Stopping breast feeding.

[tireesix]

Ok, so, this is a strange situation I find myself in.

DD1 was breast fed over 2 years, I tandem fed her and her sister for a few months as well and I guess she kinda stopped partly on her own, partly with a gentle push from me.

DD2 was again breast fed over 2 years and she kinda stopped herself when I was 8 weeks pregnant with DD3.

Now, DD3 is about 18 months, as I mentioned on another post, I am to start Mirapex on Friday, it is obviously better if I don't breast feed while taking the stuff. I had wanted to breast feed DD3 for 2+ years but my fibromyalgia flares are getting worse and worse (I also suffer from Ehler Danlos Syndrome and Osteo-Arthritis), lasting longer and I am becoming pretty much unable to do jack all during the flares. So, starting the Mirapexin is just as much for my family as it is for me because my illness is not fair on anyone.

So, how do I stop her breast feeding? She is not ready yet, I really don't want to stop, this is going to be really hard on both of us. She is allergic to cows milk but she can have soya milk instead. Are there any tips into making this transition somewhat easier for the both of us?

She is my last baby as well, I got my tubes done and the nova sure procedure last year, so this is really it, over and done with it and I am feeling quite sad about it................ I am glad i am not having anymore children, but I wish I wasn't having to stop the breast feeding so soon.....

[pumpkinhead]

Can you put off taking it for another month or so? Even so that you can get the weaning process going before you start taking the meds. Not something I would normally suggest but for me and pretty much every other mom I know who nursed beyond 12 months, 18 months was the most trying time to try to wean. It can be done, but it's probably going to be really hard on you both.

She may surprise you though. Is she distractible at all when she wants to nurse? Can you offer her a sippy of something and have her take it? Does she still nurse at night?

For me, being on the move was key. If I sat down ever, my boys wanted to nurse. While we were out and about, they were easily distracted.

[isabchi]

Check this!

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/si...temp/~ySeuZC:1

[tireesix]

I don't understand Isabchi?????? Link doesn't work.

I could try putting it off but I have fought damned hard to get this, and really, when they agreed to let me have it on Monday, having told me there was no way they were going to prescribe it the Friday before, I was somewhat shocked.

I think at this point, its much better to have a functional mum than a breast feed, there are other people I have to think about as well. I just want to get the first few weeks out the way (because of the side effects) and hopefully, move on to a more fulfilling life.

She is easily distractible with drinks etc during the day, nights might be more difficult though.

[tinybutterfly]

Moving to Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy. You may get more responses there.



tinybutterfly

[Kelly1101]

Originally Posted by tireesix

I don't understand Isabchi?????? Link doesn't work.

I could try putting it off but I have fought damned hard to get this, and really, when they agreed to let me have it on Monday, having told me there was no way they were going to prescribe it the Friday before, I was somewhat shocked.

I think at this point, its much better to have a functional mum than a breast feed, there are other people I have to think about as well. I just want to get the first few weeks out the way (because of the side effects) and hopefully, move on to a more fulfilling life.

She is easily distractible with drinks etc during the day, nights might be more difficult though.

Mine's just barely beyond infancy but saw this from the main page...


We just night-weaned (still day nursing) with this http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html it was excellent and worked well.

Really in your situation, I'd spend just a little time weaning before going straight on the meds... the ten days to night wean, then stabilize the day feedings and cut them out one by one, a few days for each cut-out feeding, with distraction, offered soy milk, and lots of extra cuddling.

Sorry you have to wean early, but hope the medicine helps you.

[HappyMommy2]

The kellymom website weaning page has a list of ideas to reduce the amount and duration of feedings. Then, eliminate the remaining feedings one by one. (easier said than done, to be sure!)

Good luck mama!!

[pumpkinhead]

Is this med for sure contraindicated when breastfeeding?

I would not put off getting the med and I would personally still wean to take it. If at all possible, I'd try to devote a little time to active weaning before starting it though. If you can't, then you can't. You're little one may surprise you and respond to weaning beautifully. I wish you luck.

[MountainMamaGC]

When I started weaning my DD I cut her back to a strict 4 feedings. Her favourite ones. When she was ok with that I cut one feeding at a time. I was ok with 2 feedings for as long as she wanted but she dropped her last 2 feedings on at a time all by herself a week before she turned 2.

I was kinda glad she weaned because I was having a severe crohns flare and wanted to go back on my meds too. I know the conundrum you are having. Honestly I am a much better mom now that my disease is under control. I have more pateince for her and we have way more fun now. I wish I would have weaned her a little earlier. I didnt realize how much my disease was affecting our relationship as my decline was so gradual.

[pbjmama]

I would cut down to one or two sessions that are most important and then probably go cold turkey when you start the meds. At least it is a little transition. I do think you might be surprised at her reaction. I think little ones really can understand that mom is sick and can't give you milk. A visual may help her like a band-aid or something? I hope it goes smoothly for you!

For those of you questioning if weaning really has to happen with this particular drug - it is an L4 and even Dr. Hale says that it should probably not be used when breastfeeding.

[tireesix]

OK, started the drug last night.

DD has been much better about not breast feeding than I thought, its still heart breaking, my boobs are killing me and DD just kinda holds my nipples and looks at me sadly.

That said, last night was the first night I have slept without being woken by a child (like in 6 years), I slept much better than I usually do except for the uncomfortable boobs).

I wish I could have breast fed longer but I had reached a point with the fibro really where even if it wasn't stopping for meds, I would have had to stop because the breast feeding was just too much for me.

I mean, I breast fed for longer than I intended this time really, I had planned on just pumping and bottle feeding this babe because I do have a rough time with breast feeding any way, so 18 months versus nowt is pretty damned good. Once I started breast feeding though I had wanted to do the full two years, but this year I have suffered my worse flare of fibro yet, I have spent many mornings, sobbing because of the pain, barely able to move. On top of that, my Ehler Danlos has been troubling my joints some what more than usual and I have had my knees start to dislocate, my shoulders and back are getting worse with arthritis and I have dedicate the past 6 years of my life to breast feeding and caring for my children and really, I need some time to heal.

The other thing is my DH, I haven't slept with my DH in 6 years, well, we have still done the deed but rarely, we don't share the same bed because I sleep with the children and with both DH and I having health problems, it has made a family bed near on impossible. If I want my children to grow up with parents together, DH and I need to get our relationship back on track and while I am suffering as I am (16 hours a day asleep, major chronic pain, and virtually no time spent with DH), we can't and it has been suggested that maybe I leave because its not fair on the kids to see me as I am, I have been some what suicidal because of the pain, a lot of the meds I have taken this year I have reacted very nastily to.

I don't know. I don't like giving up, but now its my time and family time and DD3 missing out on 5-6 months breast feeding is probably worth it.

She is kinda happy but we have been having lots more cuddles and kisses which has been really nice.

So, thank you all for your help!

The meds are making me feel kinda rough but its not to bad yet, still got a way to go until I get to an adequate dosage, but this may be the beginning of my life again. Apparently, in an open study, 29% of the people in the study who took the drug, went into remission of fibro.I just cannot ignore that, not just for how I feel, but how this may impact on my family, to have their mum back, for my DH to have his wife back........... It means the world to me!

[HappyMommy2]

Any updates mama on how you are feeling?