Drying Up Breastmilk

How can I dry up my breastmilk since I will not be nursing my baby?

Drying Up Breastmilk
Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, your body will automatically make milk your newborn. If you do not wish to breastfeed, you will want to dry your breastmilk up. Perhaps you have breastfed your baby for quite some time and are now choosing to wean him. Your body will still need to stop the milk production.

Some women choose to formula feed from the beginning. Your breastmilk should naturally dry up within a week or so if you take measures to prevent the milk from being stimulated. If you do not express the milk when it comes in, your breasts will become engorged. The process of drying up breastmilk can be uncomfortable and sometimes, very painful. Any kind of breast or nipple stimulation will alert your body that it needs to produce milk. Wear a snug fitting bra and put cabbage leaves inside of the bra to reduce swelling and suppress the stimulation of milk. Do not pump your breasts because it will encourage your body to produce more. Avoid using heating pads, warm water or other types of heat because the heat can actually encourage your milk to let down, which will stimulate more breast milk to be produced.

Some women will wean their baby from the breast at some point and need to dry up their breastmilk also. First and foremost, it is usually best to wean your baby slowly to tell your body to stop producing the milk. Substitute feedings with formula one at a time until the complete transition is done. You should pump a small amount of milk from each breast if you begin to feel like your breasts are swollen of overfilled. Use cold compresses or cold cabbage leaves to reduce swelling and encourage the milk supply to decrease. Do not apply heat on your breasts as this could make the process more painful and longer. Even when you are in the shower, turn away from the water and do not allow the water pressure to "massage" your breasts. The stimulation can cause your breasts to produce more milk. As hard as it can be at times, do not let your baby nurse in order to relieve pressure. If you allow your child to do so, your supply will increase and you will have to start the entire process over. Do not be surprised if this process takes a few weeks or even months to finish.

Comments: Drying Up Breastmilk

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desertmonkey73 - 1033 days ago.
Sophie, I continued to leak milk after I weaned my youngest (at 6 mo) for 4 more years! My dr tested me for a specific type of tumor that would cause it, and since that came back normal, he said to not worry about it, that it can happen!

Bri - 1313 days ago.
Brandy, sometimes it takes lots of time. I've seen women still producing a year after they stopped all breastfeeding. If you have tried everything then the next step is asking your doctor. I know mine asked if I was going to breastfeed or not because there are drugs that they can give you to stop production.

brandyq - 1314 days ago.
is there any tips on how to dry up? I had gotten down to only pumping once per day. I have done the cabbage leaves and ice packs and currying have my breasts wrapped in a ace bandage...the minute I take pressure off my chest I have let down...it isnt painful as of yet...but i am also taking benadryl to help dy up...I just need to dry up some so I dont have to wear a bandage all day long! Any ideas?

presh116 - 1325 days ago.
I lost my son last week 16 weeks and my milk came in so painful i hope it drys quick

Bri - 1537 days ago.
robyns - It's perfectly normal to leak for years after weaning. Try a bit of sudefed. It should help. Also, try not to stimulate them the more they are the more they will want to make.

robyns - 1537 days ago.
I stopped breastfeeding my daughter at 6 months and I still have milk eventhough she's 14 months now! Its weird because I never had ALOT of milk and had to supplement.

nikosmommy - 1603 days ago.
I have supplimented both of my son's with formula, while also breastfeeding. With my first baby breast feeding was SOO difficult. If I had a dollar for everytime I cried I would be a wealthy woman! However I persisted in trying to BF and it took more than TWO whole months to really get the hang of it... my son always fell asleep at the breast, nursed slowly and his latch was always painful (no matter the position). He did take the bottle also, so I knew he was getting enough nutrition...but I was dertermined to continue BF'ing. EVENTUALLY he did become good at it!!! I went to a breastfeeding clinic for the first 2 months every few days to ensure success with feedings, and I was on the drug Motilium for increased milk production. I could barely pump an oz . to save my life. Breastfeeding was so challening BUT I'm so glad I continued...and he actually nursed until he weaned himself at 11 months. I knew the health benefits were strong...I REALLY wanted him to BF and REALLY set my mind to it,,,but BOY was it hard in the begining. My second son is completely different. A great nurser, a good latch and I have good milk production..but I still supplement with formula b/c I still get very little when i pump... EVERY baby is different and it is WORTH it to continue with trying if you can. But that's all you can do is try...sometime BF'ing isn't a viable option. BUT do TRY mommies!!!!!!

babybehappy - 1627 days ago.
Parsley and sage will dry up your milk too. You can probably get them in capsule form from a health food store.