728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Issues for Mom › I Hate Breastfeeding – Now What?

I Hate Breastfeeding – Now What?

Considerations Before You Quit

By Shel Franco

Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  

After soliciting help from lactation experts and La Leche League volunteers, Melissa stopped nursing. "According to them I was doing everything correctly and just needed to remember how important this was for my baby," she says.

But Melissa's mental health became more of an issue, and she chose to stop breastfeeding when her baby was 4 weeks old. She experienced minimal breast tenderness and total relief from the back pain she was experiencing. "My son and I finally bonded and I couldn't wait to feed him," she says. "I could actually see him and not worry about smothering him with my breast. The baby never skipped a beat and was a lot less fussy. He seemed to really enjoy looking into my eyes while he ate."

If you are seriously contemplating quitting, you should take a few things into consideration first.

According to International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Ann Calandro, you can expect any or all of the following things to happen:

To You: If you haven't been giving supplemental bottles and your supply is adequate, your breasts will become engorged for a few days. "With ice packs and cabbage leaf treatment, you will probably find your milk is almost gone in a week or two," says Calandro. "Many moms can express a few drops of milk for a while after that, but their breasts do not really feel uncomfortable."

If you haven't experienced the return of your menstrual period, it will probably show soon after weaning. The switch in hormones may also impact the way you mother. "Hormonally, you will not be as likely to be relaxed and calm with your baby because you will no longer have the benefit of prolactin, which surges through your body with every nursing," says Calandro.


Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  

Want to see more?

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.