In agony! Help please!!!!

[kelsbels]

So I am weaning DD (10 months) and my boobs are freaking KILLING me

I'm not happy about weaning and I just want it all to go away so I can stop being upset about it. Any ideas on how to speed along the drying-up process? How long did it take for your breasts to go back to normal?

Feeling very average at the moment, physically, mentally and emotionally

[MrsBexie]

I have no idea hun, just wanted to offer

May I ask why you are weaning? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want..

[Netix]

Oh sweety. Sorry, can't tell you how to speed it up (my just slowly weaned themselves off after, um, eleven months or something), but just want to give you a nice big (and gentle) to help emotionally.

I hope someone can give you some good advice soon.

[Catherine]

you can call the helpline 1800 mum 2 mum
thwt can help with weaning

[willow5]

I'm sorry no help either just some

[kelsbels]

I lost my milk supply when she was 4 months and I have battled and worked to maintain a very average supply. She's now losing weight and the stress of constantly pumping, taking tablets etc is taking a major toll on me and my marriage.

She's been on the bottle for 24 hours now and she is doing great, lots of wet nappies and not even looking for the boob (way to hit my ego kid!!). I know it's the right decision but inside I am really hurting. I feel like after battling for over 6 months that I've simply given up but I just couldn't do it anymore, I'm tired of being so focussed on breastfeeding and so sad to have a hungry baby.

Mother guilt is a shocker hey...

[kelsbels]

Thanks gorgeous ladies for the hugs, really needed them

[willow5]

Mother guilt is a shocker hey...

OMG YES! You've done great as far as I'm concerned, try not to be so hard on yourself! Hope you get some relief soon.

[Laranna]

you've put in a fantastic effort to do all the pumping, etc. I did the same with my DS so completely understand how time consuming, and mentally physically exhausting it can be. Don't feel like you've just given up because it sounds to me you've done all you possibly can and that's great!

As for your boobs, you might need to express off a little bit for comfort, hand expressing in a warm shower can work well. Give the ABA a ring, they will have some other tips.

[Netix]

Even more Kel. As Laranna said, you have done what YOU can. I battled to feed Rhino, so I def hear your pain. I know its easier said than done, but please don't feel guilty or hard on yourself. You need to look after yourself primarily, and you sound like you are doing the best and all that anyone could do.

We're here for you. As are the experts, don't hesitate to call the ABA or anyone that might help you feel better.

[onthefly]

what a great job you've done
you probably need to express for comfort and to get rid of lumps - gradual weaning is generally more comfortable, so aim for less milk eeach feed/day. hopefully you'll be comfortable soon

[MantaRay]

What a great job you have done hun 10 months is a long time when things are so hard - well done.

I can totally understand that you want this over with quickly so that you can move on. Unfortunately though weaning works much better for mums when it is done as a slow process. Weaning cold turkey is not recommended - the pain you are in now is a good reason why it's not, and there is also a very real risk of mastitis. The first thing is that you will need to express for comfort. Every time you feel full it is best to express enough so that are comfortable and there are no lumps. Unfortunately (now that you want to wean) it seems that all that hard work you have done to build up your supply has left you with quite a good supply that will take a while to ease off. I know that you are worried about maintaining your supply by expressing, but if you are not emptying your breasts then you will still be sending the message to your breasts to slow down production.

Many mums find it works better to wean by dropping feeds one at a time, with at least a week in between each feed-drop. This is another way of reducing the supply and is more comfortable for the mum and often easier on the baby too. How is your little one going with the change btw? It might be slower than the way you are doing it, but it is much safer. Even if you don't choose to drop the feeds slowly, feeding your little one once to ease the pressure in your breasts could be helpful - she will do a better job than a pump and probably tonnes quicker too.

Whatever you decide, keep a good eye out for signs of mastitis - pain, heat in your breast, red marks on your breast, fever, the rigours (shivering), feeling like you've been hit by a bus (like the flu). If this happens it would be best to empty both breasts (again feeding will work better than expressing) and seek medical advice.

All the best hun I know this isn't easy for you, physically or emotionally

[Isadora]

You really stuck it out, well done to you. Be so proud of yourself!

[MrsBexie]

That is nothing to feel guilty about!! Sounds like you had done everything in your power to try to make it happen!
You have not failed... Please don't ever think that!

Xxx and hope it's getting better for you!!!