How can I dry up my breast milk quickly whilst avoiding / in order to avoid another bout of mastitis ? Before I get any lectures on continuing breastfeeding please realise this is something I am having to do with an extremely heavy heart. Long story short I have one flat nipple and one extremely inverted nipple on my rather large breasts, my baby had undiagnosed tongue tie, lost 12.3% weight by day 5, had boob, EBM and formula top ups for first three weeks of life until I finally managed to get my supply up and dropped formula and has aggressively refused my boob ever since. Ive paid for every device on the market to correct my nipples, draw them out, things to trick bub like SNS, had private consultations with lactation consultants, been to feeding groups, seen midwives, health visitor, infant feeding lead, breastfeeding support - you name it ive tried it. I’ve exclusively pumped and solely bottle fed up until a month ago when he was finally doing a mostly blissful bedtime nurse every night but refusing every other time of day. I spent a month in my house doing intensive skin on skin and rebirthing baths constantly offering boob to get to this point. But one nurse a day just wasn’t enough to practise latch and positioning again and despite support of local breastfeeding support and infant feeding lead they could never be there at the moments he would nurse. Over five weeks was on antibiotics for mastitis for three of those weeks. A separate issue but my baby boy was rushed into hospital last week following his third jabs and we spent two nights admitted and it was a very scary time. It’s times like these you realise what matters and I know the power of breast milk probably helped him through those poorly days however I wanted to be able to hold my son whenever he needed me not sat pumping next to his hospital cot. I’ve now been hit with my SIXTH bout of mastitis and this time it’s in both boobs and my temperature has been through the roof, migraine for five days and not even able to pick my own son up without crying for the pain. Literally been in bed constantly and got so bad I haven’t been able to give him a bottle because of the pain. Thank god for partner and mum. A doctor told me some women are just more prone to mastitis than others. We’ve started baby led weaning with bub two days ago and I think our breastfeeding journey has to end here - I can’t keep being poorly and unable to look after my son. So spare me any suggestions re avoiding mastitis and continuing breastfeeding - I’ve tried EVERYTHING - please advice only on how to dry my milk up once mastitis gone. Producing 40-50oz per day currently...
Drying up breast milk - 5 months brea... - Pregnancy and Par...
Drying up breast milk - 5 months breastfeeding - very sad but needing real advice
Don’t have any advice really but wanted to just give u big (((hugs))). I know how awful mastitis is as I had it twice after my son was born it was actually due to pumping. My son was born with tongue tie too so had to pump for first 8 weeks. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling after having it 6 times. Sounds like you’re doing the right thing for you and your little one by stopping, you have been a super mummy already by ploughing through and pumping for 5 months, most people would have given up months ago. I have heard that the best way to avoid mastitis is to cut down gradually, so one day cut down one session and then a few days later cut down another one. I’m now combi feeding as lo latches on well now but I am scared of stopping when I decide the time is right in case I get mastitis. I take lechithin which was a god send (sure you have tried them).
Good luck xx
Thanks so much. I’ve heard of them a few times in the last few days but never tried them no - because my mastitis seems to have always been caused by damage to my nipples as opposed to blocked ducts, it probably wouldn’t make a difference but I am going to get some to help prevent blocked ducts whilst reducing supply - thanks so much for suggestion and reply xx
Mastitis is the WORST! Had it about 9 times in total with my boys and I believe you when you say you could barely hold baby because of the pain!
I think just stop feedIngs and soak your boobs. I found hot water (I used to have a bowl for each boob!) really soothing. Milk can naturally come out then. Also if mum and partner can do the feeding for a while if poss it will help prevent your milk from coming.
No judgment at all, sounds like you have had a really rough time and your priotising the needs of your baby. I’ve only had mastitis once and it was hell so I feel for you getting it six times. Genuinely, put cabbage leaves down your bra! verywellfamily.com/cabbage-...
The trick is to stop gradually. So stop a feed for 3 days, then stop another etc etc. Day feeds are the easiest to stop first.
Hope that helps and good luck! X
Cabbage leaves are amazing - been doing that since yesterday morning and seems to be really helping both mastitis and slowing supply! 🤗 thank you xx
Oh good! It’s so weird but really works! My other half thought I was bonkers 😂 xx
😂😂 well rather your partner than a stranger - the lady serving me in Starbucks yesterday saw the cabbage leaf slip out my bra when I bent over to get my purse out my bag 😩😂 motherhood eh!!
