engorged....or getting there :(

[*happy*]

just looking for some advice...i have started to swap breastfeeds for EBM in a bottle the past week.we swapped the 3pm feed last monday but i am still very uncomfortable in the mornings-like i was at the beginning, that engorged feeling, lumps etc that i need to massage out....it's bringing those first few weeks back to me!
i was planning to swap another feed tomorrow, but now im wondering if i should wait another few days?

[shivi]

are you planning on weaning gradually or wanting to stay pumping EBM in bottles?

If planning to wean to formula or freezer stash and lower output, the best thing to do is express off only to feel comfortable and drink sage tea, or if you can't get it, peppermint. Also use ice packs/cool packs to lower inflammation. Any flu-ey symptoms, take nurofen and any fever etc, get yourself to the doctor. Sage really helps dry up milk naturally....

For now you're doing 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and DF off the breast, yes?

S x

[*happy*]

thanks shivi!

today, it was 7.30, 12, 4, 5.15, 6.45 and will DF @ 10.30 pm.

i'd like to keep pumping a bit i think....i'm finding it tricky to figure out how much to give her TBH....but i'll pump for the next couple of weeks anyway...

do you think i'd be ok to swap another feed tomorrow? thinking of swapping the 5.15 pm feed...that would give her 2 bottles in a row...(4pm one was a bottle today)

[shivi]

If you don't want to lower your supply yet, then I would just pump at those feed times. So I don't see a problem for your or LO if you were to do two bottles tomorrow apart from the fact that the more bottles you do, the higher the chance there is of a bottle preference. Oscar never had any issue - swapped from breast to bottle and back again even midfeed without issue. But lots of babies have major issues when more bottles are intro'd....

My LOs were well used to being without me (and my boobs without them) by 7/7,5 mths old as I was back in work. Yes, it was harder to get the breasts emptied by the pump but I didn't get bad engorgement after first few days.

Can I ask, if its not too personal, why you're weaning? Maybe someone asked before - my mind's blank.

[*happy*]

not too personal,dont worry! we had trouble TTC first time around. also, am due back to work in a couple of months & wanted to take my time weaning so it isnt as much of a ordeal for her with both e & my boobs gone!!!!


feel a little better this morning so am gonna chance swapping 2 feeds today....she has been super re taking bottles so far,so hopefully we wont havve an issue that way.TBH,as long as she's stilll getting BM somehow,i'll be happy!

[shivi]

ahhh, sorry to pry! It is possible, you know, to keep up two feeds am/pm even when you're back at work (depending on your work of course). I know how hard it is to plan it all in and think about how you/LO will cope but if you need any advice there, I am here for you as I was back in work at 4.5 and 7.5 mths, albeit an easy workday for fitting in feeds (did 7am feed, left and worked 7.30am to 3pm with a half hour unpaid break and an hour breastfeeding paid break so left an hour early and got home for 3.30pm for a feed).

Just stick to your plan, though, and see how LO does re. switching from breast to bottle and, more importantly, back again as you don't want to get engorged at this stage of the game. The only time I had a fever was when I went back to work after Ozzie at 4mths and didn't pump enough/spend a long enough time pumping.

Good luck today x

[*happy*]

wow,you were bac kto work so soon must have been so hard.unfortunately, im working an hour away from home,so wouldn't manage the am feed...may possibly keep doing the DF myself though,dep on how the bottles go...hard to figure it all out...i can honestly see why so few women BF...(don't mean to be negative, but it's a tougher journey than FF)

got the shots poor pet bawled!!!she was fine once we got out of the office though,so hopefully she won't react too badly-we've been lucky with her for the other doses.she's asleep again now,so hoping she'll get a decent nap-might help her feel better...then it'll be time for bottles!!!so strange knowing i wont be feeding her till BT!!!!
thanks so much for all your support shivi...this site has been my saviour! x

[shivi]

hugs on the shots xxx

always made mine sleep better ;-)