All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Before getting PG, I honestly did not want any part of breast feeding. I simply was not interested. I was one of those "I am not a cow" people. However, once I got PG, I made every effort to be open minded and educate myself about the benefits of breast feeding and pumping. We both took a class, bought a pump and once Abby had been able to feed from the breast in the NICU, I worked my tuchas off to do it and we eventually made a VERY hard transition.

Fast forward to the first week of October - Abby developed thrush. There were white spots on the inside of her lips and cheek and her tongue was white. So her pediatrician prescribes medicine for the both of us - Nystatin orally for her and topically for me. I was told I could feed her from the breast safely. Abby got better, I got worse. Then on the very last day of Abby's treatment, her visual thrush symptoms came back. We were both given a different treatment - Diflucan. Her tongue stayed white and my nips felt as if someone was trying to come from the inside out with shards of glass or razor blades - NOT FUN. Abby went back on the Nystatin.

We then saw Dr. Macaluso who is lactation consultant and also an MD specializing in breastfeeding medicine. She is awesome. She put me on a better dosage of Diflucan - more appropriate for my needs and agreed that Abby should stay on the Nystatin that was working for her the first time.

Here we are with Abby getting slightly better but I am now in a great deal of pain. The pediatrician felt that we were cross contaminating each other and that I should exclusively pump for a few days and take it from there. We wanted to see if either one or both of us got better. So far, we still both have symptoms.

Both doctors suggested introducing formula on some level. I am going back to work in a few weeks and to be honest, though my work place would provide pumping time and a location, it is not the ideal setting and circumstances. After discussing it with DH at length, we decided that Abby will be weaned off of breastmilk and onto formula by the time she is in day care.

It is a decision that is VERY hard for me and filled with a lot of emotion but we know it is best for us. We both have a medical issue. There is no way I can pump througout the night, be good for her, me, DH and the students I serve when I go back to work.

I do need some advice. I do not want to be persuaded to keep it up as I know I have done more than I ever thought knowing that Abby has the best immunties that I was able to provide. The decision is already made.

What I would like to ask is that for those of you who had to wean off the boob and pumping, how did you do it with as little discomfort as possible? I get VERY engorged and I need to reduce this soon as going back to work with rock hard ta-tas will be VERY difficult. Any information would be helpful.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

well, I don't have any advice, I'm still pumping bc ds is 8 wks and I am still home for another 8 wks, but when I go back to work in Jan I have already decided I will stop pumping.

BUt I wanted to congratulate you for sticking with it for this long You've done a great thing for your baby!!

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

I think that whatever you do for you, is the right thing to do. Its not worth struggling at all in my opinion because a happy mommy makes a happy baby!

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

I was told to increase the time between pumping each day....increaes from every 3 hours to every 4 or 5, and then 5 or 6....eventually I only pumped when I "felt the need to" for relief....my boobs were sore for a few days and leaked a little, but it was only for a few days. I would say this whole process took about 1-1/2 weeks. (from weaning to the end of discomfort)

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

I don't have any weaning advice since I never had a great supply so weaning wasn't an issue for me.
Stopping BFing is definitely very bittersweet whenever the end comes.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Have you already begun weaning her?

If not, I would start at the first step of introducing formula into her bottles of pumped milk. That way you can transition her slowly into the formula.

Do it:

25% form 75% BM
50/50
75% form 25% BM
Then finally, and obviously 100% form.

I would do each stage for 5 days that way you give it to her gradually.

Then what I would do is pump a feed same one every day, and limit the time that you are on the pump.... that way you can start weaning yourself down and decrease the amounts of pumping that you do over time b4 you have to go to work.

Not sure if you are pumping and dumping or pumping and storing with the whole infection going on though.

Edited for idiocy....

Message edited 11/9/2008 12:14:35 PM.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Just wanted to offer you some I'm sorry you are in so much pain. BFing isn't easy. I am almost done weaning (I took it very slow) and have never had a problem with engorgement. I believe they recommend that you cut out a feeding per week so you could start with that. If you do get engorged, you could hand express or pump a small amount to relieve some of the pressure. Within a few days, your milk will adjust and you shouldn't be in any discomfort. GL!