Haha! Oh the joys! I have two reflux babies so I spend most of my day attractively smelling of puke!
Sorry to hear you have had such a rough time! Did he have his tongue and lip ties revised? I know you are stopping breastfeeding but they can cause problems with solids, imcrease the risk of tooth decay, and cause things like migraines in the future.
Now for your milk production, you dont want to stop pumping outright. Start by cutting down a minute per session each day, and push the sessions apart slightly further, so if you are pumping every two hours for 20 minutes, pump every 2 hours 15min and for 18 or 19 minutes, then the next day go down to 17 or 18 minutes, every two and a half hours. This will send all the correct signals to your body to help slow down milk progression. If you find you are getting engorged and painful before you are due to pump, massage your breasts and hand express just to take the edge off.
It is true that some women are more prone to clogs than others, but it is quick management that stops it turning into mastitis, if you dont already, my IBCLC recommends taking sunflower letchin as it helps prevent them starting.
Yeah had tongue tie partially fixed however not general practise where I live to fix lip tie. We think there’s still a deeper submuscosal tie but we were advised bub would bleed so profusely he’d need cauterisation (without anistethic !) so we absolutely can’t justify taking that risk. They did a small frenulum snip. His tongue movement has improved dramatically and sometimes his latch is just beautiful! So no concerns about that now. Unfortunately my mastitis has been caused by damaged nipples as opposed to blocked ducts and when I have had blocked ducts they’ve been so hard to find and manage early on due to the size of my breasts. I’ve only ever managed to get rid of a blocked duct without it turning into mastitis and needing antibiotics once. The supplement you’re talking about is something I’m definitely going to try, as I’m sure it’ll help prevent any blockages whilst I’m reducing my supply! Thanks for suggestions and reply xx
Did you see a pediatric dentist for his mouth? It is possible to get all these done with a laser instead of scissors which cauterises immediatly so no bleeding, and also bo chance of reattachment whilst healing.
The suppliment is great, it doesnt effect supply, just makes it come out easier!
To start with let me start by saying you’ve done bloody amazing!!
What a gruelling time you’ve had!
I’ve breastfed all my boys and the first two were clear when they had enough. My gp recommend reducing feeds and said anti histamine helped as they dries up milk too. I wouldn’t just stop given your history with mastitis. I’ve had 3 Caesarian sections and have been in a car crash and I would still say I felt worse with mastitis than any of those things! Your absolutely doing the right thing for you and your baby. Absolute warrior!
Xxx
Thanks so much for your kind words, I’m now sat having a little cry! Who knew breastfeeding would be so bloody emotional and bittersweet. Well done to you for breastfeeding all your babies xxx
No advice from me I’m afraid as I’m still breastfeeding my 4 month old boy but just wanted to let you know how amazing you are to have gone through all that in a bid to do what you felt was best for your baby. Not sure I or many others would’ve persevered for so long with all the difficulties you’ve had.
Sounds like you’re absolutely doing what feels best for you and your family now and I hope things go as smoothly as possible with reducing your breastfeeding and starting weaning. Don’t ever feel bad for doing something that will help you & baby enjoy the time you spend together.
Sorry for the lack of advice from this post but it just made me sad that you anticipated lectures about stopping breastfeeding 😢 Any mum who’s been through what you have needs support, and it sounds like luckily some people on here have been able to offer good advice xx
Thanks so much for such a kind response. Honestly means the world to me to hear other mums think I’ve done ok! I’m starting to be able to smile looking back at the times he has nursed well and remember how blissful that was, without guilt. I’m still open to reducing my supply to just enough to allow him the option of a bedtime nurse / pump and bottle feed EBM once a day if he isn’t willing. It’s not black and white and it’s all part of mine and bubs journey as hard as it all has been xx
It’s massively emotional. Of course it is, my first I exclusively pumped, because we never got the hang of it and I was offered no support at all. If you breastfeed in a bottle or on a boob, for two minutes or two years, it’s an incredible thing. Please don’t feel guilt ever, you’ve done an amazing, selfless thing, and your baby needs a happy healthy mummy. You can still have all the snuggles, but won’t have to wince in agony!! Bless you love. I’m not looking forward to my turn to put the boob away 😢 xxx
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