does one have to take any drug 6 months after breastfeeding in order to stop breastmilk from flowing?

Answer 1

It's not a good idea to take any drugs to "dry up" your milk for a simple reason: every drug that was marketed for that purpose in the past was taken off the market because it kills women who use it. Unless you want to be the person who gets the next one onto the "do not prescribe" list, I would say you should stay away!!

If you are nursing and want to stop *and* stay healthy, then just wean gradually. Most women can eliminate about 1 feeding every 3-4 days until they are down to the last feeding or two. Then you may have to go more slowly--cut down the length of the feeding for a few days before you eliminate it entirely. Do not take any drugs. Do *not*, absolutely *not*, bind the breasts--that is a recipe for disaster, too! It can cause a breast infection that can turn into an abscess and land you in the surgical ward of your local hospital.

Answer 2

No, you do not need drugs to dry up your milk.
Nor do you need to bind your breasts - this is DANGEROUS and no longer recommended.

Your breasts only make more milk when milk is removed, either by breastfeeding or pumping.
The less you remove, the less milk will be made.

The safest and most comfortable way to do this - for both you and your baby - is to wean slowly.

At six months, most babies are starting on solids. If you let nature take its course, your baby will gradually (over the course of a few months,) take more and more solids and less milk.

The World Health Organization recommends that babies breastfeed for at least two years. If you wish to wean before that, (in your case, at six months,) then you can substitute a bottle of formula for one feeding a day in the first week, two feedings a day in the second week, and so on until the baby is fully weaned. By that time your milk will be down to almost nothing and will dry up on its own.

If your baby is over a year when you wish to wean, then you do not need to use formula. Talk to your doctor about your baby's nutritional needs.

FUN FACT #1
Many mothers who have weaned continue to have some milk for quite a while. This is normal and there is no need for concern.
How do they know they have milk?
Usually, because they continue to squeeze it out.
It is this continual stimulation that is producing the milk, so stop squeezing and it will eventually go away :)

FUN FACT #2
Even older babies and toddlers, who are only nursing once or twice a day, get the immuniological benefits of human milk.
If you are thinking about weaning, consider cutting down instead. ANY human milk is better than NO human milk!

Answer 3

With both of my kids, I had to tough it out and let my body stop making milk by itself.

Are you saying that you stopped breastfeeding 6 months ago and still have milk? In that case, it's probably worth a call to your OB to see if they have any suggestions. Some women just take a long time to shut down the milk factory.

Answer 4

I breastfed three children and the milk dried up naturally as they reduced feeds. If you feed on supply and demand then as the feeds are reduced the amount of milk you produce is less.
The key is to wean them off the breast and not stop suddenly

The only problem I had with that was for about a year after , when I heard a baby cry i produced milk ( not good on a childrens ward !!)

Answer 5

very basic. I did it in 2 days. Put on an old shirt. Don't go anywhere and let nature take care of it.The pressure can be painful, achy, sore, but don't let the baby back on. I did it after 5 months. That's about the time they start cutting teeth, and I just figured that was nature's way of telling me it was time to wean him! I really can't imagine why some women breast feed past 1 year.

Answer 6

no you shouldn't need to take any drugs all you need to do is stop feeding and expressing. your breasts will feels very heavy to start off with as your body adjust. a good way to relieve it is a warm bath or lay a warm flannel on them
it will take a few days possibly even a week 2 at the max for your milk to dry up but then it'll all be over. if in doubt consult your midwife

Answer 7

I went 'cold turkey' when I stopped feeding my daughter and it was absolutely awful. My breasts were rock hard and I couldn't bear for them to be touched by anything. Eventually I wore two breastfeeding bras and plenty of breast pads to absorb the excess milk. After a few days the swelling went down and the milk stopped. Sorry!

Answer 8

I dont know about these days, but, when my kids were babies, they didn't have anything to dry up the milk, and I even asked my doctor, because, I was in so much pain.......He said,"No, only for mothers, who choose, not to nurse, while, their in the hospitol" Just after, delivering.......I dont know how things are for "MOMs" today, you might could pay a doctor, to get the shot, regardless, if you already nursed.......I'm not sure, just give your OBGYN, a "Jingle" and ask, their always ready to answer phone questions..thats what there for......Otherwise, its a little discomfort, and pressure, when you quit, and everytime, my babies, would cry, "Ouch" my milk would come in, again........And they literally made me feel like, I was a human, balloon, being "Blown-up" everytime, they cried !!!! But, eventually they will quit doing that , and you will finally get release, from the agony!!! I'm sorry, for you, but, it does get better, and give the "Doc" a jingle!!!! He may very well, have just the answer, to your problems......... Smile!!!

Answer 9

My milk dried up around 2 months after I stopped nursing my daughter. You can check with a nursing consultant at the hospital you delivered at or with you doctor to see if you need medication for that. Also, they say to wrap yourself snuggly with a ace bandage to stop the flow.

Answer 10

I never took drugs. As I began weaning my babies the milk slowed down. I eventually got down to one feeding a day then quit all together. The only reason I know for milk to keep producing is for someone to be expressing it.