Help in stopping breast feeding

Hi,

can anyone give me some advice. I will be introducing my little boy to solids when he is six months. I have breast fed him exclusively even though I have had reccurent mastitis and constant plugged ducts. If I miss even one feed my breast becomes so painfull straight away and mastitis begins, I start feeling fluey and really quite ill. If I wean gradually I will end up having to drain my breast to stop the mastitis so I am thinking of going cold turkey and taking antibiotics and painkillers if needed then at least I am only going through it once. Has anyone else gone through this?. Epsom salts have been recommended to me, I am willing to try them but afraid they could be dangerous?. I really would wean gradually but because of these problems I really dont think I can bear it, would rather just get it over with. It is an emotional decision as well so I am finding the thought of it very upsetting but I keep reminding myself that I have to stop one day and I have given him the best start in life that I can.

The girl in my postnatal ward asked about epsom salts and the midwife told her they'd give her diarhhorea and it's not great and that it's an old wives tale.

I've read that with weaning, babies only eat small amounts to start with and it's breast milk that provides their main nutrition for many months to come. So I don't think you'd be stopping dead anyway?

HOw old is your baby now? My boobs have changed when Hannah was about 4 and half months and have really settled down now. Maybe your's will too?

Have you tried hot flannels and cabbage leaves when you start to get symptoms? They really do work. Savoy is the best!!!

Have you got a breast bump. I had to use one once when I got so large that she couldn't get a good latch and then had silly little feeds for 2 days. I was leaking everywhere but the pump really helped relieve it and we got back on track again.

Good luck,
Anne x