Reducing Milk Supply

[Chasingcars]

I have breastfed for 6 months and now looking to switch to formula. I understand that this needs to be done gradually but where I substitute a breast feed with a bottle, I have to express to relieve discomfort but surely my milk supply will not reduce?
How do you successfully reduce your supply but keep yourself comfortable in between feeds?
Thx!

[rockyracoon]

I just stopped dead when I fed my two, hurt like a bitch for a couple of days then it subsided. My lovely boobs disappeared overnight :)

[bednobs]

TBH i really don't think you can escape the pain, no matter what way you do it. I gradually reduced then stopped. I had to wear a bra 24/7 for 3 days because my boobies hurt so much

[sherrardk]

I can't remember now how I did it but 'they' say that the first couple of bottles of formula should be given to the baby by someone other than yourself (as the baby might not take it if she can smell your milk).

[chrissa1]

Going back 30 years, but I just stopped and it was very painful for about 24 hours. I can remember my husband binding me up tight.

[Goodsoulette]

Just stop if you want to, keep yourself bound up. Could you not feed in the morning and evening? Your body will adjust to what you want to do but it may take some discomfort but if you express it, it will keep producing milk.

[Brinjal]

I just stopped. Reducing feeds doesn't really help because the feeds that you do just stimulate the milk production again.

[Chasingcars]

Thanks all.
Brinjal, when you stopped, how long did it take for your milk supply to dry up completely?

[DaisyNonna]

Shame that new mothers are no longer supported by the Health Service,

[bednobs]

they are

[pretty_snowdrop]

I gave up breastfeeding my kids gradually and i can't remember any excessive discomfort.

[Chasingcars]

Thanks Pretty S....what timescale did you do it over? Days or weeks?

Daisy N- i am supported very well by my local health visiting team, have had excellent help and advise, just always helpful to hear from other mums as well.

[pretty_snowdrop]

It was over a few months. I started introducing bottles during in the day and just breastfed during the night ( becasue i couldn't be bothered getting up to make bottles) and gradually stopped those as she started sleeping through.

[belrec]

I found a good way to cut down was to pick a feed in the day to give the bottle instead, express about half the usual then make up the volume with formula, that way the baby gets a bottle which still has breast milk in but your breasts give a smaller amount.

The trick is into "fooling" your breasts that only a little bit is needed and gradually reduce the amount you express.

You have done great to go for so long, my boy just decided to stop one day at four and hlaf months when he worked out that he could get more and faster from the bottle!!