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

First of all, good for you for going as long as you did. I know it has been tough for you and you have done yourself and Abby a great service by going as long as you did

As far as weaning, I would suggest going a little longer between pumping sessions to slowly eliminate a few sessions per day. think this will prevent engorgement. Good luck!

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

I was only able to pump for a little over 4 weeks...DD became colic and despite my efforts to modify my diet, she would scream bloody murder after a feeding of BM...myself and my ped though it best to switch to the alimentum. I switched cold turkey, b/c it was not worth her screaming for me to wean her....plus I was supplementing at night already with Formula.


The dr's can give you something to dry you up befor you go back to work...however you can pump and just reduce it, little by little and your milk will eventually dry up....took about a good two weeks for mine to completely dry up

Message edited 11/9/2008 12:24:16 PM.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

I'm sorry for your discomfort. I know it's hard and painful but it will get better!
I had to stop breastfeeding at 6 weeks and it was painful for me as well. Breastfeeding for DS was going well, but I started to become paranoid that everything that I ate was bothering him. I eventually stopped eating and realized that wasn't good for either of us! I knew that if I stopped breastfeeding we would both be happier.
It was painful to watch DS not want the bottle, screaming because he wanted me. I almost caved a few times, but I knew I needed to be strong for him. My intention was to wean but I lost patience and pumping was so much work that I just stopped!
Many people suggested using cabbage leaves. At first I didn't think it worked but I kept using them. I really think it decreased my supply more quickly. Keep the cabbage in your fridge and put them in your bra. When they wilt, take them out and put in new ones.
Two full days of pain then it felt better.
Good luck and know that what is good for you is good for you baby!

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

First of all, I know that it is a very hard decision to make & i truly commend you and going @ it so long. When i decided to wean i just stopped cold turkey( he was all ready being supplemented w/ formuls) and wore a pre pregnancy bra to help w/ the engorgement.. If i was in a tremendous amount of pain i would self express a little in the shower w/ warm water to help the aching tata's.. GL i hope it goes smoothly.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Abby takes a bottle very well. She always went back and forth easily.

I feel that if one of us is not benefitting from this experience, then the other would effectively be miserable. I also subscribe to the "Happy mommy, happy baby" theory.

Thanks for all of the support and advice. I shall surely take it.

Oh and whats up with cabbage leaves? Anyone?

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Awesome! Then I can make cole slaw with the rest of the cabbage!

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

cabbage leaves
ibprofren

day 1...
I hand expressed for a minute 3 times a day
day 2...
same but only morning and night
day 3...
only day

I had to alieve some pressure.

emotionally, I hit a brick wall. OB said its common when someone doesn't go through PPD or baby blues, then weans.
It was a very sad 6 weeks.

talk to your dr if you can't shake depressed feelings after a week.

good luck! and great work!

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

It must have been a difficult decision.
Congrat's on making it this far.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

I just remembered, I also used to put a small bag of frozen peas on top of the cabbage leaves. It felt better! I wore a sports bra so I could squeeze the bags in and walk around w/o them falling.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Posted by lc214

I just remembered, I also used to put a small bag of frozen peas on top of the cabbage leaves. It felt better! I wore a sports bra so I could squeeze the bags in and walk around w/o them falling.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

No advice, just to you for sticking to it as long as you did.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

I think you have the cabbage leaf thing figured out but I do have photos of myself with cabbage leaf cups over my boobs if you really need a visual. I think that a cold compress worked, too..

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

I have no advice but wanted to offer I know how hard it is when you have to stop.

Re: All good thing must come to an end - BFing(VERY long) and I need some advice

Posted by Kerie-is-so-very

I think you have the cabbage leaf thing figured out but I do have photos of myself with cabbage leaf cups over my boobs if you really need a visual. I think that a cold compress worked, too..