I think my breasts are drying up, what can I do to stop them?

Answer 1

Why do you think they are drying up?

The only likely reason for a sudden drop in milk supply is hormonal--either you are pregnant or you started using hormonal birth control (the Pill, the minipill, a Mirena IUD, the patch, Depo, NuvaRing, etc.). If the problem is birth control, stopping it will usually work (and is often the *only* thing that will). If you are pregnant, there is usually *nothing* that will help. (Antihistamines will sometimes dry up your milk, but usually only a bit; not all antihistamines have the same effect on different women. Try a different one if you think this is the case.)

If you are neither pregnant nor using hormonal birth control, probably everything is fine. What many women think is milk drying up is, in fact, a sign that nursing is going well. When your baby is first born, your breasts have no way of knowing that you didn't give birth to twins or even triplets. They overproduce. At some point (it can be 2 weeks or a full year after the baby is born), this overproduction stops. You will no longer leak, you probably will *never* feel engorged or even feel that you are producing any milk at all!! You may find that you cannot pump any milk, even if you were earlier pumping easily.

As long as your baby hasn't had an *obvious* drop in the number of wet diapers or in the total amount of her/his bowel movements, you are almost certainly continuing to produce enough milk. (Note: a baby may change her/his *pattern* of bowel movements from 4 a day to once a week; in this case, she/he should have a *huge* bowel movement whenever she/he *does* go...)

Do *not* pump; this will only complicate things. No pump is as effective as a nursing baby.

You *don't* need to eat or drink anything special (or any special amount) in order to make milk. Do *not* force liquids. If you are thirsty, then drink; otherwise, don't. One study showed that women who force liquids actually produced *less* milk.

I hope this helps. If you need more help, please contact La Leche League (see below).

Answer 2

I had this same problem when I was nursing. I did eventually end up drying up (of course much of that was my fault).

Have you returned to work? If you have, that can contribute to the problem. If you are back at work, then try your best to find time to pump at work (that was the mistake I had....I am a teacher, and I just couldn't do it often enough). I would take the advice of others, and pump everytime after you nurse, and inbetween if you are separatef from your baby. It is a supply and demand thing. The less you nurse/pump the less you make.

I also notice that one of the main things (in my own opinion) that stared my problem was that I was put on birth control about 6 weeks aftter delivery. I noticed that my supply decreased. I should not have done this until my supply was better established. (Of course do use other methods of birth control.) Also, talk to your Dr. or Nurse. They can help you, and they may be able to give you the number to the local LaLeche organization.

I truly hope you are able to keep this up. I admire your commitment. I didn't think that I wanted to breast feed at first, but I ended up very happy that I made it for the 3 months, and I was very dissapointed that I didn't to more to keep from drying up.

Also, be careful about jumping on the herbal stuff bandwagon. Just because something is herbal or organic doens't always mean it is safe. Please discuss this with your Dr. first.
I hope this helps.

Answer 3

What you should do depends on what makes you think your breasts are drying up.

If you think they are drying up because your baby seems hungry all the time, just keep on nursing and don't worry about it. As babies grow they go through many times when they need more milk. They will be a bit hungry for a few days while your milk supply catches up with the new, larger demand. Just keep nursing him whenever he wants, get plenty to eat and drink, and your body will do the rest. If you have doubts that your baby is getting enough milk, monitor his "output". If the baby is still wetting diapers at the same rate as before, he's got enough milk. Also, when babies get to the age where they start putting things in their mouths, they may seem hungry when really all they want is to put things in their mouths to feel them.

If you feel that your breasts are drying up because you are on antihistamines, try a different allergy medication like loratadine (Claritin) which doesn't have that side effect. If you have a plugged duct, GO LAY DOWN AND RELAX IMMEDIATELY so you don't come down with mastitis, and treat the plugged duct right away.

Answer 4

You haven't taken any antihistamines lately, have you?? They dry up your milk for an hour or two and then your supply returns.

If not stress related issues will contribute, I suggest taking a warm bath with your little one, apply a warm wash cloth to the opposite breast (suggesting you nurse while doing this), and take deep breaths to help relax and enjoy the time with your loved one.

Maybe pump a little in between feedings and remember to massage your breast if it feels engorged (swollen).

I have been breastfeeding for 14 months now and am speaking from the experiences.

If your problem does not go away or if you notice any abnormal discharge coming from your nipples, call a doctor immediately, your milk ducts could be infected.

Good Luck, and Thank You for being a Natural Feeder.

Answer 5

Nurse on a schedule as frequently and possible and if your baby doesn't want to eat use a hospital grade pump. you can rent one from a hospital or a medical supply store. Also drink lots of fluids, and rest try not to stress. It might take a day or two of lots of pumping a drinking for your body to catch up. But ever you do don't start formula because you think that baby is not getting enough. If you do that your baby will get full of of formula and then not want to nurse which will only make things worse. If all else fails call your doctor or the hospital where you had the baby and speak to a lactation consultation. Good luck!

Answer 6

I am so glad you asked this question. The only answer I would have suggested would be to continue to nurse as often as the baby will latch on and drink plenty of water or other non-decaffeinated drinks. I am actually going through the same type of situation. My milk supply is diminishing because my baby is trying to wean herself. She is just too busy to be bother except at nap time or bedtime. she is 8 mos old and pretty mobile now and a BITER. I found out through reading some of your answers that the antihistamines that I have been taking is further diminishing my supply. Thanks for asking and good luck to you.

Answer 7

It's common for the breasts to shrink to their near-prepregnancy size after a few months, is that what you mean? It doesn't mean you're not making enough milk as long as your baby is eating often and gaining weight. Also, if you were leaking before and not now it just means your hormones are balancing out more. All of that is normal, and not a cause for concern unless your baby is suddenly losing weight.

Answer 8

Mothers Milk tea is an herbal tea that helps promote healthy lactation. You can purchase this tea at a health food store or on the internet. Remember to eat right and eat enough, also get enough sleep and try to stay away from stress.

Answer 9

Nurse more often and get a breast pump. I would recommend a hand pump, not an electric. Pump after the baby has finished and/or in between feedings.

Answer 10

apparently as long as you are nursing, you won't Dry up. i just asked the dr. the same question and she told me that as long as i have a consistent 4 feeding a day (or how ever many) my supply could go on indefinitely. of course indefinitely isn't an option. my daughter is 12 months and we are starting to ween. good luck!