Switching to FF - engorgement!

[Samemka]

Hi ladies

I decided to stop BF because of my incredibly sore nipples, & the fact it was just getting me really down as I was in such pain that I was dreading feeding Emma which is obviously wrong! She took a bottle of FF before with absolutely no problems and it makes me wonder whether she was getting enough milk before as she guzzled the bottle and settled right down after, and still is now - never had this with BF.

Anyway, my question is....engorgement. I know it's best to wean them off gradually but I have only been BF for 2 weeks since Emma was born and I'm in such pain with my nipples I just want to stop straight away. Emma took to the FF so easily too. So is it ok to just stop and ride out the engorgement - how long will it last?

Any help much appreciated!!

 

[StntWife]

I'm doing the exact same this week too. I BF for two weeks and just had to stop because of the pain, I got an infection. The baby's dr. told me to switch straight over instead of weening because it had only been 2 weeks. And as for the pain, they said to just keep pressure on them, ice packs and if it gets really sore and alot of pressure get into a warm shower and the heat should relieve some of it. Hope this helps a little, I know it's been frustrating this week for me too.

 

[moomin_troll]

i stopped straight away as it hurt too much n delt with the engorgment and its sore and ur boobs will be very tender but it lasted afew weeks for me till they went down enough to not hurt.

have u tried expressing? i didnt as i was told it would just make more milk but wish i did now so zane wuda got more of breastmilk

 

[Arlandria]

Hey ladies,

I also breast fed for only 5 days as i couldnt stand the pain....But dont forget its those first few days where the baby gets the best of the breast so dont beat yourselves up!

You've tried it and stuck at it for as long as possible, your baby wont love you any less )

In terms of bottle feeding, we now use Breastflow bottles as this is similer to BF, the baby has to suck for the milk rather than a free flowing thus they control thier milk! They've been fab!

Like moomin_troll said, if you express it will make more milk so just becareful on that part...I was told to wear a tight support bra at all times, inc sleeping, and dont have your bath/showers too warm as this actually helps the milk flow more easily from your breasts so it will prolong the leaking! It's so hard not to get a relaxing bath though when you feel like shit! And your boobies feel like they've got big rock hard lumps in them - it will go!

XX

 

[Samemka]

Thanks girls. Just wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing going 'cold-turkey', LOL!!

 

[moomin_troll]

also adding to my post i still feel like a let down not being able to continue bf zane and its odd when hes ill i get a urge to bf but obviously i cant and i feel terrible but dont let this make u feel the way ive let myself get.

zane took to bottles better then my breast n was so happy so i have no reason to feel this way and nor do u.

people go on about breast is best and yet its people who make breastfeeding feel abnormal (in public) so f what people say remember ur baby has got the best bit from bf already and that long as ur baby is healthy and happy ur doing great.

good luck ladies x

 

[Arcanegirl]

I went cold turkey over the weekend, i got sore so expressed 2ozs each side and the milk never came back in again.
Its not a guaruntee to work for everyone as youre not meant to express.

 

[Blondie2008]

I was in so much pain when i decided to switch to bottle feeding. I just stopped bf and switched over. Bethan was only about 5 days when i did it. It was horrible for about a week but gradually my boobs went down. Just have to ride it out. xx

 

[Samemka]

also adding to my post i still feel like a let down not being able to continue bf zane and its odd when hes ill i get a urge to bf but obviously i cant and i feel terrible but dont let this make u feel the way ive let myself get.

zane took to bottles better then my breast n was so happy so i have no reason to feel this way and nor do u.

people go on about breast is best and yet its people who make breastfeeding feel abnormal (in public) so f what people say remember ur baby has got the best bit from bf already and that long as ur baby is healthy and happy ur doing great.

good luck ladies x

You're right! Emma seems so much happier with a bottle and she feeds a lot better - she actually takes the bottle, falls asleep and generally stays asleep, whereas when I was BF I was up and down all the time. I just prefer this and the whole 'breast is best' thing is all well & good but if it's getting you down as it was me, you have to weigh up whether there's any advantage in BF if you're feeling miserable as a Mum - it wasn't for me!

 

[moomin_troll]

ur doing what is best for u therefore its best for ur baby.

hope stopping breastfeeding doesnt hurt u too much and as someone has already said wear a decent support bra day and night also keep a good stock of breastpads and cream still to help.

 

[Samemka]

Thanks - I'm sore today but so far no worse than when my milk came in. It's still not as bad as my sore nipples were when Emma was feeding, lol.

 

[Frankie]

gradually drop a feed and when they fill up express until its soft thats how it worked with me

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I expressed a little bit every day until there was nothing left, it didn't take long, I could never make much milk in the first place, hence giving up!

 

[loopylew]

This thread has made me feel 100% better, i don't seem to make enough milk to keep my baby happy and he was losing weight- went from 10lb7 to 9lb2 in 10 days. MW and HV have almost made me feel guilty for topping up with formula and considering switching altogether, i now know theres others in the same boat.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

Yeah my HV said I should cut down on giving bottles and concentrate on BF, but it's easy for her to say when your baby is starving and crying!

 

[Samemka]

Just to give an update - I was sore for a day, but it was bearable. After that I was fine - tender, but it wasn't bad at all - maybe it's because I had only been BF for two weeks and I assume if you'd done if for longer the pain/duration would be worse, but for me it really wasn't anywhere near as bad as I was expecting. I am so much happier now FF and Emma is taking lots of bottles so I'm really glad I made the decision to switch!

 

[RyleighsMommy]

Im glad to see Im not the only one thats switching to FF. I only fed from the breast a few times as my LO didnt latch on very well so I expressed, however it was quite painful for my breasts and nipples and it definitally wasnt for me. Now...how long until the milk dries up? I want the swelling and the lumps to go away...not to mention the leaking.

 

[bambikate]

hi girls, don't know if this would be useful to anyone but I ordered some Lac-Caninum from Galen Homeopaths. I took it when I stopped BF cold turkey and with a little hand held massager to massage the blocked ducts and cold compresses - I was sorted within a few days xxxxxx