOT being selfish, I have hypothyroid and I got mastitis - my milk is drying up and I haven't been able to produce enough to feed my son! I think it would be worse to STARVE him so that I could breastfeed, THAT would be selfish! Believe me, I feel bad enough about not being able to breastfeed my son, I don't need you adding to that!
2007-09-16 20:41:58 · update #1
My son is 2 months old and takes very well to the formula I have been giving him.
2007-09-16 20:42:26 · update #2
go cold turkey if your child is taking formula. Pumping will encourage your supply, do not take warm showers or use warm compresses although you will be tempted to. Cold and pressure will help decrease your milk supply. You will be uncomfortable and will leak for a while, wear a tight bra or use an ace bandage to bind yourself while you are engorged. Drugs are available but arent really necessary.
2007-09-16 21:07:33 · answer #1 · answered by RN 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hello !! Hope you will listen to your heart and do what's best for both of you. Have you gone to the doctor and got antibiotics ?
And have they explained to you what mastitis is ? Breast-feeding with mastitis is generally not harmful to the baby and may actually help speed up recovery.
You just have to make sure your baby finish all the milk each time he eats otherwise you will have to pump it all out.
And if you want to stop breastfeeding the easiest way is to give the baby everyother meal formula and breast milk. And replace one breast milk meal every week until only the night time meal is left and continue the last meal until you are dried up.
Hope I helped a little :)
2007-09-16 21:10:35 · answer #2 · answered by mayalinn1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you quit cold turkey you will get mastitis really bad if not a bad infection that may even but you in the hospital. When I started to stop give your self about 2 weeks, Just pump but everyday or two pump less. So instead of pumping 8 times a day for two days pump 6 days and slowly cut back then your body will slowly stop making it. It will take 2-3 weeks to totally stop producing aleast. Hope this helps.
2007-09-16 21:26:49 · answer #3 · answered by smilies1998 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
People say your being selfish but I feel you have your own reasons on why to quit.
I stopped breastfeeding 7 months ago and my milk still hasn't dried up 100% it takes time!
You should go from pumping say 4 times a day to 3 times for a week then slowly go down and down each week!
People will say formula isn't good rar rar rar but my son has been on formula since he was 6 weeks old and is now 7 1/2 months and is in the 95th percentile for weight, now tell me formula isn't good!
Good luck to you and your family!
2007-09-16 21:12:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
every persons body doesn't necessarily react in the same way. breast milk is produced based on demand and if you keep pumping you will keep producing. when i was recovering from mastitis my doctor told me to put warm damp cloths and soak in warm water. this would enable the milk to let down with out actually creating a demand. it can get quite uncomfortable and the first day is the worst. but within a few days i was virtually dry. thy can also prescribe a medication to stop your milk production if necessary.
2007-09-16 20:48:22 · answer #5 · answered by donay 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
my god "dont go cold turkey" owch............
i did that after my daughter was born and boy did i wish i didnt...
just decrease slowly each day ,give it a week or so.
mastitis will come back as the milk has nowhere to go,but if you decrease slowly your body will slow down on producing the milk. im not to sure how long it will take to dry up, i supose every ones different .all depends whether you decide to decrease over one week or 2.""slow and steady always wins he race""
2007-09-16 20:49:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-09 15:19:23 · answer #7 · answered by guyk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to stop nursing, you need to know if your baby will take a bottle.
I always gradually cut back on the nursing. and I never had a problem.
if your mastitis has been treated and gone. Nursing shouldn't be a problem.
2007-09-16 20:40:12 · answer #8 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There's a pill named Borstinex, it works wonders!
Milk should dry up in 3-4 days when using this pill, otherwise, try cold cabbage leaves and warm baths for a few days and cold turkey is best,yes!
2007-09-16 20:35:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Hope your baby is old enough. Dont deprive the baby just being selfish and thinking of yourself. You baby needs resistance against diseases and only feeding him will be the best resistance to fight infections. Take care of the little one.
2007-09-16 20:33:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