I always knew had to wean now... but ...

[rufalina]

Liz, I guess I should explain re the meds.... I have ms (multiple sclerosis), and I have never taken any meds regularly for it. My neuro wanted me to start medicating over a year ago, but I decided to have a baby, and put off the starting of treatment till then, as my MS has been pretty inactive, but in order to prevent it stating up, my neurologist wants me to start treatment as soon as possible, (interferon injections) so I can prevent the progression of it... And the meds are not sufficiently tested for safety on babies, so I dont want to take any risks there.

I think maybe just getting this out to you gals who understand will help me work through the emotional side of things, and focus on the physical.

Thanks for the understanding Liz!!!

[Kmn]

Just because you have to doesn't mean that it's easy. Here's a bit of a brainstorm..In some ways you are probably weaning you as much as him, in the sense that he may well adapt more easily than his Mum does.

I think that if I had to wean my booby-monster I would start by giving small ff bottles before every feed, so that the comfort-sucking could still be there for a while, but the really-hungry-sucking wouldn't be. My best guess from when I have to EBM feed DS is that he has 100 ml or so, 7-10 times a day - so I would start with 50ml ff's and slowly increase the amount in them (kind of like backwards "comp" feeding). I might try and replace feeds as well, but since he demand feeds in a really irregular way that might be trickier.

Part of what would make it really difficult for me is that DS will give himself a bottle (albeit slowly and messily), or let me help him a bit - but he won't take a bottle if he is held in a snuggly way, only if he is lying on the floor. So I would "lose" a couple of hours of cuddles if I stopped BFing, and I'm not sure how either of us would take to that.

Another option would be to go on the normal pill, so that your milk supply slowly decreased - and at the same time offer lots of bottles.

[MantaRay]

Ruf hun, to you. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you. I hope you are able to find peace with this.

Just a thought too, have you spoken to the Monash Drug Information line? Dr Rodney Whyte there has the very latest info on drug safety during bfing. Quite often medications are listed as "not safe for bfing" in the MIMS database (which is the only information most doctors have), but are actually ok, and this wonderful service has that more recent info. It still might be that you will have to stop bfing, but it might be worth ringing just to be totally sure. The number is 03 9594 2361.

I wish you all the very best hun. You are in my thoughts.

[Liz]

Monash Drug Information line? Dr Rodney Whyte there has the very latest info on drug safety during bfing. .. The number is 03 9594 2361.

That's the one I knew someone would know it, so I didn't go hunting for it

I'm so sorry to hear about the MS. How wonderful though that you have been able to put it off in order to have a baby and to breastfeed as long as you have! Seriously, keep that in mind while you work out your next steps. You've already achieved so much!

Definitely give the information line a call.. it certainly can't hurt.

[Ozziehoffy]

Big hun. I don't think it's an easy thing to do at all!!! It's a beautiful and special moment that we share with our bubs. I have just weaned and although older than your little man, it was hard to do and I still miss it. I don't have any suggestions to help sorry Is it possible to put off the meds a little longer?? I understand why you're going to have them (have a friend with ms) but is it possible so you can keep feeding a little longer??

[onthefly]

Oh! That's so sad!
It would be great if you could find out you can continue bfing afterall... But if not, maybe try to find other special ways to be close to DS as you replace bf with ff - it's not just about feeding, as you well know.
Good luck to you

[rufalina]

Thanks everyone. I have successfully dropped one of regular timed feeds, using the "reverse" comp feed method (thanks Kmn) over the last couple of days. I did a small bottle of FF and gradually made it bigger then today, no boob required at that feed. Still got slight full bbs but nothing a tiny hand express didn't fix.

With choosing the next feed to drop, do I do one at the other end of the day, so the one we dropped was the around 5pm feed, so maybe I drop the mid morning one so there is still a BB feed at 2ish, to keep my BBs ok?

Anyway, I think I just need to take it slowly and recognise that it is my weaning as much as DS's and take the time to get myself used to it too, and we will be fine. We have done so well to date, and I do know that and am thankful that we were/are able to have this. And that we will be ok moving on from here, and a healthy mum is the most important thing here.

(Cass, there is one way I can stay off the meds longer, that is to have another baby, but in order to do that I need to get my AF back, so would have to drop some feeds anyway ...)