How to stop breastfeeding/how long did it take?

[southernbelle_amy]

I was looking for any advice on stopping breastfeeding. My case is a little unique because since my son was 2-3 weeks old, I started pumping. He is now 3 1/2 months. At the end I was typically pumping just 4x a day about every 6-8 or so hours. Yesterday I had went 9 hours, and decided to stop, since I was already considering this. My baby is fine with the bottle and is use to breastmilk and formula together, or formula by itself, so that really isn't the issue.
I have read or spoke with others who "gradually" do this or go cold turkey but, I felt like since my pumps were so far apart I didn't have much longer to space out. So I haven't pumped for about 32 hours, and of course have some pain, soreness, and engorgement. If I do pump any out how much should I since I don't want to produce more. Secondly if I don't pump ever again, how long do you think it will take for everything to get back to normal. I am wearing 2 bras and doing cold compresses for now. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Planogirl]

Old folk remedy that actually works - cabbage leaves. Doctor recommended it and it worked like a charm.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Nette]

It wouldn't hurt to let off some of the pressure. Otherwise you're risking a mastitis. I'd probably only pump until I wasn't rock hard. When I weaned DD, I would do that unless she was really asking to nurse (which she only did every couple of days at the end...)

It took me a good 18 months to dry up completely though... Nothing major, just drops here and there.

 

[Melissa R]

I was also a full time pumper but did it for longer than you have, so my production was probably already lower than yours is at this point.

I just started spacing my pumps out and thought that I'd need to do it very gradually, but I could tell from how quickly my production dropped that I didn't need to wean myself from the pump as slowly as I'd expected.

I'd say that you need to read your own body. If you're not terribly uncomfortable, then I'd say you might just pump a few times (for very short amount of time - i'm not sure how long your pumping sessions normally were, but I'd probably just pump for a couple of minutes or until just after your letdown) to relieve some pressure. You don't want to get a blocked duct, so watch for any real painful areas.

I'd second the cabbage leaves. I think some people also take a decongestant because it has drying effects on the body - not just on your sinuses.

As for how long it'll take for you to be totally dried up, I think that depends on how much your supply was before. When I stopped pumping, my son was 13 months old, so I wasn't making a ton of milk - maybe 12-20 oz a day? I think it really only took me a less than a week to feel like it was over with.

 

[princessbride6205]

It didn't take me long at all, but we had weaned down to just once a day for a few weeks. Then I just stopped - no leaking that I remember, dried up pretty quickly. As far as size, it took longer to shrink. I can't pinpoint how long because at that time I started exercising and losing weight, which got me below my original size.

 

[minkydog]

Ditto everything else. I didn't try the cabbage leaves, but I have heard it works. If you're uncomfortable take some Advil, put some ice packs on. You can pump a *little* if you have to--you don't want to encourage the girls, however. It will take about a week for the worst of it to be over, but you may have some residual milk in there for several months. Just don't squeeze it out and eventually it will go away.

 

[All American]

I'll be the first to say that, for me anyways, the cabbage leaves were a joke. All it did was make me look like a had a garden growing out of my chest not to mention the fact that it smelled horrible. I wish it would have worked because so many people swear by it. Luckily, I had been pumping and was able to gradually stop. I went cold turkey with my second (formula fed from the get-go) and H.O.L.Y. C.O.W.! It hurt! Just thinking about it makes me cringe, but the worst of it only lasted a about 4 days, and I felt definite relief after that. Good luck!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I think it took me 2 weeks to completely dry up. I'd been pumping less and less as my frustration (and pain!) grew. One day, I just said *bleep* it, I'm done. (It was liberating... shhh!) I think I did just that-- pumped a little once to relieve the pressure, but that was that.

 

[coalmnrswife]

I too pumped the entire time. (7 months) I gradually weaned myself off of it. I would go 12 hours then 15 then 18 etc. I did get to the point of a few days and it hurt. I pumped enough to relieve myself and that was it - no more pain. I no no more need to pump either.
Do it gradually and it will not hurt. Do not sit in pain it is not worth it. Please give yourself some relief. It will eventually not hurt.
Good luck!

 

[sharig5576]

I used cabbage leaves when I weaned both my sons and they were great. They smelled really bad, but I just changed the leaves more frequently. I found they took a lot of the pain away.